No abstract available.
Action Potentials*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the olfactory function is as important in animal research as morphological study. However, it is difficult to gauge the smell function in rats because of the underdevelopment of current electrophysiologic measuring devices. The aim of this study is to assess changes in smell dysfunction induced by 3-methylindole (3-MI) in rats using an 8-odor olfactometer. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Ethyl acetate at 10(-4.0) (v/v) concentration was used as an S+ odorant, and six different concentrations (10 (-4.0), 10(-4.5), 10(-5.0), 10(-5.5), 10(-6.0), 10(-6.5)) of butanol mixed with ethyl acetate were used as an S- odorant. S+ and S- stimuli were delivered randomly using the 8-odor olfactometer. After injection of 3-MI at a dosage of 300 mg/kg, mixed odor discrimination test was performed for five weeks. RESULTS: Normal rats were able to discriminate ethyl acetate from ethyl acetate mixed with butanol to a concentration down to 10(-6.2) (v/v). Immediately after the 3-MI injection, the rats lost all capacity for smell. From 16 days later, the smell function began improving spontaneously. At the end of the fifth week, the discrimination threshold was 10(-5.7) (v/v), which was almost equal to the original level. CONCLUSIONS: Systematically administered 3-MI caused smell loss in rats. Though not completely, the smell function was recovered spontaneously. An olfactometer is a reliable and accurate device in evaluating the olfactory function in rats.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Female ; Humans ; Odors ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skatole* ; Smell*

No abstract available.
Apnea* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Hearing*

No abstract available.
Foreign Bodies*

No abstract available.
Tracheal Stenosis*

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a benign, noninvasive variety of fungal sinusitis. AFS was first reported in 1983. The first case of AFS was associated with Aspergillus. However, it is now clear that most cases of AFS are caused by non-Aspergillus species. AFS is more frequently encountered at present due to changes in fungal taxonomy and improved culture techniques. There is a geographical difference in the incidence of AFS. It accounts for 5% to 10% of all cases of chronic rhinosinusitis requiring surgical intervention in the United States and has become a subject of increasing interest to otolaryngologists and related specialists. However, only 2 cases of AFS have been reported in Korea. It is extremely important to recognize AFS and to differentiate it from chronic bacterial sinusitis or other types of fungal sinusitis because the treatment and prognosis of these disorders are significantly different. The prognosis and optimum treatment of AFS are still unknown. This article reviews the current understanding of epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis and reatment of AFS.
Aspergillus ; Classification ; Culture Techniques ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Incidence ; Korea ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Sinusitis ; Specialization ; United States

No abstract available.

Allergic rhinitis refractory to medical therapy may be challenging. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy has been suggested as a major cause of nasal obstruction. In addition, nasal septal deviation and chronic rhinosinusitis are possible causes. Various procedures exist for surgical reduction of inferior turbinate volume, including lateral out fracture, partial turbinectomy, submucosal resection, laser-assisted turbinoplasty, radiofrequency-assisted turbinoplasty, and microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty. In recent years, conservative turbinate surgery has been widely applied to decrease the risk of complications such as empty nose syndrome, crust formation, osteitis, and synechia. In some cases, septoplasty would be an important treatment method for allergic rhinitis when patients have coexisting nasal septal deviation. Recently, highly selective neurectomy to reduce the function of inferior turbinate is being implemented. Standard surgical treatment for allergic rhinitis has not been established, But a variety of surgery for patients who do not respond to appropriate medication can help relieve allergic symptoms. Because surgical management for allergic rhinitis may cause troublesome complications, these effective but invasive procedures should be chosen carefully.
Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nose ; Osteitis ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Turbinates

No Abstract available.