The Efficacy of Endoscopic Exploratory Tympanotomy in Conductive Hearing Loss Patients / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the endoscopic exclusive transcanalar approach for the management of conductive hearing loss. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This was a retrospective comparative study of 106 patients who underwent exploratory tympanotomy at Chonnam National University Hospital from January 2008 to March 2016. The subjects were classified into two groups; endoscopic tympanotomy (ET, n=26) and microscopic tympanotomy (MT, n=80). Demographic data, operation time, postoperative admission days, pure tone audiometric results of pre-operation and post-operation at 3 months, and hearing success rate were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean operation time of MT (101.7±24.8 minutes) was longer than that of ET (59.8±23.2 minutes) with a statistical significance (p<0.01). The mean postoperative admission days of MT (4.4±1.3) was longer than that of ET (2.0±0.6) with a statistical significance (p<0.01). Hearing gain (air-conduction) and air-bone gap improvements were not significantly different between the groups. However, the hearing success rate of ET [partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) 85.7%, total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) 81.8%] was significantly improved enormously compared to that of MT (PORP 62.9%, TORP 64.3%). CONCLUSION: With regards to conductive hearing loss, the endoscopic approach provided a better surgical view and less invasiveness compared with the microscopic approach. In conclusion, endoscopic exploratory tympanotomy had several advantages in operation time, admission days and hearing success rate.

Mucocele of the Nasal Septum: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mucoceles are relatively common cystic lesions of the paranasal sinuses. However, mucocele of the nasal septum is extremely rare. We report a case of a mucocele present in this unusual location. Mucocele of the nasal septum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mass of the nasal septum and/or median canthal region. Nasal septal mucocele can be effectively treated with endoscopic marsupialization or complete excision.

Combined Cervical and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Approch for Huge Substernal Goiter

Substernal goiter is defined as a thyroid mass of which more than half is located below the thoratic inlet. Substernal goiters must be removed surgically due to relation to compressive symptoms, potential airway compromise, and the possibility of an association with malignancy. Thyroidectomy for substernal goiter is usually carried out through a standard cervical approach. However, a few patients with various factors require an extracervical approach, usually by sternotomy. Recently, we successfully removed a substernal goiter that extended to the lower level of the aorta and tracheal carina though the combined cervical and video-assisted thoracoscopic approach. We present this case with a review of the literature.

A Case of Vascular Leiomyoma of the Nasal Vestibule

Leiomyoma is a benign neoplasm that are thought to originate from the vascular smooth muscle. Leiomyoma more commonly found in the uterus, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. The nasal cavity is an uncommon site for a leiomyoma. We experienced a case of leiomyoma originating in the left nasal vestibule in a 64-year-old female. It was successfully removed by endoscopic surgery, and we report this case with a review of the related literatures.