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Biomedical subjects

J Hornibrook

Publications and source records attributed to J Hornibrook.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

When not to syringe an ear.

This article reviews the potential hazards of ear syringing and the Accident Compensation Corporation Medical Misadventure Unit's experience of alleged iatrogenic injury over a 17-month period. Syringing claims account for about 25% of the total claims received by the ACC ENT Medical Misadventure Committee. Forty-seven claims were accepted as either mishap or error, and 63 claims were declined. Perforation of the drum was by far the commonest injury resulting in significant disability. Severe iatrogenic otitis externa accounted for most of the remainder. Practice nurses had syringed the ears of approximately two-thirds of the claimants with significant disability. The contraindications to ear syringing are listed and discussed. The correct technique, with a few "do and don't" pointers, is briefly reviewed. Management of the unintentional injury is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prospective, randomized, controlled study comparing two dosing regimens of gentamicin/oral ciprofloxacin switch therapy for acute pyelonephritis.

Aminoglycosides are drugs of choice for severe gram-negative urinary tract sepsis. Recent evidence suggests that they are just as efficacious, but less nephrotoxic and ototoxic, if given as a single daily dose rather than in divided doses. We considered that a single, large dose of an aminoglycoside followed by oral therapy with a different antibiotic might be equally effective and possibly less toxic. This randomized, controlled study compared a single large i.v. dose (10 mg/kg) of gentamicin (S) with a standard multiple dose regimen (M) of gentamicin (2.5 mg/kg i.v. stat and then computer generated divided doses aiming for peak and trough concentrations of 8 and 1.5 mg/l respectively) for the treatment of patients with suspected acute pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization for parenteral antibiotic treatment. All patients were switched to oral ciprofloxacin either four hours after the S dose or when clinically appropriate in the M regimen. For all patients the total duration of treatment was five days. Fifty-three patients (48 women; mean age 32 yr) were enrolled. Clinical and bacteriological efficacy could be assessed in 41 patients. Thirteen of 16 in the S arm and 24 of 25 in the M arm were clinically cured and the other four clinically improved. Fifteen of 16 in the S arm and 23 of 25 in the M arm were cured bacteriologically (sterile urine 7-10 days after treatment). In 41 patients high tone audiometry was carried out before or very soon after the start of treatment, and again at the end of treatment. Ototoxicity (> or = 10 dB loss in > or = 2 frequencies in both ears) was observed in 3 of 18 in the S group (17%) and 7 of 23 in the M group (30%) (NS). Other side-effects and toxicity were mild and not different between groups. Substantial cost savings occurred in the S group. In summary, a large single dose of gentamicin was comparable in efficacy and toxicity to a standard regimen, but cheaper and more convenient to use.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

The management of preauricular sinus.

Preauricular sinus is a common congenital condition which does not always cause symptoms. It is often misdiagnosed, can be difficult to treat surgically, and recurrences are common. The results of treatment in twelve Christchurch patients are discussed and a surgical technique is described.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Abnormally patent eustachian tube syndrome.

Seven new cases of abnormally patent eustachian tube syndrome are presented. It is an uncommon disorder in which the voice and breathing are heard loudly in the affected ear. In mild cases blocked ear sensation may be the only symptom. The common predisposing causes are rapid weight loss and pregnancy. It usually resolves without surgical intervention. An occasional patient is extremely distressed by the symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Chondrosarcoma arising in the nasal septum.

A case is presented of a chondrosarcoma arising in the nasal septum and extending into the maxillary sinuses. This tumour is unusual in the head and neck and rarely arises in the nasal septum. Diagnostic difficulties are discussed. The treatment was radical surgery with removal of a major portion of the upper jaw, necessitating reconstruction with a maxillo-facial prothesis.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

The presenting symptoms of head and neck cancer.

The late presentation of head and neck malignancies is often attributable to failure by the patient and the doctors to appreciate the significance of early symptoms. The presenting features of 522 cases are summarised. They emphasize that the following clinical features are significant, especially in a patient who smokes or drinks: local pain, pain referred to the ear, hoarseness, dysphagia, dyspnoea and stridor, persistent sore throat, nasal obstruction, bleeding, problems fitting dentures and a neck lump. An adequate history and ability to examine the head and neck region are prerequisites to early diagnosis. A knowledge of the presenting features of head and neck malignancies could be stressed more adequately by public health authorities.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Fatal epistaxis from an aneurysm of the intracranial internal carotid artery.

An instance of fatal epistaxis is reported in a patient with an unsuspected aneurysm of the infraclinoid portion of the internal carotid artery. There was no known history of trauma. The aneurysm was subsequently detected on an old X-ray film. Epistaxis from an aneurysm at this site is nearly always preceded by significant head trauma and is associated with cranial nerve palsies, a syndrome with a high mortality. Epistaxis from rupture of a non-traumatic aneurysm is very rare.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Carcinoma of the ureter.

A case of primary carcinoma of the ureter is presented. The features of 12 previous cases are summarised and discussed with reference to the literature. The tumour occurs most commonly in the sixth and seventh decades and is often diagnosed late. Subsequent bladder tumours are common, so vigilant follow-up is necessary.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Histocompatibility antigens and immune responsiveness; their relevance to rheumatic diseases.

Associations between histocompatibility antigens and human diseases have been found. Some of the highest correlations are with the so-called "rheumatoid variant" disorders. Data gained from ummunogenetic studies in laboratory animals has been invoked in speculation on the significance of the high antigen associations in disease pathogenesis. While much of this data better supports theories on the aetiology of other conditions with less significant antigen associations, it is discussed here with reference to the rheumatic diseases.

Animals↗