Spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat: a case report.

A 5-month-old intact female mixed cat presented with repetitive paraplegia and drainage of pus from the back despite continuous antibiotic medication. Neurologic examination was consistent with below T3-L3 myelopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a contrast-enhanced mass in the L1-3 spinal canal, and bone fragments in the T13 and L1 spinal canal. Spinal epidural empyema was suspected, and hemilaminectomy was performed for T12-L2 on the right side and T11-12 on the left side. Bone fragments were diagnosed as sequestrum infected with Bacteroides sp. The cat recovered enough to ambulate next day. One month after surgery, there was no deficit in neurological function. This is the first report of spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat.

The clinical outcome of the patients with horizontal semicircular canal variants of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Gufoni maneuver is known to be effective for horizontal canal benign positional vertigo (HC-BPPV), but there are some intractable patients that the treatment procedure does not work. OBJECTIVE: The clinical outcomes of patients with HC-BPPV were investigated. We also investigated the characteristics of intractable patients which needed long time to the remission. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with HC-BPPV receiving Gufoni maneuver at Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center were investigated. The patients were classified into geotropic DCPN group and apogeotropic DCPN group. The clinical outcomes in 2 groups were examined. RESULTS: There were 48 patients with geotropic DCPN and 18 patients with apogeotropic DCPN. There were significant differences between the geotropic HC-BPPV and apogeotropic HC BPPV in the period to remission. There were 7 intractable patients and the average ages of these intractable patients were higher than other patients. CONCLUSION: The patients with geotropic DCPN and the patients with the nystagmus conversion from apogeotropic to geotropic DCPN have tendency to easy to resolve, but in patients with apogeotropic type without nystagmus transformation have long time to resolve. The elderly patients whose nystagmus remains apogeotropic without nystagmus conversion have tendencies to become intractable.

Tracheobronchial chondritis as an immune-related adverse event occurring during the administration of nivolumab for recurrent hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Tracheobronchial chondritis is a rare immune-related adverse event (irAE) associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. We report a case wherein tracheobronchial chondritis occurred while administering nivolumab for recurrent hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a man diagnosed with T2N3bM0 stage IVB hypopharyngeal SCC. After treatment with cisplatin and radiotherapy followed by left and right neck dissection, local recurrence was observed in the hypopharynx. Because of the difficulty of salvage surgery, we administered 240 mg/body of nivolumab. After 9 cycles of nivolumab, the patient was judged to have complete response. After 10 cycles, he had cough and sputum, for which prompting us to perform imaging tests. Computed tomography (CT) showed edematous thickening around the trachea and bilateral bronchi and elevated amounts of adjacent subcutaneous fat tissue. Positron emission tomography-CT showed diffuse fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the trachea and bilateral bronchi, bronchial endoscopy showed redness and swelling throughout the bronchi, and biopsy showed partial mucosal erosion, inflammatory cell (lymphocyte) infiltration, interstitial edema, and desmoplasia. The patient was diagnosed with tracheobronchial chondritis as an irAE resulting from administering anti-programmed death-1 monoclonal antibody. After four-day prednisolone treatment, his cough and sputum disappeared; after two weeks, tracheobronchial chondritis no longer appeared on CT.

Minocycline-induced black thyroid with black pigmentation of the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and trachea found during reconstructive surgery for hypopharyngeal cancer.

Black thyroid is characterized by a rare pigment change observed almost exclusively in patients taking minocycline. We present the case of a 72-year-old man diagnosed with T3N3bM0 stage IVB hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who had been taking minocycline for approximately 18 months as a treatment for prurigo chronica multiformis. Initial treatment consisted of total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy, bilateral neck dissection, total thyroidectomy, pharyngeal reconstruction using a free jejunal autograft, and creation of a permanent tracheostoma. During surgery, black discoloration of the thyroid and trachea was observed. Postoperative histological findings confirmed the black discoloration, with deposits of dark-brown, melanin-like granules observed in the thyroid, trachea, thyroid cartilage, and cricoid cartilage. Therefore, the black discoloration of the thyroid associated with the use of minocycline can extend to the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and trachea. This information is important for surgeons to recognize in order to prevent unnecessary resection due to misdiagnosis.

