A Case of Vidian Nerve Schwannoma: Resection by Endoscopic Sinus Surgery / 대한이비인후과학회지

Schwannoma is a benign tumor arising from the sheath of myelinated nerve fibers and may occur in any part of the body. However, a vidian nerve schwannoma is extremely rare. A 41 year-old man has experienced an occipital area headache and posterior neck stiffness for 2 weeks. Brain computed tomography (CT) angiography, magnetic resonance image revealed lobulated soft tissue density mass in left sphenoid sinus with upward displacement of sphenoid sinus floor and pressure erosion of sphenoid sinus and petrous apex. Ostiomeatal unit CT scan showed a 28x16 mm sized mass filling the left pterygoid canal. The mass was resected using endoscopic sinus surgery. The mass was confirmed as schwannoma. We report a case of vidian nerve schwan-noma that was treated by endoscopic sinus surgery.

Aggravation of Relapsing Polychondritis due to the Infection and Its Manifestation on a Nasal Tip Graft

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is an uncommon systemic disease that is characterized by episodic and progressive inflammation of the cartilaginous structures, which can be very debilitating and in some instances life-threatening. The pathogenic pathways of RP are largely unknown. However, several hypothesis have been suggested. We had an interesting case of aggravation of RP due to the infection. Graft cartilage on the nasal tip was affected by RP also. This case can give a clue of revealing the pathogenesis of RP. We introduce a case with a review of the literature.

Clinical Analysis of Characteristics of Patients Who Visit Otorhinolaryngology Clinic in Secondary General Hospital / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Common cold is an upper airway viral infection and can be managed by conservative treatment. According to the hospital referral system, mild diseases like common cold should be treated first at a primary physician clinic. However, now in Korea, visiting high-level hospitals for mild diseases is not impossible officially and even the rate of visiting high-level general hospital has increased in spite of the current hospital referral system. This study aimed to provide data of characteristics of patients who choose high-level hospitals for mild diseases like common cold. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We conducted a survey targeting those who visit general hospitals for common cold. The questionnaire comprised of asking first choice of contact hospital, sex, age, awareness and use of antibiotics when visiting primary physician, medical examinations and duration of treatment, and reasons for thinking that general hospitals are superior to primary hospitals. Subjects were categorized according to their choice of first contact hospital with common cold, primary physician or general hospital. For each group, independent sample t-test and chi-square test were applied to variables. RESULTS: Among the variables for the two groups, statistical significances were found in age, duration of treatment and whether medical examinations were performed or not. CONCLUSION: Underestimation for primary physician and vague faith in medical examinations were most influential factors that lead patients with mild diseases to visit general hospitals. This study finds that programs for educating the public are necessary to make them understand that primary physician clinics are enough to treat common cold and that an institutional framework will be needed to support the hospital referral system.