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Biomedical subjects

A L Pahor

Publications and source records attributed to A L Pahor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Pneumosinus dilatans: a discussion of four cases and the possible aetiology.

Pneumosinus dilatans is an abnormal dilatation of the paranasal sinuses, which contains only air and is lined by normal mucosa. It is a rare condition, the aetiology of which is unclear. We describe four patients who presented to our department with pneumosinus dilatans. The aetiology was either developmental hydrocephalus (n = 1), post-traumatic (n = 1) or idiopathic (n = 2). Two patients underwent surgery, and follow-up is at least 12 months to date. The radiological aspects of this rare condition and the possible aetiologies are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

CT assessment of jugular foramen dominance and its association with hand preference.

Three hundred and seven normal CT scans of the head were prospectively analysed to assess jugular foramen dominance. After assessment, hand preference was elicited. Of these, 276 were right-handed and 31 were left-handed. Of the right-handed patients: 180 had a larger jugular foramen on the right; 63 had a larger jugular foramen on the left; and in 33 no difference could be discerned. Of the left-handed patients: 11 had a larger jugular foramen on the right; 16 had a larger jugular foramen on the left; and in four no difference could be discerned. The results suggested a significant association between jugular foramen dominance and hand preference.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1997

The role of surgery in tuberculous mastoiditis: appropriate chemotherapy is not always enough.

We present a case of tuberculous otitis media in which a facial palsy occurred after the start of appropriate chemotherapy. To our knowledge this circumstance has not been described previously. It has been argued that radical surgery is completely unnecessary if chemotherapy is commenced early in the disease. We would suggest that this is not always the case, and would advocate a more measured approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Parapharyngeal abscess secondary to an external auditory meatus foreign body.

Parapharyngeal abscess is not an uncommon condition and may be due to spread of infection from acute tonsillitis or dental disease or secondary to perforating injury of the pharynx. We present a case report of a patient with an external auditory meatus foreign body who developed a parapharyngeal abscess.

Abscess↗
PubMed1997

The Midland Institute of Otology and its founder: William Stirk Adams (1896-1978).

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Midland Institute of Otology (MIO) a meeting was held in the Belfry Hotel, West Midlands, 19-21 September 1997. The meeting comprised an excellent academic conference, social events and a golf tournament. A report on the academic conference has been published (Stansbie and Pahor, 1997). The MIO has been established to further the cause of ENT in the Midlands and it has succeeded in its aim to a great extent. An historical overview of the Institute is of interest and would serve perhaps as a model for similar organizations, especially in the provinces. The Institute was the brainchild of William Stirk Adams. He remained the President from the conception of the Institute till his death. It is befitting to present a biography of such a dedicated personality.

History, 20th Century↗
PubMed1997

The incidence of sinusitis in patients with multiple sclerosis.

A retrospective study was performed to assess the incidence of sinus disease in patients with MS. The MRI scans of 108 patients referred to a regional Neurosciences Unit with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis were examined. There were 71 females and 37 males with an age range of 22 to 67 years (mean: 39.7 years). The sagittal and axial images were reviewed and the degree of sinus disease noted. This was graded as absent, minimal, polypoid and pansinus. Fifty-seven patients (53%) had disease, the most common sinus involved was the maxillary followed by the ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid. Thirty-six patients had bilateral disease affecting the ethmoid sinuses most commonly. Three patients had fluid levels and four patients had retention cysts. The incidence of sinus disease is higher than in some other studies of normal populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Tuberculous parotitis: limiting the role of surgery.

The diagnosis of parotid gland involvement with tuberculosis has traditionally been made after superficial parotidectomy. We present four cases that suggest that fine needle aspiration cytology followed by antituberculous therapy can avoid the need for surgery in this uncommon condition.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1996

Incidental paranasal sinus inflammatory changes in a British population.

A retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of abnormality in the paranasal sinuses in a British population having magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for neurological signs and symptoms. The T2-weighted scans of 130 patients were studied. Abnormalities in the paranasal sinuses show as high signal on the T2-weighted scans and thus are clearly seen. Abnormalities included mucosal thickening, fluid levels, sinus opacification and retention cysts/polyps. Of the patients studied, 49.2 per cent showed one or more abnormality. Mucosal thickening was the most common abnormality noted and the ethmoid sinuses the most commonly affected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The Birmingham mummy: the first torticollis in history.

The Birmingham Mummy is of a warrior, 25-35 years of age, from the Graeco-Roman period. He was struck from the front by an arrow, which penetrated the soft tissues of the neck to some depth and lodged in the right infratemporal fossa. It is suggested that the wound became infected and that muscle spasm induced the torticollis which was not fully corrected on mummification.

