[IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease: a report of 3 cases].

INTRODUCTION: We report three cases of hyper-IgG4 disease with synchronous or asynchronous lymphocytic infiltration onset, IgG4 positive plasma cell infiltration, and fibril formation in multiple exocrine glands and extranodal organs. IgG4-related sialadenitis attracting recent attention has yet to be clarified as a clinical entity. CASE REPORT: Case 1, a 61-year-old man, had a submandibular gland sample showing IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration. Case 2, a 61-year-old man, was diagnosed with IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease confirmed by a sublingual gland sample. Case 3, a 57-year-old woman, had a diagnosis of IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease confirmed based on labial and sublingual gland samples. All reported oral dryness and bilateral submandibular swelling. Cases 1 and 2 recovered following Predonine administration tapered from 30 or 20 mg. DISCUSSION: IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease must be recognized as a clinical entity, together with its diagnostic criteria and treatment. Sublingual gland biopsy should be done to confirm its diagnosis following sublingual gland swelling.

[Clinical study on deep neck infection].

Deep neck infection (DNI) remains an emergent and life-threatening otolaryngologic disease. We examined 69 patients, 52 men and 17 women, with DNI, who were treated in our hospital between January 1995 and December 2004. The mean age of the patients with DNI was 50.0 years and the peak incidence was in the sixth decade. Twenty patients suffered from diabetes mellitus (DM). The primary DNI lesion was found in the tonsils in 34 cases, the oral cavity in 16 cases, and the pharynx in 12 cases, respectivelys. Among the 69 patients with DNI, the infection remained in the suprahyoid region in 31 cases, but it extended to the infrahyoid region in 33 cases and to the mediastinum in 5 cases. The titer of C-reacting protein (CRP) and the duration of admission were considered as parameters of the severity of DNI. CRP was significantly higher in elderly patients, in patients with DM, and in patients whose infection extended to the infrahyoid region and to the mediastinum, however, significant difference was not found between men and women, or among the types of primary DNI lesions. Moreover, the duration of admission was significantly longer in elderly patients, in patients with DM, and in patients with infrahyoid and mediastinal DNI, whereas no significant differences were found between men and women or among the types of primary lesions. Therefore, age, DM, and the extension of DNI are considered to be important factors which determining the severity of DNI.

[Effect of the external nasal dilator breathe right and nasal cycle influence].

The external nasal dilator Breathe Right is a nonprescription disposable mechanical device worn over the bridge of the nose that supports the outer walls of the nasal vestibule to increase cross-sectional nasal valve area and enhance air flow through the nose. When worn, the device applies a gentle outward pull to the outside walls of the nasal vestibule that helps prevent collapse of the lateral walls of the nasal vestibule. The device appears similar to an adhesive bandage with two polyester springs attached lengthwise to the nonadhesive side of the backing material. The form of the external nose varies significantly between racial groups and some comment is possible about the form of the nasal valve, i.e., Caucasian noses are leptorrhine, Negroid noses platyrrhine, and Oriental noses intermediate. A question exists about whether Breathe Right is as effective in Japanese as in Caucasians against nasal obstruction. We measured the effect by acoustic rhinometry in 35 healthy subjects. We measured 2 cross-sectional areas-the I-notch and C-notch-and 3 nasal volumes-V(0-1), from 0 to 1 cm corresponding to the I-notch, V(1-3), from 1 to 3cm corresponding to the C notch, and V (3-6), from 3 to 6cm. We studied the influence of the nasal cycle on the effect of Breathe Right in the nasal cavity. We evaluated subjects in a stable sitting position before applying Breathe Right, after using 5 minutes, and in a free interval of 25 minutes following. The experiment was repeated 10 times. We found that Breathe Right increases the nasal volume especially in V(1-3) and the cross-sectional area especially in the C-notch. Interestingly, the change in the C-notch decreased gradually with time. One possible mechanism may be the change in compliance between the skin under the Breathe Right and the nasal mucous membrane. The nasal cycle did not significantly influence the effect of Breathe Right.