Effects of Korean Red Ginseng on Hearing and Blood Glucose Levels in Steroid Therapy for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

OBJECTIVES: Korean red ginseng (KRG) has hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antithrombotic, and other beneficial effects in human. The present study evaluate the therapeutic effects of KRG on hearing recovery and glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) undergoing systemic steroid therapy. METHODS: The patients were divided into 2 groups: the steroid, and the combination of steroid and red ginseng. Pure tone averages (PTA) were assessed at the first visit and 2-month follow-up. All patients underwent fasting blood glucose analyses just before and on the fifth day of treatment. Both groups were treated with a 10-day course of oral methylprednisolone at tapering doses starting from a daily dose of 48 mg. To the combination group, KRG extract was administered by mouth at a daily dose of 3 g for 20 days in addition to methylprednisolone. Hearing gain was calculated comparing the initial PTA and PTA at 2 months' follow-up. Treatment responses were classified according to Siegel's criteria. RESULTS: Pretreatment conditions were similar between the steroid (n=37) and combination groups (n=36). At 2 months after the treatment, PTA improved significantly in both groups, but there was no significant difference in the mean hearing gain & recovery rate. The non-diabetic subjects in the steroid group (n=27) exhibited a 24% increase in the mean blood glucose level during the systemic steroid therapy, while those in the combination group (n=34) showed no changes. CONCLUSION: Although the KRG did not provide greater therapeutic effects on hearing recovery, we suggest that red ginseng can be a useful adjuvant to the current steroid therapy to normalize glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia in non-diabetic patients during the treatment of SSNHL.

Role of Interleukin-10 on Mouse Otitis Media Model Using Lipopolysaccharide / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interleukin (IL)-10 is a major regulator of innate immunity. It interferes with the production of inflammatory mediators by reacting with polymorphonuclear neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages. In addition, it also up-regulates the ex-pression of molecules that amplify the anti-inflammatory effect of IL-10. This study tested the hypothesis that injection of various concentrations of exogenous IL-10 in the middle ear cleft can inhibit the acute stage of otitis media induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). And if so, the level of concentration for inhibition can be determined. MATERIALS AND METHOD: IL-10 and/or LPS were injected transtympanically into the middle ear cavity of normal mice. Histopathological measurement of submucosal thickness and num-ber of inflammatory cell infiltration was performed at 24 hours after inoculation of IL-10 and/or LPS. RESULTS: At 24 hours after inoculation, every group of IL-10 inoculation reduced both thickening of the mucous and submucosal infiltration of inflammatory cells in a dose-dependent manner. As the concentrations of IL-10 inoculated increased, mucosal thickness and submucosal infiltration of inflammatory cells were more reduced. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that exogenous IL-10 injection into the middle ear can directly reduce LPS-induced otitis media in acute stage in a dose-dependent manner. These findings also indicate that IL-10 may be a candidate for local modulator of acute otitis media.

Correction of the Scar Contracture of the Oral Mucosa after Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with Z-Plasty and Mucosal Tissue Graft / 대한이비인후과학회지

A foreign body sensation or a globus symptom of the throat after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is caused by an internal scar formation and such symptoms generally disappear in 9 months after surgery. In rare cases, this sensation could be permanent. If this condition persists, possible primary treatment could be multiple stage steroid injection into the affected site for softening of the submucosal fibrous formation. But rotational or advancement mucosal flaps could be effective if the steroid injection does not work. We present a case of scar contracture of oral mucosa after UPPP was corrected with Z-plasty and mucosal tissue graft.

A Case of Intravascular Papillary Endothelial Hyperplasia Combined with Organizing Hematoma of the Lateral Wall of the Nasal Cavity

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is an exuberant intravascular endothelial proliferation that in many respects mimics an angiosarcoma. A 78-year-old woman complained of a several month history of left-side nasal obstruction and frequent epistaxis. Preoperative endoscopic examination demonstrated a dark red mass occupying the left nasal cavity. The nasal cavity mass was completely removed under endonasal endoscopy. During the six-month follow-up, the patient had no evidence of recurrent disease. We present here a rare case of IPEH within the nasal cavity that demonstrated the reactive nature of this affliction.

Isolation and Culture of Adult Neural Stem Cells from Guinea Pig Tympanic Membrane / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tympanic membrane perforation is an important clinical problem found in various populations of the world. In large number of cases, acute traumatic perforations heal spontaneously, and in the healing process, stem cells appear to play an important role. However, no studies have been reported regarding somatic stem cells in the tympanic membrane. Herein, we tried to show that guinea pig's tympanic membrane contains cells that display the characteristic features of stem cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The tympanic membrane was obtained from the guinea pig. The cells were cultured in a medium with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Proliferating cells were checked with stem cell markers, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and nestin. Differentiated cells from stem cells are checked with betaIII tubulin and S-100. RESULTS: We observed that some of the cultured cells from the tympanic membrane were stained with both stem cell markers, BrdU and nestin. And we observed that these cells differentiated into neuron and gilal cells, which expressed betaIII tubulin and S-100, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the tympanic membrane of guinea pigs may have neural stem cells. Further study is needed for finding the origin of stem cells.

Convenient Nipple Suspension Method Using Aquaplast Thermoplastic (Optimold) Splint after Surgical Correction of Inverted Nipple

In spite of various surgical treatments to correct the inverted nipple, no one is free form its recurrence. It is well known that stable suspension of projected nipple is required after nipple reduction. To minimize the recurrence rate, authors designed a new suspension device using Aquaplast Thermoplastic(Optimold) which is heat-malleable. The retracted nipple was held up with 2 traction sutures using 4-0 nylon, and then the surgical correction was performed. The projected nipple was suspended by 2 traction sutures with 4-0 nylon. A sheet of Aquaplast Thermoplastic (Optimold) was tailored by 1.5x5cm. It was soaked in hot water for 5-10 seconds. In 30 seconds, it was molded by manual in " omega" shape after dry-up. This prepared splint was applied on the nipple and areolar. 2 ends of nylon threads were pull upward and other 2 ends downward from the splint. Then, they were tied on top of the splint. The suspension sutures maintained for 7 days. From January of 2003 to December of 2006, we corrected 12 inverted nipples in 9 patients. After operation, we applied these devices for suspension to all nipples and 11 of them were kept corrected for more than 6 months. The authors consider this suspension method is simple, quick and effective. And the splint is very comfortable to patient because it is small, light and fits in nipple. In addition, it is very convenient to check the circulation of the operated nipple by sight.