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Biomedical subjects

A Golz

Publications and source records attributed to A Golz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of balance disturbances in children with middle ear effusion.

OBJECTIVES: Vertigo and dizziness are not common complaints in childhood, but are present more often than formerly thought. These symptoms are usually caused by otitis media (OM) and middle ear effusion (MEE), two of the most common disorders in children, but were not studied until recently. The purpose of this study was to determine objectively the incidence of balance-related symptoms occurring in children with long lasting MEE and to determine if these symptoms resolve following the insertion of ventilation tubes (VT). METHODS: In total 64 children, aged between 4.5 and 7.5 years, were studied using the Bruininks-Oseretsky tests for motor proficiency, before and after insertion of VT. They were compared to 57 healthy children with no history of middle ear diseases. RESULTS: Pathological findings were identified in 39 children with chronic MEE, as compared to only four children of the controls. Following VT insertion the symptoms and signs of balance disturbances resolved in mostly all the operated children. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that balance-related symptoms often encountered in young children may result from chronic MEE and that these symptoms resolve following ventilation of the middle ear.

Child

[Balance disturbances in children with middle ear effusions].

Vertigo and dizziness are not common complaints in childhood, but probably present more often than has been thought. These symptoms, caused mainly by otitis media (OM) and middle ear effusion (MEE), are 2 of the most common diseases in children, and until recently had long been neglected in the literature and in practice. We determined objectively the incidence of balance-related symptoms in children with long-lasting MEE, and resolution following insertion of ventilation tubes (VT). 36 children, aged 4-9 years, were studied using electronystagmography (ENG) and the Bruininks-Oseretsky tests for motor proficiency, before and after ventilation of the middle ear. Results were compared to those in 74 healthy children with no history of middle ear disease. Abnormal ENG findings were found in 58%, and 71% had low Bruininks-Oseretsky (BO) test scores. The ENG was abnormal in only 3 of the controls, 1 of whom also had low BO test scores. The symptoms and signs of balance disturbances resolved in 96% following VT insertion. These results indicate that balance-related symptoms often encountered in young children may result from chronic MEE, and that they resolve following evacuation of the effusion and ventilation of the middle ear.

Child

Retropharyngeal abscess: a clinical review.

Retropharyngeal abscesses are uncommon but potentially lethal infections, especially in the paediatric population under the age of five years. Abscesses in this group are classically secondary to upper respiratory infections especially oropharyngeal infections, while in the adult group they are usually secondary to trauma, foreign bodies, or as a complication of dental infections. Early diagnosis and the wide spread use of antibiotics have made these infections less common today. Between the years 1985-1996, 19 cases of retropharyngeal abscesses were treated in our department. Factors such as age, sex, aetiology, presenting signs, symptoms, methods of diagnosis, treatment and complications were reviewed. Thirty-two per cent of the cases were secondary trauma. A lateral neck film showing widening of the prevertebral space was the most important diagnostic tool, computed tomography (CT) scan was used in 63 per cent of cases to verify the signs of an abscess and to provide more accurate anatomical localization. Thirteen cases required surgical drainage. The single most commonly-isolated pathogen was Streptococcus pyogenes. There were no deaths and only one recurrence requiring repeated surgical drainage. One case was complicated by a spinal canal abscess. We also report two cases of retropharyngeal abscess in children caused by swallowing of unusual foreign bodies.

Adolescent

Severe laryngeal injury caused by blunt trauma to the neck: a case report.

Acute blunt laryngeal trauma can be a life-threatening event and often poses a difficult airway management problem. Patients may be unable to supply important anemnestic facts because of aphonia or intubation as a result of their injury. Therefore the immediate recognition and appropriate initial assessment and treatment are vital for a successful outcome. The first step is assuring an appropriate airway, either by careful intubation or temporary tracheotomy. An assessment of potential vascular and oesophageal injuries must be undertaken. The use of computerized tomography (CT) with contrast material is especially useful in identifying and localizing the damage caused by blunt neck injuries. Laryngeal fractures, air in the soft tissues and the extravasation of contrast material in the neck are all helpful in assessing the injuries before surgical intervention. Immediate initial surgery is aimed at stabilizing the cartilaginous framework and repairing the mucosa. We present a case of severe laryngeal injury caused by blunt trauma to the neck; our evaluation, treatment and the outcome.

Accidents, Occupational

Nd:YAG laser turbinate surgery animal experimental study: preliminary report.

The chronically hypertrophic nasal turbinate is a challenging problem for otolaryngologists. Although some success has been achieved with a number of medical and surgical methods, other forms of treatment are still needed. In this study, encouraging results were achieved using the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser on canine turbinates. Clinical and histological results showed that with Nd:YAG laser surgery, coagulation occurs in the deep cavernous vessels and submucosal glands of the turbinate, while the overlying mucosa remains intact.

Animals

[Invasive papillary thyroid carcinoma].

Papillary carcinoma, the most common malignant tumor of the thyroid, infrequently invades the upper aerodigestive tract (larynx, pharynx, trachea and esophagus). However, when invasion does occur, it is a source of significant morbidity and excess mortality; the method of treatment is controversial. In our opinion surgery is the primary treatment modality. Local invasion of the aerodigestive tract by this tumor can be successfully treated by total or subtotal thyroidectomy, excising malignant tissue while preserving function of aerodigestive tract structures. Adjuvant therapy using radioiodine or external beam radiotherapy should be considered integral to any treatment plan. We present our experience with 4 patients with invasive thyroid papillary carcinoma to the larynx, trachea and esophagus.

