PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Kowalska

Publications and source records attributed to S Kowalska.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[A case of unusual occupational allergy to bee venom].

The authors discuss an exceptional case of allergy to bee venom in a zoo-technician working on a morphological analysis of bees. During her work, the zoo-technician was repeatedly stung, initially with only small local reaction. After six-year period of work, the symptoms that followed stinging had all the characteristics of general oedema. Next years of exposure to bee venom resulted in collapse in the patient. Allergological examinations indicated work-related hypersensitivity to bee venom. The case history was supplemented with prophylactic recommendations. General principles of controlling the shock were provided.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

The statokinesiometry in evaluation of the balance system in persons with chronic carbon disulphide intoxication.

In the group of 37 patients with chronic carbon disulphide (CS2) intoxication manifested by encephalopathy, polyneuropathy or psycho-organic syndrome and complaining for vertigo, a statokinesiometric test was performed with open and closed eyes, and with visual stimulation. Basic test parameters of stabilograms and statokinesiograms were compared with standard values of the control group. Results of the test were additionally verified by electronystagmography with the recording of spontaneous, positional, optokinetic and post-rotatory nystagmus as well as the eye-tracking test. The statokinesiometry revealed postural stability disorder in 72.9% of patients. Balance disorders detected by means of this test showed high compatibility with results of electronystagmography which confirmed damage of the central part of vestibular system due to CS2 intoxication.

Carbon Disulfide↗
PubMed1990

[Diseases of the upper respiratory tract in furniture industry workers].

A group consisting of 100 cabinet-makers (at average age of 44.6 +/- 12.8 years) employed at furniture manufacturing plants exposed to wood dust at concentrations exceeding several times (from 7 to 8 times) the hygienic standard was subject to examination. The higher, as compared to the data for general population, prevalence of chronic rhinitis , pharyngitis, laryngitis--among other--atrophic rhinitis and pharyngitis which occurred in 37% of examined population, increasing together with prolonging period of exposure was found. At the same time there have not been found any cases of allergy, nasal or nasal sinuses neoplasms which could be a result of exposure to wood dust.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Internal ear damage in vibration syndrome caused by local vibration].

Unlike with the vibration syndrome caused by general vibration whose clinical picture may exhibit internal ear impairments in the of hearing losses and vestibular disturbances, similar lesions in the vibration syndrome due to local vibration have not been confirmed explicitly. For better explanation of this issue, analysed were the results of audiometric and electronystagmographic (ENG) tests in a group of 40 otologically healthy++ men, in whom during 1986-1987 the angioneurotic vibration syndrome was diagnosed. The results were analysed considering subjects' age and duration of work in exposure; evaluation involved the increase in hearing thresholds for pure tones (audiometer Peters AP-6) and quantitative and qualitative changes in ENG records (electronystamograph Tonnies D-420 TS), calculating, among others, amplitudes and angular velocity of nystagmus slow phase. In 75% of subjects (30 persons) sensorineural hearing losses of different degree were found, mostly within the 3000-8000 Hz range, demonstrating a directly proportional dependence on the length of employment. Symptoms of vestibular disturbances in ENG records were detected in 57.2% (23) persons with marked predominance of the cases of vibration exposure over 10 years. The authors analyse mechanisms of the development of internal ear impairments in result of local vibration and concomitant noise.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Ear protective plugs].

The authors present results of studies of application of polyurethane foam to produce individual sound-absorbing ear plugs. In addition to physico-mechanical properties of the foam, the authors present its optimum prescribed composition, ensuring appropriate attenuation qualities, flexibility, softness and long -- lasting strain relaxation -- i.e. the conditions resulting in excellent filling of external auditory meatus, masking effect and utilization comfort. The efficiency of attenuation of sounds by the plugs, tested audiometrically by the method of auditory threshold shift in otologically healthy subjects ranges from 12.25 dB (250 Hz) to 29.75 dB (4000 Hz). No significant inflammatory reactions in external ear skin were found after 8 hrs of continuous wearing of ranges under the work conditions typical for the textile industry. The results demonstrate that the polyurethane foam, developed by the authors, are valuable ear protectors, of advantageous functional qualities.

Ear Protective Devices↗
PubMed1979

[Respiratory tract in workers chronically exposed to cement dust].

175 men working at productive divisions of a cement plant (average age 39,5 years +/- 8.3, average duration of employment 9.3 years +/- 4.8) and 50 controls (average age 38.7 +/- 11.9 and average duration of employment 10.7 +/- 10.0) were examined. The survey involved: a complex evaluation of respiratory tract, including internal, radiological, spirographic, gasometric and capnographic examinations. The results demonstrated chronic bronchitis in 17% of cement plant workers and in 10% of controls. Qualitatively, chronic bronchitis was more advanced in cement plant workers. Chronic bronchitis prevalence increased with duration of work in exposure to cement dust. Chest radiograms gave no cause for diagnosing pneumoconiosis in any case. Mean values of dynamic spirographic indices were lower than in controls, the differences were, however, statistically insignificant. Instead, the mean values of partial pressures of carbon dioxide and oxygen were statistically significantly lower, than those in controls, though they did not differ much from normal values.

Bronchitis↗