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Diagnostics
Special Issues
Advanced Diagnostics in Head and Neck Oncology
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Advanced Diagnostics in Head and Neck Oncology

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2007

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Xindong Fan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Vascular Anomaly Center, Department of Interventional Therapy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Interests: vascular malformation; vascular tumor; vascular anomaly; head and neck cancer; interventional radiology
Dr. Siyi Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial-Head & Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
Interests: head and neck cancer; head and neck tumor; surgical oncology; head and neck surgery
Dr. Longwei Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial-Head & Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
Interests: head and neck cancer; head and neck tumor; surgical oncology; head and neck surgery
Dr. Yuchen Shen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Vascular Anomaly Center, Department of Interventional Therapy, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Interests: vascular malformation; vascular tumor; vascular anomaly; head and neck cancer; interventional radiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Head and neck tumors (HNTs) are a complex pathological combination that mainly invades the oral cavity, pharynx, nasal cavity and other parts. Among these, head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide and comprises a diverse group of malignant entities affecting the upper aerodigestive tract. Although multiple histological subtypes exist, squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent. The complex anatomy of these regions poses significant challenges to precise diagnosis.

The diagnosis of HNTs necessitates specialized teams, equipment and skills. A key challenge in the HNT pathway is the uncertainty and inconsistency of symptoms preceding diagnosis. Healthcare systems worldwide have established targeted, timed pathways; however, financial constraints, especially among countries with low socio-demographic index, have led to insufficient infrastructure to manage the surge in referrals, with the vast majority not receiving a reliable diagnosis. Innovative triage methods have begun to streamline this process through risk stratification, enabling more effective resource allocation. This has enhanced the management of non-cancer patients, yet diagnostic delays remain unresolved.

Furthermore, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) within healthcare in recent years has attracted significant scholarly interest. AI techniques, including machine learning, neural networks and deep learning, when integrated into the comprehensive management of HNTs, hold the potential to enhance the accuracy, safety and effectiveness of diagnostic approaches.

This Special Issue will focus on emerging technologies, methodologies and clinical translation applications in the field of head and neck oncology diagnosis, encompassing molecular diagnostics, medical imaging, AI–assisted diagnostic systems, liquid biopsy, precision pathology and related interdisciplinary areas. We anticipate this collection will serve as a high-quality academic platform for researchers and clinicians, fostering innovation and advancement in diagnostic science.

Original research articles, reviews, guidelines, protocols and interesting images are welcome in this Special Issue. Manuscripts should adhere to the journal's formatting guidelines and ethical standards.

Prof. Dr. Xindong Fan
Guest Editor

Dr. Siyi Li
Dr. Longwei Hu
Dr. Yuchen Shen
Guest Editor Assistants

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • head and neck
  • tumor
  • surgical diagnosis
  • non-invasive diagnostic method
  • diagnostic biomarkers
  • intraoperative imaging
  • pathology
  • minimally invasive biopsy
  • artificial intelligence

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 857 KB  
Article
Cervical Esophageal Characteristics in Smokers Versus Non-Smokers: An Ultrasonographic Comparative Analysis
by Muhammed J. Alsaadi and Abdulrahman M. Alfuraih
Diagnostics 2026, 16(9), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16091343 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 223
Abstract
Background/Objective: Smoking is known to be associated with reflux-related mucosal damage and deleterious esophageal outcomes, yet no non-invasive imaging biomarkers of smoking-induced esophageal remodeling have been identified. We aimed to compare cervical esophageal ultrasound morphology between habitual smokers and non-smokers, in terms [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Smoking is known to be associated with reflux-related mucosal damage and deleterious esophageal outcomes, yet no non-invasive imaging biomarkers of smoking-induced esophageal remodeling have been identified. We aimed to compare cervical esophageal ultrasound morphology between habitual smokers and non-smokers, in terms of esophageal wall thickness, number of sonographically discernable wall layers, and esophageal diameter, and investigate whether smoking is an independent predictor of these findings. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 participants (30 smokers, 30 non-smokers) underwent high-resolution B-mode ultrasound of the cervical esophagus. Examinations were performed in transverse and longitudinal planes. Outcomes included esophageal wall thickness (mm), number of discernible wall layers, and esophageal diameters in transverse and longitudinal planes. Group comparisons used independent t-tests and chi-square tests. Multiple linear regression assessed independent associations with smoking status (adjusting for age and weight). Within smokers, Pearson correlation evaluated relationships between smoking duration and ultrasound outcomes; exploratory subgroup analyses compared smoking modalities. Results: Smokers were older and had higher weight and BMI than non-smokers. Compared with non-smokers, smokers had greater wall thickness (3.06 vs 2.61 mm), more discernible wall layers (5.03 vs 3.60), and larger transverse (11.68 vs 7.87 mm) and longitudinal (12.90 vs 8.26 mm) diameters (all p < 0.001). In regression analysis, smoking status independently predicted wall thickness (B = 0.411 mm, 95% CI 0.243–0.578; p < 0.001). Smoking duration showed significant correlations with the number of visible layers (r = 0.82; p < 0.001) and wall thickness (r = 0.42; p = 0.021). Conclusions: High-frequency ultrasound detected significant differences in cervical esophageal morphology between smokers and non-smokers. Smoking was independently associated with differences in the diameter, thickness, and number of visible layers of the cervical esophagus. Further studies with larger sample sizes, improved exposure assessment, and use of reference standards are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Diagnostics in Head and Neck Oncology)
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Review

