[in Japanese]

View full abstract

In evaluating the effect of cepharanthin on xerostomia and taste disorder in 40 patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, we administered cepharanthin intravenously during chemoradiotherapy to 22 patients, with 18 others as a control group. Cepharanthin did not significantly affect salivary secretion during and after chemoradiotherapy, although taste disorder and oral discomfort were alleviated. Cepharanthin may thus be effective in maintaining the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer.

View full abstract

In addition to facial and vestibular nerve paralysis, patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome may also show glossopharyngeal, vagal, and hypoglossal nerve paralysis. We report a case of Ramsay Hunt syndrome with cranial polyneuropathy including cranial nerves VII, VIII, IX, and X. A 58-year-old rheumatic woman suffering from vertigo, right earache, and sore throat suffered right-side facial palsy, hoarseness, and swallowing difficulty on day 5. Admitted on day 6, she was treated with antiviral medication and steroids. Although vertigo, facial palsy, and hearing loss gradually improved, hoarseness required over three months to recover. Of the 33 patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome we have seen, 9 (27%) had cranial polyneuropathy, including cranial nerves IX and X in 4 years. Of these, 9% involved total paralysis of nerves IX and X. Physical symptoms of those with polyneuropathy, especially vagal nerve palsy, tended to worsen, making it important to observe other cranial nerve signs, such as for IX and X carefully, in addition to VII and VIII.

View full abstract

The motor system is extensively affected in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Rapid disease progression almost certainly ensures that about half of thsese cases will experience respiratory muscle paralysis to breathe within about five years.
We report two cases of ALS involving upper airway obstruction. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy showed floppy epiglottis, tilted posteriorly and horizontally and impacting against the posterior pharyngeal wall during inspiration. Several months later, airway obstruction grew exceedingly worse, and the tilted epiglottis did not return to its vertical resting position. Tracheostomy was conducted during this period. We found that laryngoscopy may be useful in the evaluation of upper airway obstruction, and it may be safer to avoid continuous positive airway pressure.

View full abstract