Biomedical subjects

Mao-Che Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Mao-Che Wang.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Sarcoma of the larynx: treatment results and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Sarcomas of the larynx are rare neoplasms that constitute less than 1% of laryngeal malignancies. A Medline search found no large series focusing on laryngeal sarcomas. We reviewed the cases of laryngeal sarcomas treated in our cancer center and compared our experiences and treatment results with those from other centers. METHODS: A retrospective review of 10 patients with laryngeal sarcoma treated in our institute between 1980 and 2000 was done to identify tumor characteristics, therapeutic modalities, and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: The patients showed a male predominance (9/10) and presented 8 types of pathology. Nine patients underwent surgery, including 2 total laryngectomy, 4 partial laryngectomy, and 3 endoscopic laser cordectomy. During a median follow-up of 92 months, the 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival were 76% and 90%, respectively. Two patients developed recurrence, including 1 local recurrence and 1 distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention was the first choice in the treatment of laryngeal sarcomas. The prognosis is relatively good when compared with sarcoma originating from other anatomic sites.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Conversion deafness presenting as sudden hearing loss.

Conversion deafness is a somatoform disorder characterized by hearing loss without an anatomic or pathophysiologic lesion. Clinically, discrepancies between behavior hearing thresholds and objective electrophysiologic examinations, such as impedance audiometry, otoacoustic emissions (OAE), and auditory brainstem response (ABR), will raise the suspicion of this disorder. It is judged to be due to psychological factors and that patients do not intentionally produce the symptom. Conversion deafness is sometimes reported in children but is extremely rare among adults. Two young adults with this disease are presented. These 2 patients were both under enormous stress from the national entrance examinations for universities. Pure tone audiometry showed bilateral hearing deterioration, but OAE and ABR were normal. The hearing of both patients recovered after treatment. The diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this disorder are also discussed. It is important to discover the psychological stress in patients with conversion deafness. This report aims to increase awareness of this condition and avoid unnecessary steroid use in its treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Salivary gland carcinoma of the larynx.

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland carcinomas of the larynx are rare, and account for < 1% of laryngeal malignancy. The purpose of this study is to review our management experience of salivary gland carcinomas of the larynx in Taipei Veterans General Hospital and to compare it with other major existing series. METHODS: From 1981 to 2000, 11 patients with laryngeal salivary gland carcinomas treated in Taipei Veterans General Hospital were included in this study. Their demographic data, treatment modalities, survival, and failure pattern, obtained by review of medical records, were analyzed. RESULTS: All 11 patients were male. Median follow-up period was 95 months (range, 18-181 months). The 5-year overall survival rate of all patients was 71%, and the 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 83%. CONCLUSION: The mainstay treatment of laryngeal salivary gland carcinomas in these cases was surgery or surgery with postoperative radiotherapy. The survival rate was satisfactory and similar to that of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Ear problems in swimmers.

Acute diffuse otitis externa (swimmer's ear), otomycosis, exostoses, traumatic eardrum perforation, middle ear infection, and barotraumas of the inner ear are common problems in swimmers and people engaged in aqua activities. The most common ear problem in swimmers is acute diffuse otitis externa, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most common pathogen. The symptoms are itching, otalgia, otorrhea, and conductive hearing loss. The treatment includes frequent cleansing of the ear canal, pain control, oral or topical medications, acidification of the ear canal, and control of predisposing factors. Swimming in polluted waters and ear-canal cleaning with cotton-tip applicators should be avoided. Exostoses are usually seen in people who swim in cold water and present with symptoms of accumulated debris, otorrhea and conductive hearing loss. The treatment for exostoses is transmeatal surgical removal of the tumors. Traumatic eardrum perforations may occur during water skiing or scuba diving and present with symptoms of hearing loss, otalgia, otorrhea, tinnitus and vertigo. Tympanoplasty might be needed if the perforations do not heal spontaneously. Patients with chronic otitis media with active drainage should avoid swimming, while patients who have undergone mastoidectomy and who have no cavity problems may swim. For children with ventilation tubes, surface swimming is safe in a clean, chlorinated swimming pool. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and some degree of vertigo may occur after diving because of rupture of the round or oval window membrane.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Nasopharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia of an HIV carrier, mimicking nasopharyngeal cancer.

Lymphoid hyperplasia of cervical lymph nodes is a common head and neck presentation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Lymphoid hyperplasia of HIV carrier presenting as nasopharyngeal tumor and neck mass is rarely discussed. We reported a 30-year-old male patient who had left side neck mass for 3 months. Nasopharyngeal cancer with neck metastasis was impressed due to huge nasopharyngeal tumor and neck mass. The patient was then transferred to our clinic for further evaluation. Physical examination revealed a 30 x 30 mm mass over left jugulodigastric area and a 20 x 20 mm mass over left posterior triangle of neck. Telescopic examination revealed a 20 x 20 mm bulging mass over nasopharynx. Nasopharyngeal biopsy was done and histopathologic examination revealed lymphoid hyperplasia. Laboratory survey showed seropositive of HIV infection for both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot tests.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Extraparotid Warthin's tumor presented as a neck mass.

Warthin's tumor is one of the benign tumors of major salivary glands. It was mostly found in parotid glands of male patients in their sixties. Warthin's tumor with extraparotid location is rare. We here report a 65-year-old male patient with a movable mass about 25 x 20 x 15 mm over his leftjugular-digastric area. The fibroscopic examination found no malignancy over the head and neck region. Computed tomographic scan showed a soft tissue mass about 18 mm in diameter in the left upper neck. The mass was not in connection with the parotid gland or the submandibular gland and was excised completely through a transverse neck incision. Histopathologic examination revealed Warthin's tumor. We present an original report of a case of Warthin's tumor with its unusual extraparotid location.

Adenolymphoma↗

PubMed2002

Auricle angioleiomyoma.

Angioleiomyomas are subcutaneous benign tumors composed of numerous blood vessels with disoriented and hyperplasic smooth muscle layers. The incidence in female is higher than in male, with a ratio of 1.7 to 1.0. They are usually located at the lower extremities and rarely located at head and neck region. The case we report is a 66-year old male patient. The chief complaint was a brownish tumor over helix of left auricle with progressive enlargement noted for three years. Physical examination revealed an elastic, non-tender nodular lesion 15 x 15 x 6 mm in size and ovoid in shape. No other similar lesion was found on his face, neck and extremities. The tumor was excised entirely with clear margins. The diagnosis was angioleiomyoma via histology.

Aged↗