BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of retropharyngeal abscess has been decreased with use of antibiotics, but it still causes critical complications such as airway obstruction, aspiration pneumonia, mediastinitis, or sepsis. For this reason, early diagnosis and proper management of retropharyngeal abscess should be undertaken as soon as possibile. The treatment includes maintaining airway, performing surgical drainage, and administering antibiotics; but there are no definite guidelines for treating patients with retropharyngeal abscess, nor a golden rule for the correct surgical approach. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of patients with retropharyngeal abscess who were treated at the Chungbuk University Hospital from 1993 to 2003 was performed. We analized general symptoms, signs, causing factors, and causing bacteria. We also analized the treatment outcome and selected approaches from the surgically treated patients. RESULTS: The general symptoms of retropharyngeal abscess were sore throat, fever, dyspnea, with the most common cause being the upper airway infection. Bacteriologically, hemolytic streptococcus was the most common bacteria among aerobes and bacteroides was the most common bacteria among anaerobes. However, in most cases, both aerobe and anaerobes were cultured at the same time. Among 18 cases, 6 cases were treated conservatively with antibiotics and surgical interventions were performed in 12 cases, which included 11 cases of transoral and 1 case of transcervical approach. CONCLUSION: Retropharyngeal abscess can be treated with either conservative or surgical treatment according to initial abscess size. The abscess size which is greater than 3 cm is prefered to be treated surgically, and transoral approach is a useful way of dealing with less invasive procedure.
Abscess ; Airway Obstruction ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Bacteroides ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mediastinitis ; Pharyngitis ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Retropharyngeal Abscess* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Streptococcus ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative bleeding and adhesion formation are the two most common complications after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The former sometimes can be life threatening and the latter is the most common reason requiring revision surgery. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of newly developed chitosan gel (8% carboxymethyl chitosan, Surgi shield) on hemostasis and wound healing after ESS. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial was conducted in 33 patients undergoing symmetric ESS. At the conclusion of the operation, Surgi shield was randomly applied on one side of the nasal cavity, with the opposite side acting as control and the bleeding quantity of the surgical field was evaluated every 2 minutes. And then, Merocel was placed in the ethmoidectomized areas of the both sides. Five milliliters of Surgi shield was applied to the Merocel of intervention side and saline was applied to the other side. Merocel in both nasal cavities was removed and 5 mL of Surgi shield was applied again to the intervention side on the second day after surgery. The nasal cavity was examined using a nasal endoscope and the degree of adhesion, crusting, mucosal edema, infection, and granulations were graded at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Complete hemostasis was rapidly achieved in the Surgi shield applied side compared with the control side at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 minutes after application of Surgi shield (P#x0003d;0.007, P#x0003d;0.004, P<0.001, P#x0003d;0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). There were significantly less adhesions on the Surgi shield applied side at postoperative 1, 2, and 4 weeks (P#x0003d;0.001, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). The degree of mucosal edema, infection, crusting, or granulation formation assessed by the endoscopic features in the Surgi shield applied side was not significantly different from that of the control side (P>0.05). No adverse effects were noted in the patient series. CONCLUSION: Surgi shield containing chitosan can be used safely to achieve rapid hemostasis immediately after ESS and to prevent adhesion formation.
Chitosan* ; Edema ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis* ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Prospective Studies ; Wound Healing

This retrospective study describes and evaluates the effectiveness of a modified technique of conventional endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) that minimizes the obstruction of a neo-ostium by creating an enlarged marsupialized lacrimal sac using mucosal flaps. Forty-two patients who had undergone 46 endoscopic DCR at a tertiary medical center, from 2002 to 2004, for correction of lacrimal system obstruction were investigated. The surgical technique involves elevation of a nasal mucosal flap, full sac exposure using a power drill, and shaping of the mucosal flap to cover denuded bone and juxtapose exposed sac mucosa. Postoperative symptoms and endoscopic findings of the neo-ostium were evaluated. Mean duration of follow-up was 5.9 months. An eighty-three percent primary success rate was observed, without any serious complications. Obstruction of the neo-ostium with granulation tissue was observed in eight cases, among which six underwent revision with success in all cases. Overall, 44 (96%) of 46 cases experienced surgical successes. Endoscopic DCR, a procedure in which a large marsupialized lacrimal sac is created from mucosal flaps, yields a very satisfactory success rate with straightforward and highly successful revision available for those in whom the primary procedure yields a substandard result.
Treatment Outcome ; Surgical Flaps ; Nasal Mucosa/surgery ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction/*surgery ; Lacrimal Apparatus/pathology/surgery ; Humans ; Follow-Up Studies ; Female ; Endoscopy/*methods ; Dacryocystorhinostomy/*methods ; Child ; Aged ; Adult ; Adolescent

