Foreign bodies of the upper aerodigestive tract in the pediatric population are a common occurrence. However, despite significant advances in prevention, first aid and endoscopic technology, they remain a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Early diagnosis is the key to successful and uncomplicated management of these accidents. An orderly and systematic approach to these patients including a careful history, physical exam and radiographic studies is detailed in this review.

Lung cancer could be developed through a series of morphological changes from dysplasia to carcinoma in situ and then invasive cancer. However, precancerous lesions are generally a few cell layers thick and are detected only by chance. Autofluorescence bronchoscopy(AFB) is one of the newly developed diagnostic tools to detect the pre-cancerous lesions m the bronchial tissue. Several studies have shown that AFB improved the rate of detection of cancer and dysplastic lesions of the airway, especially those in intraepithelial stage. However, there were high rates of false positive with AFB, and it is also important to develop non-biopsy methods because of lack of accurate information of variable course of preneoplastic lesions regarding progression. So, many other technologies were developed, such as narrow band imaging(NBI), endobronchoscopic ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, and confocal fluorescence microendoscopy. Among the new machines, NBI is a new optical technology that can clearly visualize the microvascular structure m the mucosal layer. NBI seems to increase specificity without compromising sensitivity. In the future such techniques would make it possible to precisely study in detail the natural history of the premalignant epithelium.

Background : Controversy exists whether patients with esophageal carcinoma are best managed with classical Ivor Lewis esophagectomy(ILO) as combined thoracic and abdominal approach or transhiatal esophagectomy(THO). The THO approach is known to be superior with respect to operative time, morbidity and mortality, and length of stay, especially at poor pulmonary function patient, but may represent an inferior cancer operation due to inadequate mediastinal clearance compared with ILO. Accordingly, we estimated the THO role at esophageal cancer to compare each operative approach. Material and Method : From January 2002 to December 2007, we performed a retrospective review of all esophagectomies performed at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center; 36 underwent THO, and 11 underwent ILO. Result : There were all men and squamous cell carcinoma but 1 woman at ILO group, 2 women at THO group. There were no significant differences between THO and ILO with age, sex, location of tumor, mean tumor length. There were significant differences at preoperative pulmonary function test(In ILO group, average FEV1 is $2.65{\pm}0.6\;L/min$ and iIn THO group, average FEV1 is $2.07{\pm}0.7\;L/min$). The amount of blood transfusion, hospital stay, leak rates and respiratory complication, hospital mortality rate were not significantly different. Conclusion : There was no significant difference in the post-operative complication, hospital mortality rate, long-term survival of patients of both operative method. THO method had lower mobidity and mortality at poor pulmonary function patient than ILO method. Hence, THO is a valid alternative to ILO for patients with poor general condition or expected post-operative respiratory complication.

Background and Objectives : Obstructive laryngeal cancers have to be managed with tracheostomy, which has been reported with increased local or stomal recurrence. Stomal recurrence after treatment of laryngeal cancer is one of the most serious issues in the management of laryngeal cancer. Prognosis of locally advanced laryngeal cancer in patients with previous tracheostomy is evaluated. Materials and Methods : Between 1996 and 2007, 174 patients with previously untreated advanced laryngeal cancer(stage III, IV) were enrolled. Overall survival(OS) and disease specific survival(DSS) according to the presence of previous tracheostomy were compared. OS and DSS of the groups with different duration from tracheostomy to treatment were compared. Results : Among 174 patients with advanced laryngeal cancer, previous tracheostomy was performed in 24 patients. Of 24 patients, there were stomal recurrences in 5 patients. DSS of previous tracheostomy group and that of the other group were statistically different(p=0.001). There was statistical significant difference between OS of groups which start treatment more than 14 days after tracheostomy and within 14 days(p=0.03). Conclusions : If possible, Previous tracheostomy should be avoided and if it is inevitable, the elective treatment should be recommended at least within 2 weeks.

Purpose : To evaluate the treatment outcome for patients with locally advanced, unresectable esophageal cancer treated with relatively high dose radiation therapy(RT). Materials and Methods : From January 2000 to December 2008, 32 patients with locally advanced unresectable or medically inoperable esophageal cancer were treated with radiation therapy(RT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Ten patients were excluded from analysis because of distant metastasis and drop off. Patient distributions according to AJCC stages II, III IVa were 7(31.8%), 12(54.6%), 3(13.6%) respectively. The locations of tumor were cervical/upper thorax 3 (13.6%), mid thorax 13(59.1%), and lower thorax/abdominal 6(27.3%), respectively. Eleven patients received RT only, and 11 patients received cisplatin based concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT). Median radiation dose was 65 Gy(range 57.6~72 Gy). Results : The median follow-up was 9.1 months(range 1.9~43.8 months). The response rates for complete response, Partial response, stable disease and Persistent disease were 6(27.3%), 11(50.0%), 4(18.2%) and 1(4.5%), respectively. Two patients(9.1%) suffered from esophageal stenosis and stents were inserted. Two patients(9.1%) had Grade 3 radiation pneumonitis and one of them expired due to acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) at 36 days after completion of radiation therapy. The recurrence rate was 11(50.0%). The patterns of recurrence were persistent disease and local progression in 5(22.7%), local recurrence 3(13.7%) and concomitant local and distant recurrence in 3(13.7%). The overall survival(OS) rate was 32.1% at 2 years and 21.4% at 3 years(median 12.0 months). Disease free survival(DFS) rate was 17.3% at 2 and 3 years. All patients who had no dysphagia at diagnosis showed complete response after treatment and 100% OS at 3 years(p=0.0041). The OS for above 64.8 Gy group and 64.8 Gy or below group at 3 years were 60.6% and 9.1%(p=0.1341). The response to treatment was the only significant factor affecting OS(p=0.004). Conclusion : Relatively high dose radiation therapy in unresectable esophageal cancer tended to have a better outcome without increased complication rate. Further study with more patients is warranted to justify improved result.

Background and Objectives : Peritonsillar abscess is one of the most common illnesses m the ENT field, though its prevalence has been drastically reduced with the development of antibiotics and appropriate early treatment. We analyzed recent clinical characteristics of peritonsillar abscess and compared them with ones of 7 and 14 years ago respectively. Materials and Methods : Sixty-six cases of peritonsillar abscess from 2006 through 2008 were investigated retrospectively and compared with results of 7 and 14 years ago on various clinical factors. Results : Peritonsillar abscess was prevalent in men in their 20s and 30s. Mean period from symptom onset to visit to hospital tended to decrease(5.2 days) but admission days has increased(7.4 days). Body temperature on admission was lower than that of previous studies($36.4^{\circ}C$). Bacteria were isolated in 26 cases(74.2%) out of 35 cases in which culture had been performed. The most common cultured organism was a-hemolytic streptococcus and $\beta$-hemolytic streptococcus that had been most frequently cultured 14 years ago wasn't detected in this study. Conclusion : We found some changes of clinical features in peritonsillar abscess when compared with previous researches. Although there were some differences in cultured organism, antibiotics used commonly-cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, quinolone - were still effective for their eradication.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis(DNM) can occur as a complication of oropharyngeal and cervical infections that spread to the mediastinum via the cervical spaces. Delayed diagnosis and inadequate mediastinal drainage through a cervical or minor thoracic approach are the primary causes of a high mortality rate. Therefore, We emphasize that aggressive and emergent mediastinal drainage by surgical approach is most important method of DNM treatment. We studied 5cases diagnosed as DNM from 2005 through 2007. All patients underwent emergent surgical drainage of deep neck infection combined with mediastinal drainage through a thoracic approach. Primary oropharyngeal infection lead to DNM in four cases(80%) and odontogenic abscess in one case(20%). The outcomes were favorable 5patients. Overall mortality rate was 0%. The time interval from diagnosis based on manifestation of initial symptoms(oral or pharyngolaryngeal area) to surgical intervention was $7.4{\pm}4.2$days. One patient required reoperation due to remnant mediastinal abscess and pericardial effusion. Early diagnosis and emergent combined drainage with neck and chest incisions, together with broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics, should be considered standard care for this disease. And intensive postoperative care which it is continuous mediastinal irrigation and antibiotics use can significantly reduce the mortality rate.

