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Biomedical subjects

W P Biggers

Publications and source records attributed to W P Biggers.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

The Carolina Children's Communicative Disorders Program. An opportunity for North Carolina's children.

The CCCDP provides devices and services to underprivileged children with communication disorders. Since its organization, the program has helped 197 children, including 21 given cochlear implants, and has disbursed 258 hearing aids or devices. It is cost-efficient program that has potential to help many of our state's needful children. We solicit referrals from all NC physicians, audiologists, speech pathologists, educators, and other professionals. Applications and financial forms will be furnished on request.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Electronystagmography and audio potentials in space flight.

Beginning with the fourth flight of the Space Transport System (STS-4), objective measurements of inner ear function were conducted in near-zero G conditions in earth orbit. The problem of space motion sickness (SMS) was approached much like any disequilibrium problem encountered clinically. However, objective testing techniques had built-in limitations superimposed by the strict parameters inherent in each mission. An attempt was made to objectively characterize SMS, and to first ascertain whether the objective measurements indicated that this disorder was of peripheral or central origin. Electronystagmography and auditory brain stem response recordings were the primary investigative tools. One of the authors (W.E.T.) was a mission specialist on board the orbiter Challenger on the eight shuttle mission (STS-8) and had the opportunity to make direct and personal observations regarding SMS, an opportunity which has added immeasurably to our understanding of this disorder. Except for two abnormal ENG records, which remain to be explained, the remaining ENG records and all the ABR records made in the weightless environment of space were normal.

Electronystagmography↗
PubMed1985

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a disease caused by a virus in the Papovaviridae family. It tends to recur in the laryngotracheal tree, and treatment is surgical removal with a CO2 laser and suspension microlaryngoscopy. Some patients may require these procedures every few weeks, and a systemic agent to control disease would be ideal for them. Care must be taken in the selection of an agent, as these lesions, similar to other papova virus-induced lesions, are most susceptible to malignant degeneration in the presence of a carcinogen. Eight patients were given 10 courses of polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I,C)-LC] in an attempt to control their disease. The three who were tested were able to produce good titers of interferon. The rate of disease progression was probably slowed in four patients, as reflected by a decrease in the requirement for surgery; however, the medication appeared to be relatively toxic in effective doses. Four of 10 courses were held for hepatotoxicity, and mild hepatotoxicity occurred in four more. One course was held for thrombocytopenia associated with bleeding at the tracheostomy site. We conclude that in its presently available form, poly(I,C)-LC is too toxic to be administered long term for control of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Effect of ethaverine hydrochloride on cochlear microcirculation.

The effect of ethaverine hydrochloride on cochlear microcirculation was observed in short-term experiments on 11 guinea pigs. In these experiments, the endocochlear PO2, endocochlear potential (EP), cochlear microphonic (CM) potential, and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Endocochlear PO2 was measured polarographically by gold electrodes in the scala media. Ethaverine hydrochloride was administered by intravenous infusion for ten minutes in doses of 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg. These experiments demonstrated that ethaverine hydrochloride in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg caused significant elevation of endocochlear PO2 for 35 to 90 minutes, even when the BP temporarily declined. At the same time, it was observed that this improvement of cochlear microcirculation coincided with an increase of the CM potential. Decrease of the EP is probably the result of BP decline and a direct action of ethaverine on EP generation.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1980

Frontal sinus trephination: a new technique for office procedure.

A new office technique for frontal sinus trephination is described. The procedure is simple, expedient, and inexpensive. Our experience with 16 patients suggests that this procedure is reasonably safe and, in addition, avoids the often-seen complications of supratrochlear nerve injury and persistent noticeable scar.

Frontal Sinus↗
PubMed1979

Avoidance of early complications following radical neck dissection.

Multiple factors are associated with the increased risk of postoperative complications following radical neck dissection. Most significant of these are preoperative radiation and entry into the pharynx. The most common of these complications are discussed, and following is a description of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative methods to reduce them. Changes in operative methods and antibiotic coverage were associated with a decrease in wound infection and fistula formation. It is suggested that patients in high risk categories be covered with preoperative, prophylactic gram positive antibiotic coverage, along with Tobramycin.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1978

A correlation of the effects of normoxia, hyperoxia and anoxia on PO2 of endolymph and cochlear potentials.

Change in PO2 in endolymph, endocochlear potentials and cochlear microphonics have been tested in normoxia, hyperoxia and anoxia on 24 guinea pigs. The polarographic method and construction of oxygen-sensitive microelectrodes is described in detail. The normal level of PO2 in endolymph vaires between 20 and 30 mm Hg. One-minute anoxia induced by breathing 100% N2 caused a decline in PO2, EP and CM, but during recovery only PO2 returned with over-correction to the preexposure level. Hyperoxia evoked by breathing 100% oxygen failed to increase the cochlear potentials and the PO2 in the endolymph. This suggests that vasoconstriction most likely occurs proximal to the capillaries bed of the stria vascularis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Variation of endocochlear PO2 and cochlear potentials by breathing carbon dioxide.

The effect of carbon dioxide on oxygen dioxide tension in the endolymph was determined by the micropolarographic technique. Different concentrations (5% and 10% CO2) and different exposure times (3, 5, and 20 minutes) were investigated. The highest levels of PO2 in the endolymph (101.7, 93.9 and 69.5 mm Hg) were accomplished by respiration of 10% CO2, 90% O2, for 20, 5 and 3 minutes consecutively. The lowest PO2 increase, 50.7 mm Hg was observed after breathing 5% CO2, 90% O2 for 20 minutes. Extreme hypercapnia caused an increase of endocochlear potentials (EP) in all groups. In the second group EP increased from +79.3 to +84.9 and in all groups they had returned to the pretreatment level after CO2 discontinuation. These results support the theory that carbonic anhydrase participates in the generation of EP. At the same time that EP increased, cochlear microphonics declined and opposite after the breathing mixture was discontinued. The results permit the conclusion that high levels of PO2 in endolymph is achievable even with short periods of respiration with high CO2 mixture, and suggest the role of carbonic anhydrase during EP generation.

Action Potentials↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The bookend nasal septal splint.

A malleable nasal septal splint is presented. Its purpose is to hold the septum in the midline, and to depress the floor of the inlet over the premaxillary wings. Blunting of the nasal valves is avoided. This appliance can be both firmly seated and well tolerated, since its pedestals can be curved up laterally within the lateral crura. Additional splints can be threaded onto the first one to reach high posterior synechiae. A useful modification is provided to support nasal bones when nasal packing must be avoided.

Humans↗