Correlation between Lipids Measured in the Interstitial Fluid from Suction Blister and the Serum / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#Several biomarkers are measured in the interstitial fluid (IF) obtained from suction blisters that are used by dermatologists. As abnormal lipid levels can cause health problems, several studies have investigated the composition and distribution of lipids and lipoproteins in IF. However, to date, no study has focused on examining lipid profiles in the postprandial state. @*Objective@#This study aimed to compare postprandial changes in serum lipid profiles and IF obtained from suction blisters and investigated their correlation. @*Methods@#Fasting and postprandial levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides were measured in paired serum samples. IF was obtained from suction blisters from 20 healthy men using enzymatic-colorimetric methods. @*Results@#The IF/serum ratios of TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C remained unchanged postoperatively. Postprandial levels of HDL-C and LDL-C decreased in the serum but not in IF. In both fasting and postprandial states, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels in the serum were positively correlated with those in the IF. @*Conclusion@#The results of this study showed that lipoprotein cholesterol levels measured from suction blister fluids could be used as a biomarker to predict their serum levels regardless of food intake. Therefore, suction blister fluid sampling can be considered as a method to monitor serum lipid concentrations.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease occurring during pegylated interferon-alpha2b and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C / 대한간학회지

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a multisystem syndrome characterized by ocular (uveitis and retinal detachment), neurological (headache, tinnitus, and meningitis), and integumentary (vitiligo, alopecia, and poliosis) involvement. Although the pathogenesis of VKH disease is not well understood, an autoimmune T-cell response to a melanocyte-associated antigen is considered to be a cause of VKH disease. The complex immunological response to interferon and ribavirin may induce or exacerbate the autoimmune condition; however, VKH disease is a very rare complication associated with interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C. We report a case of VKH disease occurring during pegylated interferon-alpha2b and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Cox-2 and IL-10 Polymorphisms and Association with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Head and Neck in a Korean Sample

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is involved in inflammation and carcinogenesis. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is also regarded as anti-inflammatory factors with the multi-functional ability to positively and negatively influence functional immunity and tumor development. Genetic polymorphisms of COX-2 and IL-10 might contribute to the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of COX-2 and IL-10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of SCCHN in a Korean sample. We analyzed the COX-2 SNPs, -1329A>G, +1266C>T, and +6365T>C, and the IL-10 SNPs, -1082A>G, +920T>G, and +3917T>C, in 290 Korean SCCHN patients and 358 healthy controls. There was no significant association between the risk of SCCHN and the three COX-2 or three IL-10 SNPs. We analyzed three haplotypes (ht1, ht2, ht3) for COX-2 and found that COX-2 ht3+/+ was associated with a decreased risk of SCCHN in a Korean sample, compared with the COX-2 ht3 -/- genotype (P=0.03). Two haplotypes (ht1, ht2) of IL-10 were analyzed and there was no statistical significance in the distribution of haplotypes. Based on these results, the COX-2 haplotype ht3 can be used as a molecular biomarker to predict low risk groups of SCCHN in a Korean sample.

CSF Otorrhea Resulting from Osteoradionecrosis of the Temporal Bone in a Patient with Recurrent Meningioma

Osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone is a very rare but potentially lethal complication of radiotherapy for head and neck or skull base tumors. Only two cases of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone complicating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea have been reported in the literature. This report describes a case of CSF otorrhea and osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone in a patient with meningioma who was treated with tympanomastoid surgery and autologous fat obliteration in the mastoid.

Diagnostic and Surgical Approaches of the Parapharyngeal Space Tumors / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tumors originating in the parapharyngeal space are rare, accounting for about 0.5% of all head and neck tumors. The anatomic characteristics of the parapharyngeal space makes clinical examination of this area difficult and unreliable method for assessment of these tumor. This study was performed to evaluate the proper diagnostic and surgical approaches for the parapharyngeal space tumors with our experiences. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: During the period from January 1998 to December 2006, 34 patients underwent surgery for parapharyngeal space tumors. We reviewed medical records and imaging study retrospectively. RESULTS: 82.4% (28/34) of the parapharyngeal space tumors were benign; 17.6% (6/34) were malignant. 41.2% (14/34) were of salivary glandular origin, 35.3% (12/34) were of neurogenic origin, and 23.5% (8/34) were of miscellaneous origin. 76.5% (26/34) of cases had been performed fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) before surgery. 14 of 19 patients (73.7%) who had a diagnostic sample had a correct or highly suggestive diagnostic finding. Most of the parapharyngeal space tumors were treated with transcervical (44.1%;15/34) or transparotid (44.1%; 15/34) approach, and transparotidcervical approach was performed in 4 patients (11.8%). All patients with salivary gland tumor were located in the prestyloid space, and most (92.9%) of them were treated with transparotid approach. Most patients (91.7%) with neurogenic tumor were located in the poststyloid space and treated with transcervical approach. CONCLUSION: In our study, the origin and location of the parapharyngeal space tumors were correlated with surgical approaches (p<0.05). Preoperative FNAC showed high accuracy to diagnose the tumor in the parapharyngeal space.

