Clinical Analysis of Deep Neck Infection / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Deep neck infection may still be lethal especially when life-threatening complications occur. The objective of this study is to clarify the therapeutic module for deep neck infection and analyze epidemiologic characteristics, clinical course, microorganisms and site of infections. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 98 patients who were confirmed with deep neck infection and who received treatment at the Soonchunhyang University Hospital between 2000 and 2009. We analyzed the data for deep neck infection using the statistical tools like t-test and Spearman's coefficient of correlation. RESULTS: The parapharyngeal space was the most commonly involved space in deep neck infection. The most common pathogen was Streptococcus. The most common underlying disease was Diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Statistical dada showed that there was no significant correlation between the hospitalization period and deep neck infection.

One Case of Objective Tinnitus due to Palatal and Middle Ear Myoclonus / 대한이비인후과학회지

Tinnitus is very frequent and internal noise that impaires the quality of life. Objective tinnitus, which may be caused by palatal and middle ear myoclonus, is an extremely rare disorder. Such tinnitus may present very rapid, irregular and involuntary vibratory sound. Because it is a very rare disorder and patients have difficulty expressing their symptoms of tinnitus, the examiner may miss the diagnosis unless a careful history taking and physical examination is done. We have experienced a patient with objective tinnitus caused by both palatal myoclonus and middle ear myoclonus, who responded poorly to medical therapy and injection of botulinum toxin. However, this patient is treated with pterygoid hamulus fracture and sectioning of the tensor tympani and stapedial tendons. We report a review of the literature and present a case of a 26-year old man who did not respond to medical treatment and had to be relieved of the symptoms with surgical intervention.