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Biomedical subjects

L A Smallman

Publications and source records attributed to L A Smallman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Factors affecting ciliary function in vitro: a preliminary study.

Nasal ciliary function forms an important defence mechanism within the upper respiratory tract which has largely been ignored in recent years. The effects of various drugs used extensively in the treatment of diseases of the nose have not been fully established. Furthermore, the physiological control of ciliary activity is unclear. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of drugs on ciliary beat frequency in vitro using a photometric technique. A dose-dependent response to alpha and beta receptor drugs was found, cocaine hydrochloride achieved ciliostasis even at 40-fold dilution, and potassium ions, except at the limits of tolerance for excitable tissue, did not affect ciliary function. In conclusion, we suggest that alpha and beta receptors may be present on ciliated epithelium and be involved in the control of ciliary function in vivo. Ion fluxes across the ciliary cell membrane may also be important in ciliary activity akin to nervous tissue.

Adrenergic Agonists↗
PubMed1992

Ciliary beat frequency of nasal and middle ear mucosa in children with otitis media with effusion.

Impaired mucociliary function of respiratory tract mucosa is associated with secretory otitis media in some well recognized syndromes. Ciliary activity per se may now be assessed directly by determination of ciliary beat frequency by a photoelectric technique. 49 children with otitis media with effusion undergoing surgical treatment were studied. Middle ear mucosa and nasal epithelial cells were obtained by biopsy and cytological brushings respectively at the time of surgery (myringotomy +/- grommet insertion under general anaesthesia). From these samples mean nasal ciliary beat frequency was 11.0 Hz and mean middle ear ciliary beat frequency was 11.2 Hz. A positive correlation exists between mean ciliary beat frequency of nasal and middle ear samples from individual patients. A comparison of mean ciliary beat frequency between children who were effusion positive and effusion negative at the time of surgery revealed no statistically significant difference. In addition, no difference existed between those children with recurrent otitis media with effusion and newly presenting cases. No prima facie evidence exists of impaired ciliary function in this population of children with otitis media with effusion.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMed1991

Growth of preschool coloured children in Cape Town.

The growth of a random sample of coloured children in Cape Town was studied from birth until 5 years. At birth they were relatively light and short for gestational age. Size at birth correlated with social class. A rapid postnatal weight gain rendered them relatively overweight between 3 and 6 months. Thereafter they became lighter and shorter than the NCHS reference values and this persisted throughout the preschool period. Genetic factors, reflected by parental growth, were found to predict growth during childhood, but they were more predictive of weight and head circumference than of length. From 12 months onwards, socio-economic factors played a significant role in determining growth even after the effects of the genetic factors had been taken into account.

Black People↗
PubMed1991

Fanconi's anaemia and post-cricoid carcinoma.

A case of post-cricoid carcinoma, occurring in a patient with Fanconi's anaemia is presented. The case illustrates the rare association of the two diseases. The problems with the management of such a case are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Mast cell numbers in the mucosa of the inferior turbinate in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis: a light microscopic study.

The number of mast cells in the inferior turbinate from patients with perennial allergy due to house dust mite were compared with ten normal controls. Ten random high powered fields were counted in the epithelium and the submucosa in samples which had been divided into two and fixed either in aqueous formalin or Carnoy's fixative. The sections from each block were stained with either Azure A or Chloroacetate esterase technique. No statistical differences were found. The lack of increase in mast cell numbers was attributed to degranulation since numbers have been shown to be increased in perennial allergy when sections are examined ultrastructurally.

Cell Count↗
PubMed1991

An animal investigation into the effects of tympanostomy on middle ear mucociliary function and cilia.

The effect of tympanostomy on guinea-pig middle ear mucosa with particular reference to mucociliary function and cilia was investigated. 13 guinea-pigs were used; 5 acted as the control group with no surgical intervention whilst the other 8 had perforations made in one tympanic membrane. 6 weeks later an attempt was made to measure mucociliary function in all the ears, but this was unsuccessful. However, it would appear that fashioning a perforation in the tympanic membrane causes no histological changes in this animal model.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Nasal mucociliary function: comparison of saccharin clearance with ciliary beat frequency.

Mucociliary clearance as measured by saccharin clearance time is in part dependent on the physiological characteristics of mucus and is partly dependent on ciliary function. This study compared the relationship between saccharin clearance time and ciliary beat frequency in 44 patients attending a rhinology clinic. Whilst saccharin clearance time may be used as a screening test for ciliary function there was no clear linear relationship between mucociliary clearance and ciliary beat frequency.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Fine needle aspiration cytology of salivary gland lesions.

Eighty-eight fine needle aspirates from 79 salivary gland lesions in 77 patients were examined. The overall diagnostic sensitivity was 84% and the specificity 98.41%. When the 14 unsatisfactory specimens were excluded the sensitivity rose to 95.45%. Correct identification of the disease process was possible in nearly 80% of cases with a final benign diagnosis. The histological tumour type was correctly predicted in 75% of the malignancies. In the others the cytological diagnosis was anaplastic malignant neoplasm.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Flat condylomata of the penis presenting as patchy balanoposthitis.

Fifty patients presenting with either primary or recurrent patchy balanoposthitis which became aceto-white after the application of 5% acetic acid underwent biopsy. Microbiological screening, including Grocott staining of the biopsy material for fungal hyphae was performed. Forty nine biopsies showed marked koilocytosis suggestive of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, and of these, only three showed fungal hyphae. This study suggests that HPV may be associated with some cases of patchy balanoposthitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Cryptococcosis of the larynx.

An unusual case of cryptococcosis of the larynx is described in a non-immunocompromised patient. To our knowledge this is the second reported case in the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Pathologic disorders of the salivary glands.

The pathology of benign and malignant neoplasms and other lesions of salivary glands has been discussed with special reference to their macroscopic and microscopic appearances.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Young's syndrome (a case report).

A case of Young's syndrome is described presenting with obstructive azoospermia, sinusitis, otitis media and bronchitis. It is essential to examine ciliary function and ultrastructure in order to make this diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Fine needle aspiration cytology in the management ENT of patients.

Aspirates were obtained from 142 masses in 120 patients who presented with palpable swellings in the head and neck region. 120 specimens (84.51 per cent) were adequate for diagnostic purposes and the remaining 22 (15.49 per cent) were unsatisfactory. Final diagnosis was based on resection histology in 87 cases and close clinical follow-up in 55 patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity including unsatisfactory aspirates was 81.37 per cent and 93 per cent respectively (if the technically inadequate specimens were deleted 98.81 per cent and 94.44 per cent). In comparison with the final diagnosis typing of malignant tumours was possible in 58.33 per cent. The correct diagnosis was made in 63.89 per cent of benign lesions.

Biopsy, Needle↗