Decreased Retinal Nerve Fiber Thickness in Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis

Purpose@#To investigate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and carotid artery stenosis (CAS). @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 106 patients who underwent both optical coherence tomography to determine RNFL and carotid artery sonography within 1 year. The RNFL was divided into four quadrants, and each quadrant’s RNFL thickness and average thickness were compared with the artery endothelial thickness, the presence of plaque, and the degree of CAS. A multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between RNFL and CAS. @*Results@#The presence of carotid artery plaque had a significant association with a decrease in the average RNFL thickness (p = 0.039). There was no statistically significant difference in age or risk factors associated with vascular disease, with the exception of carotid endothelial thickness and the total cholesterol level in the two groups, depending on the presence of total carotid plaque. RNFL thickness was confirmed to be related to age and total cholesterol levels using linear univariate regression analysis. In a multivariable linear regression analysis, with age and total cholesterol levels controlled, the presence of carotid artery plaque was significantly associated with a decrease in average RNFL thickness (p = 0.026). @*Conclusions@#Asymptomatic CAS may be associated with a decrease in average RNFL thickness. In patients with decreased RNFL thickness without any ophthalmic diseases, carotid artery examination should be considered.

The Efficacy of Nasal Surgery on Pharyngeal Airway / 대한이비인후과학회지

Background and Objectives@#Nasal surgery is known to improve the quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea; however, its effect on the airway structure is little known. This study attempted to identify the impact of nasal surgery on the pharyngeal airway structure.Subjects and Method We enrolled in the study patients who underwent nasal surgery from July 2015 to March 2018 due to nasal obstruction with severe snoring or sleep apnea. Patients with palate surgery or previous history of airway surgery were excluded. Demographic factors, symptoms regarding nasal obstruction, sleep study, preoperative cephalometry, and postoperative 3-month cephalometry were taken into account and analyzed. We also performed a subgroup analysis according to the severity of sleep apnea. @*Results@#Sixty-three patients were enrolled in this study. Soft palate thickness showed no significant change. Pre and postoperative soft palate thickness were 10.82±3.00 and 11.11±3.35 (p=0.261), respectively. However, the pharyngeal airway space was enlarged via nasal surgery from 12.05±3.35 to 13.04±3.35 (p=0.006), respectively. The subgroup analysis showed that the pharyngeal airway was mainly enlarged in the patients with lower Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). @*Conclusion@#Although nasal surgery does not reduce soft palate thickness, it can enlarge the pharyngeal airway space. The effect of surgery would be more prominent in patients with AHI of lower than 15 event/hour (p=0.005) as nasal surgery alone does not affect the pharyngeal airway of patients with AHI greater than 15.

Comparison of Skin Graft for the Defect of the Radial Forearm Free Flap / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#This study compared two types of skin graft reconstruction for the defect of the radial forearm free flap. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Ten cases of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) harvested from the thigh were analyzed. Also, ten cases of full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) harvest from the inguinal area applied with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system were analyzed. @*RESULTS@#The defect size of the radial forearm was increased more in the STSG group than in the FTSG group (p<0.05). Skin grafts were recovered completely sooner in the FTSG group than in the STSG group although it was not statistically significant (p=0.082). Five complications (pruritus, hypertrophic scar) were found in the donor site in the STSG group (p<0.05). FTSG gave better scores according to the Vancouver Scar Scale in terms of pigmentation, pliability, and height (p<0.05). @*CONCLUSION@#FTSG harvested from the inguinal area with the application of VAC system has many advantages for the defect of the radial forearm free flap although it is usually used for smaller size defects than for STSGs.

Clinical Analysis of Benign and Malignant Nasal Septal Tumors / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#The purpose of this study was to review the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of benign and malignant nasal septal tumors.@*SUBJECTS AND METHODS@#A total of 34 patients who underwent the treatment for nasal septal tumor between 2004 and 2015 were included in this study. Demographic characteristics, sinonasal chief complaints, size and localization of nasal septal tumor, imaging findings, surgical method, histopathologic results, treatment outcomes, and postoperative complications were reviewed.@*RESULTS@#Of the 34 patients with nasal septal tumor used in this study, 22 (64.7%) had benign tumors and 12 (35.3%) had malignant tumors. The most common sinonasal complaint of both benign and malignant nasal septal tumors was nasal obstruction. The most common benign tumor was inverted papilloma (n=7), whereas the most common malignant tumors were malignant melanoma (n=2), plasmacytoma (n=2), and metastatic carcinoma (n=2). All patients except two cases underwent endoscopic tumor removal. There were 4 recurrences in malignant nasal septal tumors. There was no recurrence in benign tumors. No major complications resulting from surgical intervention were found.@*CONCLUSION@#Endoscopic surgery with complete excision is a safe and effective procedure for benign nasal septal tumors. Recurrence is more common in malignant nasal septal tumor. Therefore, long term follow-ups with regular radiologic and endoscopic examinations are necessary for patients with malignant nasal septal tumor.

Comparison of Skin Graft for the Defect of the Radial Forearm Free Flap / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study compared two types of skin graft reconstruction for the defect of the radial forearm free flap. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Ten cases of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) harvested from the thigh were analyzed. Also, ten cases of full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) harvest from the inguinal area applied with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system were analyzed. RESULTS: The defect size of the radial forearm was increased more in the STSG group than in the FTSG group (p<0.05). Skin grafts were recovered completely sooner in the FTSG group than in the STSG group although it was not statistically significant (p=0.082). Five complications (pruritus, hypertrophic scar) were found in the donor site in the STSG group (p<0.05). FTSG gave better scores according to the Vancouver Scar Scale in terms of pigmentation, pliability, and height (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: FTSG harvested from the inguinal area with the application of VAC system has many advantages for the defect of the radial forearm free flap although it is usually used for smaller size defects than for STSGs.

Clinical Analysis of Benign and Malignant Nasal Septal Tumors / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of benign and malignant nasal septal tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients who underwent the treatment for nasal septal tumor between 2004 and 2015 were included in this study. Demographic characteristics, sinonasal chief complaints, size and localization of nasal septal tumor, imaging findings, surgical method, histopathologic results, treatment outcomes, and postoperative complications were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients with nasal septal tumor used in this study, 22 (64.7%) had benign tumors and 12 (35.3%) had malignant tumors. The most common sinonasal complaint of both benign and malignant nasal septal tumors was nasal obstruction. The most common benign tumor was inverted papilloma (n=7), whereas the most common malignant tumors were malignant melanoma (n=2), plasmacytoma (n=2), and metastatic carcinoma (n=2). All patients except two cases underwent endoscopic tumor removal. There were 4 recurrences in malignant nasal septal tumors. There was no recurrence in benign tumors. No major complications resulting from surgical intervention were found. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic surgery with complete excision is a safe and effective procedure for benign nasal septal tumors. Recurrence is more common in malignant nasal septal tumor. Therefore, long term follow-ups with regular radiologic and endoscopic examinations are necessary for patients with malignant nasal septal tumor.

Ethmoid Fungal Ball Causing Diplopia / 전남의대학술지

No abstract available.