A Case of Spindle Cell Carcinoma of Larynx / 대한이비인후과학회지

Spindle cell carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma characterized histologically by a biphasic pattern with both squamous and spindle cell component. There is controversy in the histogenesis, biologic behavior, optimal treatment and prognostic factor for tumor. Treatment must be similar for squamous cell carcinoma. With a review of literature, we report a case of a 61-year-old male with spindle cell carcinoma in the larynx, which has been managed by wide excision of tumor and postoperative radiotherapy.

Current Bacteriology of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is important to know the current trend of resistance rate and species of pathogens in order to select appropriate antibiotics in the management of chronic suppurative otitis media. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current bacteriology of chronic supprative otitis media. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective study was performed on the bacteriologic results of 169 out-patients of chronic otitis media with otorrhea who visited the department of otolaryngology at the Kyung Hee Medical Center from Jan 2000 to Dec 2002. RESULTS: The most common pathogenic organisms were Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Proteus and Providencia. The prevalence of MRSA was found to be 61.0 per cent of isolated Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: We investigated the current bacteriology of chronic suppurative otitis media and could not find remarkable changes in comparison with the results reported recently. Continuous and periodic studies on bacteriology and sensitivity tests should be performed for effective treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media.

Clinical Statistical Study on Offending Allergens of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: Prevalence of Multiple Sensitization / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of allergic rhinitis and the kinds of offending allergens in our environment are varying as the way of life changes with urbanization and industrialization. Therefore, knowledge of the relationship between allergic rhinitis and the offending allergen is crucial for therapeutic judgment. The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence and distribution of offending allergens and investigate the prevalence of multiple sensitization on patients with allergic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Allergic skin test and multiple allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) was performed for 1, 705 allergic rhinitis patients from Jan. 1998 to Dec. 2001 at the allergy clinic, Kyung Hee university Hospital. and a retrospective study was done by reviewing the result. RESULTS: Common offending allergens were Dermatopgagoides farinae (D. farinae), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus), various pollens, dog hair, cockroach, and cat hair. Common offending seasonal allergens were ragweed, mugwort, rye, timothy grass, and Bermuda grass. The most common combination of allergens was mites with animal danders. Nineteen point three percent of the patients were sensitized to both perennial and seasonal type of allergens. Thirty point eight percent of patients with PAR (perennial allergic rhinitis) and 66.7% of patients with SAR (seasonal allergic rhinitis) were sensitized to multiple allergen. The prevalence of mixed sensitization to both perennial and seasonal allergen is 19.3% in allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of multiple sensitization in allergic rhinitis is 52.7%.

A Case of Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Nasal Cavity / 대한이비인후과학회지

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rarely seen, high grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma that carries a poor prognosis. This malignancy has a predilection for the upper aerodigestive tract, although it has been found in other sites. To author's knowledge, BSCC originating in the nasal cavity has rarely been reported. We present a case of a 70-year-old male who was treated with surgical excision and radiotherapy with basaloid squamous cell carcinoma in the nasal cavity.

Messenger RNA and Protein Expression of Eotaxin and RANTES by Th1 and Th2 Type Cytokines in Human Nasal Fibroblasts / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fibroblasts interact with eosinophils and play a key role in the pathogenesis of airway diseases. The aims of this study were to investigate whether Th1 or Th2 type cytokines can induce mRNA and protein expression of eotaxin and RANTES in human nasal fibroblast (HNF) and to verify the correlation between the stimulation of different cytokines and chemokines in HNF. Materials and Methods: Cultured HNF were stimulated by IL-13, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-13 with TNF-alpha, IL-13 with IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha with IFN-gamma for 6, 24 and 48 hours. In addition, HNF were stimulated by different concentration of IL-13 (0.2, 2, 20, 200 ng/ml). MRNA expression of eotaxin and RANTES were revealed by RT-PCR and protein of eotaxin and RANTES were revealed by ELISA. RESULTS: TNF-alpha and IFN-gammar induced mRNA and protein expression of RANTES in HNF and they synergistically induced protein expression of RANTES. RANTES expression increased in a time dependent manner. IL-13 induced mRNA and protein expression of eotaxin in HNF and it synergistically reacted with TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma. The effects of IL-13 on mRNA and protein expression of eotaxin increased in a concentration dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Th1 or Th2 type cytokines induce mRNA and protein expression of eotaxin and RANTES in human nasal fibroblasts. TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma induce more RANTES than eotaxin but IL-13 induces more eotaxin than RANTES. There may be some synergic effects of cytokines for mRNA and protein expression of chemokines.

Nasal Hyperreactivity to Methacholine Test in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Although histamine and methacholine challenge tests are commonly used to evaluate the hypersensitivity in allergic rhinitis, some controversies still remain to standardize the test. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of the methacholine challenge test for the evaluation of hyperreactivity in allergic rhinitis. Twenty three patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and 17 normal subjects were included in this study. All subjects underwent saline nasal challenge and methacholine nasal challenge test with different doses (6 mg, 12 mg, 24 mg / in 0.5 ml of saline). We measured the nasal cavity volume by acoustic rhinometry in each step and counted the number of sneezes for 15 minutes. The volume of nasal secretion was also measured by tissue paper method. Besides that, we compared the data between allergic patients with a short (under 1 year) and long duration (more than 1 year). There were no differences in the frequency of sneezing and nasal volume change to each amount of methacholine in both groups. Nasal secretion increased after methacholine challenge in both groups. However, the allergic group showed significant increase after the methacholine challenge of 12 mg compared to the control group. And the volume of nasal secretion significantly increased in patients with a long duration. The nasal methacholine challenge test can be used as a diagnostic tool to detect hyperreactivity in perennial allergic rhintis. The optimal dilution was 12 mg (in 0.5 ml of saline) for the nasal methacholine challenge test.

Nasal Hyperreactivity to Methacholine Test in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Although histamine and methacholine challenge tests are commonly used to evaluate the hypersensitivity in allergic rhinitis, some controversies still remain to standardize the test. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of the methacholine challenge test for the evaluation of hyperreactivity in allergic rhinitis. Twenty three patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and 17 normal subjects were included in this study. All subjects underwent saline nasal challenge and methacholine nasal challenge test with different doses (6 mg, 12 mg, 24 mg / in 0.5 ml of saline). We measured the nasal cavity volume by acoustic rhinometry in each step and counted the number of sneezes for 15 minutes. The volume of nasal secretion was also measured by tissue paper method. Besides that, we compared the data between allergic patients with a short (under 1 year) and long duration (more than 1 year). There were no differences in the frequency of sneezing and nasal volume change to each amount of methacholine in both groups. Nasal secretion increased after methacholine challenge in both groups. However, the allergic group showed significant increase after the methacholine challenge of 12 mg compared to the control group. And the volume of nasal secretion significantly increased in patients with a long duration. The nasal methacholine challenge test can be used as a diagnostic tool to detect hyperreactivity in perennial allergic rhintis. The optimal dilution was 12 mg (in 0.5 ml of saline) for the nasal methacholine challenge test.