Clinical Significance of the Expression of Galectin-3 in Thyroid Tumor / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside binding protein, of which the major function is not fully elucidated in malignant tumor. However, galectin-3 is expressed in epithelial cells and contributes to the progression of cancer. Although galectin-3 is expressed in a variety of tissues and plays important roles in malignant transformation or tumor progression, the study on its expression related to clinicopathological parameters in thyroid tumor is rare. So, the present study aims to find out the clinical significance of galectin-3 in thyroid tumor. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We assessed mRNA and protein expressions of the galectin-3 gene by means of the RT-PCR method and immunohistochemical staining in 100 cases of thyroid tumors (50 papillary carcinomas, 10 follicular carcinomas, 20 follicular adenomas, 20 nodular hyperplasia). The expression of galectin-3 is compared with the clinical prognostic factors of thyroid papillary cancer. RESULTS: Using RT-PCR, galectin-3 mRNA was detected in 41 (82%) in papillary carcinoma, 6 (60%) in follicular carcinoma, 8 (40%) in follicular adenoma and 9 (45%) in nodular hyperplasia cases. Using immunohistochemical staining, galectin-3 protein expressions were detected in 46 (92%), 7 (70%), 3 (15%) and 1 (5%). The expressions of the galectin-3 mRNA and protein were significantly recognized in thyroid papillary carcinoma. However, the galectin-3 mRNA and protein over-expression is not significantly correlated with the clinical prognostic factors of thyroid papillary carcinoma. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that galectin-3 expression may be associated with thyroid papillary carcinoma development.

A Case of Papillary Carcinoma in Thyroglossal Duct Cyst with Mandibular Invasion / 대한이비인후과학회지

The malignant neoplasm of thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is a rare tumor and is mostly revealed accidently in the course of histologic examinations after surgery. The most common pathologic type is papillary carcinoma ; however, the local invasion of papillary carcinoma arising in a TGDC is extremely rare. We experienced a case of papillary carcinoma arising in a TGDC with diffuse mandibular invasion and cervical metastasis in a 50-year-old man. The patient was treated successfully with operation and we report this case with a review of literature.

Clinical Efficacy of Intranasal Azelastine Hydrohloride Spray in Korean Vasomotor Rhinitis Patients

Background & Objectives: Vasomotor rhinitis (VMR) is a chronic non-allergic rhinitis without the increased Ig E level and eosinophilia. Azelastine hydrochloride is a second generation anti-histamine medication with anti-inflammatory properties that inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory materials. There are reports that azelastine hydrochloride can be effective in the treatment of VMR. Therefore, this study examined the clinical efficacy of intranasal azelastine hydrochloride spray in comparison with placebo for the treatment of VMR. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was a prospective double blind randomized test. The subjects consisted of 84 VMR patients. Among them, 54 patients were treated with intranasal azelastine hydrochloride for 4 weeks and 30 patients with intranasal normal saline. Following the treatment, an analysis of the symptom score was performed in order to compare the treatment effects between the study group and the control group. RESULTS: In the study group, the symptom score was significantly improved in the areas of sneezing (1.38 to 0.72), rhinorrhea (1.57 to 0.76), nasal obstruction (1.76 to 1.01) and postnasal drip (1.43 to 0.65). In the control group, however, the symptom score was significantly improved in a single area of rhinorrhea (1.73 to 0.65). Patients in the study group, thus, displayed greater improvements in the areas of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obasturction and postnasal drip comparative to the control group. Consequently, the study group patients were more satisfied with their quality of life than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Azelastine chloride is a useful medicine for the treatment of VMR, especially in controlling sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and postnasal drip.

Transoral Adenoidectomy with the Microdebrider under Transnasal Endoscopy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although there have been various methods to remove adenoid, it is still difficult to achieve complete adenoidectomy due to its unfavorable anatomic structure. The aim of this study was to introduce transoral adenoidectomy using a microdebrider under transnasal endoscopy and to evaluate its efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The subjects consisted of 80 patients with adenoid vegetation. Among them, 40 patients underwent adenoidectomy using the microdebrider and other 40 cases were performed using the adenoid curette via transoral approach. Preoperative and postoperative lateral skull radiographs were obtained and compared. Also, the amount of intraoperative bleeding, complications, postoperative symptom score, and the duration of operation were compared. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in the intraoperative bleeding, subjective symptoms after surgery and postoperative complications. But, patients, who had been performed adenoidectomy using the transoral debrider under transnasal endoscopy, had better outcomes in the nasopharyngeal ratio and the shortest nasopharyngeal diameter in lateral skull radiographs. CONCLUSION: Transoral adenoidectomy using the microdebrider under transnasal endoscopy is an effective method for more complete adenoidectomy.

A Case of Sporadic Nasopharyngeal Burkitt's Lymphoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

Burkitt's lymphoma is a high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell origin. There are three clinical subtypes, namely, endemic African, sporadic American and human immunodeficiency-associated subtype. It usually occurs in children or younger person. Sporadic American Burkitt lymphoma involves mainly the abdomen and rarely head and neck. Complex chemotherapy is the choice of treatment. We present one case of sporadic American Burkitt lymphoma that involves the nasopharynx manifested with frequent epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Clinical and histological features are reviewed.

Clinical Consideration of Benign Nasal Neoplasm

There are many different kinds of histological types of nasal masses. But there were few studies based on the clinical consideration of benign nasal neoplasms in comparison with its histologic types. In this study we compare and analyze the benign nasal neoplasm in wish to guide for a diagnosis and management. Twenty-seven patients with benign nasal neoplasms excluding inverted papilloma, antrochoanal polyp and dentigenous cyst from March 1996 and June 2003 were selected for this study. Their clinicopathologic records were reviewed retrospectively. The male-female ratio was 1 : 1.25 and the right to left ratio was 1 : 1.7. Bening nasal neoplasms were frequently found in the fifth decade. Hemangioma was the most common benign nasal neoplasm. Nasal obstruction was the most common symptom. Benign nasal masses were frequently found at the inferior turbinate and vestibule. When the masses were found, they were smaller than 1 cm in most cases. An endoscopic and transnasal approach was the most commonly utilized approach method during surgery. There were no recurrent cases during the average 41 months follow up. In conclusion, there is no statistical significance between benign nasal neoplasm and the patient's sex and age. But, they were frequently found in left side rather than the right side. Surgical treatment seemed to be extremely useful in the case of benign nasal neoplasms.