Turbinate reduction during septoplasty; to do it or not? Clinical and radiological study

The objective was to determine whether during Septoplasty, turbinate reduction procedure should be done in every case of compensatory turbinate hypertrophy [CTH], or not. It is a prospective randomised study. 86 patients with septal deviation and compensatory turbinate hypertrophy were divided randomly into 2 equal groups; group A for whom septoplasty was done alone and group B for whom coblation-assisted turbinate reduction for CTH was done in addition. Both groups were compared as regard patient symptoms and CT measurements of the turbinate 9 months after surgery. 34.9% of group A complained of nasal obstruction in the side of CTH, compared to only 6.9% in group B. While turbinate reduction as measured by CT was significant in group A [p<0.05]; it was highly significant in group B [p<0.0001]. It was also found that there was a highly significant statistical difference between the postoperative results in the both groups in favour of group B [p<0.0001]. During septoplasty, turbinate reduction should be done in every case of CTH, as it improves patient symptoms and does not add to the complications

Assessment of laryngeal affection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the synovial membrane, which causes joint damage and bone destruction. The crico arytenoid joint is a true diarthroidial synovial joint that can be affected by RA. In this study, disease activity, clinical assessment of the larynx, fiberoptic nasolaryngoscopy and Multi-Slides Computed Tomography [MSCT] were done to 20 RA patients in order to define the laryngeal involvement in rheumatoid arthritis patients. 14 of the 20 patients [70%] had laryngeal symptoms related to CA arthritis. Laryngeal endoscopy showed abnormalities in 9 of 20 patients [45%]. 5 of the 20 patients [25%], had abnormal radiologic findings related to CA arthritis. Laryngeal symptoms attributable to laryngeal involvement could be predictive of abnormal endoscopic and radiologic findings. Laryngeal involvement in RA could be attributed to the current disease activity and are more frequent with longer disease duration

Study of some antioxidant parameters in mice livers affected with Urtica pilulifera extracts

Urtica pilulifera extracts were found to exhibit an antioxidant effect on mice. The effect of two doses of aqueous methanolic extract and other two doses of petroleum ether extract of different plant parts was studied in liver homogenates of the animals. The parameters studied were protein, glutathione reduced form, lipid peroxidation levels as well as the activities of glutathione transferase [GST], glutathione reductase [GR], glutathione peroxidase [GSHPx] and superoxide dismutase [SOD]. Methanolic extracts induced greater effect on the measured antioxidant parameters. Among all plant parts, the methanolic extract of the herb showed the best effect; where the antioxidant activity enzymes were elevated and the lipid peroxidation was decreased. In conclusion, Urtica pilulifera can be used as natural antioxidant, as a possible food supplement or used in pharmaceutical industry

Role of IV lidocaine in preventing rise of intraocular pressure in patients with penetrating eye injuries

Evaluation of the role of I.V. lidocaine in preventing the rise of intraocular pressure during induction of anaesthesia was studied in 20 patients with penetrating eye injuries with open anterior chamber. I.V. lidocaine [1.5 mg/kg] significantly attenuates the intraocular pressure response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in patients anaesthetized with pancuronium [0.15 mg/kg], thiopentone [5 mg/kg] and atropine [0.02 mg/kg]. This sequence is recommended for induction of anaesthesia in patients with perforating eye injuries in whom an increase in intraocular pressure is undesirable and thus reducing the associated ocular complications

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus [Hallopeau] and related conditions historical, nosologic and clicico-pathologic studies

Six cases of Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus were studied. Genital affection was detected in 50% of the cases. Of most significance is the finding that the histopathologic picture corresponds with the stage of the pathologic process, being variable in different lesions at different phases and at different sites of the same lesion