Search

PURPOSE Ethmoidal malignant tumors, for which intensity-modulated radiotherapy is expected to improve outcome, consist of heterogeneous pathological types. Reports about their outcome are influenced by the inclusion of favorable histology, such as adenocarcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma. We investigated the long-term treatment outcome of squamous cell carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma of the ethmoid sinus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between August 1976 and April 2002, 25 patients (20 squamous cell carcinomas and five undifferentiated carcinomas) received radical radiotherapy or preoperative radiotherapy in our institution. One (4%) had stage T2 disease, seven (28%) had stage T3, three (12%) had stage T4a, and 14 (56%) had stage T4b. Surgery was performed in 13 patients. Radiation dose varied from 50.4 Gy in 16 fractions (50.4 Gy/16 Fr) to 65 Gy in 26 fractions with or without stereotactic boost irradiation. Eleven patients received chemotherapy consisting mainly of platinum-based compounds. RESULTS The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates for all 25 patients were 34% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14%-54%) and 24% (CI: 6%-42%), respectively. The 3- or 5-year local progression-free rates for all patients were 48.9% and 36.7%, respectively. Visual acuity of a single eye was impaired in three patients and was lost in five patients as a result of tumor progression, but no patient had visual impairment or loss due to radiotherapy. CONCLUSION Ethmoid squamous cell carcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma was diagnosed at advanced T stages and was treated with radiotherapy; these patients had a poorer outcome than patients with adenocarcinoma or adenoid cystic carcinoma. Prospective trials using advanced technology should be carefully compared with historical controls because pathological types can considerably influence the treatment results.

Purpose This randomized, phase II study aimed to compare concomitant chemoradiotherapy using weekly carboplatin or daily low-dose cisplatin as a treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Patients and methods One hundred nineteen patients with moderate- to advanced-stage disease were eligible for the study. Fifty-three patients had stage II disease, 28 had stage III, and the remaining 38 had stage IV disease. Primary tumor sites included the larynx (N = 63), oropharynx (N = 30), hypopharynx (N = 23), and oral cavity (N = 3). Each patient received either a weekly carboplatin dose (100 mg/m(2)) in one arm or daily cisplatin (4 mg/m(2)) in the other arm for the initial 4 weeks of radiotherapy. The radiotherapy dose of 65 Gy was given in 26 fractions over 45 days, dependent on a good tumor response at 40 Gy. For ty-nine (81.7%) of 60 patients treated with carboplatin and 41 (69.5%) of 59 patients treated with cisplatin received the full dose of radiotherapy. Surgical-resection was optionally used for the remaining patients. Results The median follow-up time was 63 months. The local control rate at 5 years was 56.2% for the carboplatin-treated arm and 35.5% for the cisplatin-treated arm, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate did not significantly differ between treatments: 71.4% for carboplatin and 66.0% for cisplatin. Hematologic toxicity was more frequent in the carboplatin-treated arm. No difference was observed in surgical complications or in radiation-related adverse effects. Discussion These findings suggest that weekly carboplatin treatment is preferable to daily low-dose cisplatin. This could be because the total dose of cisplatin was too low to be effective.

Objective This study investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns were different between patients with Bell's palsy and those with herpetic facial palsy in whom varicella-zoster virus (VZV) or herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) reactivation had been confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or serologic assay. Study design A retrospective study of 15 patients with acute peripheral facial palsy was performed to compare virologic tests and gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced MRI findings. Results Ramsay Hunt syndrome was diagnosed in one patient. By use of virologic tests, zoster sine herpete (VZV reactivation without zoster) was diagnosed in four patients and HSV-1 reactivation in three. Bell's palsy was diagnosed in the remaining seven patients. No significant difference in the frequency of Gd-enhanced MRI was observed between herpetic facial palsy and Bell's palsy. However, in those patients who underwent MRI on the day viral reactivation was confirmed by PCR, Gd enhancement of the meatal fundus was observed infrequently. In addition, when MRI was performed within 10 days of the onset of palsy, Gd enhancement was not detected at the geniculate ganglion in any patients with herpetic facial palsy. By contrast, both the meatal fundus and the geniculate ganglion were enhanced in all patients with Bell's palsy, regardless of when MRI was performed with respect to the onset of palsy. Conclusion This study shows a difference in the pattern of Gd enhancement at the meatal fundus and the geniculate ganglion between patients with Bell's palsy and those with herpetic facial palsy. The results suggest that the meatal fundus or the geniculate ganglion may be affected first by virus reactivation in patients with herpetic facial palsy.

BACKGROUND There have been no reports on the presence of the tissue renin-angiotensin system in the human heart, although the presence of angiotensinogen has been described in the animal heart. METHODS AND RESULTS To determine whether angiotensinogen is synthesized in the human heart, we examined angiotensinogen messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis in autopsy hearts by using ribonuclease protection assay. As a result, angiotensinogen mRNA was detected in the atrial muscle, muscles of the conduction system, and the left ventricular wall. In the left ventricular wall, mRNA expression was more prominent in the subendocardial muscles than in the midcardial or epicardial muscles. Using a monoclonal antibody to human angiotensinogen in immunoblotting experiments, we detected two closely spaced bands at approximately 70 kd in the heart, which was quite consistent with the human angiotensinogen molecule. Immunohistochemical studies with this monoclonal antibody demonstrated intense immunoreactivity in the atrial muscles, the muscles of the conduction system, and those of the subendocardial layers. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that angiotensinogen was synthesized in the human heart. It was evident that the localization of angiotensinogen was not ubiquitous in the cardiac muscles, showing its predilection for the atrial muscles, muscles of the conduction system, and subendocardial layer of the left ventricle.