Kyushu University · Medicine
Professor Noritaka Komune's research lab specializes in skull base surgery and otolaryngology, with a focus on the intricate anatomy of the skull base, particularly the jugular foramen and related vascular structures such as the lateral condylar vein. The lab investigates rare head and neck malignancies, including external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma, using whole exome sequencing to uncover key genetic drivers like TP53, CDKN2A, and NOTCH family mutations. Their work also explores innate immune responses to viral infections, particularly the role of inflammasomes in viral recognition and cytokine release. The lab integrates clinical surgery with molecular biology and advanced imaging to improve outcomes in complex skull base pathologies.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Inflammasomes are cytosolic protein complexes that stimulate the activation of caspase-1, which in turn induces the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Recent studies have indicated that the inflammasome known as the NOD-like-receptor-family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome recognizes several RNA viruses, including the influenza and encephalomyocarditis viruses, whereas the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) inflammasome may detect vesicul
An understanding of the anatomy of the jugular foramen is crucial in achieving total tumor removal while minimizing risk. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1041-E1053, 2016.
N/A. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:450-459, 2017.
4 Laryngoscope, 131:E583-E589, 2021.
The lateral condylar vein may be encountered in exposing the jugular bulb, hypoglossal canal, or foramen magnum. This vein has been reported to be a main draining route of dural arteriovenous fistulas, in which case it can be utilized as a transvenous route for endovascular treatment, or obliterated. An understanding of the anatomy of this vein may prove useful in planning skull base and endovascular procedures.
External auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma (EACSCC) is an extremely rare and aggressive malignancy. Due to its rarity, the molecular and genetic characteristics of EACSCC have not yet been elucidated. To reveal the genetic alterations of EACSCC, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 11 primary tumors, 1 relapsed tumor and 10 noncancerous tissues from 10 patients with EACSCC, including 1 with a rare case of synchronous bilateral EACSCC of both ears. WES of the primary tumor samples sh
The translabyrinthine or retrosigmoid approaches provide access to the cochlear nuclei for implantation and also to the inferior colliculus through the translabyrinthine or retrosigmoid infratentorial supracerebellar route. The endoscope may aid in exposing either site.
<b>Objective:</b> The extreme rarity of temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TB-SCC) has delayed the accumulation of high-quality clinical evidence. Our objective here was to explore anatomical factors associated with the prognosis of T4 TB-SCC cases. <b>Study Design:</b> Case series with chart review. <b>Setting:</b> Two academic tertiary care medical centers. <b>Subjects and Methods:</b> The medical records of all TB-SCC cases were retrospectively reviewed in two institutions. The resulting
The anterior endoscopic approach to the anterolateral part of the jugular foramen is a useful alternative to the lateral microsurgical preauricular approach in carefully selected cases. The vaginal process of the tympanic part of the temporal bone provides a valuable landmark to aid in accessing the jugular foramen in both procedures and can be drilled to open the foramen in the preauricular approach.
OBJECTIVE The application of the endoscope in the lateral skull base increases the importance of the middle ear cavity as the corridor to the skull base. The aim of this study was to define the middle ear as a route to the fundus (lateral end) of the internal acoustic canal and to propose feasible landmarks to the fundus. METHODS This was a cadaveric study; 34 adult cadaveric temporal bones and 2 dry bones were dissected with the aid of the endoscope and microscope to show the anatomy of the tra
STBR is a complicated and technically challenging procedure. This study highlights the importance of understanding the surgical anatomy of STBR and will serve as a catalyst for improvement of the surgical technique for temporal bone resection.
Otosclerosis, which is characterized by disordered bone remodeling, occurs exclusively in the human temporal bone. The etiology of the disease is unknown, but a popular hypothesis is that it is caused by persistent measles virus (MV) infection. Paramyxovirus-like filamentous structures were found in otosclerotic lesions of stapes footplates from patients with otosclerosis. Although MV RNAs have been detected in otosclerotic samples by using reverse transcription-PCR, no complete MV mRNA sequence
The jugular process forms the posteroinferior border of the jugular foramen. Resection of the jugular process is a critical step for opening the jugular foramen from the posterior and lateral aspects. Understanding the morphological features of the jugular process, and preoperative and radiographical examination of this process thus help skull base surgeons to access the jugular foramen.
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