Sensorineural hearing loss after epidural block for labor analgesia: a case report.
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Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
Biomedical subjects
H Valtonen
Publications and source records attributed to H Valtonen.
Reduced expression of hyaluronan is a strong indicator of poor survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Several malignant tumours accumulate hyaluronan (HA), a matrix component suggested to promote cancer cell growth and migration. The expression and prognostic value of HA was analysed in a cohort of 151 oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients with adequate archival tumour material and follow-up data. The tumour samples were stained using a biotinylated HA-specific probe. Normal squamous epithelium showed a strong and homogeneously distributed staining for HA. The most superficial layers were HA-negative. In moderate (n=11) and high grade (n=16) dysplasias an irregular HA staining was observed around invasive cancer. Malignant transformation in oral squamous cell epithelium changed the staining toward irregular with focal reduction of HA. The well (n=92) or moderately differentiated (n=47) carcinomas had a strong HA staining intensity. In poorly differentiated tumours (n=12) the HA staining was weaker and mainly intracellular. The stromal tissue showed usually moderate (n=69) or strong (n=67) HA staining intensity with no statistically significant correlation with the degree of tumour differentiation. At the end of the follow-up (median 52 months) 66 (43%) patients had died because of an oral SCC. A significant difference in overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) (P=0.0002 and 0.0020, respectively) was noticed between the patients with the different epithelial staining patterns for HA. The reduction of HA staining was associated with poor survival. In Cox's multivariate analysis HA staining was a significant independent predictor of OS (P=0.011) and DFS (P=0.013). These results suggest that HA is a prognostic marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Adolescent↗
Intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of common cold.
Sinusitis is usually considered a complication of viral rhinitis. Virus infections in the upper respiratory tract lead to mucosal swelling, which may obstruct paranasal sinus outflow, resulting in infection in the paranasal sinuses. Topical nasal steroids have been found beneficial in a variety of acute and chronic nasal conditions including allergic and nonallergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the intranasal inhalation powder beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 400 micrograms/day treatment has a beneficial or harmful effect on symptoms and signs of common cold, and whether or not it can prevent common cold complications. A total of 54 patients were randomized, 26 into the placebo-group and 28 into the BDP group. During the 14-day follow-up, there were on an average 10.3 symptomatic days in the placebo group and 10.7 days in the BDP group (p = 0.72). The use of intranasal BDP in the treatment of common cold neither reduced symptoms caused by inflammation nor did it shorten the recovery time. On the other hand, because BDP does not increase the risk of complications or significantly prolong the recovery during the common cold, there is no need to discontinue its use in the patients with allergic rhinitis or nasal polyposis.
Administration, Intranasal↗
Basic fibroblast growth factor in nasal polyps immunohistochemical and quantitative findings.
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a mediator with potent mitogenic properties. Increased amounts of this mediator have been demonstrated in damaged lung tissue, and it has been suggested to increase the healing of gastro-duodenal ulcers. In order to quantify the amounts and document the localization of bFGF in nasal polyps, polyp tissue from 12 patients undergoing polypectomy was analyzed by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Mucosa from the inferior turbinate was analyzed in the same manner for comparison. The amount of bFGF detected in polyp tissue was significantly higher than that in turbinate mucosa. The amount of bFGF was also significantly higher in the group of patients with high degree of inflammation. The immunohistochemical findings demonstrated abundant bFGF activity mainly in the glandular acini, in the epithelium, in infiltrating inflammatory cells and in the vessel walls. We propose that bFGF may contribute in a significant way to the formation of nasal polyps.
Aged↗
Analysis of eustachian tube function by video endoscopy.
OBJECTIVE: Human eustachian tubes (ET) were inspected in vivo endoscopically, and video recordings were made for careful slow-motion analysis of normal physiologic function. SETTING: Ambulatory office in a tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS: Thirty-four adults, 17 with no history of ET dysfunction (2 of whom had tympanic membrane perforations), 17 with known ET dysfunction. INTERVENTIONS: Transnasal endoscopic examination of the nasopharyngeal opening of the eustachian tube during rest, swallowing, and yawning. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Video analysis of ET opening movements. RESULTS: Normal ETs had four consistent sequential movements: (1) palatal elevation causing passive, then active, rotation of the medial cartilaginous lamina; (2) lateral excursion of the lateral pharyngeal wall; (3) dilation of the lumen, caused primarily by tensor veli palatini muscle movement beginning distally and inferiorly, then opening proximally and superiorly; and (4) opening of the tubal valve at the isthmus caused by dilator tubae muscle contraction. Dysfunctional ETs had intraluminal edema, polyps, or minimal muscle movement. CONCLUSIONS: Slow-motion endoscopic video analysis may be a useful new technique for the study of eustachian tube physiology. Consistent muscle movement patterns were demonstrated in normal subjects but were absent in abnormal subjects. More studies of normal and abnormal patterns are needed to establish useful clinical correlates.