Nivolumab for recurrent/metastatic hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in a liver transplant recipient.

Nivolumab administration to patients with organ transplantation history requires careful management. Herein, we report the case of a living-donor liver-transplant recipient, a 52-year-old man, with recurrent and metastatic hypopharyngeal cancer treated with nivolumab. He was diagnosed with T2N2bM0 stage IVA hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. While using oral immunosuppressants (cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil), the patient underwent right neck dissection followed by radiotherapy as an initial treatment. Three months after radiotherapy, positron emission tomography scans revealed multiple bone metastases. We administered two courses of the EXTREME regimen, comprising cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and cetuximab, as the first-line treatment for distal metastasis, but the patient presented with progressive disease. The patient was administered nivolumab as the second-line treatment. The programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression level in a biopsy specimen of the primary hypopharyngeal tumor and resected specimen of the cervical lymph node metastasis was 40% and 10%, respectively. PD-L1 expression was not detected in hepatocytes of the liver biopsy sample obtained before nivolumab introduction. The patient received four courses of nivolumab 240 mg. Although liver dysfunction was alleviated by adjusting the dose of the hepatoprotective agent and cyclosporine, the progressive disease status persisted after completing nivolumab courses. The patient died of hypopharyngeal cancer progression.

Electronystagmography in 166 patients with acoustic neuroma before and after surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the preoperative patterns of caloric test, eye tracking test (ETT), and optokinetic pattern (OKP) in patients with acoustic neuroma (AN) and compare them with the postoperative patterns of ETT and OKP results METHODS: A total of 166 patients with AN (102 women; mean age: 41 years, range: 11-79 years) who were being treated at our hospital between 2013 and 2016 were enrolled. Preoperatively, a detailed history was taken regarding the presence of subjective symptoms of equilibrium dysfunction, and the patients underwent caloric test, ETT, and OKP. They were classified into three groups based on the preoperative ETT and OKP results as follows: Group A, normal ETT and OKP; Group B, either ETT or OKP was abnormal; and Group C, both ETT and OKP were abnormal. All patients were evaluated for subjective symptoms of vestibular dysfunction and were also grouped based on the tumor size on imaging. All surgeries were performed by a neurosurgeon using the lateral suboccipital retrosigmoid approach. About one month later after surgery, postoperatively ETT was performed on 150 patients and OKP was performed on 148 patients. The preoperative and postoperative ETT and OKP results were compared. The same two specialists analyzed the postoperative ETT and OKP findings as improved, unchanged, or worse. Student t-test was used for statistical analysis and a P-value of <0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. RESULTS: The average canal paresis(CP) % was 65.8%. No correlation was found between tumor size and CP%. The other side, the average tumor size in each group was 26.6 mm, 28.7 mm, and 37.8 mm in the Group A, B, and C, respectively. The average tumor size in Group C was significantly greater than those of Group A and B (P<0.01). The presence of gait disturbance in Group C was significantly higher than the other groups (P<0.01). The other side, abnormal ETT and OKP were seen in 32.5% and 31.9% of all patients, respectively. ETT and OKP results improved postoperatively in 67.4% and 68.9% of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal ETT and OKP results showed positive correlations with the tumor size and presence of subjective symptoms. Further, dysfunction of cerebellum and brain stem owing to tumor compression was observed to recover in many cases after surgery.

Laryngeal Cancer With Lung Metastases Showing Long-Term Complete Response and Delayed Immune-Related Adverse Event After Nivolumab Discontinuation.