Carcinoma, Papillary

Highly invasive papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary carcinoma is the most common malignant tumour of the thyroid gland, accounting for at least two-thirds of newly diagnosed carcinomas. This tumour may be occasionally multicentric in origin. It frequently spreads to regional lymph nodes in the neck and mediastinum, but uncommonly metastasizes outside these regions. Local invasion of this tumour to the upper airway or digestive tract structures is infrequent. However, when that occurs, it is a source of significant morbidity and mortality. In the last two years four patients suffering from invasive papillary carcinoma to the aerodigestive tract were treated in our department. A short case history of one of them is presented and current trends in management of the disease are reviewed.

Carcinoma, Papillary

[Upper airway obstruction--a rare complication after anti-coagulant therapy].

A case of progressive, spontaneous, nontraumatic hemorrhage into the tonsil, soft palate, hypopharynx, and larynx in a patient receiving oral anticoagulants is presented. There was no evidence of bleeding into other parts of the body. The presenting symptoms of sore-throat, dysphagia and hoarseness were mild at the time of admission. However, the bleeding later caused upper airway obstruction and aspiration, and the clinical picture during hospitalization became dramatic and life-threatening. Physicians should be aware of such possible complications in anticoagulant-treated patients, and if a hematoma is found in the pharynx or larynx the patient should be admitted for close observation and treatment. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of spontaneous hemorrhage into the tonsil in a patient on oral anticoagulation.

Administration, Oral

[An electromechanical model of the middle ear].

A dynamic model of the middle ear and mastoid system was designed in order to evaluate basic principles in tympanometry. The model allows controlled simulation of the exact changes in the ear drum's mass and in intratympanic volume and pressure. The contribution of each of these factors to acoustic impedance was measured. We found that the volume values of static, acoustic compliance were equal to the volume of air in a closed cell. There was good correlation between direct measurement of air pressure in the model cell and indirect pressure measurement by tympanometry. We also demonstrated a difference between mechanical displacement of the drum and its displacement by negative pressure. This demonstration of tympanometry using a middle-ear compatible model enables us to understand its principles and helps in the education of students.

Acoustic Impedance Tests

Effect of middle ear effusion on the vestibular labyrinth.

Although middle ear effusion was once described as the most common cause of vestibular disturbance in children, the association between glue ear and symptoms of dysequilibrium has never been quantified objectively. In this study the effect of middle ear effusion on the vestibular system of the inner ear was studied in a select group of children suffering from long lasting effusion in the middle ear with no evidence of infection at least one year prior to the study. The results were compared with results obtained from otitis free children, as well as from examinations of children after the insertion of ventilating tubes. The results of this study confirm the assumption that middle ear effusion has an adverse effect on the vestibular system, which can be resolved following the insertion of ventilation tubes. This effect may also contribute to the adverse effect that otitis media has on a child's development.

Child

An objective, noninvasive method for the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders.

An objective, noninvasive method for the diagnosis and monitoring of pathology referable to the temporomandibular joint is presented. A computerized temporomandibular joint analyzer was developed to obtain data from the patient's temporomandibular joint area to provide an objective record of clinical symptoms and signs. This data, used in conjunction with a complete history and physical examination, aids in the diagnosis and decision-making process for therapy. Fifty patients with temporomandibular complaints were evaluated. Diagnoses made using the temporomandibular joint analyzer in conjunction with complete histories and physical examinations were confirmed in 81% of the patients by further examinations with x-ray studies, computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopy. Patients' progress during treatment was monitored using the temporomandibular joint analyzer. Results of the temporomandibular joint analyzer were compatible with patient's progress as reported subjectively and with clinical evaluation in 97% of the cases. The temporomandibular joint analyzer can be used to reduce time and expense as well as to minimize the discomfort involved in the evaluation of temporomandibular joint disorders.

Adolescent

[Epistaxis caused by leeches].

Among the conditions which can cause epistaxis are intranasal or nasopharyngeal foreign bodies. A living foreign body, or parasite, in the nose or nasopharynx is rare in western countries, but in other parts of the world is a fairly common cause of epistaxis. In the past 5 years 17 cases of epistaxis due to infestation with leeches were treated in our 2 departments. In 14 patients, 9-27 years old, the complaint was of recurrent episodes of mild epistaxis and blood-spitting several days before admission. 3 patients were admitted hemorrhaging profusely from the nose and mouth. Examination showed a green-brown mass protruding from the nasopharynx behind the soft palate, which is every case was a blood-engorged leech. Treatment consisted of removing the leech by applying a forceps to the middle of the leech's body and giving a quick pull. Bleeding ceased immediately after removal of the leech. All the patients had drunk water from brooks, streams or fresh water lakes. Therefore, in areas in which leeches are present only boiled or filtered water should be drunk.

Adolescent

[Evaluation of VIIIth nerve disorders in learning-disabled children].

Recent research indicates that a subclinical VIIIth nerve defect can be a major contributing factor to, if not a cause of learning disabilities. A battery of tests developed for evaluation of VIIIth nerve function is presented. These tests include assessment of vestibular function and evaluation of auditory figure ground abilities. 70 primary school children diagnosed as learning-disabled by child study teams were tested using this battery. 94% had abnormal findings in the electronystagmographic test and 22% in the auditory figure ground test. This battery of tests can detect subclinical defects in learning-disabled children which can be alleviated by a combination of proper medical treatment and an appropriate educational plan.

Child

Peritonsillar abscess in an infant.

Although a common enough condition in the general population, quinsy is rare in children and even rarer in infants. In most cases the diagnosis is easy on the basis of the suggestive clinical picture. A case is presented of a peritonsillar abscess in a 7-month-old baby. Here, the diagnosis was somewhat doubtful, due to the uncharacteristic clinical appearance and the young age of the patient. Some of the dangers of an inadequate antibiotic treatment are briefly discussed.

Ampicillin