• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.397-404
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• 2022

Background Excessive use of corticosteroids therapy along with gross immunocompromised conditions in the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised the risks of contracting opportunistic fungal infections. Here, we describe our experience with the implementation of a surgical protocol to treat and reconstruct rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. Methods A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database was conducted on consecutive patients diagnosed with mucormycosis undergoing immediate reconstruction utilizing our "Mucormycosis Management Protocol." All patients included in this study underwent reconstruction after recovering from COVID-19. Wide local excision was performed in all cases removing all suspected and edematous tissue. Reconstruction was done primarily after clear margins were achieved on clinical assessment under a cover of injectable liposomal amphotericin B. Results Fourteen patients were included. The average age was 43.6 years and follow-up was 24.3 days. Thirteen patients had been admitted for inpatient care of COVID-19. Steroid therapy was implemented for 2 weeks in 11 patients and for 3 weeks in 3 patients. Eight patients (57.1%) had a maxillectomy and mucosal lining resection with/without skin excision, and six patients (42.8%) underwent maxillectomy and wide tissue excision (maxillectomy and partial zygomatic resection, orbital exenteration, orbital floor resection, nose debridement, or skull base debridement). Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps were used to cover defects in all patients. All flaps survived. No major or minor complications occurred. No recurrence of mucormycosis was noted. Conclusion The approach presented in this study indicates that immediate reconstruction is safe and reliable in cases when appropriate tissue resection is accomplished. Further studies are required to verify the external validity of these findings.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2021

Intraosseous hemangioma is a rare, benign vascular tumor of endothelial origin. It accounts for fewer than 1% of all hemangiomas, and very rarely occurs in the face. Intraosseous hemangioma usually presents as an asymptomatic lesion, but symptoms can occur due to the mass effect. The authors describe a case of intraosseous hemangioma of the zygoma with a review of the relevant literature. A 44-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of painless swelling on the left zygomatic region that had been slowly growing for the past year. On physical examination, a hard, non-movable mass in a deep layer was palpated. On computed tomography performed to evaluate its layers and extent, trabeculation was found inside the mass, but the lack of destruction of the surrounding bone suggested that the mass was benign. Complete surgical excision was performed under local anesthesia. After complete excision of the mass, slight erosions remained on the cortical bone of the zygoma, but because it was small enough not to cause a facial deformity such as depression or asymmetry, no additional reconstructive procedure was performed. There were no symptoms or recurrence during a 8-month follow-up period.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which accounts for approximately 90% of oral cancers, has a high rate of local recurrence and a poor prognosis despite improvements in treatment. Exosomes released from OSCC cells promote cell proliferation and metastasis. Although it is clear that the biogenesis of exosomes is mediated by the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, the gene expression pattern of ESCRT, depending on the cell type, remains elusive. The exosomal release from the human OSCC cell lines, HSC-3 and HSC-4, and their corresponding gefitinib-resistant sub-cell lines, HSC-3/GR and HSC-4/GR, was assessed by western blot and flow cytometry. The levels of ESCRT machinery proteins, including Hrs, Tsg101, and Alix, and whole-cell ubiquitination were evaluated by western blot. We observed that the basal level of exosomal release was higher in HSC-3/GR and HSC-4/GR cells than in HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells, respectively. Long-term gefitinib exposure of each cell line and its corresponding gefitinib-resistant sub-cell line differentially induced the expression of the ESCRT machinery. Furthermore, whole-cell ubiquitination and autophagic flux were shown to be increased in gefitinib-treated HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells. Our data indicate that the expression patterns of the ESCRT machinery genes are differentially regulated by the characteristics of cells, such as intracellular energy metabolism. Therefore, the expression patterns of the ESCRT machinery should be considered as a key factor to improve the treatment strategy for OSCC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.579-588
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• 2023