We report a case of laryngeal cancer with multiple lung metastases that maintained a complete response (CR) for 18 months after discontinuing nivolumab treatment, with colitis developing 5 months after drug discontinuation. A 65-year-old man was diagnosed with T3N2cM0 stage IVA right supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma that progressed after 1 course of TPF (cisplatin, docetaxel, and 5-fluorouracil) as induction chemotherapy. He underwent total laryngectomy, bilateral neck dissection, pharyngeal reconstruction with anterolateral thigh flap, and creation of a permanent tracheostoma; extranodal extension was detected in the right cervical lymph node metastasis, and the patient underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Multiple lung metastases occurred during radiotherapy, and the patient was deemed platinum refractory; nivolumab treatment was thus initiated. The tumor proportion score for programmed death-ligand 1-evaluated via antibody testing of the laryngeal tumor-was <1. The patient received 240 mg/body nivolumab every 2 weeks; a computed tomography performed after course 16 of nivolumab treatment confirmed a CR. He exhibited grade 2 thyroid dysfunction, grade 1 interstitial pneumonia, and grade 2 colitis after 6, 7, and 14 months of receiving nivolumab, respectively; treatment was discontinued as despite maintaining a CR, interstitial pneumonia occurred twice. Colitis appeared 5 months after nivolumab discontinuation; nevertheless, a CR was maintained after 18 months.

Predicting the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced human papilloma virus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using one course of TPF chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The standard induction chemotherapy for head and neck cancer is TPF [cisplatin (CDDP), docetaxel (DOC), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)]. We assessed whether one course of TPF could predict the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy for human papilloma virus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients with stage III-IV HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who received one course of TPF with CDDP 60 mg/m2, DOC 60 mg/m2, and 5-FU 600 mg/m2. We recommended chemoradiotherapy for patients with complete or partial response (CR/PR), and surgery for those with stable or progressive disease (SD/PD). The endpoints were TPF-related adverse events and efficacy, chemoradiotherapy efficacy, and 2-year survival. RESULTS: Neutropenia was the most common grade ≥ 3 adverse event (88%). No grade 5 adverse events occurred. TPF achieved CR in 4% of patients (2/51), PR in 73% (37/51), SD in 20% (10/51), and PD in 4% (2/51). Concurrent cetuximab and radiotherapy (bio-radiotherapy, BRT) were administered to 61% of patients (31/51), concurrent CDDP and radiotherapy (CDDP-RT) to 16% (8/51), RT alone to 2% (1/51), and surgery was performed for 22% (11/51). CR was achieved in 85% of the chemoradiotherapy group, and the rate tended to increase with TPF efficacy. CR was achieved in 84% (26/31) of patients receiving BRT, 88% (7/8) receiving CDDP-RT, and 100% (1/1) receiving RT. The 2-year survival rates were 92% overall, and 97% and 79% in the chemoradiotherapy and surgery groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When facing difficulty in deciding between chemoradiotherapy and surgery, one course of TPF may be an effective option.

Transitional nystagmus in a Bow Hunter's Syndrome case report.

BACKGROUND: Bow Hunter's Syndrome (BHS) is known as one of cervical diseases which causes vertigo, but the details of its vertigo, especially nystagmus and eye movement, are still incompletely understood. This time, we reported the first case of BHS with a nystagmus chart with video record of transitional nystagmus. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient, a 47-year-old female, complained of vertigo caused by head rotation. When she turned her head leftward, leftward nystagmus appeared, and this was followed by dullness of the right arm. After her head was returned to the central position, downbeat nystagmus appeared, which changed to rightward nystagmus. She was diagnosed with BHS by her symptoms and images. We recorded a nystagmus video and nystagmus chart of this transitional nystagmus including downbeat nystagmus. Her vertigo was cured by the modification of a prescription for her past medical history: hypertension. CONCLUSION: The vertigo of BHS accompanies nystagmus. In this present case, the transitional nystagmus was observed, and it occurred toward the healthy side. Then the nystagmus direction was changed to the affected side via downbeat nystagmus. This is the first report with both a nystagmus chart with video of BHS. Nowadays, various kinds of vertigo induced by neck movement are known. BHS is a rare disease among vertigo diseases, but we should consider it as a different diagnosis of vertigo patients. A precise interview and proper examination are required to make the final diagnosis.

Occult Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma without Detection of the Primary Tumor on Preoperative Ultrasonography or Postoperative Pathological Examination: A Case Report.