Surgical treatment of combined orbital floor and medial wall fractures involving inferomedial strut can be technically challenging because of absent peripheral bony support for implants. These fractures were conventionally reconstructed with some implants for reconstruction of inferior and medial wall through the external approach. Preparing accurate 3-dimentional implants is time-consuming and inserting large implants through a limited incision site is also troublesome. The authors present two cases of this type of fracture that are successfully repaired using a new strategy by separately repairing the medial and inferior wall combined with inferomedial strut reduction.
Endoscopy ; Orbit* ; Orbital Fractures* ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

Metastatic malignancy of the palatine tonsil is extremely rare. Several primary malignancies with tonsillar spread that have been described are renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and carcinoma of the breast, bronchus, stomach, prostate, and choriocarcinoma. But metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the palatine tonsil has not been previously reported. In this report, we present a 53-year-old female patient who had metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma spread to the palatine tonsil. In addition, she was confirmed to have distant metastasis in the lung. Uterine leiomyosarcoma with palatine tonsil metastasis is reported here for the first time.
Breast ; Bronchi ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Choriocarcinoma ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Lung ; Melanoma ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Palatine Tonsil* ; Pregnancy ; Prostate ; Stomach

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inner ear symptoms like hearing loss, dizziness or tinnitus are often developed after head trauma, even in cases without inner ear destruction. This is also known as labyrinthine concussion. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical manifestations, characteristics of audiometry and prognostic factors of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of the 40 patients that had been diagnosed as labyrinthine concussion from 1996 to 2007. We studied the hearing levels in each frequency and classified them according to type and degree of hearing loss. Rates of hearing improvement were evaluated according to age, sex, hearing loss type, degree and presence of dizziness or tinnitus. To find out any correlation between hearing improvement and these factors, we used chi2 test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Bilateral hearing loss was observed in 22 patients, and unilateral hearing loss in 18 patients. There were 4 (6.5%) ascending, 34 (54.8%) descending, 24 (38.7%) flat type hearing loss, which indicated hearing loss was greater in high frequencies than low frequencies. Among 62 affected ears, 20 (32.3%) gained improvement, and it was achieved mainly in low frequencies. There were only 2 ears with dizziness in 20 improved ears and among 20 dizziness accompanied ears, also only 2 ears were improved. CONCLUSIONS: High frequencies are more vulnerable to trauma than low frequencies. The hearing gain is obtained mainly in low frequencies, and association with dizziness serves poor prognosis.
Audiometry ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Dizziness ; Ear ; Ear, Inner ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Bilateral ; Hearing Loss, Unilateral ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Post-Concussion Syndrome ; Prognosis ; Tinnitus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The knowledge about chromosomal aberrations manifestated in cancer has been spotlighted recently. The genetic analyses based on the knowledge about chromosomal aberrations are important for the development of diagnotic methods and evaluation of prognostic factors in cancers. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a powerful tool for evaluating chromosomal aberrations and array CGH significantly enhances these diagnostic effectiveness. The incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been increasing worldwide but the treatment outcomes still have been limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the location of chromosomal aberrations in HNSCC cell lines with the combination of CGH and array CGH. Materials and MethodZZThe locations of chromosomal aberrations were evaluated in 3 HNSCC cell lines (PCI-1, PCI-13, PCI-50) using the combination of CGH and array CGH. RESULTS: The sites of chromosomal gain shown by CGH in all 3 cell lines were 8q22-qter, 9q32- qter, 10q22, 10q26-qter, 16q12.1-qter, 17p10-p13, 17q21-qter, 19p13.2-pter and 20q. The chromsomal loss found in 2 cell lines were 3p, 4q21-qter, and 18q21-qter. In array-CGH, gained loci were AHRR, MYT1 and PTGIS, etc. Loci of genetic losses were ELAVL4 and GRM7. CONCLUSION: In this study, we identified various genetic gains and losses using CGH and high resolution array-CGH. These data about the patterns of chromosomal aberrations in HNSCC cell lines would be a basic step for understanding more detailed genetic events in the carcinogenesis. CGH combined with array CGH can be a powerful option for transitional oncologic research.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Incidence ; Neck ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization

Background: Carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious global health problem. We investigated the clonal distribution and its association with the carbapenem resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates from three Korean hospitals. Methods: A total of 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates collected between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed for sequence types (STs), antimicrobial susceptibility, and carbapenem resistance mechanisms, including carbapenemase production, the presence of resistance genes, OprD mutations, and the hyperproduction of AmpC β-lactamase. Results: Sixty STs were identified in carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates.Two high-risk clones, ST235 (N = 41) and ST111 (N = 20), were predominant; however, sporadic STs were more prevalent than high-risk clones. The resistance rate to amikacin was the lowest (49.7%), whereas that to piperacillin was the highest (92.3%). Of the 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates, 43 (27.7%) produced carbapenemases. Three metalloβ-lactamase (MBL) genes, blaIMP-6 (N = 38), blaVIM-2 (N = 3), and blaNDM-1 (N = 2), were detected. blaIMP-6 was detected in clonal complex 235 isolates. Two ST773 isolates carried blaNDM-1 and rmtB. Frameshift mutations in oprD were identified in all isolates tested, regardless of the presence of MBL genes. Hyperproduction of AmpC was detected in MBL gene–negative isolates. Conclusions Frameshift mutations in oprD combined with MBL production or hyperproduction of AmpC are responsible for carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa. Further attention is required to curb the emergence and spread of new carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clones.

Background: Carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious global health problem. We investigated the clonal distribution and its association with the carbapenem resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates from three Korean hospitals. Methods: A total of 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates collected between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed for sequence types (STs), antimicrobial susceptibility, and carbapenem resistance mechanisms, including carbapenemase production, the presence of resistance genes, OprD mutations, and the hyperproduction of AmpC β-lactamase. Results: Sixty STs were identified in carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates.Two high-risk clones, ST235 (N = 41) and ST111 (N = 20), were predominant; however, sporadic STs were more prevalent than high-risk clones. The resistance rate to amikacin was the lowest (49.7%), whereas that to piperacillin was the highest (92.3%). Of the 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates, 43 (27.7%) produced carbapenemases. Three metalloβ-lactamase (MBL) genes, blaIMP-6 (N = 38), blaVIM-2 (N = 3), and blaNDM-1 (N = 2), were detected. blaIMP-6 was detected in clonal complex 235 isolates. Two ST773 isolates carried blaNDM-1 and rmtB. Frameshift mutations in oprD were identified in all isolates tested, regardless of the presence of MBL genes. Hyperproduction of AmpC was detected in MBL gene–negative isolates. Conclusions Frameshift mutations in oprD combined with MBL production or hyperproduction of AmpC are responsible for carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa. Further attention is required to curb the emergence and spread of new carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clones.

Background: Carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious global health problem. We investigated the clonal distribution and its association with the carbapenem resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates from three Korean hospitals. Methods: A total of 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates collected between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed for sequence types (STs), antimicrobial susceptibility, and carbapenem resistance mechanisms, including carbapenemase production, the presence of resistance genes, OprD mutations, and the hyperproduction of AmpC β-lactamase. Results: Sixty STs were identified in carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates.Two high-risk clones, ST235 (N = 41) and ST111 (N = 20), were predominant; however, sporadic STs were more prevalent than high-risk clones. The resistance rate to amikacin was the lowest (49.7%), whereas that to piperacillin was the highest (92.3%). Of the 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates, 43 (27.7%) produced carbapenemases. Three metalloβ-lactamase (MBL) genes, blaIMP-6 (N = 38), blaVIM-2 (N = 3), and blaNDM-1 (N = 2), were detected. blaIMP-6 was detected in clonal complex 235 isolates. Two ST773 isolates carried blaNDM-1 and rmtB. Frameshift mutations in oprD were identified in all isolates tested, regardless of the presence of MBL genes. Hyperproduction of AmpC was detected in MBL gene–negative isolates. Conclusions Frameshift mutations in oprD combined with MBL production or hyperproduction of AmpC are responsible for carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa. Further attention is required to curb the emergence and spread of new carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clones.