Gastric Choristoma of the Oropharynx

Heterotopic gastric mucosa tissue is also called gastric choristoma, and this type of lesion can be found anywhere in the alimentary tract. However, gastric choristoma in the pharynx is very rare; only 10 cases of pharyngeal gastric choristoma have been reported in the English medical literature. A 32-yr-old woman was referred to our institution for the evaluation of a large mass that originated from the posterior wall of the oropharynx. The mass did not cause any symptoms except for the occasional sensation of a foreign body. Gadolinium-enhanced T1 weighted imaging showed a 5 cm-sized mass with central enhancement and hypointense portions, yet the radiological diagnosis was not clear. Transoral mass excision was performed with using electrocautery for making the diagnosis and for treating the mass. The microscopic analysis revealed gastric choristoma.

Role of Temporary Injection Laryngoplasty in Acute Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis with Aspiration / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the role of temporary injection laryngoplasty in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) after cardiothoracic surgeries. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Taking the introduction of injection laryngoplasty as a milestone, we divided patients into those who underwent cardiothoracic surgery with UVFP during the years 2001-2004, before the introduction of injection laryngoplasty as pre-injection group (n=83) and those who underwent after the introduction during the years 2000-2007 as post-injection group (n=103). Of the post injection group, patients who received injection laryngoplasty postoperatively before being discharged were defined as injection group (n=37). Patients were also divided into non-esophageal surgery group and esophageal surgery group. Clinical outcomes including the length of hospital stay and oral feeding initiation time were compared between the pre-injection group and the injection group within the same operation group. The degrees of aspiration were classified into 4 grades. RESULTS: In the non-esophageal surgery group, the injection group with aspiration grade III had shorter hospital stay and oral feeding initiation time after extubation compared to the pre-injection group with grade III aspiration (p=0.042). However, in the esophageal surgery group, there was no statistical difference between the pre-injection and injection groups. CONCLUSION: Temporary injection laryngoplasty can reduce the hospital stay and enhance oral feeding initiation in patients with aspiration due to UVFP after non-esophageal cardiothoracic surgeries.

Management of Pediatric Airway Stenosis using Cold Instruments and Mitomycin-C / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mitomycin-C is becoming one of the most important agents in the treatment of glottic and subglottic stenosis. This study was conducted to investigate the clinical outcome of endoscopic management in glottic and subglottic stenosis patients using cold instruments and Mitomycin-C. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 47 patients with glottic and subglottic stenosis who were diagnosed and surgically treated in Seoul National University Children's Hospital from Jan. 2000 through Aug. 2003 were included. All were treated for endoscopic laryngomicrosurgery using cold instruments and bougienage. Thereafter, 0.4 mg/ml Mitomycin-C was directly applied for 5minutes on the surgical site. The surgical treatment outcome was retrospectively analyzed by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: All the studied patients showed improved airway stenosis and subjective symptoms, and twenty-one out of 47 patients have been decannulated successfully without any special complications. Mean number of operation for decannulation was 5.1, and the mean duration from the initial operation to decannulation was 17.3 months. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the use of cold instrumentation and topical mitomycin-C application might be a promising, initial choice of management in patients with airway stenosis.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Gusher in Cochlear Implantation / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gusher during cochlear implantation can produce surgical difficulties and postoperative life threatening morbidities such as meningitis. Authors reviewed cases of CSF gushers during cochlear implantation, and assessed the radiologic characteristics of CSF gushers. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: From November 1988 to March 2004, 72 congenital deaf children with inner ear malformation underwent cochlear implantation in Seoul National University Hospital. Among these, 15 patients showed CSF gush intraoperatively. The medical records, the preoperative tem-poral bone HRCT and IAC MRI were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Eighty percent (12/15) of CSF gushers had cochlear malformation. One case with a common cavity (100%), 6 of 15 cases of cochlear hypoplasia (32%) and 5 of 27 cases of incomplete partition (18.5%) showed CSF gush. The total or a partial defect of the modiolus significantly increased the risk of CSF gush. During the surgery, promontory mucosa around the cochleostomy opening was removed by electrocauterization and soft tissue pieces were packed in the posterior tympanum around the cochleostomy site after insertion of the active electrodes. Some additional procedures such as mastoid or middle ear obliteration were performed in two patients with intractable CSF gush. No lumbar drains were used. Postoperative meningitis developed in one case 7 months after cochlear implantation without a history of CSF leak. However, there were no evidences of CSF leak in all cases during the postoperative follow-up period (3-49 months, mean 24 months). CONCLUSION: Cochlear implant surgeons should be prepared to cope with CSF gusher during the cochlear implantation procedure in cases with congenital inner ear malformation, particularly if the patient has radiological evidence of modiolar defect.

Sclerotherapy for Craniofacial Venous Malformation / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Venous malformations are one of the most common vascular anomalies, and are more frequently found in head and neck region. Various treatment options are available, and intralesional injection of sclerosant is the commonest primary treatment modality. We reviewed 20 cases of venous malformation treated with sclerotherapy at Seoul National University Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty cases of venous malformation in head and neck were reviewed retrospectively, which had been managed with sclerotherapy from January 1991 to July 2001. The patients were treated at the department of otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery or plastic surgery of Seoul National University Hospital. Emulsion of Ethamolin and Lipiodol was used as a sclerosing agent. Some patients received surgical treatment after sclerotherapy. All of the patients received direct-puncture venography(Digital subtraction angiography) before sclerotherapy. Treatment results were evaluated by using MRI, angiography, or CT. If the reduction of volume of mass was more than 50 percent after sclerotherapy, we regarded the result as effective, if less than 50 percents, non-effective. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS10.0 for windows. RESULTS: Among twenty patients, there were eight males(40%), and twelve females(60%). Ages at the beginning of treatment ranged from six to thirty-eight years(mean age:20.6 years). The most common site of lesions was cheek(in 12 cases). Mass sizes(largest diameter) ranged from 2 cm to 20 cm. Nine cases were managed with both sclerotherapy and surgical excision, and eleven cases, only with sclerotherapy. Thirteen cases(65%) responded well to sclerotherapy(volume reduction>or=50%). There was no major complication. Tenderness, induration, swelling, and pain were reported as post-sclerotherapy complaints. Mild dyspnea occurred in one case, and the patient was managed at ICU shortly without fatal event. CONCLUSION: Sclerotherapy with or without surgical excision was an effective treatment modality for venous malformation, with minimal risk of major complications. There were no significant differences in the treatment results according to the initial size of the lesions.