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The human airway is protected by a defensive mucus barrier. The most prominent components of mucus are the mucin glycoproteins MUC5AC and MUC5B. They are produced by goblet cells and submucosal gland cells in the upper and lower airways. Hyperplasia of these cells and hypersecretion of MUC5AC and MUC5B characterize chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower airways. Recent studies have revealed that MUC5AC and MUC5B are expressed at specific sites in the respiratory tract through different molecular mechanisms and have distinct functions. Morphometric and histochemical studies have also examined the roles of goblet cells, submucosal gland cells, MUC5AC, and MUC5B in different chronic airway diseases individually. The individual study of goblet cells, submucosal gland cells, MUC5AC, and MUC5B in airway diseases would be helpful for precisely diagnosing chronic inflammatory diseases of the airway and establishing optimal treatments. This review focuses on the distinct secretion of MUC5AC and MUC5B and their producing cells in chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower airway.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to clarify whether circulating miR-21 represents a predictive biomarker in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing chemoradiotherapy, and to investigate the effect of miR-21 inhibitor for chemoradiation in human SCC cells.MethodsPlasma samples were obtained from 22 patients with HNSCC and 25 non-cancer volunteers. Plasma miR-21 expression was measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The effects of miR-21 inhibitor in human SCC cells were investigated by performing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis.ResultsPlasma miR-21 expression was higher in HNSCC patients than in control patients (p< 0.001). Seven patients with recurrence showed significantly higher plasma miR-21 than the 15 patients without recurrence. Moreover, miR-21 inhibition significantly enhanced cisplatin- or radiation-induced apoptosis. Western blot analysis suggested the programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) protein as a potential target of miR-21 in relation to apoptosis. Adding miR-21 inhibition to radiation or cisplatin treatment provided clear and potent suppression of tumor cell proliferation.ConclusionThis study provides new insights into the role of miR-21 as a predictive biomarker for HNSCC treated with chemoradiotherapy, and suggests a potential target to improve the effects of chemoradiotherapy against HNSCC.

Background To assess the effects of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection on the tumor microenvironment, we examined the relationship between viral infection status, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and tumor-associated macrophages in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods A tissue microarray containing 150 cores from 90 patients with NPC and six with chronic inflammation was used. EBV and HPV status were detected using in situ hybridization with commercial EBER1 and HPV16/18 probes. Immunofluorescence double staining of MIF, pan-macrophage marker CD68, M1 macrophage marker CD11c, and M2 macrophage marker CD163 were analyzed using the same tissue microarray. The levels of these markers between NPC and inflammation cases and between tumor nests and stroma were compared. Correlations among these markers were analyzed. Results We found EBER1(+) cases in 90% of NPC patients, including 10% EBV/HPV co-infection. M1 macrophages mainly infiltrated the tumor nest, while M2 macrophages infiltrated the tumor stroma. We found a significant positive correlation between EBER1 levels and MIF levels in tumor nests and a significant positive correlation between HPV16/18 and CD11c(+) cell levels in NPC tissues. Conclusions It is suggested that MIF is associated with EBV, and M1 macrophage infiltration is affected by HPV status in NPC.

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), we investigated the function of let-7c as a tumor suppressor. Let-7c expression was significantly down-regulated in HNSCC tumor tissues and cell lines. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that let-7c negatively regulated HNSCC proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). To explore the underlying mechanisms that affect these molecular events achieved by let-7c, we predicted its target genes. We performed luciferase assay and confirmed that insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) were the direct targets of let-7c. Knocking down of IGF1R and HMGA2 inhibited HNSCC progression, including proliferation, migration and EMT in HNSCC cells. Re-expression of these genes overcame let-7c-mediated inhibition. Taken together, our finding suggests that let-7c inhibits HNSCC progression by targeting IGF1R and HMGA2 and might be a novel target for HNSCC treatment.

