Subject(s)
Pharyngitis/diagnosis , Tularemia/diagnosis , Abscess/complications , Adult , Female , Humans , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Tularemia/pathologyABSTRACT
Six professional divers were examined as patients who presented peripheral auditory, vestibular, or central symptoms attributed to incidents which occurred while diving. Each diver received a central auditory processing (CAP) test battery consisting of: (1) a dichotic sentence listening task, (2) a monotic filtered word task, (3) a binaural fusion task, and (4) an alternating speech task. The CAP test results, in all cases substantiated other neurological/vestibular test battery results which we have reported in detail previously.
Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis , Decompression Sickness/complications , Hearing Tests , Vestibular Nerve , Adult , Central Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Diving , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases/diagnosis , Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases/etiologyABSTRACT
Thousands of individuals fly commercial airlines and private aircraft daily. One airline boasts of serving more than 100,000 passengers each day. Of these individuals exposed to barometric alterations, an undocumented number will develop significant barotrauma and may seek help from an otolaryngologist. Although many otolaryngologists learn the mechanics and management of barotrauma as military flight surgeons, residents in otolaryngology usually receive no specific training in this area. Because private and commercial aviation are so common today, we believe that a basic knowledge of barometric changes experienced while flying is essential for the practicing otolaryngologist. These basic principles are covered in this presentation. Case histories will also be discussed. One patient, who presented with signs of perilymph fistula, including sensorineural deafness and abnormal ENG, recovered spontaneously.
Subject(s)
Aerospace Medicine , Barotrauma , Ear, Middle/injuries , Paranasal Sinuses/injuries , Travel , Adult , Air Pressure , Eustachian Tube/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Tooth Diseases/etiology , Vertigo/etiologyABSTRACT
Masticator space abscesses have been reported more frequently in recent years. They are usually secondary to extractions of the first and second mandibular molar teeth. The use of antibiotics has changed the presentation and clinical course of these abscesses, masking the symptoms and resulting in secondary infection by resistant organisms. Therefore, selection of appropriate antibiotics is important, but surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of treatment. Suspension wires are being used widely in the treatment of midface fractures. These wires may extend from the zygomatic arch or frontal bone through the masticator space into the oral cavity to attach to arch bars. A case of masticator space abscess resulting from the removal of suspension wires is reported, and the relevant literature is reviewed. Suggestions are made for preventing and treating this complication.
Subject(s)
Abscess/etiology , Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation , Jaw Diseases/etiology , Adult , Facial Injuries/complications , Facial Injuries/surgery , Fractures, Bone/complications , Fractures, Bone/surgery , Humans , MaleSubject(s)
Craniotomy/adverse effects , Tracheotomy/mortality , Adult , Cranial Fossa, Posterior/surgery , Humans , Male , Risk , Tracheotomy/adverse effectsABSTRACT
In the past two decades, we have seen a great increase in the number of injuries from commercial and sport diving. During this time, our knowledge of the physiology and pathophysiology of diving has also increased. As a result, we now can accurately diagnose and successfully treat many of these injuries. Of the commercial and sport divers examined as pateints in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Tex., between September, 1974, and May, 1975, 11 showed positive otologic and otoneurologic findings which are reported herein. One patient was surgically explored for an oval window fistula. In localizing and classifying these injuries, we have utilized extensive and broad-based test batteries, which include complete history, otologic and otoneurologic physical examination, audiometry, a central auditory test battery, and a vestibular test battery. These tests are described. The findings in each of the divers are illustrated and analyzed. This article further describes the use of these test batteries, which were employed to localize otoneurologic pathology in this sample of injured divers. Based on these cases, we have expanded and modified Edmonds' classification of the etiology of vertigo related to diving. We feel that the test batteries which we describe, or similar tests, should be part of the otologic and otoneurologic workup of injuries divers.
