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Biomedical subjects

K Laitakari

Publications and source records attributed to K Laitakari.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Effect of positioning of the feet in posturography.

Static posturography has been developed from a basic research test to a widely used clinical tool for evaluating dizzy patients. Before any actual standardization can be achieved, however, several aspects of the test situations have to be evaluated, including the position of the feet. The quantitative significance of the standing position in posturographic measurements was evaluated with healthy volunteers studied under visual and nonvisual conditions, using 4 foot positions: heels together with the toes 30 degrees apart or at an angle of the volunteer's own choice, and the feet parallel and either 0 or 10 cm apart were studied separately. Each measurement was characterized in terms of 5 parameters (body sway velocity, vibration-induced shift of centre of force in anteroposterior and lateral directions, and maximum displacement of centre of force in the same directions). Body sway velocities were smallest when the feet were parallel and 10 cm apart. Although the position chosen by the subject was usually more stable than that with the toes 30 degrees apart, the difference was nonsignificant. According to our results, the standing position is not crucial in posturographic measurements provided that the distance between the heels is determined, and the subject can just as well choose the angle between the feet if the heels are kept together.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

High-frequency audiometry. Accelerometric findings with electric bone-conduction audiometry.

The skull vibrations induced by an electrical high-frequency audiometer (Audimax 500) were measured with a sensitive accelerometer in 5 subjects. The measurements included the maximum output levels, the equivalent threshold force level (ETFL) decreases, the distortions over the whole frequency range (0.5-20 kHz) of the audiometer and the effect of different electrode positions. The results showed that there is a real bone-conduction effect with this audiometer throughout the high-frequency range with the different electrode positions. The mean maximum output level ranged between 60 and 70 dB ETFL in the high-frequency range. The ETFL decrease was of the same order, irrespective of the frequency, but the differences in the maximum output levels at different frequencies necessitate a frequency-dependent additive correction so that the equal hearing level at each frequency can be achieved. When the electrodes were placed on both mastoids, the second harmonic distortions were found only at signal frequencies of 2 and 4 kHz. At the other electrode positions the distortions were increased, however, not being audible.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Immediate correction of congenital nasal deformities; follow-up of 8 years.

A total of 4724 newborns was screened for congenital nasal deformities. Altogether 91 (1.9%) pathological, screening-positive cases were found. Because of refusal to participate, 3 pathological cases were lost leaving 88 cases. The first 55 screening positive newborns were left without treatment while an attempt was made by an otolaryngologist to correct the remaining 33 cases within a week from delivery. Eighty-two newborns of those who passed the screening tests were analyzed as a control group. In 1987, at the age of 8 years the case and control children were interviewed by mailed questionnaire and invited to be re-examined by an ENT-surgeon. Forty-seven of the not corrected, 21 of the corrected cases and 61 controls came to the re-examination. The luxated septal cauda tended to be straight both spontaneously as well as after active treatment. The few mid-septal pathologies (vomerine junction) in the corrected group were resistant to the treatment attempted. The mid-septal deformities found in the follow-up were connected with frequent antibiotic prescriptions but not respiratory infections. No increase in frequency of otitis media or sinusitis was noticed. The immediate treatment of nasal deformities did not significantly affect the clinical status of the nose at the follow-up. Thus the benefit of immediate treatment on nasal deformities in newborns and screening to find them remains questionable.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed1990

Intratympanic gentamycin in severe Ménière's disease.

From 1982 to 1987, 20 patients with disabling attacks of vertigo and severe hearing loss due to unilateral Ménière's disease were treated with local intratympanic gentamycin. In 18 patients control of vertiginous attacks was achieved. Hearing deteriorated in 8 patients. In spite of complete control of attacks a disabling ablation type of unsteadiness and dizziness affected 7 patients. Two patients required additional treatment after 5-8 months remission. Intratympanic gentamycin seems to be a less useful method of treating severe unilateral Ménière's disease than previously stated. It is, however, a possible alternative to surgical labyrinthectomy with a fair chance of residual hearing preservation.

Ear, Middle↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of mandibular fractures. Need for rigid internal fixation.

The treatment of 200 mandibular fractures was evaluated retrospectively with special reference to the need for rigid internal fixation (AO-plating), as indicated by the ASIF organization. It was shown that the treatment was most typically intermaxillary fixation (50%) followed by Gunning-type splints (17%), wire (16%) and plate (6%) osteosynthesis, while 11% received no active treatment. Complications during splinting were most common among patients treated by osteosynthesis via an extra-oral approach. Most of the fractures (73%) were estimated to be anatomically suitable for AO-plating. One fifth (22%) had relative indications for the use of rigid internal fixation, and 59% had absolute indications, mostly due to simultaneous condylar and corpus (body) fractures or due to fractures in the angle region.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Autologous and homologous fibrinogen sealants: adhesive strength.

The adhesive strength of autologous fibrinogen sealants prepared from the individual patient's blood with the help of ammonium sulphate or polyethylene glycol was compared to that of a homologous commercial fibrinogen sealant. The concentration of the fibrinogen harvested by each method was measured. The bonding power measurements were carried out by gluing pieces of human dura, rat skin, or cotton cloth together. The commercial fibrinogen sealant yielded the highest concentration of fibrinogen and also proved to be the strongest of the glues tested. The PEG glue was better than the AS glue. Humidity did not have a significant influence on adhesive strength, nor did deep-freezing worsen the properties of the fibrinogen sealants. In addition to the commercial products, the self-made fibrinogen glues, especially the PEG glue, were also strong enough for otolaryngological use.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed1989

[Causes and mechanisms in dizziness].