The present study aimed to clarify the incidence and clinical outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the Chubu region of Japan from 2006 to 2015, compared with previous reports. A retrospective analysis was conducted based on medical records from 40 hospitals located in the Chubu region in the central Japanese main island, with a population of around 22.66 million individuals. This study was designed in line with to two previous clinical studies into NPC conducted in the same area of Japan. We recruited NPC patients diagnosed in hospitals across this area over a 10-year period (2006&ndash, 2015) using a questionnaire about sex, age, primary site, clinical symptoms, pathology, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) staging, serological exam, treatment, and survival. A total of 620 NPC patients were identified. The age-standardized incidence of NPC from 2006 to 2015 was 0.27 per 100,000 individuals per year. There were no significant differences between this study and the previous two studies conducted in the same area of Japan. The five-year overall survival rate for all patients was 75.9%, while those for patients with stages I, II, III, and IVA were 97%, 91%, 79%, and 68%, respectively. The age-standardized annual incidence of NPC in the present study was 0.27 per 100,000 individuals per year, which was relatively low and stable. The five-year overall survival rate for all NPC patients was significantly improved in this decade compared with previous studies. The smoking rates in male and female NPC patients were 64.5% and 18.8%, respectively, thereby suggesting the involvement of smoking in the incidence of NPC.

The aim of the study is to investigate plasma miR-21 for a possible therapeutic effect determination marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Plasma samples are obtained from 86 HNSCC patients and 29 non-cancer volunteers who had been treated at Mie University Hospital between May 2015 and December 2016, and plasma miR-21 expression was measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In addition, plasma miR-21 level of advanced HNSCC patients including 22 non-recurrent cases and 11 recurrent cases before and after treatment was analyzed using a longitudinal design. Plasma miR-21 expression in 86 HNSCC patients was obviously higher than in 29 control patients (P < 0.0001). The area under the curve (AUC) for plasma miR-21 was 0.756 (95% confidence interval: 0.661-0.851). Furthermore, our longitudinal study of plasma miR-21 showed that the expression level of plasma miR-21 was significantly reduced at the time point of 2 months after treatment in case of no recurrence. On the other hand, plasma miR-21 was not decreased after treatment in case of 10 patients who had developed recurrences during the follow-up period. This study may provide new insights into the role of plasma miR-21 as a biomarker for HNSCC, and plasma miR-21 would be useful for early detection of tumor recurrence after operation or chemoradiotherapy.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as promising non-invasive biomarkers for human cancer. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent malignancy worldwide, but its overall survival has remained unchanged in the past 3 decades. Biomarkers for evaluating efficacy of cancer therapy are urgently needed. To explore circulating miRNAs as cancer therapy biomarkers, we initially identified that 8 miRNAs were distinctly dysregulated in cancerous tissues compared with adjacent non-cancerous counterparts from 16 patients, using microarray and real-time PCR. Based on this discovery, the comparison study was performed between pre- and 6 months post-operative paired plasma samples on 9 patients. MiR-99a, which was down-regulated in cancerous tissues, was significantly increased in plasma after operation. Meanwhile, oncomiR miR-21 and miR-223 that were up-regulated in cancerous tissues, were significantly reduced in post-operative plasma samples. We firstly report the significant changes of miR-99a in plasma of HNSCC patients after surgery. Furthermore, plasma miR-223 was inversely increased in a patient whose cancer relapsed within 6 months after operation. We conclude that these circulating miRNAs may serve as biomarkers to evaluate the efficacy of therapy and the prognosis of HNSCC.

Foreign body ingestion is a commonly encountered clinical problem. In particular, sharp foreign bodies lodged in the esophagus or hypopharynx can cause complications and require urgent removal. Removal by flexible esophagogastroduodenoscopy or rigid esophagoscopy is the treatment of choice and has high success rates, but cases in which these methods are unsuccessful must be treated with an external incision. A 62-year-old man was referred for a fish bone lodged in the hypopharynx that could not be removed by flexible esophagogastroduodenoscopy. We removed the bone transorally using a specially designed rigid curved laryngoscope. Based on our experience, this method may have clear practical value due to advantages of a wide field of view and use of multiple rigid forceps. Indications may be limited, but this novel method may reduce the limitations of noninvasive removal of foreign bodies.

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), we investigated the function of let-7c as a tumor suppressor. Let-7c expression was significantly down-regulated in HNSCC tumor tissues and cell lines. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that let-7c negatively regulated HNSCC proliferation, migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). To explore the underlying mechanisms that affect these molecular events achieved by let-7c, we predicted its target genes. We performed luciferase assay and confirmed that insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) were the direct targets of let-7c. Knocking down of IGF1R and HMGA2 inhibited HNSCC progression, including proliferation, migration and EMT in HNSCC cells. Re-expression of these genes overcame let-7c–mediated inhibition. Taken together, our finding suggests that let-7c inhibits HNSCC progression by targeting IGF1R and HMGA2 and might be a novel target for HNSCC treatment.

