Role of staphylococcal enterotoxins [superantigens] in allergic rhinitis

Staphylococcal enterotoxins [S. Es.] of type A-D were immunologically detected in liquefied nasal blow washings and homogenized polypi of 20 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis [AR]. Tissue eosinophil count, serum IgE, IL-2 and IL-4 were also determined using ELISA technique, and the results were statistically compared with those obtained from 15 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. Enterotoxin secreting potential of the isolated S. aureus was identified in 17 patients who showed remarkably increased levels of serum IgE, IL-2 and IL-4 and tissue eosinophil count. The results suggested that S. Es. can be incriminated as triggering factors that activate a large population of T-lymphocytes to elaborate interleukins and eventually leading to elevated serum IgE and tissue local eosinophilia in AR patients

Diurnal fluctuations of middle ear pressure normal ears

Tympanograms were done to measure the middle ear pressure of 18 subjects [36 ears] who were fit clinically and O.R.L. free. This was done for three times at 3, 11 pm. And 7 A.M. there was diurnal middle ear pressure fluctuations with a relative shift towards positivity at night compared to day measurements which reached its peak at 7 A.M. yet there was no statistically significant difference between the mean middle ear pressure at the three times of measurement

Hydroxylapatite and fibrin glue mixture in a subperiosteal tunnel for ridge augmentation

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate combining the use of a human fibrin sealant and hydroxylapatite particles to augment a tissue expanded lower edentulous atrophic ridges. The procedure was carried out on seven subjects not amenable for rational dentures. Results proved that the technique could efficiently overcome the problem of granules migration. It is simple, easy and leading to predictable well moulded augmented ridges with minimal resorption

Clinical and electrodiagnostic assessment of facial nerve affection following TMJ surgery

The preauricular and endaural incisions for temporomandibular joint surgery were compared in 17 patients [25 joints] regarding possible facial nerve affection. The latter was assessed clinically and through electromyographic testing. Only one case out of 8 performed through the endaural approach showed temporary lid incompetence that regained normality after one week, while 6 cases out of the 17 preauricular incisions resulted in temporal and/or zygomatic branch affection. Using electromyography, figures of residual motor function were about normal again within 16 weeks