Ketotifen, a benzocycloheptathiophene, has an orally effective antiallergic as well as antihistaminic properties. In pervious studies, Ketotifen has shown encouraging results on patient with allergic rhinitis, either perennial or seasonal. 39 patients with allergic rhinitis had been treated with Ketotifen 1 mg twice daily for 8 weeks. And we obtained following results. 1) The efficacy rate in sneezing attack was 73.5%, in nasal discharge 71%, in nasal obstruction 58%. 2) Some improvements in at least one of three-major symptoms were noted within 1 week in 30.7%, within 2 weeks in 55.8%, within 3 weeks in 66.7%, within 8 weeks in 87.2%. 3) Physical findings such as colour, swelling of turbinate, character of rhinorrhea were not improved significantly. 4) Side effect was observed only in one patient with abdominal pain and diarrhea, which was subsided after interruption of administration. These results suggested that Ketotifen was effective in treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Abdominal Pain ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Ketotifen* ; Nasal Obstruction ; Rhinitis, Allergic* ; Seasons ; Sneezing ; Turbinates

Many reports have been published on the tissue damage of a shock wave with respect to histopatological changes in light microscopy and various imaging modalities. However, the studies on the electron microscopic findings and cause of renal functional change such as parenchymal obstructive pattern following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) have not been elucidated. In order to evaluate the microstructural changes after shock wave exposure, gross, light microscopic and trasmission electron microscopic findings were analyzed with rabbit kidneys. Preliminary study (n=2) was performed to determine the dosage intensity of shock waves to inflict damage, using a EDAP LT 01 piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor. A shoke wave of various intensities were given to the left kidneys of 3 different groups of rabbits. Storage value of 100, 50, 25 at rate of 20/sec under 87% power were given to group I (n=4), group II (n=4), and group III(n=3) respectively. The right kidneys were preserved as the control group. The rabbits were killed 6-12 hours later. In gross, there were a few subcapsular hemorrhagic foci and mild congestion of corticomedullary junction without a large hematoma formation. No significant differences were noted between each group. Light microscopic findings were mainly hydropic changes in the proximal convoluted tubules and congestion without significant necrotic changes. The observed pathologic changes in the transmission electron microscopy were vacuolization of cytoplasm with swelling of epithelial cells especially porximal convoluted tubules. There were also tubular obstruction due to swelling and desquamation of epithelial cells into tubular lumen. The structural changes of intracellular organelles were not found at storage values of 25 and 50. But dilatation and structural alterations of endoplasmic reticulums were noted of 100 with cell membrane rupture. The findings of this study suggest that tubular obstructions with or without structural change of intracellular organelles is one cause of renal functional change such as parenchymal obstructive pattern after ESWL.
Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Dilatation ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Epithelial Cells ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Hematoma ; Kidney* ; Lithotripsy ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Organelles ; Rabbits ; Rupture ; Shock*

BACKGROUND: Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors are family of molecules that regulate the cell cycle. The CDKN2, a CDK4 inhibitor, also called p16, has been implicated in human tumorigenesis. The CDKN2 inhibits the cyclin/CDK complexes which regulate the transition from G1 to S phase of cell cycle. There is a previous report that homozygous deletion of CDKN2 region on chromosome 9p21 was detected frequently in astrocytoma, glioma and osteosarcoma, less frequently in lung cancer, leukemia and ovarian cancer, but not detected in colon cancer and neuroblastoma. However, little is known about the relationship between CDKN2 and laryngeal cancer. Therefore this study was initiated to investigate the role of CDKN2 in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 5 human laryngeal carcinoma cell lines whether they have deletions or losses of CDKN2 gene expression by DNA-PCR or RT-PCR, respectively. We examined 8 fresh frozen human laryngeal cancer tissues to detect the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of CDKN2. PCR was performed by using microsatellite markers of short arm of human chromosome 9 (D9S126, D9S144, D9S156, D9S161, D9S162, D9S166, D9S171, D9S200 and D9SIFNA). For informative cases, allelic loss was scored if the signal of one allele was significantly decreased in tumor DNA when compared to the same allele in normal DNA. RESULTS: The CDKN2 DNA deletion was observed in 3 cell lines. The CDKN2 mRNA expression was observed in only one cell line, which was very weak. LOH was detected in 7 cases (87.5%). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CDKN2 plays a role in the carcinogenesis of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Alleles ; Arm ; Astrocytoma ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Cycle* ; Cell Line* ; Chromosomes, Human ; Colonic Neoplasms ; DNA ; Genes, p16* ; Glioma ; Head* ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Leukemia ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Lung Neoplasms ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Neck* ; Neuroblastoma ; Osteosarcoma ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; S Phase