Adult↗
Tympanostomy in young children with recurrent otitis media. A long-term follow-up study.
A total of 305 children, five to 16 months of age, were treated from 1983-1984 with ventilation tubes-Shah vent Teflon tube-inserted under local anaesthesia for recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) or otitis media with effusion (OME). The final study group comprised 281 children (92.1 per cent) monitored prospectively for five years, 185 in the OME-group and 96 in the RAOM-group. For the first insertion of tubes the average ventilation period was 15.4 months. Re-tympanostomy, with adenoidectomy simultaneously at the first time was performed in 99 ears (35.2 per cent); once in 27.0 per cent, twice in five per cent, and three times in 3.2 per cent. Mastoidectomy due to otorrhoea was performed in three ears (1.1 per cent). The children in the OME-group were at higher risk of repeated post-tympanostomy otorrhoea episodes than children in the RAOM-group. These episodes of otorrhoea during the first insertion of ventilation tubes significantly increased both the tube extrusion rate and the need for subsequent re-tympanostomies. No major complications were caused by the tympanostomy procedure as such. It is concluded that early tympanostomy is a safe procedure in young children with RAOM or OME. However, parents should be carefully informed of risks of post-tympanostomy otorrhoea and recurrent disease after insertion of ventilation tubes necessitating subsequent tube insertion, especially in children with OME.
Female↗
Spontaneous fracture of an ossified stylohyoid ligament.
The stylohyoid ligament extends from the styloid process to the hyoid bone. For an unknown reason it occasionally ossifies and forms a solid structure which can break because of trauma or even spontaneously. Symptoms of the fracture may mimic tumours, foreign bodies, infections or neuralgia. In our cases a spontaneous fracture of totally ossified stylohyoid ligaments presented as a painful neck swelling. The diagnosis was achieved by an ortopantomographic radiograph. In both cases the healing was spontaneous and complete.
Fractures, Spontaneous↗
The origin of congenital cholesteatoma.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to document histologically the origin of congenital cholesteatoma in neonatal temporal bones. STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a systematic analysis of pediatric temporal bones. SETTING: The study was performed at the temporal bone laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine and New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts. RESULTS: We describe histologic findings of a congenital cholesteatoma and a squamous epithelial rest in two postpartum patients. In both patients, the masses were asymptomatic and occurred in the anterosuperior quadrant of the middle ear cleft. This is the first histologic documentation of postpartum congenital cholesteatoma. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that these cases represent the first clear histologic documentation of the origin of congenital cholesteatoma.
Cholesteatoma↗
Early post-tympanostomy otorrhea in children under 17 months of age.
A total number of 281 consecutive children with recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) or otitis media with effusion (OME) was treated with ventilation tubes (VT), inserted under local anesthesia. Patients were prospectively followed-up for post-tympanostomy otorrhea, classified as "early" if observed within 7 days of the tympanostomy procedure. The age of children ranged from 5 to 16 months (average 10.1 months). VT were placed bilaterally in 279 of 281 children. The average length of otitis media (OM) history prior to tympanostomy was 3.4 months. An episode of OM had been diagnosed 1-2 times in 18.9%, 3-4 times in 68.0%, and at least 5 times in 13.1% of the children. Middle ear effusion (MEE), most often classified as mucoid was present in 65.8% of the ears. Cultures were positive for bacteria in 41 of the 185 ears with MEE (22.2%). The mastoid air cell system was radiographically normal in 9.6% and markedly clouded in 56.6%. Early post-tympanostomy otorrhea was observed in 16.0% of ears, occurring more often when MEE, especially mucopurulent, was present at tympanostomy (p < 0.01). The risk of otorrhea was significantly increased by a positive culture for pathogenic bacteria in MEE (p < 0.01) and highly significantly by the advanced opacification of the mastoid air cell system (p < 0.001). It is concluded that early post-tympanostomy otorrhea in young children is caused by the advanced infectious process in the middle ear cleft, including mastoid cell system rather than by the tympanostomy procedure itself. It may indicate the need for more active treatment in this age group.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea↗
Bacteria in middle ear effusions in children treated with tympanostomy; a 10-year series.
