The present study suggests that the educational program targeting oral function improvement is effective among the independent older population.

Background/purpose Although it has been reported that capsaicin ingestion has effects of protecting stomach mucosa and promoting energy consumption, physiological responses to oral stimulation with capsaicin has not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effect of oral capsaicin stimulation on oral health and mental conditions by measuring changes in salivation, autonomic nervous activity and electroencephalogram (EEG). Materials and methods Eighteen healthy adults participated in this study. The stimulus concentrations of capsaicin and five basic taste solutions were determined based on the measured threshold of each stimulus in each subject. The weight of secreted saliva and the changes in concentrations of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) induced by capsaicin and taste stimuli were measured. Salivary α-amylase activity and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured as indicators of autonomic nervous activity. From EEG, psychological condition was analyzed by measuring the powers of theta, alpha, and beta bands. Results The salivary secretion rate was significantly increased by stimulation with capsaicin, NaCl, and citric acid compared with deionized water, and capsaicin demonstrated the most potent effect among tested stimuli. The secreted amount of SIgA per minute was elevated by capsaicin stimulation. Salivary α-amylase activity and HRV analysis demonstrated an elevation of sympathetic nervous activity induced by capsaicin. EEG analysis showed a significant increase in beta band power. Conclusion These results suggest that oral stimulation with capsaicin may be effective in improving oral conditions by increasing salivary flow and SIgA secretion, and in enhancing physical and mental conditions as indicated by sympathetic nerve and EEG changes.

Recently, endoscopic endonasal surgery has been widely used to treat chronic sinusitis with good results being reported by many investigators. Endoscopic endonasal surgery is a technique available not only for chronic sinusitis but also for other sinus diseases including postoperative maxillary mucoceles. In this report, the indications and limitations of endoscopic endonasal surgery for the treatment of postoperative maxillary mucoceles are discussed based on our experience treating 26 such mucoceles at our clinic. The indications for endoscopic endonasal surgery include mucoceles in close contact with the lateral wall of the inferior nasal meatus and those mucoceles that can be widely opened to the middle nasal meatus. The following cases could not be treated by endoscopic endonasal surgery: mucoceles that were localized in areas distant from the nasal cavity, mucoceles in which the lateral wall of the inferior nasal meatus was bony and intensely thickened, and mucoceles that could not be sufficiently opened to the middle nasal meatus.

We report a rare case of incus dislocation to the external auditory canal after a mountain-biking accident. Otoscopy showed ossicular protrusion in the upper part of the left external auditory canal. CT indicated the disappearance of the incus, and an incus-like bone was found in the left external auditory canal. There was another bony and board-like structure in the attic. During the surgery, a square-shaped bony plate (1 × 1 cm) was found in the attic. It was determined that the bony plate had fallen from the tegmen of the attic. The fracture line in the posterosuperior auditory canal extending to the fossa incudis was identified. According to these findings, it was considered that the incus was pushed into the external auditory canal by the impact of skull injury through the fractured posterosuperior auditory canal, which opened widely enough for incus dislocation.

ing gain after stapedotomy , partial platinectomy, or total stapedectomy for otosclerosis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 100: 959-961, 1991. 10) Teunissen EB, Cremers CWRJ: Classification of congenital middle ear anomalies. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryn