Carcinoma showing thymus-like element (CASTLE) is a very rare malignant neoplasm in the lower portion of the thyroid gland or soft tissue of the neck. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is the most frequent site of CASTLE. Non-RLN is also a rare anomaly. Both CASTLE and non-RLN are risk factors for vocal cord paralysis. In this report, the authors describe a 73-year-old patients diagnosed with CASTLE and non-RLN. During total thyroidectomy, one RLN was sacrificed inevitably because of tumor invasion, while the other non-RLN was successfully saved, which was expected based on preoperative computed tomography (CT). If the diagnosis is uncertain, CT should be checked to prevent unexpected risks.
Aged ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Laryngeal Nerves* ; Neck ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; Risk Factors ; Thymus Gland ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy ; Vocal Cord Paralysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate epidemiological features of patients with sialolithiasis and to evaluate the difference in outcomes depending on its location.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We included in the test 472 patients, or 534 cases, who were admitted to the Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital between February 2006 and May 2017 with the diagnosis of sialolithiasis. The diagnosis of sialolithiasis was established by CT images; all of the cases were classified by the location of stones (orifice to stone/orifice to hilum: 0–0.25, type I; 0.25–0.5, type II; 0.5–0.75, type III; 0.75–1, type IV). RESULTS: The average size of stone was 7.2±4.8 mm and the mean patient age was 36.1±17.4 years old. According to the method described above, 534 cases were classified into the following: type I consisted of 188 cases (35.2%), type II consisted of 55 cases (10.2%), type III consisted of 92 cases (17.2%) and type IV consisted of 199 (37.2%). When comparing these types, stones in Type I were significantly smaller than other groups. There was a significant difference in the surgical method depending on the location of stones. Different complications such as swelling, bleeding, tongue discomfort, ranula, recurrence, etc. have been reported and, together, they statistically show meaningful differences in the distribution depending on types. CONCLUSION The position of stone in Wharton's duct is important factor that can determine the method of surgical procedure or postoperative prognosis. We recommend 4 types classification of sialolithiasis and it can provide more specific diagnosis of disease and facilitate approach for treatment.

Intramural esophageal dissection is a rare esophageal disorder characterized by sudden severe retro-sternal pain, hematemesis, odynophagia and dysphagia due to longitudinal separation of submucosa from muscle layer of the esophagus. Even though the etiology of this disorder still remains uncertain, it is usually associated with a rapid increase of intra-esophageal pressure in addition to coagulation disorder. We treated a patient who initially presented with retropharyngeal abscess, but finally progressed to an intramural esophageal dissection, which was successfully treated by endoscopic procedure. This is the first case that recorded disease progression and treatment from a retropharyngeal abscess to esophageal dissection.
Abscess ; Deglutition Disorders ; Disease Progression ; Esophagus ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Muscles ; Retropharyngeal Abscess

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate epidemiological features of patients with sialolithiasis and to evaluate the difference in outcomes depending on its location. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We included in the test 472 patients, or 534 cases, who were admitted to the Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital between February 2006 and May 2017 with the diagnosis of sialolithiasis. The diagnosis of sialolithiasis was established by CT images; all of the cases were classified by the location of stones (orifice to stone/orifice to hilum: 0–0.25, type I; 0.25–0.5, type II; 0.5–0.75, type III; 0.75–1, type IV). RESULTS: The average size of stone was 7.2±4.8 mm and the mean patient age was 36.1±17.4 years old. According to the method described above, 534 cases were classified into the following: type I consisted of 188 cases (35.2%), type II consisted of 55 cases (10.2%), type III consisted of 92 cases (17.2%) and type IV consisted of 199 (37.2%). When comparing these types, stones in Type I were significantly smaller than other groups. There was a significant difference in the surgical method depending on the location of stones. Different complications such as swelling, bleeding, tongue discomfort, ranula, recurrence, etc. have been reported and, together, they statistically show meaningful differences in the distribution depending on types. CONCLUSION: The position of stone in Wharton's duct is important factor that can determine the method of surgical procedure or postoperative prognosis. We recommend 4 types classification of sialolithiasis and it can provide more specific diagnosis of disease and facilitate approach for treatment.
Classification ; Diagnosis ; Heart ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Methods ; Prognosis ; Ranula ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Salivary Ducts ; Salivary Gland Calculi ; Submandibular Gland ; Tongue

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysm is an uncommon disease that otorhinolaryngologists may encounter only rarely. It usually presents as pulsatile neck mass or as other neurologic symptoms. We report a case of extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm in an 81-year old female who presented with a fever and nonpulsatile oropharyngeal swelling mimicking a peritonsillar abscess. Incision and drainage of the swelling lesion could have resulted in catastrophic events such as aneurismal rupture or a stroke. We thus recommend radiologic evaluations of peritonsillar abscess before performing any procedure, even if it is clinically highly suspicious.

Heterotopic gastrointestinal cysts are rarely found in the oral cavity. Most of these cysts are lined with gastric mucosa and involve the tongue. There have been no reported heterotopic intestinal cysts of the submandibular gland that are completely lined with colonic mucosa. An 8-year-old girl presented with an enlarging swelling in the left submandibular area, and a 4-cm unilocular cyst was fully excised. The cyst was completely lined with colonic mucosa that was surrounded by smooth muscle layer, and the lining cells were positive for CDX-2, an intestinal marker, indicating a high degree of differentiation. The pathogenesis remains unclear, but it may be related to the misplacement of embryonic rests within the oral cavity during early fetal development. Although heterotopic intestinal cysts rarely occur in the submandibular gland, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of facial swellings in the pediatric population.
Colon ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fetal Development ; Gastric Mucosa ; Intestines ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Muscle, Smooth ; Submandibular Gland ; Tongue

We aimed to estimate the effects of various risk factors on hearing level in Korean adults, using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We examined data from 13,369 participants collected between 2009 and 2011. Average hearing thresholds at low (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz) and high frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz), were investigated in accordance with various known risk factors via multiple regression analysis featuring complex sampling. We additionally evaluated data from 4,810 participants who completed a questionnaire concerned with different types of noise exposure. Low body mass index, absence of hyperlipidemia, history of diabetes mellitus, low incomes, low educational status, and smoking were associated with elevated low frequency hearing thresholds. In addition, male sex, low body mass index, absence of hyperlipidemia, low income, low educational status, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption were associated with elevated high frequency hearing thresholds. Participants with a history of earphone use in noisy circumstances demonstrated hearing thresholds which were 1.024 dB (95% CI: 0.176 to 1.871; P = 0.018) higher, at low-frequencies, compared to participants without a history of earphone use. Our study suggests that low BMI, absence of hyperlipidemia, low household income, and low educational status are related with hearing loss in Korean adults. Male sex, smoking, and heavy alcohol use are related with high frequency hearing loss. A history of earphone use in noisy circumstances is also related with hearing loss.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking/*epidemiology ; Causality ; Comorbidity ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Disease Susceptibility ; Educational Status ; Employment/statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Hearing Loss/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Hearing Tests/statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Income/statistics & numerical data ; Male ; *Noise ; Occupational Exposure/*statistics & numerical data ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Smoking/*epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: To correlate Frey's syndrome with subjective symptoms, Minor's starch iodine test results, and infrared thermography measurements, and to discuss the utility of thermography as a quantitative diagnostic method. METHODS: This study included 59 patients who underwent unilateral parotidectomy. A subjective clinical questionnaire and an objective Minor's starch iodine test were performed to evaluate the incidence of Frey's syndrome. Infrared thermography was performed, and the subjects were divided into seven groups according to the temperature differences between operated and unoperated sites. The thermal differences were correlated with the results from Minor's starch iodine test and the subjective symptoms questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients, 20 patients (33.9%) reported subjective symptoms after eating; 30 patients (50.8%) tested positive for Minor's starch iodine test, 19 patients (63.3%) of which reported subjective symptoms. Of the 29 patients who were negative for the iodine test, 2 patients (6.9%) reported subjective symptoms. Thus, subjective symptoms were well correlated with Minor's starch iodine test (r=0.589, P<0.001). As the thermal differences with infrared thermography increased, the number of patients with subjective symptoms increased (chi2=22.5, P<0.001). Using infrared thermography, the mean temperature difference in the positive group for the iodine test was 0.82degrees C+/-0.26degrees C, and that in the negative group was 0.10degrees C+/-0.47degrees C. With increased thermal differences, more patients showed positivity in the iodine test (chi2=29.9, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Subjective symptoms, Minor's starch iodine test, and infrared thermography are well correlated with one another. Quantitative thermography provides clues for the wide variation in the incidence of Frey's syndrome, and could be a useful method for diagnosing and studying Frey's syndrome.
Eating ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iodine* ; Parotid Gland ; Starch* ; Sweating ; Sweating, Gustatory* ; Thermography* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

External jugular vein thrombosis is an infrequent disease that has been associated with altered blood flow, vascular endothelium lesion or a hypercoagulable state. It could be originated from phlebectasia, but very rare. It could be diagnosed with detailed history taking, when patients had no specific previous history of intervention or treatment. The authors report a case of external jugular vein thrombosis originated from phlebectasia without risk factor. This patient was successfully managed by ligation and excision of the vein without any complications.
Endothelium, Vascular ; Humans ; Jugular Veins* ; Ligation ; Risk Factors ; Thrombosis* ; Veins

Objectives: . We evaluated changes in income levels in a hearing-impaired population. Methods: . The study subjects were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort data from 2002 to 2015 of Koreans ≥40 years old. In total, 5,857 hearing-impaired subjects were matched with 23,428 comparison participants. Differences between the initial income level and income levels at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years post-enrollment were compared between the hearing-impaired and comparison groups. The interaction of time and hearing impairment/comparison was estimated. Results: . Both the hearing-impaired group and the comparison group showed increased income levels over time. In the hearing-impaired group, the income levels at 4 and 5 years post-enrollment were higher than the initial income level (each P<0.001). In the comparison group, the income levels of all the participants after 1–5 years were higher than the initial income level (each P<0.001). The interaction of time and hearing impairment was statistically significant (P=0.021). Conclusion . The increase in income over time was relatively lower in the hearing-impaired adult population; therefore, the income gap widened between this population and the normal-hearing population.