A Case of Synchronous Double Primary Cancer in the Nasopharynx and Nasal Cavity Related with Epstein-Barr Virus / 대한이비인후과학회지

Multiple primary malignant neoplasms indicate an occurrence of two or more malignancies in a patient, and double primary cancers are the most common type. When the second primary cancer occurs simultaneously or within 6 months after the first primary cancer is diagnosed, it is called synchronous carcinoma. If the second primary cancer occurs after 6 months, it is defined as metachronous carcinoma. Recently, we experienced a patient who was diagnosed as double primary cancer in the nasopharynx and nasal cavity. The tumors occurred simultaneously and histopathological examinations revealed nasopharyngeal nonkeratinizing carcinoma in the right nasopharynx and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma in the left nasal cavity (inferior turbinate). In situ hybridization showed positivity for Epstein-Barr virus, which encoded early RNA in the neoplastic cells of both specimens. We present this rare disease entity with a review of the relevant literature and a survey of the clinical characteristics.

Changes of Sleep Disordered Breathing and Quality of Life after Adenotonsillectomy in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can have an effect on the quality of life (QOL) such as behavior, school performance, emotional distress and daytime function. We aim to verify changes in sleep disordered breathing based on polysomnographic findings and disease specific health related QOL before and after adenotonsillectomy in Korean children with OSA. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A total 20 children aged 3 through 13 years old (mean age=6.7 years old and male/female=14/6) with OSA were included. We evaluated respiratory disturbances in patients using the standard polysomnography and the OSA-specific health related QOL based on Korean Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 Survey (KOSA-18). RESULTS: There were significant improvements in apnea-hypopnea index (from 9.4±7.4 to 1.1±0.8 events/hour, p<0.001) and total score of KOSA-18 (71.3±26.0 to 33.6±10.7, p<0.001) after adenotonsillectomy. CONCLUSION: Sleep disordered breathing and QOL improve significantly after adenotonsillectomy in Korean OSA children.

Effect of Positional therapy on Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Positional therapy is a therapeutic method for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, little is known about the effectiveness of positional OSA treatment based on meta-analysis. Therefore, we undertook a review and meta-analysis of studies to assess the effect of positional therapy on OSA. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We searched PubMed (Medline), OVID Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, KoreaMed, MedRIC, and KSI KISS using the key words “obstructive sleep apnea” and “positional therapy”. To estimate the effect of positional OSA therapy, we analyzed the ratio of means (ROM) for pre- and post-treatment polysomnographic data including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation, arousal index, and sleep efficiency. RESULTS: Finally, twenty two studies from 21 papers were included in the meta-analysis. Positional therapy significantly decreased AHI by 54.1% [ROM, 0.459; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.394 to 0.534] and increased lowest oxygen saturation by 3.3% (ROM, 1.033; 95% CI, 1.020 to 1.046). However, positional therapy did not significantly change arousal index (ROM, 0.846; 95% CI, 0.662 to 1.081) or sleep efficiency (ROM, 1.008; 95% CI, 0.990 to 1.027). CONCLUSION: Positional therapy significantly improves respiratory parameters including AHI and lowest oxygen saturation in patients with OSA.

Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Malignant External Otitis

OBJECTIVES: Malignant external otitis (MEO) is a potentially fatal infection of the external auditory canal, temporal bone, and skull base. Despite treatment with modern antibiotics, MEO can lead to skull base osteomyelitis. Until now, there have been few studies on the prognostic factors of MEO. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to identify prognostic factors of MEO, and a meta-analysis of other articles investigating MEO. On the basis of disease progression the 28 patients in our study were divided into ‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ groups, consisting of 12 and 16 patients, respectively. We identified three categories of prognostic factors: those related to patient, disease, and treatment. We compared these prognostic factors between the controlled and uncontrolled groups. RESULTS: In our study, the duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), presence of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging findings influenced the prognosis of MEO. In contrast, prognosis was unrelated to age, gender, mean glucose level, hemoglobin A1c level, pathogen, comorbidity, or cranial nerve involvement. No factor related to treatment modality was correlated with prognosis, such as surgery, steroid therapy, or interval to the first appropriate treatment. Cranial nerve involvement has been proven to be associated with disease progression, but the relationship between cranial nerve involvement and the prognosis of MEO remains controversial. As a part of this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of cranial nerve involvement as a prognostic factor of MEO. We found that cranial nerve involvement has a statistically significant influence on the prognosis of MEO. CONCLUSION: We found that glycemic control in diabetes mellitus, cranial nerve involvement, and the extent of disease determined from various imaging modalities influence the prognosis of MEO. We suggest that significant prognostic factors should be monitored to determine the prognosis of patients with MEO.

A Case of Killian-Jamieson Diverticulum in the Esophagus

A Killian-Jamieson diverticulum (KJD) is an unfamillar and unusual cervical esophageal diverticulum. This diverticulum originates on the anterolateral aspect of the esophagus through the Killian-Jamieson's area that is formed between cricopharyngeal muscle and the lateral to longitudinal esophageal muscle. Recently, we experienced a patient who was found outpouching lesion on lateral side of left esophagus on the duodenoscopy. Then, a barium esophagography performed and in left lateral position demonstrated a left-sided diverticulum with a frontal projection, highly suggestive of a KJD. There are two ways of surgical approach to manage the KJD. First is external approach, another one is endoscopic approach. In common, external approach has been recommended for the treatment of KJD because of concern of nerve injury. We present a case of KJD that underwent external approach and sternocleidomastoid muscle flap in the management of KJD.

A Case of Nasal Surgery for a Positive Airway Pressure-Intolerant OSAS Patient Due to Nasal Obstruction / 수면정신생리

Positive airway pressure (PAP) is currently recommended as a primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and positively affects various subjective and objective parameters related to OSAS, such as the apnea-hypopnea index, excessive daytime sleepiness, and blood pressure. However, PAP also exhibits various adverse effects, including skin breakdown, pressure intolerance, claustrophobia, unintentional mask removal, mouth leaks, and dryness. Especially, unintentional mask removal due to nasal obstruction may result in poor PAP compliance. A 47-year-old male patient with severe OSAS who had low PAP compliance due to nasal obstruction underwent nasal surgery. After the surgery, nasal obstruction was corrected and the patient experienced improved PAP compliance (from 30.4% to 86.7%). This case demonstrates that nasal surgery may be useful for improving PAP compliance in OSAS patients with nasal obstruction.