We report a case of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland and cervical lymph node metastases with concurrent tuberculous lymphadenitis that was diagnosed preoperatively. A 35-year-old woman presented with multiple lymph node swellings and an anterior neck mass. No findings suggesting the coexistence of pulmonary tuberculosis were present. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy with bilateral neck dissection together with medication. Measures to prevent tuberculosis were undertaken during the perioperative period. The histopathological diagnosis was papillary carcinoma with both metastatic and tuberculous lymphadenitis of the lymph nodes in the neck. The possible coexistence of tuberculous lymphadenitis must be ruled out when lymph node swellings are observed in patients with head and neck cancer, including thyroid carcinoma.

We investigated whether IL-33 is involved in mucus overproduction and goblet cell hyperplasia in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS). IL-33 mRNA was significantly higher in the eosinophilic CRS group than in the non-eosinophilic CRS group from human nasal polyps. IL-33 induced MUC5AC mRNA and MUC5AC protein, and also goblet cell hyperplasia at air liquid interface culture in human nasal epithelial cells. In addition to that, IL-33 induced MUC5B and FOXA3, and reduces FOXJmRNA. In conclusion, our present study demonstrated that the direct evidence of IL-33 which lead to increase mucin gene and protein expression, as well as goblet cell hyperplasia. This study provides novel insights into the role of IL-33 on mucus overproduction in eosinophilic inflammation of human airways.

Cetuximab is remarkable for the relatively high rate and severity of hypersensitivity reactions (HR) being reported in the literature. Screening for cetuximab‐specific IgE in serum via immunoassay has been found to be useful in preventing HR; however, these tests are known to have a low positive predictive rate. In an attempt to remedy this, we evaluated the interaction between cetuximab and IgE on basophils for predicting severe cetuximab‐induced HR. Twelve head and neck cancer patients were enrolled in this single‐institution study: four with a history of cetuximab‐induced HR and eight with no such history. Cetuximab‐specific and galactose‐α‐1,3‐galactose (α‐gal) specific IgEs in serum were measured in vitro using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgE‐cetuximab binding on basophils was also analyzed to evaluate the decrease in cetuximab molecules on basophils after dissociation of IgE from FcεRI. The positive predictive value associated with the presence of cetuximab‐ or α‐gal‐specific IgE in serum was found to be only 0.67, whereas the negative predictive value was 1.00. On the other hand, in all four patients who developed HR, the cetuximab molecules on basophils were decreased significantly due to the dissociation of IgE from basophils (P

Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important human pathogen that colonizes the upper respiratory tract and is also the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. S. pneumoniae causes invasive diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media. Despite the importance of pneumococcal diseases, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which S. pneumoniae-induced inflammation is regulated, especially the negative regulatory mechanisms. Here we show that S. pneumoniae activates nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathway and the subsequent up-regulation of inflammatory mediators via a key pneumococcal virulence factor, pneumolysin. We also demonstrate that S. pneumoniae activates NFAT transcription factor independently of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4. Moreover, S. pneumoniae induces NFAT activation via both Ca2+-calcineurin and transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MKK) 3/6-p38α/β-dependent signaling pathways. Interestingly, we found for the first time that tumor suppressor cylindromatosis (CYLD) acts as a negative regulator for S. pneumoniae-induced NFAT signaling pathway via a deubiquitination-dependent mechanism. Finally, we showed that CYLD interacts with and deubiquitinates TAK1 to negatively regulate the activation of the downstream MKK3/6-p38α/β pathway. Our studies thus bring new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae infections through the NFAT-dependent mechanism and further identify CYLD as a negative regulator for NFAT signaling, thereby opening up new therapeutic targets for these diseases.

