Relationships between Lymph Node Metastasis and Expression of CD31, D2-40, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors A and C in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between lymph node metastasis (LNM) and expression of CD31, D2-40 and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A and -C in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). METHODS: Paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues of 72 patients were evaluated, which included 25 patients with thyroid nodular hyperplasia (TNH), 24 PTC patients without LNM, and 23 PTC patients with LNM. Three pathologists, who were blinded to the patient's clinical information, assessed the immunohistochemical staining results. The amount of expression was scored as high (>25% of cells stained) or low (0-25%). RESULTS: A higher level of VEGF-A expression was observed in the PTC groups regardless of LNM when compared to the group with TNH (91.3%, 79.2%, 4.0%, respectively). VEGF-C expression in the PTC with LNM group was significantly higher than the other two groups (P<0.05). No difference in microvessel density (MVD) scores was observed using CD31 among the three groups. The lymphatic vessel density (LVD) score using D2-40 was significantly higher in patients having PTC with LNM than the other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: VEGF-C and D2-40 were more highly expressed in patients having PTC with LNM than in patients having PTC without LNM or in those having TNH. Analysis of VEGF-C level and LVD using D2-40 may be helpful in the diagnosis of PTC and the evaluation of LNM potential in patients with PTC.

Is BPPV a Prognostic Factor in Idiopathic Sudden Sensory Hearing Loss?

OBJECTIVES: The prognostic significance of vertigo in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) remains a matter of debate because vertigo is associated with many different vestibular disorders. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as a prognostic factor in patients with SSNHL. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 298 patients with SSNHL. Hearing outcomes were evaluated by assessments of pre-treatment hearing and hearing gain. Comparative multivariate analyses between prognostic factors and hearing outcome were conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (12.7%) SSNHL patients were found to also have BPPV. BPPV showed significant negative prognostic factors in hearing outcome on multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 0.15). In comparison to average pure tone audiometry (PTA), patients diagnosed with SSNHL with BPPV exhibited poorer hearing in pre- and post-treatment PTA compared to SSNHL without BPPV. Old age (>60 years), pre-treatment hearing, and canal paresis were significant outcome predictors. CONCLUSION: BPPV in SSNHL patients, representing definitive vestibular damage, was closely related to poor prognosis.

Surgical Treatment Using an Allograft Dermal Matrix for Nasal Septal Perforation

PURPOSE: Numerous methods have been utilized to repair nasal septal perforation with varying degrees of success; however, no consensus has been reached on nasoseptal perforation repair. Here, the authors describe a surgical method based on human dermal allograft (Surederm(TM), Hans Biomed Corp. Korea) for the repair of nasal septal perforations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with a nasal septal perforation were included in this study. The causes of these septal perforations included previous nasal surgery, trauma, foreign body (button battery), and idiopathy. There were several sites of perforation: 9 in the central area, 1 in the posterior-central area, and 1 in the anterior area. An interpositional graft incorporating Surederm(TM) was positioned between bilateral mucoperichondrial flaps using an intranasal approach. A silastic sheet was then left in the nasal septum bilaterally until complete healing had occurred through new nasal mucosa, which took a mean duration of 6 weeks. RESULTS: Outcomes in ten of the eleven patients were successful, with complete septal perforation closure. The remaining perforation, which was caused by a button battery, closed incompletely; however, its initial size of 2cm was reduced to 5mm. CONCLUSION: The described technique has a high success rate and can be performed under local anesthesia without external scarring. In the absence of donor site morbidity, this technique can also be utilized to repair posterior or multiple septal perforations without difficulty.

Assessment of Residual Subjective Symptoms after Canalith Repositioning Procedure in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) provides rapid and long-lasting relief of symptoms in most patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). However, some patients express nonspecific symptoms such as anxiety or discomfort after CRP, even after the disappearance of nystagmus and vertigo. The purpose of this study is to assess the residual symptoms after CRP in patients with BPPV using questionnaire. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: CRP was performed in 135 patients until nystagmus and vertigo disappeared, and the patients were asked to complete the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) before and five to seven days after treatment. For the control group, 135 normal volunteers were selected, and cross matched according to the age and sex with the patient group. The DHI were compared among pre CRP, post CRP and control group. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the pre-CRP and post-CRP DHI scores and also between the post-CRP and control group. Comparison between the pre and post-CRP DHI scores, and post-CRP and control group both showed incomplete improvement with respect to some items. CONCLUSION: Even after the successful CRP, DHI scores indicated incomplete recovery and residual subjective symptoms was presented. Thus, additional follow up and management may be needed.

