A Case of Dual Ectopic Thyroid / 대한이비인후과학회지

Ectopic thyroid is an uncommon status characterized by the presence of thyroid tissue in a site other than in its usual region. It is rare for dual ectopic thyroid to have two ectopic foci simultaneously. Three cases of dual ectopic thyroid have been reported in the Korean literature. Clinically, most cases in ectopic thyroid were noted at adolescence or postpartum due to increased physiologic hormonal demands. Clinical manifestation, thyroid function test, and radiologic imaging should be employed to make a diagnosis and therapeutic plan of this disease. We present a patient with dual ectopic thyroid tissue in the suprahyoid and infrahyoid area without thyroid tissue in its normal thyroid bed.

Pneumatization of the Frontal and Sphenoid Sinus in Korean Adults: A Study of Using Computed Tomography Scans / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For safe sinus surgery, it is essential to understand the anatomical structure and developmental state of the paranasal sinuses. Structural abnormalies such as aplastic and marked hypoplastic sinuses may not be amenable to sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of pneumatization of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses in Korean adults. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This retrospective study utilized CT images of 1190 sides from 595 Korean adults. The frontal sinus was classified into normal, hypoplasia, aplasia and unilateral hidden aplasia. The sphenoid sinus was evaluated the incidence regarding the aplasia and unilateral hidden hypoplasia. RESULTS: Bilateral frontal sinus hypoplasia was observed in 8.5% of women and 4.2% of men (p 0.05). Bilateral frontal sinus aplasia was observed in 7.1% of women and 2.9% of men (p 0.05). Unilateral hidden frontal sinus aplasia was observed in 1.7% of women and 1.5% of men (p>0.05). There was no bilateral sphenoid sinus aplasia and only one woman had unilateral sphenoid sinus aplasia. Unilateral hidden sphenoid sinus hypoplasia was observed in 1.4% of women and 2.9% of men (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Bilateral frontal sinus hypoplasia and aplasia are more common in women than in men. Although the incidences of unilateral hidden frontal sinus aplasia and hidden sphenoid sinus hypoplasia are low, sinus surgeons should carefully review CT for sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty.

A Case of Primary Septated Mucocele of Maxillary Sinus / 대한이비인후과학회지

Paranasal sinus mucoceles are benign non-neoplastic condition characterized by cystic expansion. They are classified into primary and secondary mucoceles by known causes. Most mucoceles are located in the frontal and anterior ethmoid sinuses and they involve the frontoethmoial region, expanding to the region of the orbit, leading to the ocular symptoms. The primary maxillary sinus mucoceles are not common, whereas secondary ones such as postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles (POMMs) developing after Caldwell-Luc operation are pretty common. POMMs have often multiple septated mucoceles. However, most of the primary maxillary sinus mucoceles are an expansile and cystic mass of maxillary sinus with medial bulging. We present a case of primary septated mucocele in the maxillary sinus of a 36-year-old male who underwent revision surgery.

A Measurement of the Frontal Sinus Ostium Using the Sagittal Images of Computed Tomography / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic management of frontal sinus disease remains a difficult task. In order to minimize the risk of intracranial complication, easily identifiable landmarks and measurements should be required. This study aims to identify standard distances from the columella to the anterior and posterior borders of the frontal sinus ostium in Korean men and women. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We obtained the sagittal images taken from 30 men and 30 women. Measurements from the columella to the nasofrontal beak (NFB) and anterior skull base (ASB) were made. Also, the angle between the lines of the columella to the ASB and hard palate was measured. RESULTS: The mean distance from the columella to the NFB was 55.3+/-3.9 mm in men and 52.1+/-4.7 mm in women (p0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests sinus surgeons to stay a distance from the columella of less than 57.6 mm in men and 54.3 mm in women to minimize skull base injury.