A Case of Colonic Giant Lipoma Removed by Endoscopic Resection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Colonic lipomas represent mesenchymal origin tumors that are second most common benign colonic tumor after hyperplastic polyps and adenomatous polyps. The patho-genesis of them is not clear. Most patients are asymptomatic and the lesion is often detected incidentally at colonoscopy, operation, and autopsy. According to the size and the location of lipoma, it may cause intestinal obstruction, perforation, intussusception, and life-threatening bleeding. There have been many reports of small colonic lipomas removed by endoscopic resection. Giant lipoma which is greater than 2 cm in size has been associated with higher risk of perforation, thus it has been removed by surgery until now. We report a case of colonic giant lipoma inducing intussusception which could be removed by endoscopic resection.

A Clinical Study of Branchial Anomaly / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The branchial anomaly is a lateral neck mass commonly seen by otolaryngologists. Although somewhat controversial, almost all surgeons agree that lateral cervical cyst, fistula and sinus are of branchogenic origin. Depending on its anatomic location, branchial anomaly can be classified into first, second, third and fourth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and pathologic manifestations of branchial anomaly and to determine proper diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: With a review of charts, we retrospectively analyzed 46 cases of the branchial anomaly who had been treated at the Hanyang University Medical Center between 1991 and 2001. Age, sex, site of lesion, classification, surgical therapy, radiologic and pathologic findings and post-operative surgical complications were reviewed. RESULTS: The second branchial cyst was the most common anomaly. Patients were commonly seen in the 3rd and 4th decades. Compared with cysts, the fistulas and sinuses were detected relatively at the younger age. Twenty five per cent of patients were presented in the infected state, and 45 cases were treated with complete surgical excision; there were no major post-operative complications and recurrence. CONCLUSION: An accurate diagnosis is crucial in the management of branchial anomaly to prevent recurrence and multiple surgical procedures. Although clinical examination and history are the most important factors suggesting the diagnosis of branchial anomaly, preoperative radiologic evaluation can be used to determine the nature and extent of the branchial anomaly. After control of acute inflammation or abscess, the complete surgical excision is crucial for a successful outcome.

Relations between the concentrations of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha and clinical features in middle ear effusion / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory mediators retained in middle ear effusion are important in influencing the clinical outcome of this disease. Interleukins and tumor necrosis factor, important immunomodulatory proteins, undoubtedly influence middle ear effusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 72 human middle ear effusion samples for IL-1beta and TNF-alpha and tried to elucidate the relationship between the levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha and clinical findings in OME patients. RESULTS: 1) IL-1beta and TNF-alpha correlated inversely (P<0.05) with age. The younger the patient, the higher the level of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in middle ear effusion by simple linear regression analysis. 2) Significantly higher mean levels (P<0.05) of IL-1beta were observed in effusion from patients who showed recurrence. 3) The level of TNF-alpha was significantly higher in men than in women. 4) Any differences of IL-1betaand TNF-alpha levels are not found depending on other clinical variables. i.e. sex, duration of disease, bilaterality, type of effusion, etc. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that IL-1beta and TNF-alpha are present in human middle ear effusion of otitis media and suggest that these cytokines may be important mediators involved in the disease processes of otitis media.

The Outcome of Myringoplasty Using Autogenous Fat Graft / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nowadays, temporalis fascia is the most commonly used graft material for closure of the tympanic membrane perforation, with the reported success rates of 90% or more. Fat graft myringoplasty has been used for closure of small tympanic membrane perforation and it appeared to be a safe, simple, efficient method. Several authors reported different success rates of fat graft myringoplasty from 70% to 97%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of myringoplasty using autogenous fat graft performed in our department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 54 patients who underwent fat graft myringoplasty from January 1999 to June 2000. RESULTS: Of 54 patients, 49 patients were successfully treated by fat graft myringoplasy, so the overall success rate was 90.7%. The success rate reduced with increasing size of perforation. Age, the location of perforation, experience of the surgeon, site of harvesting did not influence the success rate significantly. CONCLUSION: We estimated the success rate for fat graft myringoplasty as 90.7%, and this value is similar with that for temporalis fascia. So, fat graft myringoplasty must be considered in selected cases, particularly for small tympanic membrane perforation.