Histopathological Changes of Olfactory Epithelium in the Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although exposure to cigarette smoke has been reported to be associated with olfactory dysfunction, the pathophysiology is poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the histopathological change of olfactory epithelium according to exposure duration of cigarette smoke and to investigate the effects of cigarette smoke on the olfactory epithelium. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty-six healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups. Experimental groups (n=28) were exposed to cigarette smoke during 2.5 hours (total 5 cigarettes) per one day for 5 days, 11 days and 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 weeks. Control group (n=8) was placed at the same room without smoke exposure and sacrificed at 4 and 9 weeks. Histopathological changes of olfactory epithelium through light microscope and immunohistochemistric findings of olfactory marker protein (OMP) through confocal microscope were observed. The numbers of cells in olfactory epithelium were counted at each period. RESULTS: From 5 days of cigarette smoke exposure, defection of epithelial cells, random arrangement of olfactory receptor cells and decreased thickness of olfactory epithelium were noticed. Numbers of olfactory receptor cells were significantly decreased at 11 days and 3 weeks after smoke exposure, and this finding of decreased number of olfactory receptor cells were continued until 9 weeks of exposure. Numbers of OMP-positive olfactory receptor cells were continuously decreased according to exposure duration. CONCLUSION: The olfactory epithelial cells could be directly affected by cigarette smoke. The numbers of olfactory epithelial cells including olfactory receptor cells were continuously decreased until 9 weeks after cigarette smoke exposure.

A Case of B-Cell Lymphoma of Sphenoid Sinus Invading Cavernous Sinus and Middle Cranial Fossa / 대한이비인후과학회지

We report on an unusual case of primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the sphenoid sinus invading cavernous sinus. A 69-year-old male patient presented with left facial pain and headache. A nasal endoscopy revealed no specific finding in both nasal cavity and no definite mass like lesion was found in the nasal cavity. Paranasal CT scans demonstrated mild haziness without bony erosion or thinning in left sphenoid sinus. Several months later, he complained of a ptosis and lateral gaze palsy of the left eye when he gazed at the left side. Brain MRI showed a well enhanced lobulated mass in the left sphenoid sinus invading into the left carvenous sinus and middle cranial fossa with left internal carotid artery encasement. Endoscopic biopsy via transnasal sphenoidotomy was performed under general anesthesia, and an easy fragile, yellowish, reddish mass in the sphenoid sinus was partially removed. The mass had infiltrated into the lateral, inferior and superior wall of the left sphenoid sinus. Biopsy confirmed a diffused large B-cell lymphoma. First, the patient received gamma knife radiosurgery, followed by chemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisolone). He has been in complete remission state for eight months after combination therapy.

A Case of Glomus Tumor in the Nasal Cavity / 대한이비인후과학회지

Glomus tumor, a benign tumor arising from the glomus body, usually occurs in the soft tissue of the extremities, particularly in the subungal region of the fingers. As a tumor, it is relatively rare in the head and neck region and even rarer in the nasal cavity. We have experienced a glomus tumor originated in posterior portion of nasal septum. A 82-year-old male presented a left nasal cavity mass associated with intermittent nasal obstruction and epistaxis, for which endoscopic excision with bipolar electrocautery was performed. Histopathologic findings led to the diagnosis of a glomus tumor, which originated from posterior septal artery. There was no evidence of recurrence after 6 months from the operation. We report this case with a review of literature.

Establishment of Cisplatin Resistant Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines and Cross-resistance of Docetaxel / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Treatment of head and neck cancer with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy has yielded increased complete response rates. In spite of the initial good response, recurrent cancer after chemotherapy does not respond to cisplatin based chemotherapy. In recent years, the analogues of taxol have used in a new chemotherapy treatments for head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to develop the acquired resistance to cisplatin in head and neck cancer cell line and to study the cross-resistance of docetaxel and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as compared to the parental cells in vitro. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Two different human head and neck cancer cell lines (PNUH-12, SNU-899) were studied. We developed two cisplatin resistant cell lines (PNUH-12 R1, SNU-899 R1) by exposing them to near continuous increasing concentration of cisplatin. The morphology, growth curve of resistant cell lines were studied and the resistance of these cell lines to the cisplatin, docetaxel and 5-FU were compared to that of parental cells by MTT assay. RESULTS: The pattern of growth and shape of PNUH-12 R1 and SNU 899 R1 cell lines showed similarity to their parent cell lines. The growth curve of these cell lines were suppressed when compared with the parental cells. When compared to the parental cells, PNUH-12 R1 cells were 2.0-fold, 3.8-fold, and 1.4-fold resistant, and SNU 899 R1 cells 3.5-fold, 6.7-fold, and 15.0-fold resistant to cisplatin, docetaxel and 5-FU, respectively. CONCLUSION: In our study, cisplatin resistant cell lines of head and neck cancer have strong cross-resistance to docetaxel. However, there was difference in cross-resistance to 5-FU between these cell lines.