A retrospective clinical study was conducted involving 143 patients with laryngeal cancer treated in our department between 1998 and 2006. The subjects consisted of 138 males and 5 females, with a ratio of 28:1. The mean age was 68.1 years old. The subsite of origin comprised 78 (54.5%) in the glottis, 61 (42.7%) in the supraglottis, and 4 (2.8%) in the subglottis. The clinical stage according to the 1997 UICC TMN classification system was I in 53 cases (37.1%), II in 34 (23.8%), III in 20 (14.0%), and IV in 36 (25.2%). The 5-year overall survival rate was 71.2% in the total cases, 84.4% in stage I, 89.6% in stage II, 51.2% in stage III, and 38.9% in stage IV. The disease-specific 5-year survival rate was 88.3% in the total cases, 75.5% in the supraglottic type, 98.1% in the glottic type, and 100% in the subglottic type. The preservation rate of the larynx at 5 years was 83.3% in T1, 56.5% in T2, and 0% in T3 and T4.

Fish bones as a foreign body are often present in the palatine tonsil and the base of the tongue. Such foreign bodies can often be diagnosed with inspection only. However, it is difficult to diagnose and extirpate a foreign body when it is buried in the oral/pharyngeal mucosa. We experienced a case of a fish bone foreign body buried in the tongue muscle layer. We report herein on the case of a 49-year-old man with a fish bone foreign body buried in his tongue. The patient had noticed a sore throat since eating a sea bream and was referred to our department. Visual inspection revealed no foreign body, but CT imaging revealed a fish bone in the tongue. We performed an emergency surgical exploration of tongue to locate the fish bone. Because the fish bone as a foreign body was unable to be confirmed by palpation, we identified the location of the fish bone by intraoperative CT. This is a rare case of a fish bone buried in the tongue muscle layer, and intraoperative CT was useful in identifying the positon of the foreign body.

In review of the past studies on NF-kappaB regulation, most of them have focused on investigating how NF-kappaB is activated by a single inducer at a time. Given the fact that, in mixed bacterial infections in vivo, multiple inflammation inducers, including both nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Streptococcus pneumoniae, are present simultaneously, a key issue that has yet to be addressed is whether NTHi and S. pneumoniae simultaneously activate NF-kappaB and the subsequent inflammatory response in a synergistic manner. Here, we show that NTHi and S. pneumoniae synergistically induce NF-kappaB-dependent inflammatory response via activation of multiple signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. The classical IKKbeta-IkappaBalpha and p38 MAPK pathways are involved in synergistic activation of NF-kappaB via two distinct mechanisms, p65 nuclear translocation-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Moreover, casein kinase 2 (CK2) is involved in synergistic induction of NF-kappaB via a mechanism dependent on phosphorylation of p65 at both Ser536 and Ser276 sites. These studies bring new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the NF-kappaB-dependent inflammatory response in polymicrobial infections and may lead to development of novel therapeutic strategies for modulating inflammation in mixed infections for patients with otitis media and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) pathway represents an important signaling pathway involved in the regulation of diverse biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Despite the known role of TGF-betaR-mediated signaling in suppressing immune response, its role in regulating human Toll-like receptors (TLRs), key host defense receptors that recognize invading bacterial pathogens, however, remains unknown. Here, we show for the first time that TGF-betaR-Smad3/4 signaling pathway acts as a positive regulator for TLR2 induction by bacterium nontypeable Hemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in vitro and in vivo. The positive regulation of TLR2 induction by TGF-betaR is mediated via a dual mechanism involving distinct signaling pathways. One mechanism involves functional cooperation between the TGF-betaR-Smad3/4 pathway and NF-kappaB pathway. Another involves MAP kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1)-dependent inhibition of p38 MAPK, a known negative regulator for TLR2 induction. Moreover, we showed that TbetaR-mediated signaling is probably activated by NTHi-derived TGF-beta mimicry molecule via an autocrine-independent mechanism. Thus, our study provides new insights into the role of TGF-beta signaling in positively regulating host defense response by tightly controlling the expression level of TLR2 during bacterial infections and may lead to new therapeutic strategies for modulating host defense and inflammatory response.

甲状腺癌手術において反回神経麻痺は可及的に避けねばならない合併症であるが, 時に, 癌の浸潤のために反回神経を犠牲にせざるをえない場合がある。一側の反回神経麻痺は致命的ではないが, 患者の苦痛は深刻である。正常な声帯の可動性が再獲得できないことから, 従来から神経の再建は必要ないとされてきたが, 声帯の萎縮防止と発声時に声帯が緊張するため, 音声は良好である。今回, 反回神経の即時再建を13例に施行した。神経間移植が5例, 頸神経ワナ-反回神経吻合が8例に行われた。声帯の可動性は全例で認められなかった。MPTが9例において正常に, 呼気流量 (VC/MPT) が11例において正常範囲に復帰した。一方で, 非再建群では, MPT, VC/MPTとも正常化したものはなかった。MPT, VC/MPTによる音声機能評価では, 神経の即時再建は有用であると言える。

We report the case of a 42-year-old male with Harada's disease who showed impairment of bilateral, vestibular and cochlear function. He showed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss on an audiogram and canal paresis in Caloric response. The systemic administration of betamethasone was effective: his visual acuity and hearing level normalized and vertigo subsided.

