The Characteristics of Sinonasal and Psychological Symptoms and Quality of Life in Rhinologic Patients and the Role of Surgical Treatment / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic diseases of the nose and sinuses have been shown to influence patients, not only physically but also psychologically affecting the overall well-being. We evaluated the quality of life of rhinologic patients, and the effect of surgery on them. In addition, we assessed the correlation between the symptom scores and objective findings. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: From November 2009 to January 2011, a total of 194 patients haveing nasal and sinus surgery were enrolled. They were divided into nasal cavity disease (NCD) group (n=103) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) group (n=91). These patients had to fill out a questionnaire at different points, at 1 day, 1 month, 3 and 6 months prior to surgery. The normal control group (n=30) also had to fill out four questionnaires: our questionnaires were Sinonasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20), Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI), Version 2 of Short-Form 36 item Health Survey (SF-36v2(TM)), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). For the CRS group, Lund-Mackay score was calculated using CT scans. RESULTS: Both experimental groups showed more severe scores than the control group. The CRS group exhibited more severe symptoms than the NCD group. Both experimental groups achieved significant improvements after surgery. CRS group showed more significant improvement than the NCD group in SNOT-20. The Lund-Mackay score showed no significant correlation with the subjective symptom scores. CONCLUSION: Chronic rhinologic diseases affect the quality of life. CRS patients show more severe scores than the NCD patients. CRS patients have more improved effectiveness than NCD patients after surgical treatment. Objective conditions and subjective symptoms may be correlated inconsistently, and the evaluation for the overall quality of life is important to reflect on the therapeutic effect.

Morphologic Analysis of Crista Galli Using Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE: We often observe the variation of Crista galli (CG) which lies in the midline above the cribriform plate on computed tomography (CT) scans. We investigated the variations in CG and the factors which affect its pneumatization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the CT images of 818 chronic rhinosinusitis patients between July 2003 and July 2011. We investigated height, position relative to the cribriform plate, degree of pneumatization, and cell origin for the pneumatization in CG. We analyzed the relationship between several factors (age, sex, and position of CG) and pneumatization of CG. RESULTS: The average height of CG was 17.98 mm. In 13.9% of subjects, the base of CG did not extend below the level of the cribriform plate. In 84.2%, CG extended less than 50% of its height below the cribriform plate. In 1.8%, CG extended more than 50% of its height below the cribriform plate. Pneumatization of CG was found in 12.2%. Except one, every pneumatization was connected with the frontal sinus. The rate of pneumatization was significantly different depending on age. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that CG showed various morphology and pneumatizaiton. The pneumatization of CG was mainly originated from frontal sinus and related to aging.

A Case of Ectopic Salivary Gland with Fistula in the Anterior Neck / 대한이비인후과학회지

Ectopic salivary gland tissue represents an uncommon lesion, usually presenting as a discharging fistula in the anterior lower neck. Though the origin of this entity still remains unclear, it is thought to be a heteroplasia of the epithelium of the precervical sinus of His. We have experienced a case of ectopic salivary gland with cervical fistula in a 10-year-old. This was thought clinically to be the second branchial cleft cyst, but the pathology showed an ectopic salivary gland. This should be considered as one of the causes of a cystic neck mass or fistula in children.