Biomedical subjects

M A Varvares

Publications and source records attributed to M A Varvares.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis: a complication of dental implant surgery.

BACKGROUND: The placement of osseointegrated dental implants is considered a minimally invasive procedure with a low complication rate. Reported complications include local trauma to neurovascular structures, mandible fractures, sinusitis, and localized gingivitis. Major life-threatening complications are extremely rare. Severe infection has not been reported in a review of the English literature. METHOD: Case study. RESULTS: We present a case of life-threatening deep neck space infection resulting in descending necrotizing mediastinitis following osseointegrated dental implant placement. Treatment included intravenous antibiotics, aggressive neck debridement, and removal of the infected dental implants. CONCLUSION: Severe infection can result from the placement of dental implants. Principles of treatment include antibiotics, surgical drainage and debridement, and careful assessment and removal of the involved implants.

Dental Implants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between psychological status and compliance in a sample of patients treated for cancer of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: the psychological status of patients treated for advanced head and neck cancer is an area of patient care that has not received sufficient attention from caregivers and can be influential in terms of patient outcomes. METHODS: Thirty patients participated in this study designed to evaluate areas of psychological distress associated with treatment of advanced head and neck cancer. Patients completed a set of questionnaires related to various psychosocial variables including anxiety, depression, social support, health locus of control, adjustment to illness, illness-related behaviors, and compliance. RESULTS: Moderate levels of depression and anxiety, disability, and psychological distress characterize this sample of patients. Additionally, patient self-report of compliance reveals different variable combinations to be related to overall diet and medication compliance, and different levels of each compliance type were observed. CONCLUSION: Head and neck cancer therapy presents a unique set of challenges for patients. Awareness of the impact of the illness and the psychological distress that are experienced should improve patient compliance and medical outcome.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in quality-of-life scores in a population of patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life levels fluctuate depending on treatment type and at various points throughout treatment. In patients with advanced head and neck cancer, quality of life is thought to be treatment dependent. The purpose of this study is to compare levels of patients self-reported quality of life across treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Preliminary data presented here are based on 24 patients enrolled so far in an experimental organ-preservation protocol. The two treatment groups consist of one group treated with chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) followed by radiation therapy and the second group which is treated with chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) followed by surgery and postoperative radiation. Data is collected pretreatment and at uniform points throughout the course of treatment. RESULTS: Preliminary results suggest that quality of life is significantly higher in the nonsurgical group than in the surgical group at the last treatment point reported. Social distress/avoidance is also lower in the nonsurgical group. Because of the small number of patients represented in this study, results should be interpreted with caution and should be viewed as descriptive at this juncture. CONCLUSION: Quality of life seems to be preserved in patients who experience less invasive and disfiguring treatment, and who also have compromised eating and communication abilities. Data collection in this study is ongoing.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