Egypt↗
PubMed1995

Deep lobe parotid lipoma: a case report.

We present a patient with a lipoma of the deep lobe of the parotid gland. Despite the common occurrence of this tumour in other regions of the body, we believe that this is only the second report in the literature of a lipoma in this location. We believe that these tumours are easily dealt with by simple enucleation, and that superficial parotidectomy should be reserved for tumours deep to the facial nerve.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Intracranial complications of sinusitis: the need for aggressive management.

Sinus-induced intracranial sepsis can represent a genuine medical and surgical emergency. We review 12 cases presenting to our hospitals over a five-year period. Nine were male and three were female with an age range of 16 to 74 years (mean 35.5 years). Four patients had their sinusitis diagnosed prior to admission and eight did not. Nine patients had bilateral sinus disease, the most common sinus involved was the frontal followed by the ethmoid, maxillary and sphenoid. Neurosurgical drainage was via a craniotomy in seven cases and burr hole in three. Nine patients underwent sinus surgery and three did not. Of the nine who had sinus surgery three had frontal drainage, four fronto-ethmoidal and two trans-sphenoidal drainage. The most common organism was Streptococcus milleri. Our series confirms that sinus-induced intracranial sepsis is a serious problem needing early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. We would recommend a high index of suspicion of sinusitis in patients with intracranial infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Air gun pellets in the sinuses.

Three cases of penetrating sinus injuries due to air gun pellets are presented in order to illustrate the potentially serious consequences of air gun injuries. Primary surgery was performed in all cases. The clinical presentation, methods of accurate pre-operative localization and surgery are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Tympanic neurectomy in the management of parotid sialectasis.

The term sialectasis refers to dilation of the salivary ducts. Parotid sialectasis presents itself as recurrent painful swellings during mastication and/or swallowing. Our results with 10 cases treated by tympanic neurectomy over a period of nine years, from 1983 to 1992, were encouraging as seven cases had improvement of their symptoms. Anatomy of the tympanic plexus and surgical procedure are discussed as well as a review of the literature. We recommend extensive interruption of the secreto-motor nerve fibers by thoroughly drilling into the hypotympanum and below the basal turn of the cochlea. We also recommend that this be carried out by an experienced otologist to avoid possible complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The effects of in vitro cotitine on nasal ciliary beat frequency.

Cotitine is one of the main metabolites of nicotine. It is stable and in vivo has a relatively long circulating half life. Nasal ciliated cells from non-smoking individuals were exposed in vitro to solutions of cotitine corresponding to serum levels in active and passive smokers. Ciliary beat frequency was measured by a computerized photometric technique. There was a significant drop in ciliary beat frequency compared with control ciliated cells in phosphate buffered saline. It is concluded that cotitine in active or passive smoking has a marked effect on ciliary function. It may be a factor leading to diminished mucociliary clearance and persistent middle ear effusion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Nasal and middle ear ciliary beat frequency in chronic suppurative otitis media.

The middle ear mucociliary system has been shown to have an important function in the clearance of effusions. Little is known, however, about its role in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). The ciliary beat frequencies of middle ear mucosal biopsies and nasal brushings of 27 patients with CSOM were analysed using a computerized photometric technique. The ciliary beat frequency in the middle ear mucosa was significantly less than that in nasal mucosa. Frequency in ears of smoking patients was significantly lower compared with non-smoking patients. Nasal brushings were taken from 27 otherwise healthy age and sex-matched non-smoking controls and the ciliary beat frequency was very similar to nasal samples from patients with CSOM. Ear controls were obtained from otosclerotic patients undergoing tympanotomy and the beat frequency was significantly higher than in the ear of patients with CSOM. It is concluded that middle ear ciliary function is significantly reduced in CSOM, particularly in patients who smoke.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Smoking and middle ear ciliary beat frequency in otitis media with effusion.

The middle ear mucociliary system has been shown to play an important role in clearing middle ear effusions. There is conflicting epidemiological evidence, however, as to whether exposure to tobacco smoke plays a significant role in persistence of middle ear effusion in patients with otherwise normal mucociliary function. Samples of middle ear mucosa from 33 patients with persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) were taken at myringotomy, together with corresponding nasal brushings. The aim of this study was to observe the mean ear ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and to compare it with nasal ciliary activity. Nasal brushings were collected from 33 age and sex matched non-smoking controls with no history of nasal atopy or topical nasal treatment. Ear CBF in OME was significantly reduced in comparison to paired nasal samples (p < 0.001). Ear CBF in adult OME patients who smoked or in children who were passive smokers was significantly less than in patients who were not exposed to cigarette smoke (p < 0.01). This study indicates that impaired ciliary function due to tobacco smoke exposure is an aetiological factor in persistent OME.

Adolescent↗