Myofibromas are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that primarily affect infants and young children, most commonly arising in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, or bone. These tumors present with a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from self-limiting lesions to disseminated and fatal cases. In adults, the solitary form is encountered more frequently than the multicentric type. Although myofibromas may occur in the oral region of the head and neck, isolated cases involving the nasal septum are exceedingly rare. Here, we describe a case of solitary adult-onset myofibroma of the nasal septum that was successfully excised through transnasal endoscopic surgery.

Background and Objectives: Differentiating inverted papilloma (IP) from squamous cell carcinoma arising in IP (IP+SCC) is challenging when computed tomography (CT) demonstrates no bone destruction. This study aimed to identify CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that distinguish IP from IP+SCC in cases without bone destruction on CT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients with histologically confirmed sinonasal IP (n=15) or IP+SCC (n=15) who underwent preoperative CT and MRI between 2010 and 2023. Imaging variables assessed included tumor origin, tumor volume, CT enhancement pattern, signal intensity on T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and the presence or loss of the convoluted cerebriform pattern (CCP). Group differences were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in tumor origin between the IP and IP+SCC groups. Tumor volume and CT enhancement patterns also did not differ significantly between the groups. On MRI, IP+SCC more frequently demonstrated intermediate signal intensity on both T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images compared with IP (p=0.025 and p=0.029, respectively). Median ADC values were significantly lower in the IP+SCC group than in the IP group (0.99×10-3 vs. 1.20×10-3 mm2/s; p=0.026). Loss of the CCP was more common in the IP+SCC group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion In sinonasal IP without bone destruction on CT, MRI appears to be more informative than CT for distinguishing IP+SCC from IP. Intermediate signal intensity on T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images, along with lower ADC values, supports malignant transformation, whereas tumor size, CT enhancement, and CCP alone are less reliable discriminators.

Plasmacytoma is a rare hematolymphoid malignancy. The three types of plasmacytoma, according to clinical features and morphological characteristics, include solitary bone plasmacytoma, extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP), and multiple myeloma (MM). Although EMP of the head and neck region accounts for approximately 3% of all plasma cell tumors, the involvement of both paranasal sinuses is extremely rare. Herein, we describe a rare case of EMP involving both maxillary sinuses in a 73-year-old male patient who had achieved complete remission from MM following chemotherapy 2 years ago. The EMP was treated successfully with radiotherapy.

Background: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is the mainstay treatment for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Since various factors may contribute to the surgical outcome, it is challenging for physicians to predict surgical outcomes. The aim of study was to analyze the prognostic factors of postoperative outcomes and to establish the prediction model with the risk factors that impact the postoperative outcomes. Methods: Medical records of CRS patients who underwent ESS at 9 institutions in 2005, 2010, and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. We classified the patients into 2 groups based on postoperative objective endoscopic outcomes. Demographics, nose-specific symptoms, olfactory function, eosinophil counts in blood (EoB) and nasal tissue (EoT), and LundMackay CT score (LMS) were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed and established a prediction equation for postoperative endoscopic objective outcomes. Results: In total (n = 1,249), 27.0% were not satisfied under postoperative endoscopic examination. Of 10 variables, LMS (> 5), sinus dominancy (maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus), EoB (> 210), and EoT (> 100) were statistically significant in univariate analysis (P < 0.05, all). In multivariate analysis, EoT (> 100) and LMS (> 5) were significantly associated with poor postoperative outcome. Furthermore, 5 significant variables were employed to establish the risk model of postoperative outcomes and P (the value of prediction probability) = 1 / (1 + exp [−0.392 + 1.088 × EoT (> 100) + 0.123 × mean LMS (> 5) − 0.366 × sinus dominancy (maxillary) + 0.064 × sinus dominancy (similar) + 0.200 × EoB (4%) + 0.344 × EoB (> 210)] was developed. Conclusion Tissue eosinophil count and radiographic severity predispose to a poorer outcome of ESS and the risk model established may be helpful to predict postoperative outcomes of ESS.

Background: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is the mainstay treatment for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Since various factors may contribute to the surgical outcome, it is challenging for physicians to predict surgical outcomes. The aim of study was to analyze the prognostic factors of postoperative outcomes and to establish the prediction model with the risk factors that impact the postoperative outcomes. Methods: Medical records of CRS patients who underwent ESS at 9 institutions in 2005, 2010, and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. We classified the patients into 2 groups based on postoperative objective endoscopic outcomes. Demographics, nose-specific symptoms, olfactory function, eosinophil counts in blood (EoB) and nasal tissue (EoT), and LundMackay CT score (LMS) were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed and established a prediction equation for postoperative endoscopic objective outcomes. Results: In total (n = 1,249), 27.0% were not satisfied under postoperative endoscopic examination. Of 10 variables, LMS (> 5), sinus dominancy (maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus), EoB (> 210), and EoT (> 100) were statistically significant in univariate analysis (P < 0.05, all). In multivariate analysis, EoT (> 100) and LMS (> 5) were significantly associated with poor postoperative outcome. Furthermore, 5 significant variables were employed to establish the risk model of postoperative outcomes and P (the value of prediction probability) = 1 / (1 + exp [−0.392 + 1.088 × EoT (> 100) + 0.123 × mean LMS (> 5) − 0.366 × sinus dominancy (maxillary) + 0.064 × sinus dominancy (similar) + 0.200 × EoB (4%) + 0.344 × EoB (> 210)] was developed. Conclusion Tissue eosinophil count and radiographic severity predispose to a poorer outcome of ESS and the risk model established may be helpful to predict postoperative outcomes of ESS.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to be promising candidates for the treatment of allergic airway diseases. However, MSCs themselves have several problems including immune rejection, risk of aneuploidy, difficulty of handling, and tumorigenicity. An increasing number of studies demonstrated that administration of conditioned media or extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by MSCs is as effective as the MSCs themselves in suppression of allergic airway inflammation. EVs can exert their effects by delivering their contents such as proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs to recipient cells. Furthermore, the administration of MSCs-derived EVs may reduce potential safety risks associated with stem cell therapy, suggesting that MSCs-derived EVs may be a promising alternative to cell therapy for allergic airway diseases. This review examines the current understanding of the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs-derived EVs and its therapeutic implication for allergic airway diseases.

