Kazuya Kinoshita

Interleukin-1 of cholesteatomatous keratinocytes.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been thought to be one of the essential cytokines mainly produced by macrophages. It has recently been reported that epidermal keratinocytes produce IL-1, and attention is being paid to local immune reactions mediated with this cytokine. Interleukin-1 not only activates lymphocytes, but also acts as an osteoclast-activating factor. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting on cholesteatomatous epithelium with anti-IL-1α antibody and anti-IL-1β antibody. Next, the relationship of cholesteatomatous debris to the production of IL-1 by keratinocytes was evaluated. Highly concentrated IL-1α was found in the cholesteatomatous epithelium, especially in the basal cell layer. The intensity of IL-1β staining was weaker than that of IL-1α staining. In the immunoblotting study, the 31 kd band, an intracellular immature precursor molecule, was identified. The production of IL-1α from keratinocytes was augmented to a greater degree by cholesteatomatous debris than by lipopolysaccharide or keratin. The keratinocytes did not produce IL-1β. These findings suggest that IL-1α is derived from cholesteatomatous keratinocytes. Interleukin-1, mainly IL-1α, from the stimulated cholesteatomatous keratinocytes may be an important factor in the markedly increased bone resorption observed in cholesteatoma.

A Report of Meningioma Extending to the Middle Ear.

Intracranial meningioma is common, 13 to 18% of all intracranial tumors.However, extracranial meningioma, in paticular middle ear meningioma is very rare. Two of our patients had meningiomas extending to middle ear cavity, a 49-year-old and 59-year-old females. In both cases, it was considered that the tumor had extended to the middle ear cavity through the jugular foramen. This route of extension of tumors causes hoarseness due to invasion of the vagus nerve. In the diagnosis of hoarseness, such intracranial lesions must be kept in mind.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma in a maxillary cavity 20 years after surgery and radiation therapy; A case report.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is rarely found in the head and neck.A 65-year-old man, who had been treated for right maxillary cancer with surgery and irradiation in 1963, presented with a tumor 40×30×25mm in the right maxillary cavity. This tumor was histologically diagnoed as malignant fibrous hstiocytoma showing a typical storiform pattern. The tumor was removed successfully with a LASER knife. The patient remains well without recurrence.This case was a so-called postirradiation malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

MRI in head and neck.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used in the diagnosis of head and neck tumors. The advantages and the problems of MRI are discussed and compared with those of X-ray computed tomography.MRI provides more detailed information about the nature and the depth of in-filtration of tumors, not only because of the excellent soft-tissue contrast, but also because multiple directions can be used. An additional benefit is the much easier identification of cervical vascular structures by MRI.

Clinical evaluation of IAP (Immunosuppressive acidic protein) in the serum of patients with malignant tumors of head and neck--with special reference to prognosis and immunological parameters.

The serum levels of IAP in patients with tumors of the head and neck were determined by single radial immunodiffusion. It was previously reported that the IAP level in these patients was commonly higher than normal. Statistical analysis of 58 patients revealed that the increase of IAP corresponded not only to the clinical stage of the tumor, but also to the probability of tumor recurrence. In addition, it was apparent that the IAP was significantly related to the PPD skin reaction representing delayed hypersensitivity and T-cell population capable of E-rosette formation.The evidence suggests that the determination of serum IAP is useful in understanding the immune defense of hosts against tumors.