Herein, we report a case of an occult thyroid cancer that was not detected as a primary tumor on preoperative ultrasonography or postoperative pathological examination, although a diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis was made owing to the presence of a mass in the right upper neck. Needle biopsy of the mass in the right upper neck revealed positive results for thyroglobulin and TTF-1 on immunostaining, and a papillary thyroid carcinoma was observed with papillary and follicular patterns. We suspected papillary thyroid carcinoma (T0N1bM0) or ectopic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Accordingly, we performed total thyroidectomy, central lymph node dissection, right lateral neck dissection, and resection of the superficial lobe of the right parotid. A postoperative pathological examination of 5-mm slices of the specimen revealed no primary tumor in the thyroid. However, a hyalinized image of the thyroid indicated that a micropapillary thyroid carcinoma might have spontaneously disappeared. As there was no normal thyroid tissue in the metastasis to the superior internal jugular lymph node, the tumor was unlikely to be an ectopic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, we made a diagnosis of a papillary thyroid carcinoma (pT0N1bM0). After surgery, we determined that the tumor belonged to a high-risk group of papillary thyroid carcinomas and a poor-prognosis group of symptomatic papillary thyroid microcarcinomas; accordingly, ablation was performed with 30 mCi iodine-131. There was no recurrence or metastasis 24 months after the first surgery.

Simultaneous metastasized primary unknown signet ring cell carcinoma of the cervical lymph node and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland as double cancers.

Lymph node metastasis from signet ring cellcarcinoma (SRCC) primary unknown is extremely rare. We here report a case of primary-unknown SRCC that metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes, co-existing with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the parotid gland as a simultaneous double cancer. A 68-year-old female patient with right swollen cervical lymph nodes consulted our medical center. A diagnosis of bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis and a right parotid tumor was made. After bilateral neck dissection and right parotidectomy, the pathological diagnosis was SRCC of primary unknown with metastasis to the cervical lymph node and MEC of the parotid gland. Examination of the CRTC1/3-MAML2 fusion gene showed no relation between SRCC of primary unknown with metastasis to the cervical lymph node and MEC of the parotid gland. Ten months after the first treatment, there was recurrence in the left neck lymph node, and left neck dissection was performed. Fourteen months after the first treatment, the patient is alive and cancer-free. This case is the fourth report of SRCC with lymph node metastasis, and highlights the value of fusion gene detection to determine relatedness between simultaneous cancers. Moreover, such cases should be closely monitored for the subsequent appearance of distant metastases.

Comparison of cervical vestibular evoked potentials evoked by air-conducted sound and bone-conducted vibration in vestibular Schwannoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is associated with otolithic afferents and can be used to evaluate the function of the saccule and utricle. In this study, we compared cervical VEMP evoked by stimulation with Air-conducted sound (ACS) and bone-conducted vibration (BCV) to the forehead and investigated whether BCV can be used as a substitute for ACS. METHODS: Data were obtained from 33 patients with vestibular schwannoma. Vestibular examinations were performed preoperatively. VEMP was obtained upon stimulation with ACS (ACS cVEMP) and BCV to the forehead using a minishaker (BCV cVEMP). Vestibular function was also analyzed using the caloric test and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) testing. oVEMP was measured using bone-conductive vibration to the forehead. The results of BCV cVEMP, ACS cVEMP, and oVEMP were compared by the caloric test. RESULTS: Rates of patients with abnormal ACS cVEMP, BCV cVEMP, oVEMP, and caloric test results were 78.8%, 75.8%, 78.8%, and 69.7%, respectively. BCV cVEMP did not correlate with ACS cVEMP, but correlated with oVEMP and caloric test results. CONCLUSION: BCV cVEMP did not correlate with ACS cVEMP. Therefore, BCV cVEMP cannot be used as a substitute for ACS cVEMP.

