There have been numerous modalities to recover blink function of orbicularis oculi muscle in patients with facial paralysis. However, there is still no optimal method for reanimation of eyelid. In this study, we tried to recover blink function of paralyzed rabbit's eyelid with the ion polymer metal composite (IPMC) which is one of the electroactive polymers that is spotlighted as artificial muscle. We manufactured IPMC by plating the platinum over perfluorosulphonic acid polymer ($Nafion^{(R)}$). IPMC was coated by Norland optical adhesive for the purpose of insulation and keeping it from dry. IPMC modifications by roughening the surface of Nafion, repetitive plating (maximum 4 times) with platinum, and lengthening the width of IPMC were done. The facial paralysis was induced in the rabbit by sectioning of facial nerve at the main trunk. After minimum period of 4 weeks, IPMC was inserted in the paralyzed rabbit's eyelid. By modification, the force generated by IPMC was enhanced. Restoration of blink function in paralyzed rabbit was achieved on electrical stimulation of the IPMC by 5 voltage direct current. IPMC can be promising option for facial reanimation, but further studies are needed to enhance the efficiency of IPMC.

Backgroud and Objectives: Inhalation of foreign bodies in respiratory tract can be fatal to infants and child. After ventilating bronchoscopy technique was widelyused, most of the pediatric airway foreign bodies could be managed effectively. In this study, we aimed to analyze clinicalfeatures and outcomes of ventilating bronchoscopic removal of pediatric airway foreign bodies. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty cases of ventilating bronchoscopy for pediatric airway foreign bodies at Seoul National University Hospital for the past 15 years were analyzed retrospectively. Results: In 120 cases, sex ratio (male: female) was 2.2:1 and mean age was 27.0 months. Most frequent type of airway foreign was peanut (60.2%). One hundred thirteen patients, in whom a foreign body was confirmed in the airway, were successfully managed by ventilating bronchoscopy. Delayed diagnosis and management made a significantly long postoperative hospital stay. Conclusion: Great care must be given when feeding young children, especially younger than 36 months, with nuts. Early intervention with ventilating bronchoscopy following a clinical suspicion is critical to successful treatment.

Simultaneous occurrence of medullary and papillary thyroid carcinomas in the same gland is very rare. In fact. there are only 18 cases of simultaneous occurrence of medullary and papillary thyroid carcinomas in the literature. We report a case of simultaneous medullary and papillary carcinoma of thyroid gland. A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with medullary carcinoma of right lobe of thyroid gland and papillary carcinoma of left lobe of thyroid gland by fine needle aspiration cytology. Total thyroidectomy, anterior neck dissection, bilateral modified radical neck dissection and tracheotomy was undertaken. The tumor metastasized to regional lymph node and extrathyroidal muscle invasion of left papillary carcinoma was also revealed by pathological report. This report describes a case of thyroid carcinoma that demonstrated both medullary carcinoma and papillary components in the thyroid with lymph node metastasis.

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the intracavernous internal carotid artery(ICA) is extremely rare, but it is life threatening condition because of massive recurrent epistaxis. Unfortunately, the prompt diagnosis and treatment of this disease are frequently delayed due to its rarity and variable latent period, so this disease is regarded as a challenge to clinicians. Optimal therapy for this diseases demands rapid suspicion for it and is essential in order to give the best functional outcome with minimizing its morbidity and mortality. The authors present a case of male patient with traumatic pseudoaneurysm of intracavernous ICA accompanying severe epistaxis. This patient was a 37-year-old male with unilateral blindness and recurrent massive epistaxis after suffering trauma to head. Computed tomography, MRI and carotid artery angiogram showed pseudoaneurysm of intracavernous ICA with sphenoid bone fracture. The patient was effectively managed with occlusion of the pseudoaneurysmal circulation by endovascular interventional embolization technique utilizing mechanically detachable tungsten coils.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is defined as mediastinal infection that begins at the cervical region and spread through deep fascial planes into the mediastinum. This is a rare and life-threatening complication of deep neck space infection. As infection reaches the mediastinum, widespread cellulitis, necrosis, abscess formation and sepsis may occur. So, early diagnosis and immediate antibiotics and surgical treatment are required to improve the poor prognosis of DNM. We present four cases of deep neck infection causing a virulent mediastinitis with a literature review.