Mayumi Komori

The effect of l-menthol stimulation of the major palatine nerve on subjective and objective nasal patency

To determine whether L-menthol stimulation of the major palatine nerve can affect nasal patency, we noted subjective and measured objective nasal patency before and after L-menthol stimulation of the palatal mucosa. L-Menthol stimulation of the palatal mucosa enhanced nasal sensation of airflow but nasal resistance was unaffected. By contrast, L-menthol stimulation after local anesthesia of the palatine nerve or of the nasal mucosa substantially diminished the subjective response of increased nasal patency but without affecting objective nasal patency. It is suggested that the effect of both direct stimulation by L-menthol of the major palatine nerve and its vapor action on the sensory nerve endings of the nasal mucosa produce an increase in the sensation of nasal patency without an increase in objective nasal patency.

Schwannoma of the Larynx; A Case Report.

Neurogenic neoplasm of the larynx is not common, and only 48 cases have been reported in the Japanese literature. The authors treated a 53-year-old man with schwannoma in the larynx. The tumor was located on the inside of the right arytenoid fold. When the mass was extirpated endoscopically, two fine nerve fibers were seen connected with the mass. These fibers were thought to be internal branches of the right superior laryngeal nerve. It was concluded that this tumor was derived from the superior laryngeal nerve. The 49 cases of laryngeal neurogenic tumor reported in Japan are analyzed statistically.