Background and Objectives: The purposes of this study were to compare the purchase rate and adherence regarding the use of two machines, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and automatic positive airway pressure (APAP), and to determine associated factors affecting the purchase rate and adherence of PAP in the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Subjects and Method From March 2016 to December 2017, 45 patients diagnosed with severe OSA by polysomnography were enrolled in this study. Patients were prescribed CPAP or APAP by one doctor and allowed to decide whether to purchase the machine after a one-month lease period, which was identified as the purchase rate. Adherence was identified as using the machine 4 hight on 70% of nights following the PAP therapy of three months. Results: The adherence rate of CPAP (84%) was statistically and significantly higher than APAP (55%) (p=0.033). However, there was no significant difference in the adherence rate between CPAP (76%) and APAP (63%). The mean pressure and 95th percentile leak were 8.62 cm H2O and 12.97 L/min in the CPAP and 10.55 cm H2O and 20.36 L/min in the APAP, respectively. The mean pressure and 95th percentile leak were significantly lower in CPAP than in APAP (p=0.010 and p=0.014, respectively). Conclusion Although adherence was not significantly different, the purchase rate was significantly higher in the fixed CPAP than in APAP, which may have been influenced by high pressure and leak patients experienced when using the particular PAP machine.

The coexistence of craniofacial cleft and bilateral choanal atresia has only been reported in three cases in the literature, and only one of those cases involved a Tessier number 3 facial cleft. It is also rare for bilateral choanal atresia to be found in adulthood, with 10 previous cases reported in the literature. This report presents the case of a 19-year-old woman with a Tessier number 3 facial cleft who was diagnosed with bilateral choanal atresia in adulthood. At first, the diagnosis of bilateral choanal atresia was missed and septoplasty was performed. After septoplasty, the patient’s symptoms did not improve, and an endoscopic examination revealed previously unnoticed bilateral choanal atresia. Computed tomography showed left membranous atresia and right bony atresia. The patient underwent an operation for opening and widening of the left choana with an image-guided navigation system (IGNS), which enabled accurate localization of the lesion while ensuring patient safety. Postoperatively, the patient became able to engage in nasal breathing and reported that it was easier for her to breathe, and there were no signs of restenosis at a 26-month follow-up. The patient was successfully treated with an IGNS.

Background: Pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas (PPGL) are known as tumors with the highest level of heritability, approximately 30% of all cases. Clinical practice guidelines of PPGL recommend genetic testing for germline variants in all patients. In this study, we used whole exome sequencing to identify novel causative variants associated with PPGL to improve the detection of rare genetic variants in our cohort. Methods: Thirty-six tested negative for pathogenic variants in previous Sanger sequencing or targeted gene panel testing for PPGL underwent whole exome sequencing. Whole exome sequencing was performed using DNA samples enriched using TruSeq Custom Enrichment Kit and sequenced with MiSeq (Illumina Inc.). Sequencing alignment and variant calling were performed using SAMtools. Results: Among previously mutation undetected 36 patients, two likely pathogenic variants and 13 variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were detected in 32 pheochromocytoma-related genes. SDHA c.778G>A (p.Gly260Arg) was detected in a patient with head and neck paraganglioma, and KIF1B c.2787-2A>C in a patient with a bladder paraganglioma. Additionally, a likely pathogenic variant in BRCA2, VUS in TP53, and VUS in NFU1 were detected. Conclusion Exome sequencing further identified genetic alterations by 5.6% in previously mutation undetected patients in PPGL. Implementation of targeted gene sequencing consisted of extended genes of PPGL in routine clinical screening can support the level of comprehensive patient assessment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of percutaneous and endonasal lateral osteotomy for the correction of deviated nose.SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Medical records of 60 patients who underwent rhinoplasty to correct deviated nose were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with unilateral osteotomy, revision rhinoplasty, spreader graft, or who had no preoperative or postoperative photos were excluded from the study. The patients were categorized into two groups, which either had C-shaped deviation or I-shaped deviation. Preoperative and postoperative deviation angles were measured and their differences were analyzed according to the approach methods. RESULTS: In the percutaneous approach group, 26 patients had C-shaped deviation and 10 patients had I-shaped deviation, whereas in the endonasal approach group, 17 patients had C-shaped deviation and 7 patients had I-shaped deviation. In the percutaneous approach, the deviation angle was statistically improved in the C-shaped deviation, but in the endonasal approach, it was statistically improved in the C-shaped and I-shaped deviation after surgery. In the C-shaped deviation, the average degrees of improvement of percutaneous and endonasal approach were 5.2°±3.6° and 7.9°±5.3°, respectively, which showed significant difference. However, in the I-shaped deviation, the average degrees of improvement of percutaneous and endonasal approach were 2.9°±1.3° and 2.9°±1.0°, respectively, with no significant difference. CONCLUSION The improvement of deviation angle following osteotomy may be different according to the approach methods for deviated nose. Endonasal approach was more suitable than percutaneous approach in the correction of I-shaped deviated nose.