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R P Harar

Publications and source records attributed to R P Harar.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Assessing the reproducibility of nasal spirometry parameters in the measurement of nasal patency.

The reproducibility of nasal spirometry was assessed in ten subjects at two visits. Topical nasal decongestion was applied to minimise mucosal variation. Eleven parameters of flow volume were measured. Data analysis using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients revealed peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) followed by forced expiratory volume in first one second (FEV1) to be the most reproducible measures, yielding significance values of < 0.05. For all other spirometric parameters significance was not reached. Analysis revealed that using a naso-pulmonary index (a ratio of nasal to pulmonary flow) was detrimental to reproducibility. We conclude that future nasal spirometric studies should use PIFR and FEV1 as their derived variables of flow-volume loops in the assessment of nasal patency, and the naso-pulmonary index is of no value.

Forced Expiratory Volume↗
PubMed1998

Invasive laryngeal candidiasis: a cause of stridor in the previously irradiated patient.

Upper airway obstruction is always a serious condition. In patients who have previously been irradiated for a laryngeal malignancy, it normally implies either residual or recurrent disease. We report a case of stridor due to invasive laryngeal candidiasis in a patient who had undergone radiotherapy for a T1a N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis eight months earlier. Extensive investigation failed to identify recurrence of disease and the patient responded to prolonged topical antifungal therapy. Infection with Candida species is most frequently found in debilitated or immunocompromised patients. Although cases of upper airway obstruction in children secondary to idiopathic laryngeal candidiasis have been reported, to our knowledge no such presentation has been described in adults. This report highlights the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment. Familiarity with candidal infection is important for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1997

Horner's syndrome: a rare presentation of cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma.

We describe a cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma in a 77-year-old woman who presented with a neck mass and Horner's syndrome. Such schwannomas are rare and this is the first documented case of a Horner's syndrome at presentation. The mass was excised via a cervical approach and her post-operative course was uneventful. The prognosis is excellent, with recurrence being rare. A brief discussion of the pathology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition is made in this paper. The relevance of the uncertainty in diagnosis is discussed with the message that a pre-operative Horner's syndrome may guide the surgeon in the care of the patient but we suggest that in all cases proper counselling of the possible neurological consequences of this surgery be conducted.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

An unique tumour of the geniohyoid muscle: an intramuscular haemangioma.

We present the first case report in the English literature of an intramuscular haemangioma of the geniohyoid muscle. This occurred in a 24-year-old female and the diagnosis was not made prior to resection. Haemangiomas are uncommon tumours of the head and neck and intramuscular haemangiomas account for fewer than one per cent of the total. Diagnosis of the vascular nature of the tumour is often missed. Recurrence is common and usually due to incomplete excision. A review of the literature and a case report of these locally destructive lesions is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy: a rare simultaneous presentation of an occult malignant neoplasm.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis is an uncommon potentially life-threatening disorder caused by various conditions. Non-spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis is an uncommon condition associated in the pre-antibiotic area with deep-neck infections. Currently iatrogenic trauma to the internal jugular vein from catheterisation and repeated intravenous injections by drug abusers are the leading causes of thrombosis. Spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis may occur when there are no apparent pre-disposing mechanical or inflammatory causes although a few of these patients may harbour an occult malignant neoplasm. Hence, careful investigation and follow-up are vital. Thrombosis in Trousseau's syndrome is usually confined to the vascular system of the extremities and the viscera. However, secondary to the paraneoplastic hypercoagulable state, thrombosis can occur in the large veins of the head and neck region. We understand this to be the first case where spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis and ipsilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis were the only initial manifestations of an occult malignancy.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lemierre's syndrome: are we underdiagnosing this life-threatening infection?

Over a period of 12 months 3 patients presented with severe tonsillitis and subsequently grew Fusobacterium necrophorum (literally-spindle-shaped rod which brings death!) from blood cultures. Two patients responded well to antibiotics and were discharged within 4 days of admission. The third case had a longer history of symptoms and following investigations of a minor but unusual neck swelling was found to have thrombosis of the external and internal jugular vein. This is the first stage in the potentially fatal dissemination of this virulent organism which manifests clinically as Lemierre's syndrome. We describe the clinical histories and discuss whether cases are unrecognised because of the prompt clinical response to penicillin and metronidazole. We stress the importance of taking blood cultures and careful examination of the neck in all patients presenting with a severe tonsillitis.

Adult↗