Chiyonori Ino

Kinetics of Epidermal Growth Factor in Saliva

Human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) stimulates the growth and differentiation of various tissues. We measured EGF levels in saliva (n = 128), urine (n = 94), and serum (n = 99) with radioimmunoassay in order to study the kinetics of hEGF in saliva of normal subjects and patients with oral disease. Salivary EGF levels showed an apparent diurnal rhythm related to the taking of meals. Urinary and serum EGF levels showed no obvious diurnal rhythm. There was no significant correlation between salivary and urinary EGF levels, nor between salivary and serum EGF levels. Salivary EGF levels were significantly lower in the younger group (0-9 years old, 3.06 +/- 0.32 ng/ml, p < 0.05) than in the elder group (10-79 years old, 4.78 +/- 3.5 ng/ml), but did not correlate with age in the elder group. There was no significant difference between males and females between EGF levels in saliva, urine or serum. The relative proportion of EGF levels in submandibular gland saliva, parotid saliva, and whole saliva was 1:6:4. The positive rate of immunohistochemical EGF showed no significant differences between submandibular gland, parotid gland, sublingual gland or minor salivary gland. Salivary EGF levels were markedly low in patients with oral inflammations (stomatitis aphthosa, or peritonsillar abscess) or head and neck tumors (squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, oral cavity, hypopharynx or larynx). These findings may be significant pathophysiologically. Low salivary EGF levels may reduce the capacity of oral mucosal defense mechanisms to fight against injury by physiochemical agents.

Congenital Absence of Lacrimal Puncta and of All Major Salivary Glands: Case Report and Literature Review

A 7-year-old girl had dry mouth and recurrent infections of the lacrimal fistulae with decreased lacrimal secretion. All four puncta were absent, and a Schirmer test showed decreased lacrimal secretion. Salivary gland imaging with sodium pertechnetate 99mTcO4 showed absence of all major salivary glands. Lower lip biopsy disclosed normal structure of the salivary gland. No evidence of abnormal inheritance patterns could be demonstrated.

A simple method to estimate the secretion of saliva from minor salivary glands using iodine-starch reaction

Objective/Hypothesis This study was undertaken to detect the faculty of secretion of saliva from minor salivary glands by analyzing a color reaction on a test tape containing iodine and starch that was applied on the lower lip.

Histopathology of Thyroid Tissue in Thyroglossal Duct Cysts. Clinical Statistics of over a 5-Year Period.

Twenty-two cases of thyroglossal duct cysts were treated surgically in our hospital over the past 5 years. Histopathological examination of specimens obtained during surgery revealed that thyroid tissue was found in 14 cases of the 22 (63. 6%). Since thyroglossal duct cysts are closely related to the generation of the thyroid gland, it is reasonable that thyroid tissue would sometimes be found in thyroglossal duct cysts. Further detailed investigation may reveal the incidence of thyroid tissue in these cysts to be quite high. Thyroid tissue in the thyroglossal duct cyst is ectopic, and has a greater tendency to become cancerous than thyroid tissue in normal locations. We suggest that thyroglossal duct cysts should be removed surgically at the earliest stage possible, because ectopic thyroid tissue is highly likely to be present.

Relationship between the Major Sublingual Duct and Ranula.

In our department, the sublingual gland is typically removed during surgical treatment of a ranula. Of 18 cases treated surgically for ranulas, the major sublingual duct was seen in only one case. In general, the major sublingual duct is seen in 50-70% of general people. In view of this fact, our observations suggest that ranulas occur more frequently in the sublingual gland and do not typically involve the major sublingual duct. Moreover, the histopathological examination of all removed sublingual glands confirmed sialoadenitis. Thus it is necessary to remove the sublingual gland with the ranula to avoid the possibility of recurrence.