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13 pages, 799 KB  
Review
Radiation-Induced Carotid Artery Disease: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management
by Alfredo Mauriello, Adriana Correra, Anna Chiara Maratea, Giovanni Benfari, Federica Ilardi, Giuseppe Giugliano, Matteo Lisi, Alessandro Malagoli, Giulia Elena Mandoli, Maria Concetta Pastore, Simona Sperlongano, Vincenzo Russo, Matteo Cameli and Antonello D’Andrea
Diagnostics 2026, 16(6), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16060841 - 12 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 920
Abstract
Patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancers (HNCs) face a significantly increased risk of developing carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). This condition, known as accelerated or radiation-induced carotid atherosclerosis, represents a long-term toxicity that profoundly impacts patients’ quality [...] Read more.
Patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancers (HNCs) face a significantly increased risk of developing carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). This condition, known as accelerated or radiation-induced carotid atherosclerosis, represents a long-term toxicity that profoundly impacts patients’ quality of life and survival. Pathogenesis is complex, involving mechanisms such as direct endothelial damage, oxidative stress, chronic inflammatory activation, peri-adventitial fibrosis, and the acceleration of pre-existing atherosclerotic processes. Despite this elevated risk, universal screening and treatment are not yet standardized across all international guidelines. This narrative review summarizes the epidemiology, pathological mechanisms, and clinical implications of accelerated radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RICS) after neck irradiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Diagnostics in Head and Neck Oncology)
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Other

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11 pages, 1504 KB  
Case Report
Diagnostic Pitfall in the Carotid Space: Accessory Nerve Schwannoma Simulating Cystic Metastasis—A Case Report
by Roberts Tumelkans, Elza Rate, Madara Mikijanska, Can Özütemiz, Oksana Mahmajeva and Arturs Balodis
Diagnostics 2026, 16(5), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16050699 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 540
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this case report is to highlight the diagnostic challenges of carotid space masses, share clinical experience, and educate clinicians by presenting a case of a rare disease. Introduction: Accessory nerve schwannomas are rare, benign peripheral nerve sheath [...] Read more.
Objectives: The aim of this case report is to highlight the diagnostic challenges of carotid space masses, share clinical experience, and educate clinicians by presenting a case of a rare disease. Introduction: Accessory nerve schwannomas are rare, benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. They make up only a small percentage of all cervical schwannomas. Given their rarity and varying appearance on imaging, these tumors can be difficult to accurately diagnose. Schwannomas may mimic other carotid space pathologies, such as metastatic lymphadenopathy, paragangliomas, or sympathetic chain tumors. Accurately identifying the nerve of origin before surgery is important for effective surgical planning and neurological function protection. Case Description: A 50-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic left-sided neck mass. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a cystic lesion with a thick, contrast-enhancing capsule in the left carotid space, causing internal jugular vein compression and partial thrombosis. Subsequent MRI showed a 28 mm × 23 mm × 38 mm well-defined mass with characteristic schwannoma features, including T2/Short tau inversion recovery (STIR) hyperintensity, peripheral enhancement, central cystic degenerative components, and peripheral diffusion restriction with corresponding lower apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Split-fat sign and fascicular sign were also seen on the MRI. Despite these imaging findings, the radiological interpretation suggested a sympathetic chain schwannoma as the most likely diagnosis. The correct diagnosis of accessory nerve schwannoma was established intraoperatively when the mass was visualized to be attached to the accessory nerve. Conclusions: This case highlights that even with suggestive MRI features, the rarity of accessory nerve schwannomas can lead to misidentification of the nerve of origin. Accurate diagnosis may require intraoperative visualization, thus marking the importance of including accessory nerve involvement in the differential diagnosis of carotid space masses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Diagnostics in Head and Neck Oncology)
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