Botox Therapy for Deep Nasolabial Fold and Bitterness Furrow after Facial Nerve Paralysis / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Facial sequelae after facial paralysis cause serious functional and aesthetical problems including facial asymmetry, symkinesis and facial crease. The most common aesthetical problem is facial furrow and crease induced by facial hyperkinestic movement due to incomplete facial recovery. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of botulinum toxin A injection in patients with deep nasolabial fold and bitterness furrow after facial paralysis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty-five patients who recovered partially from facial paralysis, had deep nasolabial fold and bitterness furrow with or without facial asymmetry. Botulinum toxin A intramuscular injection on perioral area for mouth corner deviation, subcutaneous injection on deepen nasolabial fold, and intramuscular injection on bitterness furrows had improved lower facial symmetry and cosmetic configuration without Pseudo Bell's palsy. RESULTS: Of 26 patients who had facial palsy side nasolabial fold before the injection, 21 patients improved. Of the 21 patients who had facial palsy side bitterness furrow, 16 patients improved after the injection. Of 11 patients who had contralateral nasolabial fold, 4 patients improved after the injection. Of 13 patients who had contralateral bitterness furrow, 7 patients improved after the injection. CONCLUSION: After botulinum toxin A injection, the patients showed marked improvement of nasolabial fold, bitterness furrow and lower facial asymmetry.

The Difference of External Auditory Canal pH in 3 Groups of Otitis Externa / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The change of pH in the external auditory canal (EAC) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of otitis externa. However, there is a lack of study focused in this area. Thus, we investigated the differences in the pH in the EAC between several different patient groups of otitis externa and the control group. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: There were 100 patients with otitis externa and 150 normal controls participated in this study. Patients with otitis externa were divided into 3 groups; acute or subacute infective otitis externa, chronic infective otitis externa and chronic allergic otitis externa. The pH of the EAC was measured in otitis externa patients and control subjects on their first visit. RESULTS: The mean EAC pH of the normal control subjects was significantly higher than that of the skin of other parts of the body. The pH difference among the 3 patient groups was statistically significant (the pH of acute or subacute infective otitis externa=6.83+/-0.64; the pH of chronic infective otitis externa=6.16+/-0.67 and the pH of chronic allergic otitis externa=5.78+/-0.59). CONCLUSION: The change in the pH of EAC can be considered as a predisposing factor of otitis externa. We quantified the level of pH at the EAC among three groups of otitis externa patients, and the results showed that the pH difference among the three patient groups was statistically significant. This study warrants a further investigation focusing on the proper choice of eardrops for otitis externa patients according to their pH at the EAC.