A multimodal therapeutic approach involving radiotherapy is required when treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, radiotherapy is restricted due to its high risk for damages to the surrounding healthy tissue of the treated area. Tissue regeneration and wound healing is promoted by the survival and regenerative capacities of tissue-resident or invading stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit a promising therapeutic potential in the field of cell-based tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their immunomodulatory properties and differentiation capacity. However, the generation of MSCs for therapeutic applications is still a major challenge. We aimed to produce highly homogeneous induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iP-MSCs) in an autologous manner from initially isolated human mucosa mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) of the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, mMSCs were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by non-integrative chromosomal technologies and differentiated into corresponding iP-MSCs. We demonstrated that mMSCs and iP-MSCs show similar cell characteristics in terms of morphology, clonogenic potential, differentiation, and surface phenotype. Moreover, iP-MSCs demonstrated related immunosuppressive capacity as mMSCs including the secretion of cytokines, and T cell inhibition. Therefore, generating iP-MSCs in an autologous manner may be a novel personalized treatment option in regenerative medicine.

In der vorliegenden Querschnitts­studie wurden retrospektiv die Patientencharakteristika und die posttherapeutische Lebensqualität (LQ) nach der Behandlung eines Nasopharynxkarzinoms (NPC) erhoben und ausgewertet. Das Patientenkollektiv umfasst 20 Patienten, die im Zeitraum 2001–2009 aufgrund eines NPC an der Universitätsklinik Bonn mittels Radiotherapie (RT) oder Radiochemotherapie (RCT) behandelt wurden. Die Lebensqualitätsanalyse wurde mit dem Fragebogen FACT-NP (functional assessment of cancer therapy-nasopharyngeal) durchgeführt. Das mittlere Alter der Patienten war 57±13 Jahre, das Verhältnis Männer zu Frauen betrug 2,33/1. 3 (15%) der Patienten wurden mit einer RT und 17 (85%) mit einer kombinierten RCT behandelt. Die allgemeine posttherapeutische LQ der Patienten war gut. Mundtrockenheit, Geschmacksminderung, der Einfluss der Erkrankung auf das Sexualleben und otologische Symptome waren LQ mindernd. Schmerzen, der Verlust der Arbeitsfähigkeit, seelische oder familiäre Probleme standen nicht im Vordergrund. Die zu erwartenden Funktions- und Lebensqualitätseinbußen bei der Behandlung des NPC müssen dem Patienten ausführlich erläutert werden. Die Einbindung der Familie in das Therapiekonzept, eine antidepressive Therapie oder psychoonkologische Unterstützung kann sinnvoll und notwendig sein. This retrospective study analysed patient characteristics and quality of live (QoL) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after treatment. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted to assess the QoL of 20 NPC patients with cancer-free survival of more than one year, which were treated with radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (RCT) during the period 2001–2009 at the University Hospital Bonn, Germany. The QoL was assessed by the FACT-NP (functional assessment of cancer therapy-nasopharyngeal) questionnaire. The median age of the patients was 57±13 years and the male/female ratio was 2.33/1.3 (15%) patients were treated with RT and 17 (85%) with RCT. The global QoL was good in our patients. Xerostomia, chewing, decrease of gustatory sense, discontent with sexual life and ear problems were of major concern with the majority of patients and affected the QoL negatively. Pain, lost of working ability, emotional distress, or family problems were no significant factors. The expected reduction of QoL after treatment must be explained in detail to the NPC patient. The integration of the family and partner, an antidepressant therapy or psycho-oncological support can be useful and necessary.

Rhinoliths are rare affections of the main nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses. Initially, as a result of their low incidence, they are often incorrectly classified as calcified tumors in clinical examination. We have identified three cases in our patient population and evaluated the clinical symptoms as well as the pathological findings and the causes of the disease. Due to their extension and the respective clinical pattern, all masses were surgically removed under endotracheal anesthesia. The histopathological findings comprised an ectopic tooth, a vegetable (most likely a leaf from the garden) as well as a textile foreign body (probably of iatrogenic origin). Undiscovered foreign bodies of the main nasal cavity are a common cause for the formation of rhinoliths. We have also displayed the respective incidence and the therapeutic options.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis a chronic, idiopathic, multisystemic disease of unknown etiology with frequent pulmonary and lymphatic systemic manifestations (90%). Manifestations in the head and neck are occuring in 10% of the patients with Sarcoidosis. Methods: case report: A 40 year old male adult is presenting a progressive hearing loss since a couple of years as well as a mild pressure felling over the mastoid. Two years before he had surgery of the right nasolacrimal duct. Results: The clinical examination of the tympanic membran and the ear by microscope was regulary and without any pathology. Audiometrically we see a sensoneurial hearing loss of 1 KHz by 40 dB up to 4 KHz by 60 dB. MR shows a chronic mastoititis as well as a meningitis. The labyrinth was without any pathology. In the OR mastoidectomy was performed. Frozen section showed a granulomatous inflammation. After fixation the diagnosis of the sarcoidosis were proposed. Conclusions: This is a rare case of a extrapulmonary sarcoidosis in the mastoid. A CT of the thorax showed a sarcoidosis stage I with bihilare lymphatic manifestation. The patient responded to the treatment with Soludecortin of 50 mg/d. The hearing loss is still persisting.