Galectin-8 Expression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: Despite the ongoing development of treatment protocols for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), the patients suffering with this malady have shown only a modestly improved outcome. This poor outcome has been attributed to the lack of therapy that's individualized to the tumor's biological properties. Various studies have showed that galectin-8 is widely expressed in tumor tissues as well as in normal tissues, and the level of the galectin-8 expression may correlate with the malignancy of human squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the expression of galectin-8 and to investigate its correlations with the primary stage, the nodal involvement, the clinical stage and the histologic grade of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. METHODS: The paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 77 patients who were diagnosed as LSCC between 1993 and 2007 were immunohistochemically stained for galectin-8. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that a strong positive expression of galectin-8 was correlated with the T-stages, the nodal stages and the clinical stages. However, the histopathologic grades were not correlated with the galectin-8 expression in LSCC. CONCLUSION: The expression of galectin-8 protein can be used as a prognostic factor for patients with LSCC.

Clinical Study of Deep Neck Infection / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of deep neck infection has decreased after the introduction of antibiotics and improvement of oral hygiene, but it may still be lethal especially when life-threatening complications occur. The objective of this study is to clarify the presenting signs and symptoms, clinical course, microorganisms, and management of deep neck infections. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 134 patients who were diagnosed with deep neck infection and who received treatment at the Chosun University Hospital between 1996 and 2005 for the analysis of age and sex, distribution related to spaces involved, the location of cellulitis and abscess, the side of lesion, the symptoms and signs, the etiologic events, the associated conditions, the result of culture, and the treatments. Peritonsillar abscesses were excluded from this study. RESULTS: The parapharyngeal space and extended space were the most commonly involved space of deep neck infections, followed by submandibular space, retropharyngeal space, and Ludwig's angina. The most common pathogens found were Streptococcus, followed by Klebsiella and Staphylococcus. In diabetic patients, Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common causative pathogen. Peptostreptococcus was the most common anaerobic pathogen. CONCLUSION: Initial management including trial of proper empirical antibiotics is important. According to the culture and antibiotic sensitivity test in this study, a combined therapy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and metronidazole is useful in polymicrobial deep neck infection.

Clinical Study of Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is recognized as a potentially aggressive and commonly fatal fungal infection. The classic presentation involves nasal mucosa and the invasion of the paranasal sinuses and orbit. Treatment includes aggressive debridement, systemic antifungal therapy, and control of underlying comorbid factors. This study aimed to investigate the clinical feature of rhinocerebral mucormycosis and to determine relationships among the underlying disease, extent of mucormycosis, initial time of surgical intervention and prognosis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Five cases of mucormycosis were retrospectively reviewed. Prognosis was analyzed according to predisposing factors including the underlying disease, extent of disease and intial time of surgical intervention. Resuits: A 5-year overall survival rate of the patients with mucormycosis was 60%. There was significant survival gain in the group for which the underlying disease was well controlled and extent of disease was limited, No significant difference in survival was observed according to duration between symptom onset and surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Survival is usually determined at the very early period of treatment. The most important prognostic factor is optimal control of the underlying disease and extent of disease.

A Case of Giant Malignant Clear Cell Hidradenoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

Originating in the eccrine gland and occurring mostly in those above 50 years-old, malignant clear cell hidradenoma is a very rare type of tumor, compared to the common benign hidradenoma. To the author's knowledge, there have been only 4 cases reported worldwide of the malignant transformation, especially in nodular hidradenomas. Clinical manifestation of malignant clear cell hidradenoma includes an appearance of a single tumor generally in either extremities or head, which prevails for a long period and then suddenly enlarges from external stimuli, such as trauma, electrical cauterization or incomplete excision. With its aggressive behavior, it frequently recurs after surgical excision and has high tendency for regional and distant metastasis. We report on our experience on a 75 year-old woman with a 15*7*8 cm malignant clear cell hidradenoma, a malignant tranformation in the long standing nodular hidradenoma, in the right postauricular region and the parotid gland region.