Comparison of Usefulness of Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration and Core Needle Biopsy in Diagnosis of Cervical Lymphadenopathy / 대한이비인후과학회지

Background and Objectives@#The purpose of this study is to compare diagnostic outcome and safety of fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. Subjects and Method This retrospective studies were conducted on 164 cases with cervical lymphadenopathy that had undergone FNA, and 44 cases that had undergone CNB. The cytopathological results from FNA and CNB were compared with the histopathological results confirmed by excisional biopsy in the nodes according to different sizes and radiological levels, respectively. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were evaluated according to disease entities. @*Results@#FNA is more accurate than CNB in most of the sizes and at all cervical levels. However, there is no statistically significant difference between the results of the two tests. Sensitivity and NPV for diagnosis of malignant lymphoma are higher with FNA than with CNB. However, specificity and PPV for malignant lymphoma are higher with CNB than with FNA. Also CNB showed superior sensitivity, PPV and NPV for metastatic lymphadenopathy. @*Conclusion@#Although CNB is beneficial in reducing the false negative rate, it still has several limitations. Since CNB has no statistically significant advantage over FNA, FNA can be a good alternative method with less complication and high diagnostic value for lesions where CNB is difficult to perform.

The Influence of Non-Linear Frequency Compression on the Perception of Speech and Music in Patients with High Frequency Hearing Loss

Background and Objectives@#Non-linear frequency compression (NLFC) technology compresses and shifts higher frequencies into a lower frequency area that has better residual hearing. Because consonants are uttered in the high-frequency area, NLFC could provide better speech understanding. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of NLFC technology on the perception of speech and music in patients with high-frequency hearing loss. @*Subjects and Methods@#Twelve participants with high-frequency hearing loss were tested in a counter-balanced order, and had two weeks of daily experience with NLFC set on/off prior to testing. Performance was repeatedly evaluated with consonant tests in quiet and noise environments, speech perception in noise, music perception and acceptableness of sound quality rating tasks. Additionally, two questionnaires (the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and the Korean version of the International Outcome Inventory-Hearing Aids) were administered. @*Results@#Consonant and speech perception improved with hearing aids (NLFC on/off conditions), but there was no significant difference between NLFC on and off states. Music perception performances revealed no notable difference among unaided and NLFC on and off states. The benefits and satisfaction ratings between NLFC on and off conditions were also not significantly different, based on questionnaires, however great individual variability preferences were noted. @*Conclusions@#Speech perception as well as music perception both in quiet and noise environments was similar between NLFC on and off states, indicating that real world benefits from NLFC technology may be limited in Korean adult hearing aid users.

Hurthle Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid: A Case Report of 12 Cases / 대한이비인후과학회지

Hurthle cell carcinoma (HCC) is a relatively rare disease, which comprises about 3% of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. HCC is considered to have more aggressive clinical behavior compared with other differentiated thyroid carcinoma. However, there has been no consensus about clinical behavior and optimal treatment of HCC because of insufficient reports. Moreover, owing to geographical characteristics, HCC is rarer in Korea than in western countries. Based on 2017 World Health Organization classification, HCC is newly classified as an individual group, not as a subtype of follicular thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, we report data of 12 HCC patients who underwent surgery in our center from January 2000 to May 2020 with a review of the literature.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervical Esophagus with Metastasis to Thyroid Gland

Despite thyroid is a highly vascularized organ, clinically significant metastatic spread to the thyroid is considered uncommon. There is a reported incidence of up to 24.0% metastases to the thyroid in autopsy series. The most frequently noted primary sites are the kidney, breast, and lung. The metastatic spread of alimentary tract is quite rare, and the majority comes from the colo-rectum. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervical esophagus presenting as thyroid nodule in an apparently healthy 54 year-old male patient. This might be the first case of esophageal carcinoma metastases to the thyroid presenting in South Korea.

Pharyngocutaneous Fistula which Occurred During Postoperative Radiotherapy in Larynx Cancer Patient with Dementia / 대한두경부종양학회지

Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a relatively common, but serious complication after pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer surgery. It can cause wound infection, longer hospitalization period and sometimes carotid artery rupture which can be fatal. Recently, we experienced a 63-year-old larynx cancer patient who had dementia and alcoholic liver cirrhosis for underlying diseases. He underwent total laryngectomy and both neck dissection, and pharyngocutaneous fistula occurred during postoperative radiotherapy. Pharyngocutaneous fistula during postoperative radiotherapy has not yet reported in the literature, and there are few reports about pre and postoperative management of dementia patient after head and neck cancer surgery. Therefore, we report this case with a brief review of literature.

Oculomotor and Abducens Nerve Palsy Complicated by Cavernous Sinus Thrombophlebitis Resulting from Acute Sinusitis / 대한이비인후과학회지

Cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis is a rare complication of paranasal sinusitis. The disease can result in a fatal outcome if not treated with proper antibiotics or surgical intervention. Recently, we experienced a case, in which a 58-year-old female presented with oculomotor and abducens nerve palsy resulting from the cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis complicated by paranasal sinusitis. CT and magnetic resonance imaging with contrast enhancement showed right unilateral pansinusitis, left maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid sinusitis and bilateral cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis. These conditions were resolved by endoscopic sinus surgery, administration of broad spectrum antibiotics and steroid.