Localization of aquaporins, water channel proteins, in the mouse eustachian tube.

Conclusion: Immunolocalization of the subtypes of water channel proteins, aquaporins (AQPs), was detected in the mouse eustachian tube (ET). AQPs are located continuously from the serous glands and the capillary vessels to the luminal side in the ET epithelium and may play an important role in the transportation of water to the surface of the ET lumen through the epithelium.

Objectives: Although the water supply to the surface of the ET lumen is considered to be essential for closing of the ET, the pathway of the water in the ET is not fully understood.

Natural killer cell lymphoma of the parotid gland.

The majority of all parotid lymphomas are of the non-Hodgkin type and of B-cell origin. Primary natural killer cell lymphomas of the parotid gland are extremely rare. We present a case of natural killer cell lymphoma in a 34-year-old woman.

Orbital apex syndrome caused by sphenoethmoid mucocele.

We report a rare case of complete orbital apex syndrome due to sphenoethmoid mucocele. A 61-year-old male presented with a 3-day-history of right-sided sudden proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, and visual loss. Computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass measuring 25-mm in diameter of the right sphenoethmoid region.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland.

We report a rare case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) of the parotid gland. A 70-year-old man presented with a 4-months-history of right-sided subauricular swelling. Computed tomographic scans revealed a well-defined mass with cystic lesion, measuring about 40 mm in diameter, in the right parotid gland.

Defibrinogenation therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in comparison with high-dose steroid therapy.

Objective: The efficacy of defibrinogenation therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss was studied in comparison with high-dose steroid therapy.

Material And Methods: Eighty-eight consecutive patients with hearing levels > 40 dB and who had suffered hearing loss for < or = 30 days were enrolled: 40 patients for high-dose steroid therapy (PSL group) and 48 for defibrinogenation therapy (BX group). Hearing recovery was evaluated by grade assessment and by the improvement in hearing compared to the unaffected contralateral ear.

A case of solitary fibrous tumor of the parotid gland: review of the literatures.

We report a rare case of solitary fibrous tumor of the parotid gland. A 47-year-old woman presented with a 3-year-history of left-sided subauricular swelling. Computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance images revealed a well-defined and dumbbell-shaped mass, measuring about 30 mm in its greatest dimension, in the left parotid gland.