Sarcomas are rare and heterogeneous mesenchymal neoplasms originating from the bone or soft tissues, which pose significant treatment challenges. The current standard treatment for sarcomas consists of surgical resection, often combined with chemo- and radiotherapy; however, local recurrence and metastasis remain significant concerns. Although immunotherapy has demonstrated promise in improving long-term survival rates for certain cancers, sarcomas are generally considered to be relatively less immunogenic than other tumors, presenting substantial challenges for effective immunotherapy. In this review, we examine the possible opportunities for sarcoma immunotherapy, noting cancer testis antigens expressed in sarcomas. We then cover the current status of immunotherapies in sarcomas, including progress in cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and adoptive cellular therapy and their potential in combating these tumors. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations of immunotherapies in sarcomas, including a low tumor mutation burden and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and explore potential strategies to tackle the immunosuppressive barriers in therapeutic interventions, shedding light on the development of effective and personalized treatments for sarcomas. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current status and potential of immunotherapies in sarcoma treatment, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for developing effective therapies to improve the outcomes of patients with these rare malignancies.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.137-143
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• 2023

Purpose: Autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) is indicated for patients with a large osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT), accompanying subchondral cyst, and the failure of bone marrow stimulation (BMS) procedures. Despite the many reports on the clinical results of surgical treatment for medial osteochondral lesions, those of lateral lesions are rare. This paper reports the intermediate-term clinical outcomes after AOT for lateral OLTs. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with lateral OLTs were followed up for at least three years after AOT. The clinical evaluations comprised the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). The radiographic assessment included the irregularity of the articular surface (subchondral plate), the progression of degenerative arthritis, and the changes in talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation. Results: The mean FAOS and FAAM scores improved significantly from 42.1 to 89.5 and 39.5 to 90.6 points, respectively, at the final follow-up (p<0.001). The radiological evaluation revealed two cases (9.5%) of articular step-off ≥2 mm and 1 case (4.8%) of progressive arthritis. The mean talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation improved significantly. As postoperative complications, there was one case of a local wound problem, one case of superficial peroneal nerve injury, and one case of donor site morbidity. At a mean follow-up of 62.3 months, no patient showed a recurrence of instability or required reoperation for OLT. Conclusion: AOT for the lateral OLTs demonstrated satisfactory intermediate-term clinical outcomes, including daily and sports activity abilities. Most OLT could be accessed through lateral ligament division and capsulotomy, and the incidence of iatrogenic complications, such as recurrent sprains or chronic instability, was minimal. AOT appears to be an effective and relatively safe treatment for patients with large lateral osteochondral lesions unresponsive to conservative therapy, with subchondral cysts, or with failed primary BMS.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2024

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a commonly occurring benign tumor originating in the salivary glands. The incidence is mostly in the parotid glands (85%) followed by minor salivary glands (10%). Pleomorphic adenoma from minor salivary glands of the lips is a rare neoplasm. Here, we present a case of a patient with PA in the upper lip, reporting a common neoplasm in a rare site. A 82-year-old male with a slowly progressing swelling that occurred 20years ago on the upper white lip. This tumor is not associated with pain and tenderness. The mass was about 1.5x1.5cm sized, circumscribed, sessile and firm on the external upper lip without oral side bulging (Fig. 1). The tumor was removed completely with a elliptical incision under local anesthesia. The encapsulated mass was measured 0.9x0.9x0.6cm. On histology, a well-circumscribed growth was seen comprising epithelial and stromal components. The epithelial component formed glandular structures lined by round-to oval cells having small nuclei, pink cytoplasm and myoepithelial basal cell layer while the stroma had a fibromyxoid appearance(Fig. 2). Postoperatively wound was well healed without recurrence after 6months. Pleomorphic adenoma of the upper lip is a rare neoplasm, especially not intraoral growth. For aesthetic good result, the mass was removed without hesitation. It is required a high index of suspicion and a long-term follow-up because it could recur and rarely be transformed into malignancy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2024

