Role of Mast Cells in a Aspergillus Murine Model of Allergic Rhinitis / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mast cells are the main effector cells in the immediate phase of the allergic responses. To evaluate the role of mast cells on the development of allergen-induced eosinophilic inflammation in a murine model of allergic rhinitis(AR), we compared the responses of mast cell deficient (W/Wv) mice with congenial normal (W/W+) mice. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Mice were sensitized intranasally with an extract of Aspergillus fumigatue (Af) for 3 weeks, and challenged intranasally with a single dose (acute model) or single dose every day for 5 consecutive days (chronic model). Interleukin (IL)-5 in nasal lavage fluids (NLF), histologic examination and Af-specific immunoglobulins (Ig) were examined in W/Wv mice and W/W+mice. RESULTS: In the sensitized W/Wv mice, the number of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa and IL-5 in NLF after repeated allergen challenge were not significantly different from those of W/W+ mice. In contrast, the number of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa and IL-5 in NLF after single allergen challenge were partially attenuated in W/Wv mice. The levels of Af-specific IgE and IgG1 in both acute and chronic models were not different between W/Wv mice and W/W+ mice. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that eosinophilic inflammation caused by repeated allergen challenge are independent of mast cells in this AR model.

Surgical Management of Tonsil Cancer / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgery and postoperative radiation therapy have been the main stream management of tonsil cancer. There is a variety of surgical approach methods are used for the resection of tonsil cancer, however, there have only been a few reports of the results of surgical treatment of tonsil cancer. So, on the basis of our experience, we report the results of our surgical treatments of tonsil cancer. SUBJECT AND METHOD: 32 medical records, from 1994 April to 2003 June, of patients surgically treated for tonsil cancer were reviewed. Evaluated were disease status, surgical approach methods, types of the neck dissection, surgical margin, reconstruction methods, postoperative complications, time of oral diet and decannulation, recurrence, and survival rate. RESULTS: Mean follow up periods were 2.3 years. There was 1 patient in Stage I, 5 in Stage II, 2 in Stage III, and 24 in Stage IV. For Tumor excision, 5 patients underwent intraoral approach, 10 mandibulotomy approach, and 17 lateral pharyngotomy approach. Surgical defects were primary closed in 5 patients and reconstructed with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in 7 patients and radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap in 20 patients. There were 2 local recurrences, 5 regional recurrences, and one distant metastasis. The mean time of the beginning of oral diet/decannulation after operation were 19.8/11.3 days in lateral pharyngotomy and 25.3/12.9 days in mandibulotomy. The mean survival period was 41.4 months. CONCLUSION: Because most of tonsil cancers are advanced diseases, more precise tumor resection and meticulous neck management are needed. Lateral pharyngotomy approach had priority to other surgical approaches in selected cases except T4. It has advantages of full range of vision for resection, better functional status and less postoperative morbidity.