Auris, nasus, larynx
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Auris, nasus, larynx · Feb 2017
Tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist suppresses local inflammatory reaction and facilitates olfactory nerve recovery following injury.
Olfactory dysfunction is a common finding in head trauma due to injury to the olfactory nerve. We previously reported that anti-inflammatory treatment with steroids improves recovery outcome in olfactory nerve injury models. Clinically, however, steroid administration is not recommended in the acute phase of head injury cases because of concerns regarding its side effects. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) is known to play a key role in inflammatory response to injury. The present study examines if the inhibition of TNF-α can facilitate functional recovery in the olfactory system following injury. ⋯ These findings suggest that inhibition of TNF-α could provide a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of olfactory dysfunction following head injuries.
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Auris, nasus, larynx · Feb 2017
Case ReportsPterygopalatine fossa metastasis with severe trigeminal neuralgia from neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast.
A 57-year-old woman presented to our department with a 2-month history of pain and paresthesia on the left side of the face 12 years after having undergone surgery for breast cancer. We performed an endoscopic biopsy and diagnosed metastatic breast cancer to the pterygopalatine fossa. ⋯ A literature search shows only one case of metastatic breast cancer with severe trigeminal neuralgia located in the V2 division of the trigeminal nerve area. Metastatic disease should be considered part of the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with trigeminal neuropathy.