1989年から1999年の早期頭頸部癌に対する根治照射後に, 遅発性気道狭窄をきたした7例を検討した。対象は54歳から77歳の男性6例, 女性1例であった。内訳は喉頭癌声門型T1a, T1b各1例, T2; 3例, 声門下T2; 1例, 原発不明癌1例であった。照射終了からの期間は3ケ月から3年11ケ月 (中央値7ケ月) であった。線源はすべて60Coで, ライナックは1例もなかった。照射線量は60Gy3例, 70Gy4例であった。1例は1側の声帯運動障害を伴い計4回の再燃を来たした。3例で気管切開を行い, 両側声帯運動障害が主因であった。同期間に根治照射をした喉頭癌90例をコントロールとして, 背景, 治療方法, 粘膜反応性を比較した。その結果, 照射線源 (60Co), 線量, 頸部手術, 使用鎮痛薬と使用時期, 粘膜炎の出現時期, 照射中の喉頭浮腫が危険因子としてあげられ, 特に照射中の粘膜炎の出現時期と程度が重要と考えられた。

最近24年間に当科にて治療を行った頭頸部腺様嚢胞癌40例を対象として, 累積生存率, 病期別, 原発部位別, 組織型別, 放射線治療の有無, 遠隔転移の有無についてそれぞれ検討を加えた。結果は5年及び10年生存率はそれぞれ74.8%と47.4%であった。病期別では stage III-IVは stage I-IIに比して有意に予後不良であった。原発部位別では上顎・鼻副鼻腔が他部位にして予後不良であった。放射線治療併用の有無, 遠隔転移の有無で予後については統計学的に有意差は認められなかった。遠隔転移例で手術可能例はその他の群に比して有意に予後が改善された。結論は1) 上顎や鼻副鼻腔は手術時に十分な切除がされていない場合が多く, より拡大切除が望まれた。2) 放射線による予後改善までは認められなかった。3) 遠隔転移例でも可能であれば手術を考慮すべきである。

The patient was an 82-year-old female with a swelling at the left side of the soft palate. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large cystic tumor in the left parapharyngeal space. The cystic tumor was removed via a cervical approach with mandibulotomy (mandibular swing approach). Postoperative histological examination revealed a pleomorphic adenoma with cystic formation.Pleomorphic adenoma with large cystic formation is rare in the parapharyngeal space and a differential diagnosis includes branchial cleft cyst, abcess, cystic hygroma, metastatic lymph node with central necrosis and aneurysm. CT and MRI are essential for diagnosis and provide information on the size and location of the tumor. There are several possible approaches to tumors in the parapharyngeal space: transoral excision, cervical approach with or without mandibulotomy and transparotid approach. It is preferable to perform a mandibular swing approach for the removal of the large tumor in the parapharyngeal space.

Frequently, double cancer and distant metastases have been detected by means of therapeutic techniques for head and neck cancers. Between January 1997 and February 1999, we experienced 59 cases of head and neck Squamous cell carcinoma in the department of otolaryngology at the Yamada Red Cross Hospital. Eight patients of 59 (13.6%) had pulmonary metastases and/or primary lung cancers, detected by chest CT scans. However, such lesions in 4 patients of 59 (6.8%) were detected by normal Chest X-rays. Positive correlations were observed between T stage and positive CT scans.CT scanning of the chest is more effective than chest X-ray, and is now used routinely in our department prior to undertaking major head and neck surgery.