Prevention of anastomotic leak using an advanced pectoral flap in total pharyngolaryngectomy and free jejunal reconstruction for hypopharyngeal or laryngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We devised an advanced pectoral flap (APF) to prevent anastomotic leak after total pharyngolaryngectomy (TPL) and free jejunal reconstruction (FJR) in patients with hypopharyngeal or laryngeal carcinoma. The APF alleviates tension on the skin in the neck, reduces the subcutaneous dead space, and promotes adhesion between the neck skin and the anastomosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an APF is effective for prevention of anastomotic leak associated with TPL/FJR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anastomotic leak was compared between APF (n = 65) and non-APF groups (n = 25). Patients who had received preoperative radiotherapy or undergone tracheostomy or skin infiltration requiring neck reconstruction using a pedicle flap were excluded. RESULTS: There were significantly fewer cases of anastomotic leak in the APF group than in the non-APF group (1.5% [1/65] vs. 16.0% [4/25]; p = .02). An APF could be created bilaterally within approximately 15 minutes. Unlike a deltopectoral flap, an APF does not require a skin graft. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative anastomotic leak rate was 1.5% in patients who underwent TPL and FJR for hypopharyngeal or laryngeal carcinoma with an APF. SIGNIFICANCE: An APF is easily created and can reduce the incidence of anastomotic leak after TPL and FJR.

Author Correction: Uplift of the central transantarctic mountains.

The original version of this Article incorrectly referenced the Figures in the Supplementary Information. References in the main Article to Supplementary Figure 7 through to Supplementary Figure 20 were previously incorrectly cited as Supplementary Figure 5 through to Supplementary Figure 18, respectively. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

The diagnostic performance of a novel ELISA for human CTP (Cochlin-tomoprotein) to detect perilymph leakage.

Perilymphatic fistula is defined as an abnormal communication between the perilymph-filled space and the middle ear, or cranial spaces. The manifestations include a broad spectrum of neuro-otological symptoms such as hearing loss, vertigo/dizziness, disequilibrium, aural fullness, tinnitus, and cognitive dysfunction. By sealing the fistula, perilymphatic fistula is a surgically correctable disease. Also, appropriate recognition and treatment of perilymphatic fistula can improve a patient's condition and hence the quality of life. However, the difficulty in making a definitive diagnosis due to the lack of an appropriate biomarker to detect perilymph leakage has caused a long-standing debate regarding its management. We have reported a clinical test for the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula by detecting a perilymph specific protein, Cochlin-tomoprotein, as a diagnostic marker using a western blot. The aim of this study is to establish an ELISA-based human Cochlin-tomoprotein detection test and to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy in clinical subjects. The results of ELISA showed good dilution reproducibility. The mean concentration was 49.7±9.4 of 10 perilymph samples. The ROC curve in differentiating the perilymph leakage condition from the normal middle ear was significant (P < 0.001) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.918 (95% CI 0.824-0.100). We defined the diagnostic criteria as follows: CTP<0.4 negative; 0.4≦CTP<0.8 intermediate; 0.8≦CTP(ng/ml) positive in the clinical usage of the hCTP ELISA, and sensitivity and specificity were 86.4% and 100%, respectively. We further tested the expression specificity of the Cochlin-tomoprotein by testing blood and CSF samples. The concentration was below the detection limit (0.2 ng/ml) in 38 of the 40 blood, and 14 of the 19 CSF samples. We report the accuracy of this test for the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula. Using ELISA, we can improve the throughput of the test. Furthermore, it is useful for a large-scale study to characterize the clinical picture and delineate the management of this medical condition.

Uplift of the central transantarctic mountains.

The Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) are the world's longest rift shoulder but the source of their high elevation is enigmatic. To discriminate the importance of mechanical vs. thermal sources of support, a 550 km-long transect of magnetotelluric geophysical soundings spanning the central TAM was acquired. These data reveal a lithosphere of high electrical resistivity to at least 150 km depth, implying a cold stable state well into the upper mantle. Here we find that the central TAM most likely are elevated by a non-thermal, flexural cantilever mechanism which is perhaps the most clearly expressed example anywhere. West Antarctica in this region exhibits a low resistivity, moderately hydrated asthenosphere, and concentrated extension (rift necking) near the central TAM range front but with negligible thermal encroachment into the TAM. Broader scale heat flow of east-central West Antarctica appears moderate, on the order of 60-70 mW m-2, lower than that of the U.S. Great Basin.

