Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profile of patients with chronic sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common diseases in the general population. We investigated the personality traits of non-psychiatric patients in chronic sinusitis and non-sinusitis groups. In this study we evaluated 25 patients with chronic sinusitis and 25 subjects as a control group. In the analysis of the psychiatric status, MMPI profiles were used. We found that the depression and social introversion subscales were higher in males, whereas the hypochondriasis and social introversion subscales were higher in females with chronic sinusitis. It is concluded that the psychological functions of the patients with chronic sinusitis are poorer than in the non-sinusitis group.

Efficacy of topotecan treatment on an experimental model of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of topotecan (Hycamtin), a topoisomerase I inhibiting anticancer agent, on Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) of the rabbits. We planned to investigate whether this test might provide a method for monitoring early ototoxic influence of drug administration to the cochlea. METHODS: The study was conveyed in two groups each consisting of five rabbits with a total of ten ears. Rabbits in group I received i.v. topotecan (0.5 mg/kg once daily) for 3 days. Rabbits in group II received i.v. topotecan (0.25 mg/kg once daily) for 3 days. Cochlear function was serially monitored using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions before administration (BA) and on the 4th and 15th days after administration of topotecan. TEOAEs were analysed in terms of mean stimulus, stability and emission amplitude at 1.0-4.0 kHz. RESULTS: For group I and II, intergroup and intragroup differences were not statistically significant in the mean stimulus, stability and emission amplitudes at 1.0-4.0 kHz. CONCLUSIONS: We evaluated the potential role of TEOAEs in early identification of cochlear dysfunction induced by topotecan. It was concluded that topotecan did not have ototoxic effects on the cochlea in the early period of administration. TEOAEs may be useful to monitor the cochlear function and to detect the late stage of ototoxicity especially in the presence of potentially toxic factors for the prevention of permanent damage.

Efficacy of amitriptyline in the treatment of subjective tinnitus.

We investigated the effect of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, on patients with subjective tinnitus. The study group consisted of 37 adult patients admitted to the Ear, Nose, and Throat and Audiology Department of Hacettepe University. The amitriptyline group consisted of 20 patients and the placebo group consisted of 17 patients. All of the patients were evaluated using a questionnaire, audiologic evaluation, high-frequency audiometry, impedancemetric tests, auditory brainstem response, tinnitus frequency, and loudness matching assessed by audiometric methods at the beginning and end of the study. The patients in the amitriptyline group received 50 mg/day amitriptyline in the first week and 100 mg/day for the following 5 weeks. In the placebo group, the patients received tablets consisting of lactose starch for 6 weeks, with a dosage of 1 tablet/day. The subjective complaints of the patients in the amitriptyline group decreased, and the "present" symptoms resulted in fewer complaints. The severity of tinnitus decreased in the amitriptyline group by means of subjective and audiometric methods. In the placebo group, no significant change was observed. The success of treatment was 95% in the amitriptyline group and 12% in the placebo group. Amitriptyline therapy was concluded to be effective.

Unusual complication of temporomandibular joint surgery: cervicomediastinal abscess.

Cervicomediastinal abscess developed in a 14-year-old girl after temporomandibular joint surgery. No such complication could be found in the literature. The complications of temporomandibular joint surgery and the possible ways this abscess may have developed are discussed.

Giant sphenoid sinus. A case report.

A rare case of giant sphenoid sinus with excessive pneumatization is presented. The relevant literature is discussed.

[Skin manifestations of giardiasis. Some clinical cases]. / Manifestations cutanées au cours des giardioses. A propos de quelques cas cliniques.

About three clinics cases, the author points out the presence of urticaria symptoms associated with giardiasis disease, and necessity of the treatment of such parasitosis, after parasitological investigation of motions.

[The phlebotomines of Tunisia (Diptera-Phlebotominae). A revision of the systematics, distribution and behaviour (author's transl)]. / Les Phlébotomes de Tunisie (Diptera, Phlebotomidae). Mise au point systématique, chorologique et éthologique.

The authors present a revision of the systematics, distribution and ethology of the phlebotomine sandflies of Tunisia. They present a dichotomous key for 15 taxa. A biogeographical analysis shows the connexion between foci of visceral leishmaniasis and the zones of distribution of the subgenus Larroussius.

[Serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in man]. / Intérêt du sérodiagnostic de la toxoplasmose en pathologie humaine.

We want to repeat the interest of toxoplasmosis serodiagnostic in human pathology. First, to help the diagnostic of this affection, with adult and children; then, to prevent this parasitose with pregnant women. Results in our laboratory, since two years, point out that a large number of women are seronegative. We are proposing a protocol of supervision for women before and during their pregnancy. This protocol avoids the risk of foetal contamination and prevents congenital toxoplasmosis.