From 1990 through 1998, 143 patients with laryngeal cancer were treated in our department. Of the 143 patients, 94 had glottal, 43 had supraglottal, and 6 had subglottal cancer. The 5-year survival rate in patients with laryngeal cancer was 90.0% for stage I, 81.3% for stage II, 77.9% for stage III, and 42.6% for stage IV. The 5-year survival rate was 86.5% for glottal, 55.9% for supraglottal and 66.7% for subglottal cancer patients. The laryngeal preservation rate was 90.4% for stage I, 60.5% for stage II, 21.4% for stage III and 28.1% for stage IV.A loco-regional recurrence occurred in 24 of 143 patients (16.8%). The salvage rate for these patients was 45.8% (11/24). Six of 11 patients who died of primary disease and nodal failure (including 2 stomal recurrences) had supraglottic stage N carcinoma.In conclusion, laryngeal preservation surgery should be recommended in the early stages of cancer after radiation failure and local recurrence. It is recommended to dissect the anterior compartment including the delphian lymph node, pretracheal, and parathyroidal nodes bilaterally for patients with laryngeal tumors that have significant anterior subglottic extension, tumors arising in the subglottic region, or advanced tumors arising in any region, especially the supraglottis.

The development of preoperative diagnosis for thyroid cancer has restricted the surgical indication for benign thyroid disease, but surgical management should still be performed for hyperthyroidism, enlarged thyroid tumors and so on. Also, it is possible to diagnose for thyroid papillary carcinoma preoperatively, but it is difficult to do so for follicular carcinoma. Therefore, we must operate for some solitary tumor cases in order to rule out the latter type of cancer. In this study, we evaluated the thyroid patients treated in our department and proposed indications for benign solitary thyroid tumor.Between 1989 and 1998, 555 patients with thyroid disease were treated in our department. 204 cases were benign, and 351 showed thyroid malignancy. 185 cases were benign thyroid nodules, and 17 were follicular carcinoma. In this study, the tumors that were large in size were found to be follicular carcinoma more frequently. We concluded that a case with a solitary tumor≥40-50mm should undergo a thyroid operation for the purpose of ruling out follicular carcinoma.

Two cases of esophageal perforations caused by endoscopy were treated at our hospital.The cause was flexible fiberscopy in one patient and rigid esophagoscopy in the other patient. Both patients were treated surgically and cured.We concluded that: (1) rigid esophagoscopy should be performed under general anesthesia; (2) a barium esophagogram indicative of an esophageal perforation should not be a contra-indication; and (3) the operation should be performed as soon as possible, and primary suture of the perforation should also be performed if possible.

Thirty-six patients with epistaxis requiring hospitalization evaluated over the previous five years were statistically. Twelve patients could not be controlled by the conventional packing method. Ligation of the ethmoidal arteries was perfomed in 4 cases, selective catheter embolization in 5 cases, and turbinectomy and electro-cauterization in 3 cases. In one patient treated by ligation of the ethmoidal artery, and in four patients treated by selective catheter embolization, control of epistaxis failed. All 4 patients were subsequently treated by turbinectomy and electro-cauterization. Because of its relative simplicity and effectiveness, turbinectomy from the infra turbinal posterior end is proposed as the standard method for treatment of epistaxis. Ligation of the ethmoidal arteries should be used for the treatment of epistaxis originating from the olfactory cleft, and selective catheter embolization for treatment of those cases in which the bleeding points were undetectable.

Since we use fine-needle aspiration cytology under ultrasonographic imaging for the diagnosis of thyroid tumors, we can easily detect small thyroid cancers.However, there is a question whether to operate on the small well-differentiated thyroid cancers or not, because the majority of the thyroid cancer have a good prognosis.Therefore, we studied 95 patients with pre-operative T1NO thyroid cancer who had been treated in our department from 1986 to 1996. 35 patients of the 95 had positive nodes (38.9%), 21 had intrathyroidal metastases (22.1%) ; and 7 had extra-thyroidal invasions (7.4%) . Two patients out of these 7 showed an invasion of the trachea that might have had an influence on survival.We feel that surgical treatment is indicated for small thyroid cancer based on.

Seventy-nine patients with head and neck abscesses were treated at our clinic between 1995 and 1997. Sixty-three cases had a peritonsillar abscess, seven were cases of deep neck infection and nine cases were other sorts of abscesses.Of the seven patients with deep neck infection, two were treated only with chemotherapy and steroids. Surgical drainage was performed in the remaining five patients.For the effective treatment of head and neck abscess, enhanced CT scanning is useful, in addi-tion, prompt surgical drainage of the abscess and therapy with antibiotics for anaerobic pathogens and with steroids for a short period are required.