A Case of Unusual Type of Branchial Cleft Cyst Presenting as Superficial Midline Neck Mass / 대한이비인후과학회지

The most widely accepted hypothesis about the origin of branchial cleft cysts (BCC) is developmental theory. The second most accepted is acquired inflammatory theory. A 57-year-old woman visited our department, presenting with a soft and well-margined round superficial mass in the lower midline neck. We performed an excisional biopsy to confirm the disease. The mass was located superficial to the sternohyoid without severe adhesion and abnormal communication. The pathology was proven to be BCC. We presumed that this is irrelevant to the established developmental theory, and a recurrent pharyngeal inflammation might lead to the transformation of aberrant epithelium into a cervical lymph node. We report rare and unusual type of BCC with a literature review. To the best of our knowledge, there have been two similar clinical cases that have been reported earlier.

Comparison of the Effects of Middle Ear Implants and Conventional Hearing Aids on Cognitive Function / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between hearing impairment and cognitive function has been established in previous studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of conventional hearing aids and middle ear implants on cognitive function. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This study included 22 participants who underwent middle ear implantation between October 2013 and September 2016. Their mean age at surgery was 70 years. Using Pure tone audiometry (PTA), the Speech discrimination test (SDT), and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire, we compared audiologic benefits of three conditions [without hearing aids, with conventional hearing aids, or with Vibrant Sound bridge (VSB)]. Cognitive ability was evaluated using neuropsychological testings (Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery) at intervals of approximately eight weeks. RESULTS: The results of PTA showed a 7.96 dB HL gain with conventional hearing aids and a 10.00 dB HL gain with the use of VSB. SDT results showed a 4.10% gain with conventional hearing aids and a 10% gain with the use of VSB. Results of the APHAB questionnaire showed a significant increase with the use of VSB compared to conventional hearing aids. In the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, a slight improvement was observed after middle ear implantation. In the Digit Span Test and Korean-Boston Naming Test, a significant improvement was seen with the use of VSB compared to conventional hearing aids. CONCLUSION: The use of middle ear implants in rehabilitation of hearing communication in patients showed improvements in cognitive abilities, compared to the use of conventional hearing aids.

A Case of MALT Lymphoma of Buccal Area / 대한이비인후과학회지

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, known as a distinctive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is an extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. It most frequently occurs in the stomach but has also been described in various non-gastrointestinal lesions, such as the salivary glands, conjunctiva, thyroid, orbit, lung, breast, kidney, liver, and prostate etc. It occurs very rarely in buccal mucosa. The MALT lymphoma tends to remain localized for long periods and respond to locally direct therapy. We recently encountered an 80-year-old male presenting with a foreign body sensation in the oral cavity; he was finally diagnosed as MALT lymphoma. We report this rare and unique case with a review of literature.

A Case of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma of Parotid Gland / 대한이비인후과학회지

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known for its high propensity for early metastasis and one third of patients diagnosed with RCC present with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. RCC commonly metastasizes to the lung, bone, liver, brain, and skin by hematogenous spread, whereas metastasis to the head and neck region is rarer. In cases of head and neck metastasis, the thyroid accounts for a large percent. Parotid metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is an extremely rare finding. We recently encountered a 67-year-old man with left parotid mass and finally diagnosed as metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We report the rare case with a review of literature.