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Oxytetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, but its nonantibacterial effects in the human respiratory tract are unknown. In this study, the effects of oxytetracycline on mucus secretion and inflammation were examined by PCR and ELISA in the human airway epithelial cell line NCI-H292. Oxytetracycline (10 μg/mL) significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced MUC5AC gene expression and MUC5AC protein levels in NCI-H292 cells. It also downregulated IL-8 and IL-1β gene expression and IL-1β protein levels. Our findings demonstrated that oxytetracycline suppressed mucus production and inflammation in human respiratory epithelial cells, providing further evidence for the usefulness of oxytetracycline for human airway inflammatory diseases.

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.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop an animal model for the study of mucus overproduction and to assess the effect of a 14-membered macrolide antibiotic and a glucocorticoid on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mucus production. Methods: Tracheas from donor rats were homografted to recipient rats for 4 weeks, and the usefulness of this tracheal homograft model in the study of mucus production was examined. Results: Oral administration of clarithromycin (CAM) to recipient rats for 4 weeks significantly reduced LPS-induced mucus production in the homografted trachea. Dexamethasone administered for 4 weeks also significantly reduced the mucus volume in LPS-treated homografted trachea compared with that in the control rats. The implanted trachea containing control medium was not histologically different from normal trachea. When the medium instilled into the implanted trachea contained 1 µg/ml LPS, the volume and spinability of mucus produced in the tracheal lumen were significantly increased compared to those in the trachea instilled with control medium. Goblet cell metaplasia was also observed in the implanted trachea containing LPS. Conclusions: The present study shows that LPS-administered homografted trachea is a good animal model of chronic hypersecretory diseases of the upper and lower airways. CAM and dexamethasone could be treatment choices in such hypersecretory diseases.

重度誤嚥で苦しむ2症例に対し，鹿野らにより修正された声門閉鎖術を行った。甲状軟骨ならびに輪状軟骨を鉗除した後に正中にて喉頭内腔に侵入し視野を展開した。その後，上下声帯粘膜弁ならびに胸骨舌骨筋弁を用いて声門閉鎖を行った。この術式はこの2症例に対し成功し，かつ術後経過も良好であった。結論として，成人の嚥下性肺炎の治療としては，本術式は効果的でリスクも少ないと思われた。

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.

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to know if mucin gene expression can be detected in the middle ear effusion and if so, which mucin genes are expressed in the effusions. Methods: Mucin gene expression in the middle ear effusions obtained from five patients with otitis media with effusion were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) were extracted from the effusion and the expression of 12 mucin genes was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Mucin gene expression examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated the expression of MUC1 , MUC4 , MUC5AC , MUC6 , MUC7 , MUC8 , MUC9 , MUC11 and MUC12 mRNA in the effusion. This mucin gene expression was similar to that in BEAS-2B cell, a bronchial epithelial cell line. Conclusion: Middle ear effusion can give us valuable information on mucin gene expression in the middle ear. There is similarity between mucin gene expression in the middle ear effusion and that in the bronchial epithelia.

Background Pendred's syndrome (PS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by goiter and congenital sensorineural hearing loss. Recent advances in molecular biology revealed the gene responsible for PS (PDS) and provided an important aid for the diagnosis of this condition. Methods A case of PS with huge goiter and congenital hearing impairment was diagnosed by mutational analysis of the PDS gene. Results Physical examination and computer tomography CT revealed a diffuse swelling of the thyroid gland. Thyroid function tests were normal, and the perchlorate discharge test was negative. Audiologic examination confirmed sensorineural hearing loss, and temporal bone CT revealed bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueducts. The mutational analysis revealed that the patient was homozygous for His 723 Arg (2168AG) in exon 19, a missense mutation. Conclusions The results of thyroid function tests in PS patients are usually normal, and the positive perchlorate discharge test has been used for the diagnosis. However, this is a nonspecific test and is not sensitive enough for PS. In our case, despite a negative perchlorate test, the patient was diagnosed by mutational analysis and received total thyroidectomy to relieve respiratory distress caused by thyroid enlargement. This is the first report of a mutation detected in the thyroid tissue and clearly shows that the mutation caused histopathologic change in that gland. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis is a major complication after thyroidectomy. Immediate reconstruction of the RLN is proposed in such cases.Four cases underwent concurrent recurrent laryngeal nerve reconstruction at our department between 1997 and 1998.Nerve transfer was performed in three cases and the great auricular nerve and the ansa cervicalis were chosen as nerve grafts. Direct anastomosis of the ansa cervicalis to the peripheral end of the RLN was conducted in one case. Both procedures resulted in a good post-operative status, and hoarseness and mis-swallowing in no cases were observed.The operated-side vocal cords in all cases were observed to be fixated at the paramedian portion, without atrophy. The average maximum phonation time (MPT) was 14.5 seconds, and this was longer than that in cases who had not undergone reconstruction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (their average MPT was 8.9 seconds).We concluded that an immediate reconstruction of the RLN should be disirable for cases who need a nerve resection in a thyroid operation.

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.

