Expression of E-Cadherin and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Tongue / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship of the clinicopathologic findings in squamous cell carcinomas of the oral tongue, we studied the expression pattern of E-cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) by immunohistochemical stain. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty-five patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the oral tongue were classified as their tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and histopathological grade and their paraffin-embedded surgical specimens were investigated by immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal E-cadherin antibody and MMP-2 antibody. RESULTS: There was not any significant correlation between the expression of E-cadherin and the tumor stage (p>0.05), but it showed significantly reduced expression of E-cadherin in moderately or poorly differentiated carcinoma (p=0.034). The expression of MMP-2 increased significantly with respect to the metastasis of the cervical lymph node in early carcinoma (p=0.045) but it was not correlated with primary tumor size or histological differentiation (p>0.05). We cannot find any inverse relationship between E-cadherin and MMP-2 expression in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The expression of E-cadherin and MMP-2 may be related the disease processes of squamous cell carcinomas of the oral tongue and will provide the possibility of the its biochemical parameters.

Clinical Implication and Therapeutic Efficacy of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) has been presented as a new approach to tiniutus management. The aim of this paper is to show the clinical implication method of TRT in our clinic and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of TRT based on questionnaires and tinnitograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the clinical implication method of TRT, 60 patients with tinnitus, who visited Tinnitus Clinic, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from May, 1999 to July, 2001, and who had received TRT for their tinnitus, were included for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of TRT. Their psychoacoustic characteristics of tinnitus and changes of subjective tinnitus were analyzed. RESULTS: Loudness, awareness, annoyance and effect on life of tinnitus decreased after TRT. Tinnitus handicap score also significantly decreased (p<0.05). Forty-eight patients among the sixty patients (80%) showed relief of their tinnitus in more than 2 of 4 subjective parameters (loudness, awareness, annoyance and effect on life of tinnitus). CONCLUSION: TRT has been shown to be effective in the treatment of subjective tinnitus. Modification of TRT may be necessary for easy application of this therapy in Korea.

Evaluation of the Voice Parameters Following Supracricoid Partial Laryngectomy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Conservation laryngeal surgery is designed to remove the cancer mass completely while preserving the physiologic functions of the larynx. Recently, the supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) has broadened the spectrum of reliable techniques available to conservation laryngeal surgeons. Much research has been devoted to the surgical technique and oncological results of SCPL, but only a few signi6cant objective reports of the phonatory results are available presently. This study was designed to analyze the phonatory results achieved after SCPL for laryngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selected characteristics of the speech and voice were compared in 25 patients who had undergone SCPL and 10 normal adult laryngeal (NAL) speakers. Durational and frequency features were analyzed with the CSL and the MDVP. RESULTS: SCPL speech proved comparable to NAL speech at the average fundamental frequency. SCPL spech and voice were statistically less efficient than NAL speech in jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio, mean airflow rate, maximal phonation time, and subglottic pressure (p<0.01). The completion of an arytenoid cartilage resection and/or anterior cricoid cartilage removal did not statistically modify the durational and frequency features of SCPL speakers (p <0.01). CONCLUSION: The voice parameters of SCPL speakers were different from those of the NAL speakers, but patients were thought to be allowed social interaction.