Myxoma is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm that can occur in the head and neck. Laryngeal myxoma is extremely rare and easily confused with a laryngeal polyp. The common clinical presentation is hoarseness, dysphonia, dyspnea and dysphagia depending on their size and location. Treatment for laryngeal myxoma is complete surgical excision with surrounding normal tissue. To our knowledge, 11 laryngeal myxomas have been reported in the English literature, and all patients except only 1 case were male. We report the second female case of myxoma on a vocal cord with a review of literature.

기관지내 평활근종은 기관지의 폐쇄정도에 따라 호흡곤란, 기침, 천명 등의 다양한 증세를 동반하며 그 증상이나 폐쇄정도가 경미할 경우 흉부 X-선 검사에서는 이상소견이 관찰되지 않을수도 있다. 따라서 폐렴이나 천식 등의 치료를 하다가 뒤늦게 발견되는 경우가 있는데 이 경우 반복적인 폐쇄성 폐렴과 폐농양, 기관지 확장증 등의 비가역적인 폐손상이 유발되며, 이는 전폐 절제술 등의 치료를 요하기도 한다. 따라서 무엇보다도 기관지내 평활근종의 치료 목표는, 증상에 따른 기관지내 병변의 의심과 기관지경에 의한 정확한 조기 진단과 보존적 수술, 내시경적 치료에 의해 비가역적인 폐손상을 방지하고 폐기능을 최대한 유지하는 것이다. 본 증례는 항생제 치료에 반응하지 않는 지속적인 폐렴으로 전원되어 온 환자에서 기관지경시행 후 기관지내 평활근종을 진단한 경우로, 이와 같은 경우 기관지내 병변의 가능성에 대해 반드시 고려하고 조기에 기관지경을 시행하여 정확한 진단을 하는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다고 하겠다.

A 57 year old human immune virus(HIV)-positive male presented with a progressive dyspnea for 6 months. Chest CT showed multiple polypoid masses arising from upper tracheal wall. Bronchoscopic examination revealed that multiple large cauliflower-like polypoid tumors was obstructing tracheal lumen. They were diagnosed as multiple squamous papillomas and were removed by Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation and rigid bronchoscopic treatment. The tumors were histologically diagnosed as squamous papilloma infected with human papilloma virus(HPV) type 6 and 11 in in-situ hybridization. Rigid bronchoscopy might be safer and more efficient than flexible bronchoscopy for the treatment of multiple tracheal papillomatosis obstructing tracheal lumen because of easy establishment of airway patency and direct use of rigid bronchoscope itself for tumor resection.

Esophageal diverticulum is a rare entity, the true incidence of which is unknown, mainly because there are usually no clinical symptoms. Most esophageal diverticulum are found incidentally during an endoscopic or radiologic examination. Their classification is based on anatomical location; namely, upper third(Zenker or pharyngoesophageal), middle third(thoracic), or lower third(epiphrenic). Here we report a 52-years-old female presenting with dysphagia and regurgitation. Esophagogram showed esophageal diveticulum at lower cervical esophagus. Its positional aspect, it is different from Zenker's diveticulum. Treatment is surgical via an endoscopic or external approach. In view of the patient's age and anatomical location, various surgical approaches were considered as a therapeutic option for the management. This paper presents our experience in the management of esophageal diverticulum which was unusual location and stapled open resection without sternotomy.