Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Low Level Laser Irradiation on Gentamicin-Induced Vestibulotoxicity in Rat Utricles / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low level laser for the prevention and treatment of aminoglycoside-induced vestibular ototoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An organotypic culture of 2 to 4 days old rat utricular maculae was established. Rats were divided into 6 groups according to the treadtment of the utricles: G (gentamicintreated), L (laser-irradiated), LG (laser-irradiated and gentamicin-treated), GL (gentamicin-treated and laser-irradiated), LGL (gentamicin-treated during laser-irradiated) and C (control). After organotypic culture, the utricles of 6 groups were examined by confocal laser scanning electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results of each group were compared with each other by statistical methods. RESULTS: The number of vestibular hair cells of the group G was smaller compared to that of the group C. The group L had no difference compared with the group C. The groups LG and GL showed more vestibular hair cells compared with the group G. The group LG showed more vestibular hair cells than the group GL. The group LGL showed most vestibular hair cells compared to that of the groups G, LG, and GL. CONCLUSION: The most effective treatment of aminoglycosideinduced vestibular otoxicity is the irradiation of low level laser before and after the insult of the aminoglycoside. Further clinical studies using low level laser were needed to prevent aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity and to promote the regeneration of vestibular hair cells.

Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Melatonin on the Vestibular Hair Cells of Rat Utricles

OBJECTIVES: Aminoglycosides are commonly used antibiotic agents, and they are known to generate free oxygen radicals within the inner ear and to cause vestibulo-cochlear toxicity and permanent damage to the sensory hair cells and neurons. Melatonin, a pineal secretory product, has the properties of being a powerful direct and indirect antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to prove the antioxidant effect of melatonin against gentamicin-induced ototoxicty. METHODS: The utricular maculae of Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared from postnatal day 2-4, and these maculae were were divided into 6 groups as follows: 1) control, 2) melatonin only, 3) gentamicin only, and 4), 5), and 6) gentamicin plus melatonin (10, 50, and 100 micrometer, respectively). To count the number of hair cells, 5 utricles from each group were stained with phalloidin-FITC on the 1st, 4th, and 7th days after drug administration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by using the fluorescent probe hydrofluorescent diacetate acetyl ester. The caspase-3 activity was also examined with using the fluorescent caspase-3 substrate and performing Western blotting. RESULTS: The result of this study showed that gentamicin induced the loss of utricular hair cells, and this loss of hair cells was significantly attenuated by co-administration of melatonin. Melatonin reduced ROS production and caspase-3 activation in the gentamicin treated utricular hair cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings conclusively reveal that melatonin has protective effects against gentamicin-induced hair cell loss in the utricles of rat by inhibiting both ROS production and caspase-3 activity.

A Clinical Analysis of Peritonsillar Abscess / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the most common deep neck infection that occurs in adults, but until now there are so many controversies about the treatment modalities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical course according to the treatment modalities for peritonsillar abscess and to evaluate the efficacy of tonsillectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Two hundred twenty-six patients with peritonsillar abscess admitted from January 1999 to October 2006. Among them, a retrospective review of medical records and additional telephone interview were performed on 151 cases. RESULTS: Among 151 cases, incision and drainage (I&D) was performed in 132 cases: 7 cases were done by aspiration and others were treated by antibiotics only. There was no significant difference in the dutarion of hospitalization between I&D, aspiration and antibiotics only (p>0.05). The incidence of recurrent PTA was only 6.6% (10/151). Tonsillectomy in PTA patients significantly reduced duration, frequency and severity of sore throat in long term follow up (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The duration of hospitalization in PTA patients did not depend on treatment modalities. We conclude that tonsillectomy is not always necessary due to low incidence of recurrent PTA even though it improves satisfaction of PTA patients.

One Case of Complete Type II First Branchial Cleft Fistula / 대한이비인후과학회지

We present an unusual case of a complete type II first branchial cleft fistula that communicates between the external auditory canal and the skin near the angle of the mandible. The incomplete branchial fistula is not an uncommon congenital anomaly of branchial apparatus but a complete one is rare. It was successfully treated with complete surgical excision without facial nerve injury. It was diagnosed as the type II first branchial cleft anomaly by histological finding. We discuss the classification of first branchial cleft anomalies, with emphasis on the complete type fistula and the facial nerve.

Experimental study on the periodontal regenerative capacity of moldable synthetic peptide domain gel in degree III furcation defect of beagles / 대한치주과학회지

PURPOSE: Osteopontin is one of the major non-collagenous protein of hard tissue. Use of peptide domain of biologically active protein has some advantages. The objective of this experimental study is evaluation of periodontal regenerative potency of synthetic peptide gel which containing collagen binding domain of osteopontin in the degree III periodontal defect of beagle dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Experimental degree III furcation defect was made in the mandibular third and fourth premolar of beagles. Regenerative material was applied during flap operation. 8 weeks after regenerative surgery, all animals were sacrificed and histomorphometric measurement was performed to calculate the linear percentage of the new cementum formation and the volume percentage of new bone formation. RESULT: The linear percent of new cementum formation was 41.6% at control group and 67.1% at test group and there was statistically significant difference. The volume percent of new bone formation was 52.1% at control group and 58.9% at test group. CONCLUSION: As the results of present experiment, synthetic peptide gel containing collagen binding domain of osteopontin significantly increase new bone and cementum formation in the degree III furcation defect of canine mandible.

A Case of Dermoid Cyst of the Maxillay Sinus / 대한이비인후과학회지

Dermoid cyst (DC), which is a cystic form of teratoma, is one of developmental anomalies in the soft tissue. DCs originating from the maxillary sinus have been very rarely reported. We have recently experienced a case of dermoid cyst arising from the maxillary sinus. The patient was a 44-year-old female who complained of swelling in the left cheek area. We could successfully operate the patient through sublabial approach with good results. Therefore, we present the case and briefly discuss the possible pathogenesis.

Results of Otolithic Function Testing and Related Clinical Features in Unilateral Definite Meniere's Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to identify the typical pattern of otolithic function tests in unilateral definite Meniere's disease patients. And we compared with clinical features and other tests results of patients who showed abnormal otolithic function tests. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We reviewed 42 patients (29 patients are female and 13 patients are male) who were diagnosed as unilateral definite Meniere's disease and underwent otolithic function tests in Hospital from December 2005 to April 2007. RESULTS: The patients who showed abnormal findings in vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) have suffered for longer period than the others. Those results of VEMP had positive correlation with summating potential/action potential (SP/AP) ratio. The average deviation of subjective visual vertical/ horizontal (SVV/SVH) were relatively higher in that disease patients than normal controls. There was no significant relation between VEMP results and other clinical features and result of other tests (caloric test and pure tone audiometry). CONCLUSION: The longer prevalence period of Meniere's disease is, the more susceptability of abnormal VEMP we can expect. In those, SVV/H can go out of normal range. Like a electrocochleography, otolithic function test could play a supportive role in diagnosing of Meniere's disease.