Vocal Analysis Related to Changes in Frequency of Pure Tone Auditory Feedback

PURPOSE: Many studies have shown that subjects show a change of vocal fundamental frequency (F0) when phonating subjects hear their vocal pitch feedback shifted upward or downward. This study was performed to demonstrate whether vocal parameters [F0, intensity, jitter, shimmer, and noise to harmonic ratio (NHR)] in normal males respond to changes in frequency of pure tone masking. MATERIALS and METHODS: Twenty healthy male subjects participated in this study. Subjects vocalized /a/ vowel sounds while listening to a pitch- shift pure tone through headphones (upward pitch-shift in succession: 1kHz to 2kHz and 1kHz to 4kHz at 50dB or 80dB, respectively, downward pitch-shift in succession: 1kHz to 250Hz and 1kH to 500Hz at 50dB or 80dB, respectively). RESULTS: Vocal intensity, F0, was increased, whereas jitter was decreased as the pitch of pure tone was shifted upward. However, there was no correlation between shimmer and NHR with pitch-shift feedback for pure tones. Unlike vocal pitch- shift feedback in other studies, upward pitch-shift feedback of pure tones caused the vocal F0 and intensity to change in the same direction as pitch-shift. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that auditory kinesthetic feedback is affected by pitch-shift in pure tone.

Clinical Characteristics of Secondary BPPV

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical characteristics of secondary form of BPPV. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Of 384 patients with BPPV, 82 patients have a ipsilateral inner ear disease to the BPPV. We reviewed the site of lesion, duration of treatment in secondary BPPV and compared with idiopathic BPPV. RESULTS: The site of canal affected by idiopathic BPPV (M=119, F=183) showed that 138 (Lt=62, Rt=76) had a lateral canal, 157 (Lt=63, Rt=94) had a posterior canal, 7 had a multicanal. The involved canal by secondary BPPV (M=45, F=37) showed that 34 had a lateral canal, 43 in posterior canal, 1 in anterior canal and 4 in multicanal. 28 patients with idiopathic sudden sensory hearing loss developed BPPV within a few days (posterior=17, lateral=7, multicanal=4). 12 patients had a unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy and ipsilateral BPPV (posterior=11, lateral=1, anterior canal=1). 14 patients with meniere's disease developed ipsilateral BPPV (Lateral=9, posterior=5). 28 patients with BPPV had a history of headtrauma which is considered to be cause of BPPV. The mean duration of treatment is 2.68 on idiopathic BPPV, 6.27 on BPPV with ISSHL, 6.75 on BPPV with unilateral vestibulopathy, 2.28 on BPPV with meniere's disease and 2.4 on posttraumatic BPPV. There was no significant difference of recurrence among groups. CONCLUSION: Secondary BPPV showed different prevalence of involved canal from idiopathic BPPV. The duration of treatment for BPPV with ISSHL or unilateral vestibulopathy take longer time than for other groups.

Clinical Manifestations of Headache in Meniere's Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A possible link between Meniere's disease (MD) and headache was originally suggested by Prosper Meniere. We aimed to analyze the clinical manifestation of headache in definite MD compared with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We examined headache in 67 patients with definite MD according to the criteria of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Sex- and age-matched 67 patients with BPPV served as a control group. Information was obtained concerning the prevalence, localization, severity, character, sequence of headache and response to therapy. RESULTS: Altogether 60 MD patients (90%) and 47 BPPV patients (70%) was reply the questionnaire. 46 MD patients (69%) and 15 BPPV patients (22%) reported headache. Headache was moderate to severe in 39 MD patients (85%) and as a whole more severe than that of the BPPV patients (P<0.05). Temporal area was the most frequently involved region in MD group, whereas posterior neck area was most frequent in BPPV group. The sequence of headache and vertigo attack was pre-(23%), intra-(33%), after-(44%). The 39 patients (89%) of headache in MD was response to the vestibular suppressants, diuretics, calcium channel blocker. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that high incidence of headache and migraine in combination with MD seems to common pathophysiology with migraine. Therefore, our results could provide predictive value in the treatment and follow up of MD patients with headache.

