Hydroxyapatite: an alternative method of frontal sinus obliteration.

Obliteration of the frontal sinus may be necessary for the treatment of chronic sinusitis, infectious complications, trauma, and benign and malignant neoplasms. Hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) is a relatively new material that is approved for the repair of cranial defects. HAC has been successfully used to obliterate the frontal sinus in 19 patients with few minor complications and the avoidance of donor site morbidity.

Effects of arachidonic acid metabolites in a murine model of squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: A murine model (C3H mice) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCCVII) has been used to investigate the role of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites in head and neck cancer. Inhibition of tumor growth by cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors of AA metabolism has been associated with changes in levels of AA metabolites in tumor tissues and inflammatory cell infiltrates. To characterize this model further, the effects of exogenous AA metabolites on tumor growth in vitro and in vivo were investigated.

Altered serum amino acid profiles in head and neck cancer.

Patients who develop squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) are often malnourished because of poor dietary habits, excessive alcohol consumption, local tumor effects, tumor-induced cachexia, and the effects of various therapies. The composition of the diet may be a risk factor for the development of head and neck cancer as well as tumor progression. This study compares the amino acid profiles in the banked serum of patients with and without SCCHN.

Role of arachidonic acid metabolites in tumor growth inhibition by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Purpose: A murine model of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was used to determine the role of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites in the growth of SCC of the head and neck.

Materials And Methods: C3H/HeJ mice bearing SCC (SCC VII) were treated with cyclooxygenase inhibitors (piroxicam and nabumetone) or a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (ketoconazole). Growth curves were established, and final tumor weights were measured.

Growth factors in subglottic stenosis.

We sought to define the role of fibrogenic peptides in subglottic stenosis (SGS). Biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with stenosis following endotracheal intubation (group 1, n = 5, mean age 5), patients without a history of any precedent trauma, ie. idiopathic stenosis (group 2, n = 3, mean age 40), and those without stenosis (group 3, n = 3, mean age 70).