The operative methods for the choanal atresia or stenosis are transseptal, transnasal, transpalatal and transmaxillary approaches. Among them, endoscopic transnasal approach provides excellent visualization and little age limitation. The use of CO2 laser in the management of choanal atresia enables the accurate incision and vaporization. We experienced a case of acquired bilateral choanal stenosis which developed after external irradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. She presented with the symptoms of slowly progressive bilateral nasal obstruction and persistent nasal discharge for the past three years prior to visiting hospital. We successfully managed her by endoscopic transnasal repair with CO2 laser and found this technique to safe and simple.
Choanal Atresia ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Lasers, Gas ; Nasal Obstruction ; Volatilization

Most malignant lesions of the middle ear and mastoid cavity are usually originated from the epithelium. The squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 75-90% of all malignant tumors in this localization. However, malignant lymphoma of the middle ear cleft is very rare condition and usually occurs as an extension from the temporal bone, affected along the other organs in generalized lymphoma. Also, primary presentation of malignant lymphoma in the middle ear cleft is very extremely rare and only seven cases could be traced in the available literature2)5)6)11)12)13)14). We present a very rare case of diffuse large cell type non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma with primary presentation in the middle ear cleft in 30 year-old male patient. So, the authors first report a case of malignant lymphoma of the middle ear cleft in Korea with review of literature.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Ear, Middle* ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymphoma* ; Male ; Mastoid ; Temporal Bone

BACKGROUND: Septoplasty with turbinate surgery is common surgical treatment in patients with septal deviation and chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to evaluation objective outcomes of septoplasty with turbinate surgery by analysis of subjective symptom score with objective acoustic rhinometric test before and after surgery, prospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 45 adult patients which were done septoplasty with bilateral turbinectomy or turbinoplasty and followed up at least 3 months by one rhinologist from November 1999 to April 2000, prospectively. We analyzed subjective symptom score, minimal cross-sectional area (MCA), C-notch cross-sectional area, and total volume of both nasal cavity before and after surgery. Correlation test was studied between symptom improvement and acoustic rhinometric results. RESULTS: Twenty nine cases were male and sixteen cases female. The average age was 26.9 year-old (range: 17 to 57 years). There was significantly improvement of symptom score in postoperative 3 months (p<0.05). There was significantly increased C-notch cross-sectional area and total volume in postoperative 3 months. Symptoms improvement were associated with acoustic rhinometric profiles, but, there was not significantly correlation. CONCLUSION: Septoplasty with turbinate surgery is considered to be effective for nasal obstruction in patients with septal deviation and turbinate hypertrophy. Acoustic rhinometric test is favorable objective test for evaluation of symptom improvement after septal surgery.
Acoustics ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Prospective Studies ; Rhinitis* ; Rhinometry, Acoustic ; Turbinates*

Different techniques for culturing respiratory epithelial cells have been developed to overcome the limitations of studies on in vivo and on bioptic material. Traditionally, culture systems are divided into organ cultures, explant cultures and dissociated cell cultures. The first two contain both epithelial and non-epithelial cells. However, in monolayer cultures of dissociated cells only epithelial cells are present, the effects observed are caused by a pure epithelial responses. The purpose of this study is to establish primary culture method of human nasal epithelium (HNEC) by monolayer culture of dissociated cells to evaluate the role of the epithelial cells in the allergic and non-allergic nasal inflammatory reactions. HNEC was prepared by primary culture method of monolayer culture of dissociated cells from human inferior nasal turbinate mucosa of septal deviation patients. Primary cultured cells were characterized by indirect immunofluorescence assay and transmission electron microscopy. The immunoreactivities of cytokeratin-pan and cytokeratin No. 8 were observed in cultured HNEC. However, the immnoreactivities of vimentin and von Willebrand factor were not observed in cultured HNEC. The tonofilaments and desmosome were observed in cultured HNEC. The cultured epithelial cells were identified to be pure nasal epithelial cells. The monolayer culture of dissociated cells could successfully be employed for further study to investigate the role of the epithelial cells in allergic or non-allergic nasal inflammatory diseases.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Desmosomes ; Epithelial Cells* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Humans* ; Intermediate Filaments ; Keratins ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Mucosa ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Turbinates ; Vimentin ; von Willebrand Factor

