• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.525-534
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• 2019

Background In microtia patients with bilateral hearing impairment, hearing improvement is crucial for language development and performance. External auditory canal reconstruction (EACR) has been performed to improve hearing, but often results in complications. We performed transcutaneous bone conduction implant (TBCI) surgery in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TBCI surgery. Methods A retrospective review was performed of five patients who underwent auricular reconstruction and TBCI surgery and 12 patients who underwent EACR between March 2007 and August 2018. Hearing improvement was measured based on the air-bone gap values using pure-tone audiometry over a 6-week postoperative period. We reviewed other studies on hearing improvement using EACR and compared the findings with our results. The surgical techniques for TBCI were reviewed through case analyses. Results Postoperative hearing outcomes showed a significant improvement, with a mean gain of 34.1 dB in the TBCI cohort and 14.1 dB in the EACR cohort. Both gains were statistically significant; however, the TBCI cohort showed much larger gains. Only three of the 12 patients who underwent EACR achieved hearing gains of more than 20 dB, which is consistent with previous studies. All patients who underwent TBCI surgery demonstrated hearing gains of more than 20 dB and experienced no device-related complications. Conclusions TBCI is a safe and effective method of promoting hearing gains in microtia patients with bilateral hearing impairment. TBCI surgery provided better hearing outcomes than EACR and could be performed along with various auricular reconstruction techniques using virgin mastoid skin.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.297-299
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• 2013

Traumatic asphyxia, also called 'Perthes syndrome', is characterized by subconjunctival hemorrhage, cervicofacialpetechiae and cyanosis resulting from venous hypertension caused by an abrupt, severe, compressive force to the thoracoabdominal region. A 37-year-old male patient who was transferred to the emergency room due to chest trauma by overturning of a forkcrane. His head, neck, and shoulders showed severe ecchymosis, and his upper chest was cyanotic. There was bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage and bilateral ear bleeding without tympanic rupture. Perthes syndrome is a rare condition and we treated a patient with typical and atypical symptoms; thus we report this case of Perthes syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2009

Wide excision for curative treatment of malignant tumor on periauricular area often leads to loss of the external ear. But the auricle has rich vascular supply, Conservation of auricular contour is possible through salvage and engineering of remained auricular tissue. We experienced two cases of auricular salvage after wide excision of malignant tumor. In the first case, we performed two-staged technique. In first step, we covered soft tissue defect on periauricualr area with the anterolateral thigh free flap and remained auricle was floating over the flap after split-thickness skin graft was applied on it's posterior raw surface because it's survival was not confirmed. Second step was reposition of remained auricule on the anterolateral thigh flap. In the second case, we packed in periauricular dead space and external auditory canal with temoporalis muscle and temporoparietal fascial flap and then covered the flap with split thickness skin graft. In these two cases, there were no recurrence of tumors and we obtained cosmetically & functionally satisfactory results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2005

Defect on the temporal area caused by, surgical ablation of a tumor or an infection should be reconstructed immediately to prevent potentially life-threatening complications such as meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The defect on the temporal area usually presents as a typical 'cone-shape'. Successful reconstruction requires sufficient volume of well-vascularized soft tissue to cover the exposed bone and dura. From 1994 through 2003, the authors applied rectus abdominis free flap for the reconstruction of the temporal defect from 1994 through 2003. There were 10 patients with a mean age of 52.1 years. Of these 10 patients, external auditory canal cancer was present in four patients, temporal bone cancer in two, parotid gland cancer in one and three patients were reconstructed after debridement of infection(destructive chronic otitis media). All the free flaps survived, and flap-related complications did not occur. Compared to a local flap, the rectus abdominis free flap can provide sufficient volume of well-vascularized tissue to cover the large defect and can be well-tolerated during an adjuvant radiation therapy. The long and flat muscle can be easily molded to fit in to the 'cone-shape' temporal defect without dead space. It is also preferred because of the low donor site morbidity, a large skin island and an excellent vascular pedicle. Two-team approach without position change is possible. In conclusion, the authors think that rectus abdominis free flap should be considered as one of the most useful method for the reconstruction of a cone-shaped temporal defect.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.84-87
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• 2011

Branchio-otic syndrome(BOS) is a relatively uncommon genetic malformation associated with dysmorphogenesis of the first and second branchial arches and is characterized by branchial fistulae, congenital preauricular fistulae, and anomalies of the pinnae, external, middle, and inner ears, accompanied by hearing loss. Recently, we experienced a case of BOS in a 10 years old female patient and report this case with a review of literature. 10-year-old girl presented with hearing impairment, bilateral preauricular fistula and cervical fistula. The pure tone audiometry revealed that she had 60dB sensorineural hearing loss on right side and 90dB mixed hearing loss on left. Bilateral branchial fistula was found on the neck CT scan and bilateral ossicular and cochlear abnormality combined with enlarged internal auditory canal was noted on the temporal bone CT scan. To investigate the association with EYA1 gene, we performed DNA sequncing with peripheral white blood cell and found the point mutations on Exon 7, 12 and 16 of EYA1 gene. The preauricular fistula and branchial fistula was excised surgically and hearing aid was applied on her left side. There was no sign of fistula recurrence for seven years after the surgery.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.188-192
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• 2020

The most common forms of nonmelanocytic skin cancer (NMSC) are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The growing incidence of skin cancer in the Republic of Korea has sparked increasing scientific interest in these types of tumors. In the case described herein, multiple NMSCs occurred asynchronously in various areas of the body in a single patient. A 67-year-old man presented with an ulcerative lesion on the right retro-auricle and multiple keratinized masses on the back and face. The right retro-auricular lesion was diagnosed as BCC, and the keratinized masses on the patient's back and face were diagnosed as SCC. He subsequently presented with numerous pigmented skin lesions on the forehead, temple, pre-auricle, neck, right forearm, right hand, and both thighs. One lesion on the neck was diagnosed as BCC, and five lesions on the right hand and forearm were diagnosed as SCC. The patient was also diagnosed with supraglottic SCC and external auditory canal SCC. An otolaryngologist performed radical excision of the primary SCC. Suspected skin cancer lesions observed on the face and both ears were diagnosed as SCC. Patients with multiple NMSCs are at an elevated risk for additional skin cancers, making periodic follow-up important; furthermore, all suspicious lesions should be biopsied.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.64-66
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• 2019

Cutibacterium acnes is a member of normal flora of human skin, conjunctiva, intestinal tract, the external auditory canal as well as oral cavity. It has been identified as an opportunistic pathogen related to acne vulagris, endocarditis infections, sarcoidosis, brain abscess, periodontitis, and osteomyelitis of the humerus. C. acnes KCOM 1315 (= ChDC KB81) was isolated from a human jaw osteomyelitis lesion. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of C. acnes KCOM 1315.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.263-268
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• 1992

Involvement of the facial nerve(herpes zoster oticus, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome) is a rather common clinical syndrome. It begins with unilateral ear pain, followed shortly by a peripheral facial palsy. Paresis or paralysis may affect the muscles of facial expression, which also close the eyelids. The levator palpebrae which is innervated by the 5th cranial nerve is spared, so the eye may remain open. The rash is usually confined to the tympanic membrane and the external auditory canal. It may spread to involve the outer surface of the lobe of the ear, anterior pillar or the fauces and mastoid. There also may be a loss of taste in the anterior two thirds of tongue. At time, the auditory nerve involvement produces tinnitus, deafness and vertigo. The 5th, 8th and 10th nerves and even the upper cervical spinal nerve can be involved presumedly on the base of spread of the infective process along anastomotic connections between the facial nerve. The facial paralysis is identical to that of Bells palsy. Frequently the recovery of facial nerve function is incomplete, leaving the patient with some residual facial weak ness. We experienced 2 cases of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. The first patients, 55 year old male, visited our pain clinic on the day when his left facial nerve start to paralyze. We injected 6 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine into his left stellate ganglion 15 times. TENS was also applicated simultaneously. His facial paralysis was recovered completely 3 weeks after treatment without any complications. Another one, 53 year old male, visited us 7 weeks after onset of facial paralysis. He has been treated conventional oriental method(acupuncture, massage, warm application, etc). But the degree of his left facial paralysis didn't improve at all He has been treating with SGB 50 times and TENS for 2 months. Temporal and zygomatic branch of his left facial nerve recovered nearly completely but buccal and mandibular branch did not recover completely. We are willing to insist on the early treatment is the best choice in managing of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2010

