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Biomedical subjects

C W Norris

Publications and source records attributed to C W Norris.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of responses to air, water, and closed-loop caloric irrigators.

Three types of commercially available caloric irrigation units--air, water, and closed-loop--were evaluated for nystagmus response patterns and comfort. Electronystagmographic recordings were analyzed for slow-phase velocity, response duration, amplitude, frequency, and test-retest reliability. Significant differences were found among the three types of irrigators, between warm and cool irrigators, and between male and female subjects. Test-retest reliability was adequate for all three units. Subjects clearly favored the closed-loop system over the water and air irrigators, but the water irrigator yielded the most robust caloric response.

Adolescent↗

The effect of stimulus duration using the Brookler-Grams closed-loop caloric irrigator.

Nystagmic responses to traditional 40-sec, 30 degrees C water calorics were recorded and compared to those obtained with the Brookler-Grams closed-loop irrigator using 30 degrees C, 40-, 50-, and 60-sec irrigations. Significant differences were noted between the responses to the water irrigator and the 40- and 50-sec closed-loop irrigations. The 60-sec closed-loop irrigation produced responses that were equivalent to the responses obtained with the water irrigation in slow component velocity, amplitude, frequency, latency, and duration. The 30 degrees C 60-sec closed-loop irrigation is an acceptable stimulus in electronystagmographic caloric testing.

Adolescent↗

Gender influences subsite of origin of laryngeal carcinoma.

The relationship of gender to laryngeal cancer is not well understood. We analyzed 688 laryngeal cancers diagnosed in Kansas from 1980 through 1989 for sex differences in subsite distribution (glottis, supraglottis, subglottis, and laryngeal cartilage) as well as survival, histologic grade, and age at diagnosis. The ratio of glottic to supraglottic tumors was 22.12:1 in men and 0.56:1 in women, a highly significant difference. Survival in glottic tumors was significantly better than in supraglottic tumors, but survival was not significantly better for women than it was for men. Glottic tumors were significantly more likely than were supraglottic tumors to be of low-grade malignancy for all subjects and for male subjects alone, but not for female subjects alone. Women were younger at time of diagnosis than were men, but not significantly so. Gender is an important factor in the genesis of laryngeal cancer.

Aged↗

Cartilaginous tumors of the trachea and larynx.

Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx are uncommon, with approximately 250 having been reported in the literature. Only 28% of these were chondrosarcomas, and the remainder, chondromas. Cartilaginous tumors occur even more rarely in the trachea, with eight chondromas and four chondrosarcomas having been reported. A review of the literature with an outline of a reasonable treatment philosophy for these tumours is presented, as well as three case reports of chondrosarcoma of the larynx and one of chondroma of the trachea, which demonstrate common characteristics of these tumors. We also describe a new technique used on one of these patients in which an autologous rib cartilage graft and pyriform fossa mucosal flap are used to reconstruct the cricoid ring after resection of more than two thirds of its circumference, allowing decannulation and good voice postoperatively.

Aged↗

Translocation t(X;18) in orofacial synovial sarcoma.

Cytogenetic analysis of a synovial sarcoma of the base of the tongue showed a reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes X and 18 [t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2)]. This is a translocation recently reported to be characteristic of synovial sarcomas of the extremities. The histogenesis of synovial sarcoma is controversial. Our discovery of this translocation in an oral synovial sarcoma confirms the unity of origin of this neoplasm with the far more common synovial sarcomas of the extremity. Karyotypic analysis may prove useful in confirming the diagnosis of this uncommon neoplasm.

Adult↗

The efficacy of the CO2 laser in the sterilization of skin seeded with bacteria: survival at the skin surface and in the plume emissions.

A quantitative study on the survival of bacteria following exposure to the CO2 laser was determined at the skin surface and in the plume. Known quantities of bacteria were inoculated onto the surface of fresh pig skin and exposed to timed bursts of the radiation. Results indicate that the bacterial population at the skin surface was reduced by several orders of magnitude while the potential for spread of bacteria by the plume of smoke was negligible.

Animals↗

Experimental skin incision made with the carbon dioxide laser.

A comparison of incisions made with a surgical scalpel and a continuous carbon dioxide laser was done. The hog was the subject animal because of its similarity to human skin. The short-term stage of the experiment showed that the laser incisions were far better in terms of tissue repair. However, after several days, the incisions made by the scalpel exhibited better tissue reconstruction. But around the 30th day, both systems displayed similar results. This information may aid a surgeon in making a decision on whether a laser may be used safely in an operation.

Animals↗

Multiple paranasal sinus mucoceles.

The clinical and radiological findings in a 56-year-old woman with mucoceles involving the left frontal, both ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and right maxillary sinuses are presented. The predisposing cause was thought to be previous facial fractures. The rarity of this combination of lesions is discussed, including a brief review of the literature.

Female↗

Spontaneous return of facial motion following seventh cranial nerve resection.

Four patients who had undergone operative procedures, wherein substantial segments of the VIIth cranial nerve had been resected, experienced some degree of reanimation of the muscles of expression despite the fact that no restitutive measures were employed. The site of insult was in the face in two; the temporal bone in one; and the fourth occurred in the cerebellopontine angle. Teeth-clenching and grimacing were practiced before a mirror by each subject, and one wonders if "re-education" of dormant trigeminal nerve fibers might have facilitated the rehabilitation which was achieved.

Adult↗

Pharyngoceles of the hypopharynx.

The differential diagnosis of the complaint of dysphagia is extensive; however, a search of the literature gives the impression that pharyngocele as a cause of dysphagia is relatively infrequent, since only 18 well-documented cases have been reported. On the other hand, the author's experience reveals that pharyngocele occurs more commonly than indicated in the literature as, over the past 2 years, 24 patients with pharyngocele have been personally observed. This thesis is divided primarily into three sections: 1. a review of the physiology and anatomy involved in the swollowing mechanism; 2. a review of the English literature regarding pharyngocele, and 3. an evaluation of the author's 24 cases, allowing for discussion and conclusions. It is noted that laryngocele is frequently mistaken for pharyngocele; however, it is pointed out that a correctly performed barium swallow roentgenogram differentiates one from the other. Symptoms of laryngocele, Zenker's diverticulum and pharyngocele can be quite similar. Frequently, pharyngocele can be demonstrated by the Valsalva maneuver. Surgical repair is indicated when the symptoms are severe. Standard pharyngeal mucous membrane closure similar to the procedure utilized in the repair of Zenker's diverticulum should result in resolution of the problem.

Adult↗