Extent of thyroid resection and thyroid function after postoperative radiotherapy following total laryngectomy or total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is often performed after total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (TPLE) or total laryngectomy (TL). Hypothyroidism is one of the side-effects of CCRT. The objective of this study was to ascertain the timing of onset and severity of latent hypothyroidism among patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) or CCRT after TPLE or TL, using thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as a biomarker, and to explore methods of preventing its development. METHODS: Participants comprised 21 patients who underwent these treatments at Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center between May 2009 and December 2013. TSH, free thyroxine 3, and free thyroxine 4 levels were used as indicators of thyroid function, and thyroid hormone was administered for TSH levels ≥15 µU/mL. RESULTS: Post-radiotherapeutic TSH levels in 17 of the 21 patients (81%) were not within the reference value, and 10 (48%) required thyroid hormone therapy. Pharmacotherapy was initiated within 1 year in 5 of these 10 patients (50%), and between 1 and 3 years in the remaining 5 patients. No patient who did not undergo thyroidectomy required hormone therapy. Early evaluation of thyroid function appears important when postoperative RT, including CCRT, is performed in combination with TPLE or TL. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that postoperative CCRT or RT after TPLE or TL, especially hemithyroidectomy, carries a high risk for hypothyroidism.

Experimental model of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with biphasic nystagmus using isolated semicircular canals.

CONCLUSIONS: The co-existence of cupulolithiasis and canalolithiasis might be a possible mechanism for the spontaneous inversion of positional nystagmus. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of spontaneous inversion of nystagmus direction without a positional change in experimental models of co-existing cupulolithiasis and canalolithiasis. METHODS: Co-existing canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis models were prepared using the bullfrog posterior semicircular canal (PSC). Ten bullfrogs were used. The ampullary nerve discharges were recorded as compound action potentials (CAPs). First, an otoconial mass was placed on the cupula to produce cupulolithiasis. Subsequently, another otoconial mass was introduced into the canal lumen to produce canalolithiasis. Decremental time constants for cupulolithiasis and incremental time constants for canalolithiasis were determined. RESULTS: At first the CAPs increased and continued for a long time when the cupulolithiasis was generated. Subsequently the CAPs were suppressed by creating canalolithiasis. Finally, the CAPs increased again after the motion of otoconia inside the canal lumen stopped. The decremental time constant for cupulolithiasis was significantly longer than the incremental time constant for canalolithiasis.

Spontaneous inversion of nystagmus without a positional change in the horizontal canal variant of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the neuro-otological findings, including nystagmus, and the clinical course of patients with the horizontal canal variant of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HC-BPPV), who showed spontaneous inversion of nystagmus without a positional change. Furthermore, we speculated on the possible mechanism of spontaneous inversion of nystagmus without a positional change. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The characteristics of spontaneous inversion of positional nystagmus without a positional change were analyzed in 7 patients with HC-BPPV. RESULTS: All patients were diagnosed as having HC-BPPV. During the positional test, the spontaneous inversion of nystagmus was observed in the same head position in all patients. Spontaneous inversion was observed on both sides in 5 patients, and only on 1 side in 2 patients. All patients presented with geotropic nystagmus in the first phase, and ageotropic nystagmus in the second phase. CONCLUSIONS: The coexistence of cupulolithiasis and canalolithiasis appears to be a possible mechanism of the spontaneous inversion of positional nystagmus.

A case of nasal glial heterotopia in an adult.

We report a rare case of nasal glial heterotopia in an adult. After the surgery, frontal lobe cerebral hemorrhage developed. A 58-year-old man had unilateral nasal obstruction that progressed for one year. He had been treated for hypertension, chronic heart failure, and cerebral infarction with aspirin and warfarin. A computed tomography scan showed that the tumor occupied the right nasal cavity and the sinuses with small defect in the cribriform plate. The tumor was removed totally with endoscopy. After the operation, the patient developed convulsions and frontal lobe cerebral hemorrhage. The hemorrhage site was located near a defect in the cribriform plate. Nasal glial heterotopia is a rare developmental abnormality, particularly rare in adult. Only few cases were reported. We could not find any report of adult nasal glial heterotopias that developed cerebral hemorrhage as a complication of the surgery.