Interleukin-1beta Decreases Caveolin-1 Expression in Human Nasal Epithelium / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is the structural protein that is necessary for the formation of caveolae membrane domains. It is known as an inhibitor of various signaling pathways and associated with several diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, restrictive lung disease and obesity. However, studies for Cav-1 in nose has been hardly performed. The objectives of our study were to detect Cav-1 expression in human nasal epithelium and to investigate the change of Cav-1 expression in the inflammation of nasal epithelium. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We obtained nasal polyp specimens from three patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. Cells from specimens were cultured using the air-liquid interface technique and IL-1beta was treated. The expression of Cav-1 mRNA and protein was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Both RT-PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of Cav-1 mRNA and protein in human nasal epithe-lium. Furthermore, the expression of both Cav-1 mRNA and protein was decreased by IL-1beta stimulation. CONCLUSION: Cav-1 was expressed in human nasal epithelial cells. It is assumed that Cav-1 may play a role in nasal inflammatory disease. However, further studies to confirm the interaction between Cav-1 and signaling molecules in the nasal inflammatory process should be followed.

Olfactory Evoked Potential for Objective Olfactory Function Evaluation / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The exact diagnosis for olfactory dysfunction plays an indispensable complementary role to the proper management of olfactory dysfunction. But there is no confirmative objective method for olfactory function evaluation. Recently, olfactory evoked potential by jet steam method was introduced as an objective method for the evaluation of olfactory function. The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical efficacy of olfactory evoked potential. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty two normal individuals were evaluated with olfactory evoked potential and their olfactory thresholds were within normal range when tested with T&T olfactometry. Odorant, skatole was introduced 1cm apart from the nostril by jet steam pulse. The results were averaged by Neuropack Four Computer. RESULTS: Twenty-nine individuals had typical positive waves with latency near 0.1ms, but three individuals had no typical positive wave. The threshold of twenty individuals in electro-olfactometry was E1 with E1 recognition or detection threshold in T&T olfactometry. The threshold of other nine individuals in electro-olfactometry was E2 with E1 recognition and detection threshold in T&T olfactometry. CONCLUSION: Olfactory evoked potential has good correlation with classic T&T olfactometry and could be used as an objective method for the evaluation of olfactory function.

Usefulness of Medpor as Columella Strut in Korean Nose / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nasal tip plasty is a difficult procedure especially in Koreans who have a thick skin, abundant subcutaneous tissue and weak cartilage. Columella strut using autologus cartilage such as septal or rib cartilage, which is one of the tip supporting procedure, is frequently used in Koreans. Autologus graft material supply is often limited and harvesting entails additional morbidity. So, the purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of Medpor as columella strut material and its complication. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We studied 38 patients who underwent nasal tip plasty. Case group (n=19) underwent tip plasty using Medpor as columella strut material. However, the other group (n=19) underwent tip plasty using septal cartilage. The result of surgery was evaluated on the basis of pre-operative, one and twelve months post-operative photographic analyses. All results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Tip projection was 10.3% in the Medpor used group, 5.8% in the cartilage used group at one month after surgery. Tip projection were 8.7% and 4.4% in each group at twelve months after surgery. The degree of tip cephalic rotation was 10.1 degree for the Medpor used cases, and 5.3 degrees for cartilage used cases at 1 month after surgery. Twelve months after surgery, the degree of cephalic rotation was 8.7 degrees and 2.1 degrees for each group. Decreasing rates of tip projection and tip rotation was measured 1.9% and 1.2 degrees in the Medpor used group and 2.4% and 2.1 degrees in the cartilage used group. There was only one case of complication; the extrusion of Medpor into the nasal cavity. CONCLUSION: Medpor can be a good substitute for columella strut material for Koreans who have weak and small amount of cartilages.

Clinical Values of PET-CT Compared to Conventional Radiologic Imaging in Head & Neck Cancer / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES : In head & neck cancer, the conventional CT and MRI are useful methods in imaging the anatomical structures of cancer, but they have limits in estimating sensitivity and specificity. To overcome these limits, PET-CT, an imaging technique using metabolism emitting from cancer tissues, was introduced. This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical values of PET-CT by comparing the PET-CT of the conventional CT/MRI, with respect to imaging primary lesions, finding metastatic cervical lymph nodes, and discovering any tumor or recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHOD : Seventy patients, who were diagnosed with head and neck cancer, were selected from Inha Hospital from March, 2004 to July, 2005. For every patient selected, a retrospective analysis was done by medical record review. The studied patients were divided into group 1 and 2. Group 1 was composed of patients that had preoperative evaluation for staging, group 2 with follow-up patients after primary treatment. In group 1, the analysis was done by comparing pathohistologic results from PET-CT to CT/MRI findings and in group 2, radiologic imaging studies were compared by follow-up imaging or clinical manifestation after 6 months. RESULTS : For the primary sites, 22 cases were laryngeal cancers, and 17 cases were thyroid. For primary site cancers and metastatic lymph nodes in group 1 and 2, there were no statistical differences of sensitivity, specificity and predictability between CT/MRI and PET-CT imaging. CONCLUSION : We were not able to prove the clinical values of PET-CT, since PET-CT had no meaningful differences from the conventional methods in imaging primary lesions, finding metastatic cervical lymph nodes, and follow-up.