[An office technique for myringoplasty without the use of fibrin glue].

A simple method for office closure of eardrum perforation using an atero-collagen graft used for dermal defects (Terdermis) without fibrin glue was developed. Eardrum perforations were successfully closed in 71.4% of all cases (63 ears) after the initial treatment. Neither skin incision nor the use of temporal fascial grafts was necessary in this method. The merit of the method is that there is no possibility of blood infection because no blood materials are used.

A possible case of saccular endolymphatic hydrops.

The vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is expected to be one of the examinations for saccular function. We report a case of dysequilibrium possibly due to a saccular disorder. A 27-year-old female came to our clinic complaining of severe recurrent dysequilibrium spells for few hours on September 21, 1998. The first attack was only vertigo with bilateral tinnitus for 8 days before. She did not show possible vestibular findings on a routine vestibular test. An electrochochleogram showed the dominant negative summating potential (SP) on both sides, and the furosemide test showed negative findings on both sides. A VEMP test indicated a low amplitude in the right ear, which improved to the normal response after furosemide injection. The amplitude was increased by furosemide administration even in the left ear. These findings suggested bilateral endolymphatic hydrops in the cochlea and saccule especially on the right side. The VEMP test may reveal saccular hydrops, which differs from the conventional Ménière type vertigo.

[Environmental control for allergic diseases--avoiding and killing effect on housedust-mite by eastern red cedar].

Housedust-mite has been a trigger factor for allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis and eczema. Therefore, it is important to remove housedust-mite from the environment of an allergic patient. Eastern red cedar is one kind of cypress tree which grows naturally in Northern America. It is used for the material of pencils, and the essence of soap. Its oil is used for oily substance for microscope lens. Using original system, we examined eastern red cedar and its oil, and found that it is effective for killing and preventing housedust-mites. The result was very effective. In conclusion the eastern red cedar and its oil seems to be useful for controlling mites in the home environment of allergic patients.

[The positivity rate of specific IgE antibody to Japanese cedar pollen in Wakayama Prefecture].

The incidence of Japanese cedar pollinosis has been increasing each year in Japan. Japanese cedar pollinosis is a state of allergic response, mediated by IgE. So, it is important to know the state of sensitization against Japanese cedar pollen. The subjects were 1321 nonselective cases who were more than 16 years of age and who live in Wakayama Prefecture. Specific IgE antibodies to Japanese cedar pollen were measured by Lumiward immunoassay system. The results showed that positivity for sera class 2 or higher was 30.9%. Furthermore, the positivity in 1995 was higher than the positivity in either 1985 (13.9%) or 1990 (18.3%). The incidence of specific IgE antibody positivity was higher in males. Also the age distribution of the positivity was highest in the 20-29 years old group, and the positivity was decreased with age. We examined the kinds of factors influencing the positivity of specific IgE antibodies. However, the relation between the positivity of specific IgE antibodies and the various environmental factors was unclear.

[Epidemiologic study of Chlamydia pneumoniae with ELISA].

Chlamydia Pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is a bacterium involved in infections of the upper airway as well as in lower respiratory diseases. It has been reported that infections from this bacterium are prevalent worldwide and that the proportion of the population having the antibody is high. It is, however, difficult to identify the pathogen by routine bacterial examination because it is an obligate cytozoic bacterium. In addition, the examination has been feasible in only a limited number of laboratories because the determination of the serum antibody titer has required preparation of the antigen as well as sophisticated skill. We conducted an epidemiological survey of 320 healthy males and females in their 20s living in the three cities of Osaka, Kobe and Oita using "HITAZYME C. Pneumoniae", which is a recently developed kit for determination of anti-C. pneumoniae specific antibody. The statistical method used was the chi square test for the comparison of proportions. Mean proportion of the population showing positive antibody test was 58.1%. IgA antibody was positive in 42.8% and IgG in 46.5% of the above population. There were no statistically significant differences between districts of between genders in the percentages of cases positive for these antibodies. The results were comparable to those previously reported suggesting that C. pneumoniae is prevalent all over Japan. This kit was found to be an easy way to use the ELISA method and therefore to be clinically useful.

Histamine-induced internalization of substance P receptors in myoepithelial cells of the guinea pig nasal glands.

Numerous substance P (SP) immunoreactive nerve fibers were located around submucosal glands in the guinea pig nasal mucosa. Since these SP positive nerve fibers were also positive for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and to a lessor extent for neuropeptide Y, they were presumed to be parasympathetic fibers. SP receptor positive structures were observed exclusively on the membrane of myoepithelial cells in normal nasal mucosa, suggesting that myoepithelial cells are targets of SP positive fibers. SP receptor-like immunoreactivity was observed associated with intracellular organella of myoepithelial cells 5 min after intranasal histamine challenge, which may indicate the molecular basis for histamine-induced nasal discharge.

67Ga citrate and 99mTc(v)-DMSA scintigraphy in a case of maxillary sinus liposarcoma.

Scintigraphic images with 67Ga citrate and 99mTc(v)-dimercaptosuccinic acid and MR image of a 16-year-old male with maxillary sinus liposarcoma (predominantly myxoid type) are reported. The MR image clearly indicated the exact location, size and anatomical relationship of the tumor. Scintigraphic evaluation was useful in suggesting the malignant nature of the tumor and showed no distant metastasis. Both examinations were effective in treating this case.