Results of Ossiculoplasty with Kurz Titanium Prosthesis / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Various materials have been used for ossicular reconstruction, but there have been no reports for titanium prosthesis in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to assess the hearing results of Kurz titanium prosthesis in chronic ear diseases. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was made of 62 cases who underwent ossicular reconstruction using either titanium (TTP(R)-VARIO System) or plastipore (Polycel(R)) prosthesis from January 2003 to July 2005. Postoperative hearing results were analyzed taking in several prognostic factors such as the condition of middle ear mucosa and ossicle, or surgical method. RESULTS: A postoperative air-bone gap of E20 dB was obtained in 75.6% of the titanium and 56% of plastipore ossiculoplasty. The Postoperative ABG (air bone gap) show better results in healthy middle ear mucosa and in those cases which contain stapes superstructure. CONCLUSION: Titanium have a good biocompatibility and low extrusion rates with excellent hearing results. Besides, good visualization and accurate placement were easy to achieve.

Clinical Manifestations of Cerebellar Infarction Mimicking Unilateral Vestibulopathy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pseudo-labyrinthine symptom without any other accompanying neurologic symptoms or signs occur with cerebellar infarction. The prognosis and management of cerebellar infarction differ from those of vertigo associated with unilateral vestibulopathy. The objective of study was to analyze the clinical symptoms of cerebellar infarction mimicking unilateral vestibulopathy according to the infarction territory. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Among 273 patients who showed pseudo-labyrinthine symptoms or signs, 28 patients were diagnosed cerebellar infarction on MRI between January 2003 and October 2006. Out of the 28 patients, 9 patients accompanying with focal neurologic symptoms or signs in early stage were excluded, and a retrospective analysis of total 19 patients was done through chart reviews. Using diffusion-weighted imaging, we divided 19 patients into two groups, AICA and PICA territory infarction. Clinincal features, outcome of audiologic and vestibular function test were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Among the 19 subjects, 10 were males and 9 were females, the mean age was 63.1+/-.0. On MRI, 5 (26.3%) subjects showed infarction in unilateral AICA territory, 14(73.7%) in unilateral PICA territory. In the patients with AICA territory infarction, audiological tests confirmed unilateral sensorineuronal hearing loss in all 5 subjects. On V-ENG, 4/5 (80%) demonstrated horizontal or mixed horizontal torsional spontaneous nystagmus, and 4/5 (80%) had a canal paresis to caloric stimulation. In several days of hospital stay, 3/5 (60%) showed new neurologic signs, facial numbness. In the patients with PICA infarction, there was no hearing change. On V-ENG, 12/14(85.7%) demonstrated horizontal or mixed horizontal torsional spontaneous nystagmus, and 7/14 (50%) had a canal paresis to caloric stimulation. In several days of hospital stay, 10/14 (71.4%) accompanied with cerebellar ataxia. CONCLUSION: Cerebellar infarction simulating unilateral vestibulopathy is more common than previously thought. Early recognition of the cerebellar infarction showing pseudo-vestibular symptom may allow specific management. Also taking into account that clinical features differ by infarction territory will assist in determining the patient's status of the disease.

A Case of Petrositis with Abducens Palsy / 대한이비인후과학회지

Petrous apicitis is an extension of infection from the mastoid air cell tract into petrous apex. Petrous apicitis, a potentially fatal complication of suppurative otitis media, presents a variety of symptoms. But the classical findings of petrous apicitis, called Gradenigo's syndrome that include abducens nerve palsy, deep facial pain and acute suppurative otitis media, rarely occur. Gradenigo's syndrome can be treated with surgery, but the advent of antibiotics and early imaging study allow conservative treatment in some uncomplicated cases. With the widespread use of antibiotics, petrous apicitis has become an uncommon disease. So most physicians have little clinical experience in their diagnosis and treatment of this disease. We present a case of Gradenigo's syndrome, which was unresponsive to conservative treatment. We provide here details of our experience of treating the patient with surgery without complication.

Monostotic Fibrous Dysplasia of the Temporal Bone with Unilateral Vestibular Weakness and Sensorineuronal Hearing Loss

Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon benign disorder of unknown etiology. The disease was first described by McCune and Albright in separate publications in 1937. The term, fibrous dysplasia was suggested by Lichtenstein in 1938. The disease has since been found to have 3 different variants: monostotic, polyostotic, and McCune-Albright syndrome. It is a slowly progressive bony disorder where normal bone is replaced by abnormal fibrosseous tissue. Involvement of fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone is usually unilateral. The squama becomes thickened and the pneumatic system is obliterated. Because fibrous dysplasia shows a predilection for the facial and cranial bone, where it causes deformity and dysfunction. In this paper, we report a case of fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone. We discuss the characterisitic features of this specific location of the disease, the differential diagnosis, and the treatment policy. We also address the issue of vertigo.