A feeling of vertigo ensues if the senses mediate contradictory information, or if the information is misinterpreted in the brain. Long-term, and repeated vertigo are common, particularly in the elderly. Often it is a matter of benign positional vertigo but the root cause may be organic disease or a functional disorder. In most cases the diagnosis is made at anamnesis but, as this survey shows, vertigo may sometimes be difficult to investigate and its causal connections obscure.

Dizziness↗
PubMed1986

Ear protection against water-borne infection: an objective evaluation.

Eight different ear plug materials were tested, in 5 ears each, in artificial shallow underwater conditions for 30 minutes, in order to determine their efficacy in sealing the ear canals to avoid water-borne infections in ear canals and open middle ears. Most of the plugs tested would meet everyday requirements for protection, but the polymeric foam plugs, treated with petroleum jelly, and moldable plastic materials were most effective in protecting both the middle ear and the ear canal skin.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Use and non-use of hearing aids.

A hundred and fifty hearing-handicapped were interviewed at home two years after their hearing aids had been fitted. The aim was to find out how many of the delivered aids were in use, and if not, why. A remarkable percentage of the hearing aids were very seldom, if ever, in use (23%), 57% of them were used regularly every day and 19% of the hearing-handicapped used their aids occasionally. The hearing aids were less used if the hearing loss was mild or sensorineural. Behind-the-ear aids were used more regularly than the body-worn aids. The time needed for learning to handle the aid did not affect the amount of use. Very often, despite being satisfied with the instruction, the non-users were not skilled in handling the aid. They also often complained about having little opportunity to converse with others; however, no difference in the amount of social contacts could be shown between the users and non-users. On the basis of the results of this study the policy of our hearing-aid fitting has been revised.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Audiological and vestibular findings in long-term hormonal treatment.

93 patients receiving long-term hormonal treatment at the Hormonal Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Gynecology were examined audiologically and electronystagmographically. The patients had different hormonal disturbances including Turner's syndrome. Electronystagmography showed normal values with the exception of lower slow-component speeds in Turner syndrome patients and a shift of all directional preponderances to the left. Audiologically 13% showed pathological values in the filtered speech test. This phenomenon may be partially connected to a central gnostic hearing lesion. More studies on sensitized speech tests are necessary in patients using steroid hormones.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radiography of the maxillary sinus mucosal surface with Tantalum.

Experiments were made with powdered Tantalum insufflated through a puncture trocar into 12 healthy maxillary sinuses and into 8 diseased sinuses. The spread of the powder was good enough to depict all the surfaces of the sinus if there was no secretion, irrespective of mucosal changes, but unsatisfactory if the sinus contained secretion. The Tantalum powder did not cause any harm to the patients and the clearance of this contrast medium gave additional information on the functional capacity of the sinus.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Simultaneous four-channel electric-response audiometry results in 8 years of hearing evaluation among small children.

The results of 8 years' experience with slow cortical-evoked responses obtained by a four-channel method are reported. The conclusion is that, even in this form, ERA is not a reliable tool for diagnosing hearing defects in children. The time course of the mean ERA threshold of 138 children examined in Turku University for periods ranging from 6 months to over 3 years is presented. The results are discussed. Electrocochleography or brain stem audiometry is recommended for clinical use.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Does posturography differentiate malingerers from vertiginous patients?

Voluntary, simulated vertigo and acute vertigo due to vestibular neuritis were examined by means of static posturography in 81 tests to evaluate the extent to which intentional malingering can be detected. Thirty healthy, normal subjects were first instructed to stand as still as possible on a static force platform and then to simulate dizziness. The true cases consisted of 21 patients with vestibular neuritis. The parameters analyzed included body sway velocity (BSV), body sway area of ellipse (BSE), and the Romberg quotient. Both the simulated and pathological posturographic BSV and BSE values differed from normal values under all test conditions, but they did not differ from each other, whereas the simulated values could be differentiated from the pathological ones with the Romberg quotient based on BSV. Five staff members of our audiological department were able to differentiate between the simulations and pathological cases quite well, with a median sensitivity of 0.77 and a specificity of 0.71 in a blinded test. A posturographic measurement, even performed once, can be useful to some extent for detecting simulation, but more investigation and development of the analysis system is required to obtain more specific results. For the present, the results obtained by trained observation of the subject in the test situation are at least as reliable as those obtained through the analysis of statistical measurements.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Static posturography and intravenous alcohol.

Twelve health subjects were assessed using static posturography before and after intravenous alcohol infusion in a double-blind experiment. The dose was 0.5 g ethanol per kg body weight in 15 minutes, which raised the blood alcohol concentration to a level of approximately 1 mg/mL. Among other parameters, the average body sway velocity (BSV) and area of body sway (BSA) were measured. BSV was the most sensitive parameter for detecting increased body sway after alcohol infusion, and a significant effect of alcohol on its values was seen at 0.46 to 1.0 mg/mL alcohol concentrations. The second best indicator was the BSA. There was a positive correlation between the BSV and the BSA. The other parameters were not affected. The Romberg quotient remained constant during the alcohol test. The test battery used was relevant to distinguish the effect of alcohol on balance. In this study, acute blood alcohol concentrations of around 0.5 to 1.0 mg/mL affected BSV more significantly than BSA. The authors do not, however, recommend the test for forensic purposes in examining drivers with alcohol in their blood, as there is too much interindividual dispersion in the results.

Adolescent↗