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma, with an incidence of about 0.8% to 5% per million people per year, accounting for 1% of soft tissue sarcomas. In its early stage, DFSP is typically found as a violet or pinkish macule or patch, and it can develop into a palpable mass with ulceration or bleeding. The standard treatment for DFSP is wide local excision of the tumor with a 2- to 3-cm negative margin, and radiation therapy or chemotherapy can be conducted with surgical treatment. A 35-year-old man had a palpable mass on the left side of his occipital scalp without color change, ulceration, or bleeding, which typically are present in malignancy. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a 3-cm homogenous enhanced mass without adhesion between the scalp and the mass. Unexpectedly, a biopsy revealed the round mass to be DFSP. A wide excision and rotation of the scalp flap were performed. The patient recovered without any complications and received adjuvant radiotherapy at a dose of 60 Gray (Gy) for six weeks. There was no recurrence through six months of follow-up. Here we report this unique case of DFSP with atypical presentation.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.34.1-34.8
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• 2023

Background: Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic substance that humans can be exposed to occupationally, and cases of hydrogen sulfide poisoning of workers in industrial sites are commonly reported. However, there have been no cases of poisoning of the public due to an unauthorized discharge of wastewater, so it is important to describe this incident. Case presentation: In a small village in Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea, accounts of a terrible stench had been reported. A 26-year-old man who lived and worked in a foul-smelling area was taken to the emergency room with a headache, dizziness, nausea, and repeated syncope. A subsequent police and Ministry of Environment investigation determined that the cause of the stench was the unauthorized discharge of 9 tons of wastewater containing hydrogen sulfide through a stormwater pipe while the villagers were sleeping. The patient had no previous medical history or experience of symptoms. Leukocytes and cardiac markers were elevated, an electrocardiogram indicated biatrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy, and corrected QT interval prolongation. Myocardial hypertrophy was detected on a chest computed tomography scan, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was confirmed on echocardiography. After hospitalization, cardiac marker concentrations declined, symptoms improved, and the patient was discharged after 7 days of hospitalization. There was no recurrence of symptoms after discharge. Conclusions: We suspect that previously unrecognized heart disease manifested or was aggravated in this patient due to exposure to hydrogen sulfide. Attention should be paid to the possibility of unauthorized discharge of hydrogen sulfide, etc., in occasional local incidents and damage to public health. In the event of such an accident, it is necessary to have government guidelines in place to investigate health impact and follow-up clinical management of exposed residents.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.194-202
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Endoscopic therapy for neoplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) has become the standard of care over the past two decades. In clinical practice, we regularly encounter patients who fail to achieve complete squamous epithelialization of the esophagus. Although the therapeutic strategies in the individual stages of BE, dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma are well studied and largely standardized, the problem of inadequate healing after endoscopic therapy is only marginally considered. This study aimed to shed light on the variables influencing inadequate wound healing after endoscopic therapy and the effect of bile acid sequestrants (BAS) on healing. Methods: Retrospective analysis of endoscopically treated neoplastic BE in a single referral center. Results: In 12.1% out of 627 patients, insufficient healing was present 8 to 12 weeks after previous endoscopic therapy. The average follow-up duration was 38.8±18.4 months. Complete healing was achieved in 13 patients already after intensifying proton pump inhibitor therapy. Out of 48 patients under BAS, 29 patients (60.4%) showed complete healing. An additional eight patients (16.7%) improved, but only partial healing was achieved. Eleven (22.9%) patients showed no response to BAS augmented therapy. Conclusions: In cases of insufficient healing even under exhaustion of proton pump inhibitors, treatment with BAS can be an option as an ultimate healing attempt.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 2023

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a rare benign tumor of unknown etiology that can occur in almost any organ system. It has neoplastic features such as local recurrence, invasive growth, and vascular invasion, leading to the possibility of malignant sarcomatous changes. The clinical presentations of colonic IPT may include abdominal pain, anemia, a palpable mass, and intestinal obstruction. A few cases of colonic IPT have been reported, but colonic IPT with pedunculated morphology is very rare. Furthermore, since it can mimic malignant polyps, understanding the endoscopic findings of colonic IPT is important for proper treatment. Herein, we present a case of colonic IPT with pseudosarcomatous changes, presenting as a large polyp, mimicking a malignant polyp in the cecum, along with a literature review.