Benign Osteoblastoma of the Temporal Bone / 대한이비인후과학회지

An osteoblastoma is a rare, benign and vascular tumor of bone that commonly affects the vertebrae or the long bones. Histologically, it is characterized by numerous osteoblast cells and its occurrence in the temporal bone is extremely rare in the world thus far. A 17-year old woman was referred to us with an one-year history of tinnitus and decreased hearing in the right ear. CT (computerized tomography) scan showed a 2.5 X 2 X 1 cm sized, well defined soft tissue mass with central heterogeneous high density lesion in the right temporal bone. T1 and T2-weighted MRI (magnetic resonance image) scan showed iso-signal intensity and strong enhancement with administration of contrast materials at the periphery. Biopsy specimen showed the bony trabeculae of various sizes and rimming osteoblasts surrounded by spreading vascular stromas. Preoperative arterial embolization was done because massive bleeding during operation was expected. We did partial resection of the tumor wih the open cavity mastoidectomy with type III tympanoplasty. She was in good shape and there was no evidence of neurological deficits or recurrence after 17 months' follow-up. We experienced an osteoblastoma of the temporal bone. So we present this case with literature reviews.

The Clinical and Component Analyses of Submandibular Sialolithes / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sialolithiasis occurs in the submandibular gland rather than in the parotid or sublingual gland. It was manifested by several biochemical and anatomical factors inducing saliva retension. There have been various clinical reports about sialolith, but only a few analytical reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out for the period of July, 1998 to July, 2000 of 25 cases of the submandibular sialolithes, which was diagnosed and removed . We performed clinical and component analysis of sialolithes with a new method that uses the absorption band of an infrared spectrometer analysis. RESULTS: Calcium phosphate (16 cases) showed a strong band at 1000cm-1 and calcium phosphate and albumin (9 cases) showed a strong double band at 1700cm-1 and 1000cm-1. The incidence of submandibular sialolithiasis was predominant in females, accounting for the male to female ratio of 8:17. The age distribution of sialolithes was 15 to 62 years. Sialolithes were removed by the transoral approach under local anesthesia and external approach (submandibular gland resection) under general anesthesia. For most patients, sialolithes were brown in color (12 cases), 2~14mm in size, 2.1~1636.8ng in weight and located on the Wharton's duct orifice (17 cases). CONCLUSION: The most common types of sialolithes were calcium phosphate (16 cases, 64%). The rest of sialolithes (9 cases, 36%) were mixed calcium phosphate and albumin. Compared to all the other methods used in the sialolithes analysis, the infrared analysis furnished the permanent record in the shortest time. It was also ideal for qualitative identification and semiquantitative estimation of small fractions of calcium.