Although the treatment outcome of patients with olfactory dysfunction (OD) has recently improved, the outcome in patients with post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction (PTOD) remains poor. We recruited PTOD patients who were referred to Kyushu University Hospital from 2010 to 2013, in order to understand the clinical characteristics that were associated with a good treatment outcome in patients with of PTOD. Thirty-four of 132 OD patients were diagnosed with PTOD in the four-year period. The olfactory examination revealed one patient with a normal response, one patient with a severe response and thirty-two patients (94.1%) with no response. There was no association between the olfactory function and the characteristics of the traumatic situation, including the patients' age and the presence of disturbed consciousness, cerebral contusion or cranial bone fracture. The poor outcome that was observed in our hospital was similar to that in other institutions. Further research is needed to improve the treatment outcome in patients with PTOD.

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The aim of this study was to analyze videofluorographic swallowing functions after surgical treatment of tongue cancer. Twenty-nine tongue cancer patients were enrolled in the study. We compared the degrees of aspiration with days without tubal feeding. The results showed that free and slight aspiration occurred within 19 days without tubal feeding, whereas much aspiration occurred within 36 days without tubal feeding. Thus, VF is considered to be an important method to predict the outcome of the postoperative swallowing function.

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We herein examined the treatment courses of 44 patients diagnosed with severe acute epipharyngitis according to a clinical scoring system for acute tonsillopharyngitis at our healthcare facility during 2015. The patients were treated with garenoxacin (GRNX； 400 mg per day). GRNX was discontinued because of adverse side effects in one patient. A seven-day course of GRNX resulted in resolution of the symptoms in 38 (88%) patients. Regarding adverse drug reactions, a drug rash occurred in 1 patient (2%), however, there were no serious adverse drug reactions. GRNX was not effective in 5 patients, thus necessitating a change in the antimicrobial therapy； Haemophilus parainfluenzae was detected in all 5 patients. GRNX is thus considered to be an effective antibiotic for the treatment of severe acute epipharyngitis.

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Carcinoid tumor is a neuroendocrine tumor that typically occurs in the digestive system and lung；carcinoid tumor in the middle ear is rare. We herein report two cases of carcinoid tumor in the middle ear. We also review the previous literature and discuss the malignancy of this rare tumor. Case 1 ： A 32-year-old female presented with ear itching and pulsatile tinnitus. A yellowish tumor mass was observed in the tympanum through the tympanic membrane. Canal wall up tympanoplasty was performed to completely remove the tumor. The pathological findings showed that the tumor cells were arranged in cords, nests, and glandular structures and were positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A. Case 2 ： A 45-year-old male presented with ear fullness and hearing loss. CT demonstrated a mass that filled the outer ear canal, tympanum and mastoid without bone destruction. An open biopsy was performed and the patient was pathologically diagnosed with carcinoid tumor. The tumor was removed by canal wall up tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy, however, a second-look surgery was necessary due to widespread invasion.

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We herein report a case of rare oncocytic carcinoma that occurred in the submandibular gland. The patient was a 75-year-old woman who was admitted with the chief complaint of a painful mass in the lower left jaw. The mass measured 5 cm with a clear boundary on MRI, low signal on T1-weighted images, high signal on T2-weighted images, and marked contrast with gadolinium. Under the suspicion of a malignant tumor, we performed tumor resection using upper left neck dissection. Tumor cells with proliferative eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and capsular invasion were observed, revealing vascular invasion. According to this finding, the patient was diagnosed with oncocytic carcinoma. Recurrence and metastasis have not occurred.

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