Kyozo Kikuchi

Nerve Fiber Analysis and the Aging Process of the Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Nerve fiber analyses were performed on the human vestibulocochlear nerve stained with Luxol fast blue–periodic acid–Schiff–hematoxylin with use of a combination of an image-analyzer and a computer. The axons were counted and their transverse (cross-sectional) areas were measured in 12 individuals. The average numbers of axons in each vestibular and cochlear nerve were 17,727 and 25,098, and the average transverse areas of their axons were 4.02 and 1.79 μm2, respectively. Amyloid bodies and intervening Schwann cells in the vestibulocochlear nerve were also counted. The average number of amyloid bodies was 246 per transverse section of the nerve and their average size was 114 μm2. The average number of intervening Schwann cells was 1,513. Our results indicated that the transverse axonal areas of the cochlear nerve became reduced with age, while the transverse areas of the amyloid bodies in the vestibulocochlear nerve increased with age. The number of vestibular nerve fibers did not seem to change with age.

Demonstration of the Nasal Septal Branches of the Sphenopalatine Artery by Use of a New Intravascular Injection Method

We injected a new injection material into the external carotid artery using a new method, which led to the successful demonstration of the nasal septal branches of the sphenopalatine artery in human cadavers. The result shows the trunk of the artery divided into three main branches, the upper two of which run toward Littles area. We believe that the knowledge of septal branches, shown in a photograph, is very useful, not only for nasal treatment, but also for anatomic demonstration to students.

COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY WITH CDDP AND 5-FU IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER .

Combination chemotherapy with CDDP and 5-FU was performed in 19 patients with evaluable head and neck cancer and 2 CR patients and 7 PR patients were obtained; thus the response rate was 47.4%. Histologically, the present therapy is considered to be especially effective against well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (83.3%). The present therapy is considered to be useful as a neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (75.0%), but it is desirable to perform at least 2 courses of treatment. The side effects observed were nausea, vomiting, anemia, leukocytopenia and alopecia, etc., and most of them were reversible. However, there were 2 patients in which the continuation of chemotherapy was impossible due to renal disorders.

SLOW-RELEASE LOCAL CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC REGIMEN FOR MAXILLARY SINUS CANCER

Silicone foam containing BLM and implanted in the cavity resulting from the resection of a tumor seemed to act against any tumor cells remaining in the resection site in microscopic amounts by slowly releasing this carcinostatic agent. The silicone foam is molded in precise accordance with the shape of the wound surface as it foams and hardens, leaving no space between the material and the wound surface. The carcinostatic agent released can, therefore, act on the entire surface of the wound, and the implantation also has a hemostatic effect. High tissue concentrations of the agent can be maintained for a long time due to the slow-release properties of the silicone foam. Systemic side effects of the procedure seem to be negligible. Local recurrence of cancer was observed in 11 (33.4%) of our 32 patients. Three-year survival was seen in 1 (50%) of the 2 patients with T2 lesions, 11 (68.7%) of the 16 with T3 lesions and 4 (66.6%) of the 6 with T4 lesions.

Cap Therapy for Advanced, Recurrent and/or Metastatic Malignant Tumors of the Head and Neck

One-day CAP therapy utilizing CPM, THP-ADM and CDDP was performed on 33 patients with malignant tumors in the head and neck region which were able to be evaluated. As a result, CR was obtained in 6 patients and PR in 11 patients; thus the overall response rate was 51.5%. The present therapy is worthwhile as a neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and it was effective in patients with relatively severe systemic condition or those with lung metastasis. When the tissues were classified histologically, the present therapy was effective against anaplastic carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Since agents significantly effective against adenocarcinoma have not been available so far, the present therapy is considered to be a useful method especially for the treatment of adenocarcinoma. Moreover, because irreversible side effects scarcely appeared and because the period for 1 course of treatment is short enough, the present therapy is considered to be a method with little burden on patients.

T-LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN PATIENTS WITH SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK

T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of patients previously untreated for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were investigated using monoclonal antibodies under flow cytometry before starting treatment. T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with squamous cell carcinoma did not significantly differ from those in the peripheral blood of healthy subjects, patients with benign tumors of the head and neck, patients with chronic sinusitis and patients with benign otolaryngological diseases. The necessity to investigate the function of T-lymphocyte subsets was suggested. It was furthermore suggested that T-lymphocyte subsets in cancerous tissues should be investigated.

Distribution of Amyloid Bodies in the Aged Human Vestibulocochlear Nerve

We tried to elucidate the localization and distribution of amyloid bodies (Corpora amylacea) in the human vestibulocochlear nerve stained with luxol fast blue-periodic acid Schiff-hematoxylin using of a combination of an image analyzing computer system and a microscope fitted with a drawing tube. After having observed each section of the vestibulocochlear nerve from the brain stem to the fundus of the internal auditory meatus, we counted the numbers of amyloid bodies in three different parts for each of three corpses, and measured the areas. We found that amyloid bodies of the vestibulocochlear nerve are concentrated to the limiting glial portion of the nerve more than to the nerve parenchyma, and amyloid bodies are not seen in the vestibulocochlear nerve peripheral to the transitional zone. Our quantitative trial proved that the amyloid body was larger in the 8th decade than in the 6th or 7th decade of life.

Indication of Cryosurgery on Tonsillar Diseases

The present studies are concerned with the reconfirmation of cryo-effects on the tonsil, such as advantages of cryosurgery on habitual tonsillitis, on expansive growth of tonsillar haemangioma and papilloma, and on malignant lymphoma. The present results revealed that post-operative healing of the wounds was satisfactory with minimum scar formation. Recurrence of habituere tonsillitis within three years after cryosurgery was 17%. Cryosensitivity was extremely high on patients with haemangioma and papilloma, even in cases of malignant lymphoma.

Noise Control Standards in the City of Tokyo

The authors used the data on noise pollution processed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Environmental Protection, and discussed noise control standard in Tokyo. In the 23 wards, the noise level is between 52 and 69 dB, while in suburban city districts, the level is between 46 and 65 dB. When the level of noise is below 60 dB outdoors, the level is less than 50 dB indoors. When the level of noise exceeds 55 dB, more than 50% of the inhabitants feel uncomfortable. The standard outdoor noise level in residential districts is 60 dB in the daytime, and 50 dB in the nighttime. It must be 5 dB below the above in districts where quiet is particularly important, such as near hospitals. Regulation of noise control can only be dealt with through the cooperation of industries and inhabitants under the surveillance of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.