A Case of Aspergillus Clival Abscess Treated by Endoscopic Removal / 대한이비인후과학회지

Aspergillus clival abscess, especially without a sphenoid sinus lesion, is a very rare infection of central nervous system. In this report, we describe the successful treatment of a patient with aspergillus clival abscess. A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital with the diagnosis of sphenoid mass lesion in magnetic resonance image accompanied by headache and diplopia. The computed tomography scan revealed a clival cystic lesion without connection with the sphenoid sinus. The patient underwent the endoscopic endonasal clival approach and histopathological examination revealed aspergillosis. Postoperatively, the patient was given IV amphotericin-B for 2 weeks and oral voriconazole for 3 months. After surgery, patient's headache and diplopia disappeared. Aspergillus abscess originating from the skull base is rare but has a high mortality rate. Histopathological confirmation via endonasal approach and intensive antifungal therapy should be started for a successful treatment.

Clinical Features and Surgical Outcomes of Glomus Tumors in the Temporal Bone and Skull Base / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glomus tumors are benign, slow-growing tumors which cause various symptoms such as pulsatile tinnitus and hearing loss. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestation and surgical outcomes of the glomus tumors in the temporal bone and skull base. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Medical records of 17 patients who were surgically managed for glomus tumors of the temporal bone and skull base from 1997 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The location and the size of the tumor were analyzed by CT and MRI, and the Fisch classification method was used to classify the tumor. Pre- and postoperative facial function measured by House-Brackmann (H-B) grade and lower cranial nerve (LCN) function were collected. RESULTS: The mean age of 17 patients was 50.6 (18-83) years, and male to female ratio was 4:13. The most common symptom of glomus tumors was pulsatile tinnitus, and this symptom disappeared or changed naturally postoperatively. The majority of patients with glomus jugulare showed various degrees of immediate postoperative facial nerve palsy, and 8 out of 9 patients showed improvement of facial nerve function to H-B grade I in 3 months. LCN palsy occurred in 5 out of 9 patients immediately following the operation and remained in 3 patients with Fisch type C2 tumor. CONCLUSION: Glomus tumors of the temporal bone and skull base were successfully removed by surgery. The surgical outcome of glomus jugulare shows that facial nerve function is acceptable and the incidence of lower cranial nerve palsy may be related to the classification of tumor.

Diagnosis and Pathophysiology of Hallux Valgus / 대한족부족관절학회지

Hallux valgus is a lateral deviation of the first phalanx and medial deviation of the first metatarsal at the first metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint. Its incidence has increased due to developing footwear. The etiologies include fashion footwear, genetic causes, anatomical abnormality around the foot, rheumatoid arthritis, and neuromuscular disorders. Physiologic alignment of the first MP joint is maintained by congruent and symmetric alignment of the articular surface of the first proximal phalanx and first metatarsal head, physiologic relationship of the distal first metatarsal articular surface and the first metatarsal shaft axis, and stable balance of soft tissue around the first MP joint and stable tarsometatarsal joint. Several factors have been associated with hallux valgus, including pes planus, hypermobility of the first tarsometatarsal joint, flattened shape of the first metatarsal head, increased distal metatarsal articular angle, and deformation of the medial capsular integrity. History and physical examination are very important to diagnosis of hallux valgus. Simple radiography provides information on deformity, particularly in weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Understanding the etiologies and pathophysiology is very important for success in treatment of patients with hallux valgus.