Development of an Oropharyngeal Scope with an Integrated Tongue Depressor: NTOP2013 Study.

The oropharynx is examined with a light source such as an electric light, a penlight, or a forehead mirror based on an acquired visual field using a tongue depressor. However, it is extremely difficult to obtain objective and reproducible images of tissue within the pharynx required in recent years with these methods, and insufficient progress in the examination tools has been made. There is an increasing need to develop a method for display during oropharyngeal examination. We conducted the present study to develop a novel oropharyngeal endoscope as an objective observation method.

Thyroglossal Duct Carcinoma Originating in the Hyoid Bone.

Thyroglossal duct (TGD) carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor arising from remnants of thyroid tissue or the wall of the duct and generally occurs along the anatomic course of the TGD. TGD carcinoma originating in the hyoid bone is extremely rare but can occur since the TGD penetrates the hyoid bone on rare occasions. This report describes the case of a 30-year-old man with TGD carcinoma originating in the hyoid bone. Computed tomography demonstrated a mass in the hyoid bone that expanded the cortical bone of the hyoid. The mass had a central solid component with calcification and a marginal cystic component. When we encounter a calcified mass in the hyoid bone, we should consider TGD carcinoma among the differential diagnoses.

High-dose glucocorticoids inhibit proliferation of rat olfactory epithelium.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are commonly prescribed for treatment of olfactory dysfunction. However, the effects of GCs on olfactory epithelium are not well known. We investigated the effects of high-dose GCs on proliferating cells of olfactory epithelium. Five adult male rats (300 g) received a single daily subcutaneous dose of vehicle containing 0.3 mg dexamethasone (DEX) for 9 days (DEX+ group), and a control group received vehicle alone (DEX- group). We compared sections from the two groups for numbers of Ki67-positive cells. The mean number of Ki67-positive cells per 500 olfactory epithelial cells was 9.6 for the DEX+ group and 58 for the DEX- group (significant difference). We conclude that high-dose GC suppressed proliferation of olfactory epithelium. We suggest that high-dose GC suppresses cytokines and growth factors, resulting in secondary suppression of proliferating ability.

Multidisciplinary therapy consisting of minimally invasive resection, irradiation, and intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil for maxillary sinus carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Current goals for the treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma include the preservation of vision, eating, communication, and appearance, as well as the achievement of a cure. METHODS: Japanese patients (n = 121) with maxillary sinus carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent multidisciplinary therapy including minimally invasive resection, 20 Gy irradiation, and intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil. RESULTS: The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 73% and 68%, respectively. In 97 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 76% and 70%, respectively. All 29 patients with orbital invasion retained the orbital contents, and 21 of these patients demonstrated adequate visual acuity. There were 16 complications, including trismus (5 patients), double vision (5 patients), fistula formation (3 patients), and cataract (3 patients). CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary therapy, consisting of minimally invasive resection, irradiation, and regional chemotherapy, can yield good patient prognosis and quality of life after treatment.

Glucocorticoids enhance regeneration of murine olfactory epithelium.

CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoid (GC) administration enhanced apoptotic changes in mature olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). GC administration may enhance regeneration of olfactory epithelium (OE). OBJECTIVES: The mechanism underlying olfactory epithelial cells turnover involves apoptosis replaced by new ORNs. On regeneration of OE, we evaluated the apoptotic changes in OE. Our aim was to corroborate the enhancement of apoptosis of ORNs induced by GCs that are generally administered locally or systemically to patients with olfactory dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the in vitro study, we established cultured murine ORNs. Triamcinolone acetonide was added to culture supernatants. ORNs were then cultured for another 2 weeks. In the in vivo study, triamcinolone acetonide was administered to mice 5 or 10 times. The mice were dissected 3 days after the final injection, and the olfactory regions were removed and embedded in paraffin. All samples were examined by immunohistochemical staining and the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. RESULTS: Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression of cultured murine ORNs was observed among ORNs at the mature stage. Expression of GRs by murine OE was localized on mature ORNs and supporting cells. Administration of GC to both cultured ORNs and mice resulted in proportions of apoptotic cells that were significantly higher than those in the control groups.