A Case of Oncocytic Carcinoma Arising in the Submandibular Gland / 대한이비인후과학회지

Oncocytic neoplasm of the head and neck region accounts for approximately 1% of all salivary gland tumors, but only 5% of oncocytic neoplasm is malignant. Oncocytic carcinoma arising in the submandibular gland is exceedingly rare. We encountered a sixty seven-year-old male patient who presented with multiple mass in the right neck. Fine needle aspiration biopsy revealed a salivary gland tumor of predominantly oncocytic form, and a differential diagnosis included oncocytic adenoma or mucoepidermoid carcinoma. A right submandibular gland resection and modified radical neck dissection were performed. Histologically, the tumor cells showed nuclear pleomorphism, and stromal invasion, which were compatible with oncocytic carcinoma. After surgery, the entire neck region was irradiated. Seventeen months after the initial surgery, multiple metastases to the bone and lung were detected from the incidental pathologic bone fracture of the right humerus; palliative chemotherapy was performed to resolve this. We report a case of oncocytic carcinoma in the submandibular gland with a review of literature.

A Case of Synovial Sarcoma Involved in the Infratemporal Fossa Resected with Subtemporal-Infratemporal Fossa Approach with Hearing Preservation / 대한이비인후과학회지

Synovial sarcoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor that usually occurs in the extremities of young adults. Only 10% originates from the head and neck region, where the hypopharynx and retropharynx are the most common involved. Fewer than 100 cases of synovial sarcoma have been reported in this area. The infratemporal region, by virtue of its relatively concealed location, is a difficult site to access. It is considered a mainstay to design an appropriate technique to provide maximum exposure with minimal morbidity and preserve hearing ability, which may be achieved by the subtemporal-infratemporal fossa approach. We experienced a 50-year-old female patient who was suffering from right infratemporal fossa mass. We report this rare case that was successfully removed via this approach with a literature review.

The Effect of Ginkgo Biloba on the Survival of Spiral Ganglion Neurons in Rats / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) enhances cell survival in various organs. GBE protects nerve cells in the central nervous system and is clinically applied in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. GBE can protect ototoxicity caused by cisplantin and gentamycin through rescue of hair cells in Organ of Corti and is accepted as one of the therapeutic agents for sudden deafness and tinnitus. The experimental study on GBE for the inner ear is confined to the hair cells, not to the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) which is the stimulated part by the electrode of cochlear implant. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of GBE on the survival of SGNs after hair cell loss in rats. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Ten Sprague-Dawley rats aged 50 days (P50) were deafened with kanamycin sulfate. GBE (EGb 761) was injected into the right cochlea and artificial perilymph was injected into the left side. The number and size of SGNs were compared after immunohistochemical statin in both groups. The expression of pJun, which is well-known as a proapoptotic transcription factor in the cochlea, was also compared. RESULTS: The number of SGNs was significantly larger in the GBE group than the control. The expression of pJun activity was significantly decreased in GBE group than the control. The size of SGNs in both groups was similar. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that GBE can protect SGNs death by inhibiting the pJun-C-jun N-terminal kinase pathway. GBE might be a potential drug for the patients with total deafness before or after cochlear implantation surgery for better hearing results.