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Identification of primary maxillary sinus hypoplasia (PMSH) is important diagnostically and therapeutically. Recently, the clinical significance of associated abnormalities in PMSH has been suggested. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of PMSH, their associated abnormalities and relationship of anatomical variations and paranasal sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated radiologic diagnostic criteria of PMSH and analyzed the relationship of the anatomical variations of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in paranasal sinus CT scans, retrospectively. We measured the volume estimated ratio (VER) in PMSH cases. RESULTS: The incidence of unilateral and bilateral PMSH were 11 cases (5.9%) and 10 cases (5.3%). respectively. According to the Bolger's classification, there were 13 sites (41.9%) of type I with the mean VER of 0.71, 14 sites (45.2%) of type II with the mean VER 0.50, and 4 sites (12.9%) of type III with the mean VER of 0.27. The most common anatomical anomalies in both of the unilateral and bilateral PMSH were zygomatic (90.3%) and alveolar pneumatization (90.3%); the second most common abnormal finding was high maxillary sinus floor (77.4%). Of the anatomical variations, the frequency of uncinate process abnormalities (41.9%), paradoxical middle turbinate (32.3%) and Haller's cell (19.4%) were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that zygomatic and alveolar pneumatization, and high maxillary sinus floor are additionally important anatomical abnormalities associated with PMSH. Careful preoperative assessment of anatomical variations in the paranasal sinus CT scans may be essential to avoid incidental iatrogenic complications during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) or Caldwell-Luc operation in patients with PMSH.
Classification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Nasal Cavity ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed* ; Turbinates

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laryngeal cancer is the most common malignancy in head and neck region. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of laryngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 169 patients from 1984 to 1997 retrospectively. We investigated age, sex distribution, TNM staging in 169 patients and treatment modalities, survival rate in 141 patients who were treated. RESULTS: In all patients, there were 64 glottic, 57 supraglottic, 46 transglottic and 2 subglottic cancers. Among 141 patients, we performed 92 surgical procedures and 49 radiotherapies. Total and near total laryngectomy were performed in 45 cases and conservation laryngectomy in 47 cases. Five year survival rate (YSR) was 88.4% totally. In early cancer cases, 5 YSR was excellent in both surgery and radiotherapy group. Glottic and supraglottic cancer showed much better prognosis than transglottic cancer. There was no statistical differences in the view of 5 YSR between surgery and radiotherapy group. Treatment failures were mainly found at primary sites. Functional preservation of larynx was successful in 79 cases after 3 year-follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with previous studies, our study presented higher proportion of conservation laryngectomy and functional preservation procedues. Early diagnosis and treatment are important and required to improve patient's outcome.
Early Diagnosis ; Head ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms* ; Laryngectomy ; Larynx ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Failure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vasointestinal peptide (VIP) is an important neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of mucus secretion, but the relationship of VIP and mucin genes is not clear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of VIP on MUC2/5AC genes expression and mucin secretion in human airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The mRNA levels of MUC2/5AC genes and mucin secretion were determined by RT-PCR and the immunoblot method in cultured human airway NCI-H292 epithelial cells. RESULTS: VIP (10-6-10-10 M) induced MUC2/5AC gene expression and mucin secretion in a reverse dose-dependant manner. The maximum expression of mRNA and mucin secretion level of MUC2/5AC was 10-10 M of VIP. Actinomycin D inhibited the VIP-mediated MUC2/5AC gene expression and mucin secretion, but cycloheximide did not. Budesonide attenuated the VIP-mediated MUC2/5AC genes expression and mucin secretion. RU-486, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, restored the inhibitory effect of budesonide. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that VIP regulates MUC2/5AC gene expression and secret mucin by transcriptional regulation, and that budesonide inhibits the VIP-mediated MUC2/5AC genes expression and mucin secretion through the glucocorticoid receptor.
Budesonide ; Cycloheximide ; Dactinomycin ; Epithelial Cells* ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; Mifepristone ; Mucins ; Mucus ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; RNA, Messenger ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide*