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Biomedical subjects

S Hone

Publications and source records attributed to S Hone.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

An unusual complication of tonsillectomy.

We report the case of a 30-year-old man who experienced a potentially fatal haemorrhage on the tenth post-operative day after the development of a pseudoaneurysm of the muscular branch of the lingual artery. Due to the nature of the development of these pseudoaneurysms they are difficult to detect until such time that they present with a massive haemorrhage or a rapidly expanding parapharyngeal swelling. There are only several reported cases in the literature to date.

Adult↗

Parotid masses in patients with previous ear surgery.

This paper describes three cases of patients presenting with lumps in their parotid gland, the origin of which was difficult to define. In each case the past medical history revealed that the patients had undergone previous ipsilateral middle ear surgery. We highlight the fact that where there has been previous incisions in the skin about the ear, there is a risk of epidermal inclusion cysts in the parotid gland. These cysts can occur many years after the initial surgery and therefore may not be identified as an obvious origin to lumps in the parotid gland. Rarely as this series highlights there may also be extension of a cholesteatoma (a collection of keratin which arises from the eardrum and extends into the middle ear space) from the mastoid bone to the parotid gland. We recommend formal ear examination where there is a history of previous ear surgery and an ipsilateral parotid gland lump is present.

Cholesteatoma↗

Tonsillar size is an important indicator of recurrent acute tonsillitis.

This prospective study was designed to identify important clinical features in patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis. A total of 195 consecutive children aged from 1 to 16 years were examined and a history of recurrent acute tonsillitis recorded. Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea or recent acute tonsillitis were excluded. Tonsil size was measured on the Brodsky scale [Brodsky L. (1989) Paediatr Clin N Am 36, 1551], tonsil symmetry, cervical lymphadenopathy, and hyperaemia of the anterior pillars was recorded. Patients with a history of recurrent tonsillitis had larger tonsils than those without tonsillitis (P < 0.001). Tonsil asymmetry and cervical lymphadenopathy were more common in patients with recurrent tonsillitis (P < 0.001). Anterior pillar hyperaemia was also more frequent in recurrent tonsillitis (P < 0.01). In addition to the frequency and severity of tonsillitis it is suggested that the size and symmetry of the tonsils, plus cervical lymphadenopathy and anterior pillar hyperaemia should be taken into account when deciding which patients would benefit from tonsillectomy.

Acute Disease↗

Co-phenylcaine as an alternative to Brompton's solution in rigid nasendoscopy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Rigid nasendoscopy is a diagnostic aid that is frequently used in otorhinolaryngology clinics. Topical local anaesthetic and vasoconstriction is advised prior to the procedure. Options include both Brompton's solution and co-phenylcaine. Brompton's solution contains 10% cocaine, a controlled drug that has potentially serious side-effects. Even deaths have been reported as a consequence of its use as a nasal preparatory agent. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of cocaine in the form of Brompton's solution versus co-phenylcaine as both a vasoconstrictor and a local anaesthetic in out-patient diagnostic rigid nasendoscopy. METHOD: Thirty-three patients awaiting diagnostic rigid nasendoscopy were recruited to the study. Each patient served as his own control. Co-phenylcaine was delivered as a metered dose of two sprays to one nasal passage and Brompton's solution was delivered on a cotton wool pledget placed in the other nasal passage with the aid of Tilly's forceps. An endoscopist who was unaware of which nasal passage was treated with which agent scored the vasoconstricion at endoscopy 10 min after drug application using a scoring sheet. The patients gave a numerical assessment of how painful the procedure was for each nasal passage. Mean scores were compared using Student's t-test. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two agents with regard to nasal analgesia and vasoconstriction during rigid nasal endoscopy.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Parotid gland surgery: a retrospective review of 108 cases.

One hundred and eight parotidectomies performed by a single consultant were reviewed. Eighty-five patients had primary parotid disease, 23 patients had extra-parotid primaries. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common histological diagnosis. In patients with primary parotid disease, a post-operative temporary facial nerve palsy was noted in 15 patients, with a further four developing a permanent palsy. Patients with metastatic disease to the parotid had a poor prognosis.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗

Is reflux noted at diagnostic rigid oesophagoscopy clinically significant?

This study assessed the ability of otolaryngologists to diagnose and grade reflux disease at rigid endoscopy. Twenty-one out of 25 senior otolaryngologists who were questioned by means of a telephone survey said that if they find evidence of reflux disease at rigid endoscopy of the oesophagus and larynx, their practice is to place the patient on a proton pump inhibitor for six weeks without requesting pH and manometry studies, and without referral to a gastroenterologist. Over a two year period, 21 patients were diagnosed as having reflux disease at rigid endoscopy. This was based on the finding of fluid and erythema in the aerodigestive tract and upper oesophagus. Subsequent oesophageal pH and manometry was performed. Nine out of 21 patients were confirmed as refluxers. This demonstrated an accuracy of less than 50 per cent when using these findings to diagnose gastro-oesophageal reflux at rigid endoscopy.

Clinical Protocols↗

A pin in the neck.

We report a unique case of a 40 year old female who presented with recurrent open safety pin aspiration. She had a long history of personality disorder and self-inflicted injury. On two occasions the open pin was removed with the aid of rigid bronchoscopy. However on one occasion a tracheostomy was required for removal of the safety pin.

Adult↗

Nitinol stents: their value in tracheobronchial obstruction.

Recurrent tracheobronchial obstruction whether due to a benign or malignant cause is not always amenable to surgery and one is left with the dilemma of what to do for a patient who is slowly asphyxiating. Various modalities have been employed in the past with varying degrees of success. However due to the recent innovations in 'superelastic' biocompatible alloys we present our clinical experience with a new generation of metallic stents made from Nitinol. Over a 12-month period we inserted eight stents in six patients with malignant and benign tracheobronchial obstruction. Almost all patients had dramatic improvement in their symptoms and there was little airway reaction observed up to 18 months after insertion. However, one should exercise caution in inserting them for benign conditions as we regard them as permanent implants. Also evident is the inherent morbidity in this group of patients and this needs to be carefully considered prior to treatment.

Adult↗

Laryngeal tuberculosis: an important diagnosis.

The incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis is increasing worldwide. To ensure early diagnosis it is important for physicians and otolaryngologists to recognize its cardinal signs and symptoms. We present two recent cases of laryngeal tuberculosis that presented to our department. We outline potential pitfalls in diagnosis, and highlight the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis. The literature is reviewed, and the treatment options outlined.

Bronchoscopy↗

Photoglottographic measures in Parkinson's disease.

This study examines the usefulness of photoglottographic measures in reflecting the phonatory effect of Parkinson's disease. In the first experiment, data obtained by photoglottography were compared between 15 male patients with Parkinson's disease and 15 normal male speakers of similar age. Six photoglottographic parameters, mean open quotient (OQ), mean speed quotient (SQ), perturbation of open quotient (POQ), perturbation of speed quotient (PSQ), frequency perturbation ratio (FPR), and amplitude perturbation ratio (APR), in sustained vowel phonation were investigated. Increased SQ (t = -2.731, df = 28, P = 0.011) and POQ (t = -2.584, df = 28, P = 0.015) were significantly associated with data from patients in comparison to normal speakers. The FPR, APR, and OQ were not significantly different between normal subjects and patients. A follow-up experiment, including 12 female and 19 male patients with Parkinson's disease, was designed to evaluate the sensitivity of SQ and POQ in detecting vocal dysfunction. The sensitivity of SQ was found to be relatively high (93.5%), while that of POQ was low (45.2%). Methodological issues regarding the effects of gender, age, stage of the disease, and treatment on photoglottographic measures in Parkinson's disease were discussed.

Adult↗

Examining the ear: clinical teaching.

Although otolaryngology represents up to 20% of the workload of general practitioners, the time allocated in the undergraduate medical curriculum to clinical teaching of ENT disorders is disproportionately small. Many GPs have indicated a desire for further training in ENT, particularly in small groups. This study was carried out on a group of 27 GPs who wished to revise their diagnostic skills in otoscopy by attending a 2-hour teaching session on basic examination of the ear and the recognition and management of common otological conditions. The GPs skill in otoscopy before and after the course was assessed subjectively by means of a self-administered questionnaire and scored objectively by ENT surgeons. Aspects of otoscopy chosen for assessment were technique of examination of the external ear, choosing correct speculum size, techniques of holding the otoscope and pinna, tympanic membrane description and diagnostic ability. An improvement between the objective pre- and post-workshop scores was found for assessment of the external ear, choice of speculum size, description of the tympanic membrane and diagnostic ability. No significant differences in the pre- and post-workshop scores was found for the techniques of holding the otoscope or holding the pinna. The majority of the GPs found the workshop beneficial. Postgraduate teaching of specialist diagnostic skills such as otoscopy to GPs is useful. An improvement in such skills should enable the GPs to manage ENT problems more confidently and refer patients appropriately to the ENT outpatients.

Clinical Competence↗

Junior hospital doctors: a weighty issue.

We designed a study to ascertain the weight and type of items carried by junior hospital doctors in their white coats. Sixty consecutive doctors entering the hospital residence were invited to participate, 54 agreed. White coat contents were itemised and weighed. Mean weight carried was 1.63 Kg. Interns and SHOs carried significantly more than registrars (P<0.01) & (P<0.05). Medical specialties carried significantly more than surgical specialties (P<0.05). There were no statistical difference between males and females. 33% carried cigarettes. Junior hospital doctors carry the equivalent of almost two 1Kg bags of sugar with them in their white coats, this added weight may contribute to increased fatigue during long hours on duty. As doctors become more senior they carry less.

Career Mobility↗

Maxillary artery embolisation in the management of epistaxis.

Serious consideration needs to be given to the importance of early embolisation of the maxillary artery in severe and refractory epistaxis. This is particularly true in the young fit person with traumatic epistaxis and in the elderly person who is unfit for general anaesthesia. Embolisation is now a safe and reliable technique. Six patients were embolised. In the two institutions from 1999 - 2000. All responded well to embolisation without complication. This paper describes the technique used in our hospitals and suggests that with the advent of platinum coils and pre embolisation arteriography, the chances of cerebrovascular accident is very small.

Adult↗