Recently, we have performed microvascular anastomoses in the reconstructive surgery of the esophagus: 3 cases at the Department of Surgey of Yamada Red Cross Hospital, and 3 cases at the Department of Surgery of Saiseikai Matsusaka Hospital. In these 6 cases, a gastric pull-up technique in 3 cases, a colonic pull-up technique in 2 cases, and a pedicled jejunum technique in 1 case were performed to reconstruct the esophagus.Microvascular anastomoses were performed in the cervical region in all 6 cases; for the artery alone in 1 case, the vein alone in 1 case, and for both vessels in 4 cases.Major complications (except for the minor leakage in 1 case) were not observed, and the reconstructions by organ transfer were successful.Microvascular anastomoses in the cervical region for adjuvant circulation is safe and easy, bacause the cervical region has many adequate vessels for anastomoses and is a stable in terms of respiratory movement.For head and neck surgeons, participation in a team operation of the thoracic esophagus is important and necessary in order to be able to examine the laryngeal findings and detect double cancers in the head and neck regions.

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.

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is an uncommon and nonneoplastic reactive tumor that involves the maxilla and mandible in the region of the head and neck. It is rare in the nasal cavity, and it might be misdiagnosed. We reported a very aggressive GCRG with intracranial invasion, which was treated surgically via a combined approach of a lateral rhinotomy with a craniotomy by bilateral coronal incision. The pathology was consistent with GCRG. A short literature review about diagnosis, clinical behavior, and treatment of this tumor entity is given.

This study aims to identify predisposing characteristics of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) arising from deep neck infection (DNI) and to determine appropriate therapeutic intervention strategies. We retrospectively reviewed 54 patients (male, n = 34; female, n = 20; mean age, 64.5 years) who had been treated at Mie University Hospital for DNI between April 2001 and October 2011. Eight of nine patients who developed DNM confirmed by computed tomography of the neck and chest, underwent mediastinal drainage (video-assisted thoracic surgical drainage, n = 6; mediastinoscopy-assisted drainage, n = 2). A patient developed uncontrolled acute respiratory distress syndrome after aggressive surgery, resulting in a mortality rate of 12 %. High blood CRP values, and the pharynx and tonsils as origins of infection were factors involved in the development of DNM arising from DNI. In conclusion, DNM remains a destructive and fatal disease that requires aggressive treatment including mediastinal exploration.

Summary Streptococcus pneumoniae ( S. pneumoniae ) causes high early mortality in pneumococcal pneumonia, which is characterized by acute lung injury (ALI). The molecular mechanisms underlying ALI and the high early mortality remain unknown. Despite recent studies that identify deubiquitinating enzyme cylindromatosis (CYLD) as a key regulator for T cell development, tumor cell proliferation, and NF-κB transcription factor signaling, its role in regulating bacteria-induced lethality, however, is unknown. Here, we showed that CYLD deficiency protected mice from S. pneumoniae pneumolysin (PLY)-induced ALI and lethality. CYLD was highly induced by PLY, and it inhibited MKK3-p38 kinase-dependent expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in lung, thereby potentiating ALI and mortality. Thus, CYLD is detrimental for host survival, thereby indicating a mechanism underlying the high early mortality of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Malignant external otitis is a severe infection of the external auditory canal, generally caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in elderly diabetics patients. We describe a case of malignant external otitis in a 63-year-old man with severe otalgia, purulent otorrhea and polypoid granulation of the external auditory canal. Local debridement, insulin treatment and 6-week intravenous antibiotic therapy with carbapemens were very effective and the granulation tissue disappeared completely. However, the patient readmitted for recurrent disease 3 weeks later, despite the oral and ear drop administration with new quinolone. No recurrence has been noted after 4-week additional treatment with intravenous carbapenems followed by 3-week treatment with Burow's solution as ear drops.

We describe a rare case of high-pressure grease injury of the face in a 48-year-old man with severe facial edema, soft palate swelling, and bleeding from the nose and mouth. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple low-density areas in nasal cavity, subcutaneous tissue of the cheek, soft palate, right maxillary sinus, and right infratemporal fossa. The patient complained of a dyspnea feeling, and immediate tracheostomy was performed. The grease was removed by the Caldwell-Luc incision approach but was partially left in the infratemporal fossa. After the operation, the patient still complained cheek and temporal pain. CT and magnetic resonance imaging were useful to diagnose the remaining grease, and the remnant of the grease was completely removed by the Weber-Fergusson incision approach.

We reported a case of thyroglossal duct cancer, which metastasized to the bilateral cervical lymph nodes. The cervical lymph node metastases were detected in the upper portion of the neck. According to the results obtained in the preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology, the lymph node metastases were classified as group V and a diagnosis of papillary carcinoma was made. The preoperative studies with 123 I revealed no concentration in the submittal tumor. In our surgical procedure, bilateral supraomohyoid neck dissection was added to excision of the tumor. Conclusion: In view of the fact that thyroglossal duct cancer metastasized bilaterally to cervical lymph nodes in the present case, we experienced an extremely rare case.

During a 66-month period, 2849 patients with thyroid gland tumor were examined by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA) under ultrasonographic imaging at Yamada Red Cross Hospital. Of these patients, 333 received surgical therapy and histological examinations were performed. FNA yielded an accuracy of 92.4%, a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 88.3%. There were 16 false-negative reports which were mainly considered to be due to calcified lesions, cystic lesion, or follicular carcinoma. Among the 188 negative cases, 24 cases (12.8%) proved to be positive by repeated FNA-Preoperative FNA provides cytological information and may assist in the determination of the operative indication. This approach resulted in an increased rate of surgery of thyroid malignancies among all thyroid gland surgeries. This method need to be improved to reduce false-negative results and the combination of FNA diagnosis and other examination is necessary.