The Effectiveness of Fine-Needle Aspiration Conducted by The Otolaryngologists / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of fine needle aspiration (FNA) conducted by the otolaryngologists, we compared the ultrasound (US)-guided FNA results conducted by a radiologist (RD-US), the US-guided FNA results (ENT-US), and the palpation guided FNA results (ENT-palpation) conducted by an otolaryngologist. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 1646 patients who underwent FNA were classified according to the site and periods of investigation (2007-2015), and their sampling adequacy was retrospectively reviewed. They were also divided into three groups (ENT-US, ENT-palpation, and RD-US); each group was then investigated for sampling adequacy. Results of further surgical excisional biopsy were compared with the those of the FNA results to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of all three groups. RESULTS: The sampling adequacy identified by the groups showed the result of ENT-US at 87.9%, ENT-palpation at 87.1% and RD-US at 91.3%. The periodical inadequacy rate failed to show any significant differences between the groups. The sensitivity of ENT-palpation was lower than other two groups. Diagnostic accuracy identified by the groups showed the result of ENT-US at 95.2%, ENT-palpation at 93.6%, and RD-US at 97.4%. CONCLUSION: FNA performed by otolaryngologists demonstrates the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment, and that doing so would improve economic efficiency. Therefore, it is recommended that well-trained otolaryngologists conduct FNA actively.

The Expression of AGO2 and DGCR8 in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

OBJECTIVES: The microRNAs have been implicated in the development and function of the inner ear, especially in contribution to hearing. However, the impact of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) on expression of miRNA biogenesis-related components has not been established. To investigate the regulations of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis-related components, argonaute 2 (AGO2) and DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (DGCR8) mRNA expression in SSNHL and to evaluate the value of clinical parameters on their expression. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients diagnosed with SSNHL and fifty-one healthy volunteers were included in this study. We measured mRNA expression levels of AGO2 and DGCR8 in whole blood cells but erythrocytes of patients with SSNHL and controls, using reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: The mRNA expression level of AGO2 is upregulated in SSNHL. The expression level of AGO2 was significantly correlated with that of DGCR8 in both patients with SSNHL and controls. Expression level of AGO2 in SSNHL was correlated with white blood cell counts. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated for the first time that the AGO2 mRNA expression level was upregulated in SSNHL, suggesting its important role in pathobiology of SSNHL development.

A Case of Bilateral Nasolabial Cysts / 대한이비인후과학회지

Nasolabial cyst is a rare non-odontogenic, developmental cyst that occurs in sublabial and premaxillary area. This cyst is usually unilateral, but it occurs bilaterally about 10% of cases. A 55-year-old woman visited our clinic with asymptomatic bilateral nasolabial swelling. Evaluation of history, physical examination and CT scan led to the diagnosis of a nasolabial cyst, and surgical excision was performed via sublabial approach. In intraoperative finding, two nasolabial cysts of similar size that entirely divided by anterior nasal spine were identified. The pathologic findings were consistent with nasolabial cysts. We herein report a rare case of bilateral occurrence of nasolabial cysts with a review of literatures.

A Case of Schwannoma of the Nasal Septum / 대한이비인후과학회지

Schwannoma is a benign tumor originating from the peripheral nerve sheath that can arise on any myelinated nerve. A 32-year-old woman visited our clinic presenting with unilateral nasal obstruction. Based on the physical examination and CT scan, we initially diagnosed the disease as vascular origin tumor. Endoscopic excision was done after preoperative angiogram with embolization. Biopsy results revealed schwannoma originating from the nasal septum. Nasal septal schwannoma is extremely rare, and we herein report such a case with a review of literatures.

A Case of Orbital Emphysema after Nose Blowing / 대한이비인후과학회지

Orbital emphysema is an abnormal condition in which air is present within the orbit. It commonly occurs during or immediately after facial, nasal, or orbital trauma; however, in a few cases, the orbital emphysema occurs spontaneously without the presence of recent trauma. Subsequently, air can enter the soft tissue of orbit as a result of nose blowing, coughing or sneezing. Although sequelae are generally self limiting and resolve spontaneously, they are important because of potential complications such as loss of vision due to pressure effect. The following is a case report of a patient who developed unilateral orbital emphysema after nose blowing.