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This study demonstrates the presence of calmodulin in the vestibular end-organs of the gerbil by use of immunocytochemistry. Using fluorescence microscopy, calmodulin was localized to the cytoplasm, cuticular plate, and stereocilia of both type I and type II hair cells in the sensory epithelia of the utricle and cristae ampullaris; no label was found in the supporting cells, the dark cells, or the nerve fibers. There was no immunoreactive distinction between the labeling of type I and type II hair cells in the striolar or extrastriolar regions. Thus, immunocytochemical labeling for calmodulin provides a good marker for hair cells in gerbil vestibular epithelium. The presence of calmodulin in the stereocilia was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy using secondary antibodies coupled to colloidal gold.

A rare case of retrobulbar optic neuropathy caused by an isolated mucocele in an Onodi cell is presented. A 63-year-old man suffering from left recurrent optic neuropathy had shown improved visual acuity with steroid treatment at the age of 48 and 56 years. Impaired visual acuity and blurred vision in the left eye appeared again, and a marked inferior decrease in the left visual field was noted. Although axial computed tomography (CT) showed no abnormal findings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a small squamous-shaped lesion (17 × 17 × 7.3 mm) in the left posterior ethmoidal air cell (Onodi cell) hanging over the left optic nerve. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed. The optic canal was extruding into the Onodi cell cavity, and the superior bony wall of the canal was eroded by the mucocele. The isolated mucocele in the Onodi cell seemed to be compressing the optic nerve downward and causing retrobulbar optic neuropathy. An Onodi cell lesion, even if it was isolated and small, would cause optic neuropathy. MRI and coronal CT scanning should be performed for the diagnosis and preoperative planning in a case of retrobulbar optic neuropathy.

An improved method for embedding specimens in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, a water soluble polymer, was used to prepare the vestibular end-organs of the inner ear. Staining of the tissue sections of PEG embedded specimens with antibodies to α-tubulin and to calmodulin was compared with staining of tissue sections of Araldite and Unicryl embedded specimens. PEG embedded sections revealed sensitive immunocytochemical labeling with excellent morphological resolution. The problems of embedding and orienting small specimens of the inner ear in PEG are described and the methods used to solve them are described.

Prolonged bed rest often induces disturbed balance. However, there are few reports on this pathophysiological condition. Schellong's test, otolithic functional test and spontaneous, gaze, and positional nystagmus tests were performed to evaluate the influence of prolonged bed rest on the vestibular system and the autonomic nervous system in orthopedic patients without direct injury to the vestibular system.Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were serially measured every 2 minutes in the supine position for 10 minutes and in the standing position for 10 minutes. We used a tilt chair apparatus which was electrically driven as far as 30 degrees at a speed of 1 degree per second. Eye movement was observed using a nystagmograph and recorded by a CCD-camera in front of the eyes. Spontaneous, gaze, and positional nystagmus were tested using the nystagmograph.Schellong's test was positive in 75% of the patients. Prolonged bed rest evoked abnormal findings on the otolithic functional test and nystagmus tests.It was suggested that prolonged bed rest induced autonomic nervous dysfunction and vestibular dysfunction.

Pseudotumor is a term used to describe a space-occupying inflammatory lesion which mimics a true neoplastic process in its clinical presentation. We report a case of plasma cell granuloma of the right maxillary sinus that presented with swelling of the cheek. It is difficult to differentiate this rare lesion from a malignant tumor by imaging procedures. We diagnosed plasma cell granuloma postoperatively. Histological examination showed infiltration of plasma cells in the fibrous stroma. In these plasma cells there were no atypical features.

Recent studies of the outer hair cells in cochlea have demonstrated active motilities. However, very little study has been done on the vestibular hair cells (VHCs). The present study shows the motile response of the VHCs induced by application of Ca2+/ATP promoting contraction. Reversible cell shape changes could be shown in 10 of 16 isolated type I hair cells and 9 of 15 isolated type II hair cells by applying the contraction solution. Furthermore, the sensory hair bundles in the utricular epithelium pivoted around the base and stood perpendicularly to the apical borderline of the epithelium in response to the application of the same solution. It is suggested that the contraction of the isolated VHCs may be transferred to tension which causes the sensory hair bundles to restrict their motion in normal tissue, instead of changing the cell shape.

Many studies of the outer hair cells in cochlea have demonstrated active motility. However, very few studies have been done on vestibular hair cells. This study was designed to demonstrate the motile responses of isolated vestibular hair cells of the chick, induced by potassium promoting contraction. Reversible cell shape changes were observed in 4 of 6 type I hair cells and 3 of 5 type II hair cells by applying the contraction solution. The cell shape changes were revealed mainly in the cuticular plate and infracuticular region. It was suggested that contraction in the cuticular plate of the isolated hair cells might be converted into tension which increases the stiffness of the sensory hairs and restricts their motions, based on the results of the present study, and the structure of contractile proteins and hair behaviors reported by previous investigators.

We investigated the morphological maturation of the vestibular ganglion and its dendrites terminating in the sacculus of the chick embryo. The cytoplasm of the ganglion cells had acquired a granular feature due to the abundance of ribosomal clusters and rER by the 13th day of incubation. The myelination of the dendrites occurred before that of the perikarya. Compact myelin of the dendrites was observed on the 13th day of incubation, while that of the perikarya was observed in the 20th day of incubation. Nerve endings of afferent and efferent character were observed first in the sacculus on the 13th day of incubation. Positive immunoreactivity of substance P was observed on the 13th day of incubation. It is suggested that the morphological basis of functional activity is present on or around the 13th day of incubation.