During the 10-year period, 1983-92, altogether 7,411 ears of 5,291 children with recurrent or chronic otitis media problems were treated with tympanostomy at our hospital in central Finland, The series was divided into three groups: i) infants aged 6-12 months undergoing primary tube treatment. ii) children aged 1 year or more receiving their first ventilation tube(s) in connection with adenoidectomy, and iii) children who had already had ventilation tubes inserted at least once before the present tympanostomy. Middle ear effusion (MEE) samples were obtained from 4,769 (64.3%) of the affected ears, 69.5% of all MEE cultures were negative for bacteria, whereas 20.2% grew pathogenic bacteria. S. pneumoniae was the most frequent pathogen in group 1, whereas H. influenzae was more frequent than S. pneumoniae in groups 2 and 3. In only 3.7% of MEE cultures were beta-lactamase-producing strains of pathogenic bacteria found, either H. influenzae (0.9%) or M. catarrhalis (2.8%). Comparison of the first and second 5-year periods ( 1983-87 vs. 1988-92) showed no significant changes in the occurrence of the various pathogenic bacteria. An increase was observed in beta-lactamase production for M. catarrhalis but not for H. influenzae strains.
Acute Disease↗
Influence of topical steroid treatment on maxillary sinusitis.
The clinical efficacy and adverse effects of budesonide administered as a nasal aerosol in addition to sinus washings and erythromycin therapy was assessed by comparison with placebo in a randomized, double-blind study of 40 patients with chronic or recurrent maxillary sinusitis. Most of the patients had been referred for operative treatment. Corticosteroid therapy, 400 micrograms daily, or placebo was continued for 3 months. Budesonide and antral irrigations reduced nasal symptoms more effectively than placebo, and there was a significantly greater reduction in facial pain and sensitivity in the budesonide group than in the placebo group. During the treatment period, mucosal thickening as evaluated by radiology decreased more clearly in the budesonide group than in the placebo group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Haemophilus influenzae. Only 2 of 20 Haemophilus strains were beta-lactamase producers. The cellular picture was dominated by neutrophils in all secretions. There was no significant difference in clinical outcome between the two groups. Topical steroid therapy did not cause any adverse effects.
Administration, Topical↗
Bacterial findings in middle ear effusion in children.
During 1983-87, tympanostomy tubes were inserted in a total of 4952 ears of 2575 children remitted to the ENT Department of our hospital because of chronic or recurrent otitis media problems. The children were included in a prospective study and referred to one of three groups for comparison of findings. Group 1 included all 6- to 12-month-old infants undergoing primary tube treatment; group 2, all children 1 year or older who had their first ventilation tube(s) inserted in connection with adenoidectomy; and group 3, all children in whom tympanostomy had been performed one or more times previously. Middle ear effusion was aspirated from 2392 ears (48%); 67.6% of all ears were negative for bacteria and 22.1% of the ears with effusion grew pathogenic bacteria. S. pneumoniae was the most frequently cultured pathogen among the 6 to 12 month olds in group 1, but in groups 2 and 3 H. influenzae occurred more frequently than S. pneumoniae. Beta-lactamase-producing strains of pathogenic bacteria were formed in only 4% of all ears with effusion: H. influenzae in 1.2% and B. catarrhalis in 2.8%. Compared with figures from the United states, the frequency of beta-lactamase-producing strains is low in the present series. This is probably explained by differences in antimicrobial treatment practices; in Finland and the Scandinavian countries, penicillin V is the primary drug for acute otitis media. In light of present results, it seems well-suited for treatment of otitis media in young children.
Acute Disease↗
Price, policy and consumption of tobacco: the Finnish experience.
This paper demonstrates that while price policy provides a powerful tool for deterring tobacco consumption, the objectives of general economic policy may hamper its effective usage. It is shown that even comprehensive legislative and administrative actions may be ineffective unless they are supported by price measures.
Finland↗
Congenital dermoid cysts of the tongue.
A case of large dermoid cyst in the tongue in a 3 1/2-month-old child is presented. Histologically it was an epidermoid cyst. Typically corresponding cysts are diagnosed during the first four months of life. When the cyst was punctured, some keratin escaped and caused a granulation tissue reaction with granulocytes between the muscles of the tongue. The cyst was treated by marsupialization. No abnormality in the shape or function of the tongue was seen after 24 months.
Dermoid Cyst↗
Tegmental defects and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea.
Congenital tegmental defects that present as unsuspected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea are diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We reviewed 5 such patients to determine an optimal strategy for evaluation. Five patients presented with watery otorrhea, 4 of them after ventilation tube placement, and only 1 with rhinorrhea. The preoperative analysis of middle ear effusion for beta(2)-transferrin was positive in 2/4, equivocal in 1/4 and false negative in 1/4. Computerized tomography (CT) revealed nonspecific tegmental defects in all 5 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated meningoencephalocele in 3/5 and dural irregularity in 1/5. Tegmental defects were confirmed at surgery in all cases, demonstrating meningocele or arachnoid granulations in 2/5 and encephalocele in 2/5 patients. We recommend a combination of beta(2)-transferrin analysis to verify CSF, high resolution CT (axial and coronal planes) to diagnose tegmental defects, and MRI (multiplanar) to evaluate the type of herniation. A combination mastoid and middle fossa approach for definitive repair is suggested.
Aged↗