Purpose: The clinical utility of brain computed tomography (CT) in detecting temporal bone fracture is not well established. We performed this study to determine the utility of brain computed tomography (CT) in detecting fractures of the temporal bones in correlation with fracture patterns. We used high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) as the gold standard for diagnosing temporal bone fracture and its pattern. Methods: From January 2007 to December 2009, patients who underwent both brain CT and HRCT within 10 days of head trauma were investigated. Among them, 58 cases of temporal bone fracture confirmed by HRCT were finally included. Fracture patterns (transverse or non-transverse, otic capsule sparing or otic capsule violating) were determined by HRCT. Brain CT findings in correlation with fracture patterns were analyzed. Results: Among 58 confirmed cases of temporal bone fracture by HRCT, 14 cases (24.1%) were not detected by brain CT. Brain CT showed a significantly lower ability to detect temporal bone fracture with transverse component than without transverse component (p=0.020). Moreover, brain CT showed lower ability to detect otic capsule violating pattern than otic capsule sparing pattern (p=0.015). Among the 14 cases of temporal bone fracture that were not detected by brain CT, 4 cases lacked any objective physical findings (facial palsy, hemotympanum, external auditory canal bleeding) suggesting fractures of the temporal bones. Conclusion: Brain CT showed poor ability to detect temporal bone fracture with transverse component and otic capsule violating pattern, which is associated with a poorer clinical outcome than otic capsule sparing pattern. Routine use of HRCT to identify temporal bone fracture is warranted, even in cases without evidence of temporal bone fracture on brain CT scans or any objective physical findings suggestive of temporal bone fracture.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 1992

Branchial apparatus anomaly is rarely encountered congenital neck disease, it presents a palpable non-tender mass or fistulous opening existed at any site from external auditory canal or mandible angle to lower part of neck We have reviewed the records of 50 patients operated upon for branchial cleft anomaly, at Department of Surgery, Inje University Hospital, between 1981 and 1990, and the following results were obtained. I) In the classificiation of branchial cleft anomaly, first branchial fistula was 1 case, second branchial cyst 32 cases, second branchial sinus 11 cases, second branchial fistula 5 cases and third branchial fistula 1 case. 2) There were 20 men and 30 women in this series and male to female ratio was 2:3. 3) The age at first clinical presentation was 1st decade 15 cases, 2nd decade 10 cases, 3rd decade 17 cases, 4th decade 5 cases and 5th decade 3 cases. The peak age incidence was 3rd decade in overall, but the cyst was most common in 2nd decade, and majority of sinus or fistula was seen below 10 years old age. 4) The prevalent side of this anomaly was right side in 19 cases, left side in 29 cases and bilateral 2 cases, and so left side was more common than right. 5) The clinical presentation was characterized by the lesion along anterior border of sternocleido muscle, non-tender palpable mass were 28 cases, drainage sinus 18 cases, recurrent abscess and drainage 5 cases and intermittent ear discharge 1 case. 6) The mean size of cyst was about 4cm that containing turbid white-yellowish fluid but discharge from sinus or fistula was clear mucoid. 7) The culture of cyst fluid was no bacteria, but 2 cases showed staphyloccoci suggesting secondary infection. 8) The surgical procedure were complete excision of cyst 32 cases, sinus excision 11 cases, fistula excision 6 cases and I&D 1 case. And the recurrent 1 case was that fistula tract could not be identified due to severe scar from previous several operations.