Recurrent Transient Global Amnesia in a Hot and Humid Machinery Room

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is characterized by abrupt onset temporary dysfunction of anterograde and retrograde amnesia without other neurologic deficits. We encountered a 53-year-old man who developed recurrent TGA while working in a hot and humid machinery room (33degrees C and 64% relative humidity). Heat exposure and physical exertion may facilitate the leakage of cytokines into the systemic circulation so as to cause a cerebral endothelial insult. Functional insufficiency of the hippocampus and its connections caused by physical and environmental factors may be related to recurrent attacks.

A Case of Carcinoid Tumor in Middle Ear Presenting with Facial Paralysis / 대한이비인후과학회지

The carcinoid tumors of middle ear are very rare, however, more than 50 cases including 2 cases in Korea have been reported since 1980. A 36-year-old male had been managed under the diagnostic impression of hemotympanum due to head trauma in 2005; he revisited our clinic after 8 years with sudden facial paralysis and external auditory canal mass. Canal wall down mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty were performed and pathologic results revealed a carcinoid tumor of the middle ear. A facial paralysis of this patient was cured after the treatment.

A Case of Treating Anterior Glottic Web by Laser Mucosal Inversion Technique / 대한이비인후과학회지

Anterior glottic web is an abnormal scar tissue formation between the vocal folds, involving anterior commissure. Scarring procedure caused by damage to mucosal membranes of the vocal folds eventually can lead to glottic web formation, especially after laryngeal surgery involving both vocal folds. The conventional treatments of anterior glottic web have included keel, silicon or tube insertion. However, this presents risks of airway compromise and granulation tissue formation. CO2 laser web lysis has been widely used over the past decades. We introduced a novel, laser mucosal inversion technique for treating anterior glottic web and presented the case with a review of the related literatures.

Characteristics of Adverse Effects When Using High Dose Short Term Steroid Regimen

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the adverse effect of long term steroid usage is well known, the adverse effect of short term high dose steroid usage has not been studied thoroughly. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of the adverse effects when using a high dose steroid for a short term. We also compared the adverse effect of steroid between in- and out-patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical record of 500 patients, who were treated with methylprednisolone 48 mg/day for 1-2 weeks, was retrospectively reviewed. Steroid was prescribed due to SSNHL, Bell's palsy, Ramsay-Hunt syndrome and herpes zoster oticus. The incidence of each adverse effect was analyzed, and also the time point of detection was analyzed. The 500 patients were composed of 250 in-patients and 250 out-patients. The adverse effect was compared between these two groups, as well. RESULTS: Adverse effect of steroid was found in 33.0% of the patients. Among these adverse effects, abdominal discomfort (26.8%) was most common, followed by skin rash (14.7%), swelling (13.4%), and hot flush (6.9%). Abdominal discomfort and hot flush was mostly detected on the first week. Meanwhile, the skin rash was usually detected on the third week. The incidence of adverse effect was significantly higher in the out-patient group. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of high dose short term steroid treatment may be very high. The patients should be warned about these adverse effects. Monitoring should be performed until 3-4 week, since some adverse effects may not be detected until this time point.