Auricular injuries may develop into serious auricular deformities if not treated appropriately. Adequate care is necessary to prevent perichondritis of the auricles.Three patients with auricular injuries were treated in our hospital and recovered without auricular deformity. Two of them had injuries which reached to the auricular cartilage.The good results suggested that gauze packing which was placed along the contour of the auricular cartilage and around the auricle, was effective in preventing auricular deformity following hematoma and perichondritis of the auricle, in addition to adequate irrigation of the wound, debridement and administration of antibiotics.

A case of paranasal sinusitis due to Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is reported. A 39-year-old woman presented with chief complaints of rhinorrhea and headache. The patient kept a cat in her house and kept such close contact with it as to wake up by being licked every morning. Bacteriological examination revealed P. multocida isolated from her nasal discharge and also from the saliva of the cat kept by the patient. The two isolates were compatible with respect to biochemical properties, serotype and drug susceptibility. Therefore, P. multocida infection in this case was considered to have originated from the pet cat. P. multocida infection has been increasing recently. One of the reasons is a pet boom. In order to prevent acquiring the infection from a pet animal, we should have knowledge about this infection, advise the patient to avoid close contact with pets, and provide valuable information concerning these problems to society from the viewpoint of zoonosis.

For the differential diagnosis of tumors, we studied the internal echo histograms of 20 head and neck tumors with a 7.5MHz probe; the width of the histograms was of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% frequency and the echo level was of maximum shades of grey.1) An analysis of the width of the histograms showed three patterns: mountain type with a narrow base for normal tissue, mountain type with a wide base for benign tumors and bell type with wide base and sides for malignant tumors.2) There was no statistically significant difference in the echo level of the maximum shades of grey between benign and malignant tumors.

Several reports on biofeedback training and therapy for intractable tinnitus have recently been published, and most of them note that biofeedback training is a useful method of relieving patients.Biofeedback training and therapy were applied to 6 patients. It was definitely effective in 3 patients, but less effective in 2. The sixth patient had dropped out. Biofeedback therapy is likely to be less effective deppressed persons.

The number of facial fractures has increased during the past several years.We have routinely treated facial fractures with open reduction and direct fixation. We obtained good results using a metal plate for patients with zygomatic fracture and a Kirshner wire for those with LeFort type fracture.

The changes of the neurotransmitter (GABA) distribution in the brain stem of rats by retroauricular galvanic stimulation were investigated using the immunohistochemical method. In the lateral vestibular nucleus GABA-like immunoreactivity was more intensive on the side ipsilateral to the anodal stimulation than on the other side. It is concluded that retroauricular galvanic stimulation causes some changes in the inhibitory activity of the lateral vestibulo-spinal tract and of the spinal motor neuron.

While the histologic progression from low-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) to intermediate- or high-grade NHL has been well documented, a rare phenomenon called downgrading in which the histologic conversion of a low-grade NHL occurs after treatment for intermediate- or high-grade NHL has recently been recognized. We report the clinical, immunologic, and genetic features of a patient with a diffuse NHL (intermediate grade) who initially achieved complete remission by both chemotherapy and radiation therapy and then presented with a follicular NHL (low grade) 14 years later. The immunohistochemical study of the lymphoma cells showed B lymphocytes in biopsied lymph nodes at both the initial and the second diagnosis. However, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the immunoglobulin gene rearrangement indicated that the clone of the initial intermediate-grade NHL showed monoclonal cell population, and was distinct from that of the second downgraded form. Given the PCR results and the clinical features, we suggest that a follicular NHL can occur as a secondary malignancy following combined therapy for a diffuse NHL.

The long and short axes of utricular maculae were measured to calculate growth curves using an ocular micrometer under stereomicroscope. The mean lengths of the long and short axes on the 6th incubation day were 0.06 mm and 0.05 mm, respectively. Thereafter: 1.00 mm and 0.74 mm on the 11th incubation day; 1.34 mm and 1.03 mm on the 15th incubation day; and on hatching 1.51 mm and 1.07 mm, respectively. The surface structure, particularly the otoconia and the sensory hairs of the utricular maculae, on the 4.5th incubation day to the 7th post-hatching day of White Leghorn chicks were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A number of microvilli and primary cilium on the inner surface of the otocyst were found between the 4.5th and the 5th incubation day. Immature sensory hairs appeared on the 5th incubation day. The polarity of the sensory hairs became evident on and after the 9th incubation day. Mature sensory hairs were seen all over the utricular maculae between the 1st and the 3rd post-hatching day. Mature sensory hairs were mainly seen near the striola, and immature ones peripherally. Then, the various forms in the maturation phase of sensory hairs were seen between the striola and the periphery. These arrangements suggest some process of maturity from the peripheral region to the central striola region. Immature otoconia were first seen on the 6th incubation day. Mature otoconia were recognized on and after the 11th incubation day, and they were observed on the whole surface of the utricular maculae. Global substances on the macula with a rough surface and spongy structure were observed suggesting otoconial precursors transforming themselves into otoconial crystals.

We studied 15 parotid gland tumors by ultrasonography using 7.5MHz probe with respect to boundary echo, internal echo, posterior echo, and shape. Abnormality of the boundary echo and internal echo was considered to be important findings for differentiating benign and malignant tumors.Based on the findings of the boundary echo and internal echo in the ultrasonogram, we propose criteria for the differential diagnosis of the parotid gland tumors.