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Biomedical subjects

R F Wetmore

Publications and source records attributed to R F Wetmore.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Human tracheal mucin: a preliminary study of physicochemical properties and mucociliary transport.

Human tracheal secretions were collected from patients with chronic tracheostomies in the intensive care unit and through an endotracheal tube from pediatric surgical patients under general anesthesia. These secretions were dialyzed, fractionated on an agarose column, and lyophilized to recover the tracheal mucin fraction. Analysis of pooled mucin samples included determination of amino acids, carbohydrates, and sulfates. Intrinsic viscosity, microrheometry, and mucociliary transport studies were also performed. Structural and functional differences between several pools of specimens are cited with an emphasis on possible clinical correlations.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1981

Nonfunctional paraganglioma of the larynx: clinical and pathological considerations.

Paraganglioma of the larynx is a rare neoplasm. A review of the 16 previously reported cases in English medical literature is presented along with the details of an additional case. The tumor was analyzed by light and electron microscopy. The anatomy and embryology of the laryngeal paraganglia and controversies in nomenclature are discussed. Hoarseness, pain, dysphagia, and neck mass are the cardinal symptoms of this neoplasm; other clinical characteristics are reviewed. Partial laryngectomy and excision via lateral pharyngotomy and extralaryngeal approaches are the most commonly employed methods of treatment. More aggressive therapy including radical neck dissection, total laryngectomy, and radiation therapy have been used for malignancies.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epiglottitis: evolution in management during the last decade.

In the past decade, changes have occurred in the management of epiglottis. A ten-year retrospective study of 64 patients admitted to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with the diagnosis of epiglottis was performed. An evolution in the management of epiglottitis was demonstrated in this series of patients. The morbidity and mortality of currently employed modes of airway management (medical observation, endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy) were complication than treatment with tracheostomy. A small, select group was conservatively managed with close observation. The use of antibiotics and steroids was analyzed. Suggested guidelines for management of epiglottitis are presented.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pediatric tracheostomy. Experience during the past decade.

A retrospective review of a decade of experience with pediatric tracheostomy encompassed 420 children. Analysis was performed with respect to primary diagnosis, age, duration of tracheostomy and hospitalization, early and late complications and mortality. While the incidence of tracheostomy per hospital admission decreased over the period of review, there was substantial increase in duration of tracheotomy. Approximately half of the patients sustained complications. While overall mortality approached 28%, tracheostomy-related deaths occurred in only eight patients (2%). Almost one fifth of children with tracheostomies were discharged to home care, and 3% were involved in our home ventilator program.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the hypopharynx.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is most commonly found in the parotid gland. It rarely occurs in the larynx and hypopharynx. There are only 32 reported cases from these areas. A case of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the hypopharynx is presented. Although the initial impression was squamous cell carcinoma, glandular structures were found in metastatic lymph nodes in the neck specimen, and after mucicarmine stains were positive, the final diagnosis was changed to mucoepidermoid carcinoma. This case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma, especially in unexpected locations. Differentiating mucoepidermoid carcinoma from other neoplasms is important because treatment may differ depending on the diagnosis. The pathologic spectrum of mucoepidermoid carcinoma is presented, and the management of these tumors with respect to the histologic grade is discussed.

Carcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of gelatin film stents in the middle meatus.

Controversy exists regarding the management of the middle meatus after pediatric functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). To prevent adhesions following pediatric FESS, gelatin film stenting of the middle meatus has been recommended. The effects of stenting, however, have not been established. Fifty-one children with similar degrees of bilateral sinus disease had a gelatin film stent placed in one middle meatus on completion of FESS, while the opposite meatus was not stented. Two to three weeks later at the time of a second, staged procedure, the sides were compared for the presence of the stent, adhesions, granulaion tissue, and patency of the maxillary sinus ostia. In 11 children the postoperative findings were more severe in the side without the stent, whereas in 29 children they were more severe in the stented side. There was no difference between the sides in 11 children. Although gelatin film stenting benefits some children, it should not be used routinely following pediatric FESS but should be reserved for children who are predisposed to develop adhesions or have poor prognostic factors, such as immunodeficiency and ciliary dyskinesia.

Adolescent↗