We measured the ciliary beat frequencies (CBFs) in respiratory ciliated epithelia obtained from the nasal cavity, trachea, and bronchus of 40 subjects during fiberoptic bronchoscopy, using a video-computerized analysis technique. The subjects were classified into various groups based on a range of parameters, including sex, age, history of smoking and whether or not a local anesthetic has been used and mean values of CBFs were analyzed between these groups. The ciliary beat of nasal epithelial cells was significantly faster than that of the trachea or bronchus (p=0.008). There were significant positive correlations between the CBFs at the nasal cavity and trachea (R2=0.467, p<0.001), nasal cavity and bronchus (R2=0.566, p<0.001), and trachea and bronchus (R2=0.541, p<0.001). Subjects older than 60 years of age had significantly slower CBFs at all three sites and than their younger counterparts (p<0.001). Neither sex nor smoking affected the ciliary motility at any site of the respiratory tract. There was no significant difference in the nasal CBFs between the anesthetized and non-anesthetized sides. In conclusion, this study can provide important clinical data on the CBFs of respiratory tracts in humans.
Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Cilia ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans* ; Lidocaine* ; Nasal Cavity ; Respiratory System ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Trachea

The allergen specific immunotherapy is the only valuable method to modify a natural course of disease in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. This has been used for the treatment of allergic diseases such as rhinitis and asthma since the beginning of the 20th century. Many different methods have been developed and are being developing in the immunotherapy field. But classical allergen specific injection immunotherapy is still the most widely used one in the world. And the mechanism of this therapy has been revealed by a lot of research, which has been concluded to modify the T cell response to allergen exposure. It generally is indicated for patients who have a clinically relevant IgE-mediated disease, especially in whom environmental control and pharmacotherapy inadequately treat the symptoms. Recently, the indications of immunotherapy are getting wider. The efficacy and duration is not standardized yet. And newly discovered antigen and alteration of allergen should be considered as important factors to evaluate the patients and initiate the immunotherapy. The development of standardization of extract and well-organized schedules of injection reduce the risk of complications of immunotherapy. The scope of this review is to highlight the recent information and practical approach of the allergen specific injection immunotherapy.
Appointments and Schedules ; Asthma ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Immunotherapy* ; Rhinitis*

Squamous papilloma is a benign epithelial tumor that can develop in any mucosal site of the upper aerodigestive tract. While this tumor is found mainly in the squamocilliary junction, its distribution does not occur randomly. However, in many cases, squamous papilloma is asymptomatic, and only a small number of cases are diagnosed. We experienced a patient presented with the complaint of snoring. This patient was diagnosed as having squamous papilloma of the soft plate on the nasopharyngeal surface. The patient might have been misdiagnosed as having merely a simple snoring problem, as nothing was found upon macroscopic examination. Nevertheless, squamous papilloma was detected through fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy. This patient was successfully treated with laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, and we report this case, along with the associated literature.
Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Palate, Soft ; Papilloma ; Snoring

Numerous materials have been used in augmentation rhinoplasty. The representative materials include silastics, Gore-Tex, autologous cartilage, and homologous materials. The use of alloplastic materials in rhinoplasty is often discouraged due to possible risk of infection and extrusion. Currently, the use of Tutoplast-processed fascia lata (TPFL) in augmentation rhinoplasty is increasing in Korea because it can avoid donor site morbidity and decrease the surgical time. However, there have been no reports of infections related to rhinoplasty using TPFL in Korea. We experienced a case of infection that occurred after rhinoplasty using TPFL. We report this case along with a brief review of the literature.
Cartilage ; Fascia ; Fascia Lata ; Humans ; Korea ; Operative Time ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Rhinoplasty ; Tissue Donors

Actinomycosis of the paranasal sinuses is rare and usually arises from the oral cavity after a dental procedure or trauma. Actinomycosis of the maxillary sinus is very rare and found only in isolated case reports. We report the case of a 62-year-old patient with actinomycosis accompanied by a fungal ball in the maxillary sinus.
Actinomycosis ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Paranasal Sinuses

In the anterior portion of the inferior turbinate, immune response originates actively from sustained allergenic stimulation. This response can lead to the development of a hyperplastic mass on the anterior portion of the inferior turbinate. The majority of such cases are benign chronic inflammatory lymphoid hyperplasia, but sometimes lymphoma occurs by malignant lymphocyte proliferation. The authors of this study evaluated seven patients who had a small mass on the inferior turbinate. As the result of excisional biopsy, MALT lymphoma was diagnosed in two patients and lymphoid hyperplasia in five. Immunohistochemistry is important for differential diagnosis. Complete excision was performed for initial diagnosis and treatment. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma patients need to be evaluated for metastasis.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Nasal Cavity ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Turbinates

Natural dehiscence of the lamina papyracea is usually found in ostiomeatal unit CT images and during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The surgery should be performed on the basis of clinical findings and ostiomeatal unit CT scans to determine the extent of disease and the structural anomalies. Preoperative awareness of dehiscence in the lamina papyracea is essential for avoiding orbital complications during surgery. Sinusitis arising from the natural dehiscence of the lamina papyracea is extremely rare. We report, with a review of the literature, a case of sinusitis due to the natural dehiscence of the lamina papyracea in a 46-year-old female, treated by endoscopic sinus surgery. The CT finding presented a huge natural dehiscence of the lamina papyracea and chronic sinusitis of the maxillary ethmoid sinus. Most of the patient's symptoms resolved without recurrence after endoscopic sinus surgery.
Ethmoid Sinus ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Obstruction ; Orbit ; Recurrence ; Sinusitis

Organized hematoma of the maxillary sinus is a rare clinical disease. We report a case of organized hematoma of the maxillary sinus presenting with acute sinusitis. This is the first article describing such a case. Included is a review of the literatures, highlighting the diagnostic signs of organized hematoma of the maxillary sinus.
Hematoma ; Maxillary Sinus ; Sinusitis

Pneumocephalus is the presence of intracranial air, the most common cause of which is head trauma that allows contact between the intracranial cavity and the atmosphere. Pneumocephalus, commonly associated with increased intracranial pressure, causes rapid neurologic deterioration requiring emergent intervention. Recently, endoscopic sinus surgery techniques have been used in the diagnosis and repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks. We present a case in which endoscopic techniques were used to treat pneumocephalus that occurred three years after head trauma. The procedure for and advantages of the endoscopic endonasal approach over the external approach are presented in this paper.
Atmosphere ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Intracranial Pressure ; Pneumocephalus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Isolated sphenoid sinus disease is rare and difficult to diagnosis. Due to the close proximity of the sphenoid sinus to important structures, serious complications can develop. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of isolated sphenoid sinusitis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty-four patients with isolated sphenoid sinusitis were analyzed. A retrospective chart review was performed with respect to the symptoms, radiologic findings, treatment outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 34 cases were bacterial sphenoid sinusitis, and 13 cases were fungal sinusitis. Headache was the most common symptom (76.9%), followed by visual disturbance and diplopia. Endoscopic sphenoidotomy was performed, and symptoms completely improved in 88.5% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory diseases commonly involve the sphenoid sinus, but the presenting symptoms can be nonspecific. Early diagnosis and endoscopic surgical treatment can be successfully employed to treat the majority of patients with isolated sphenoid sinusitis.
Diplopia ; Early Diagnosis ; Headache ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; Sphenoid Sinus ; Sphenoid Sinusitis