Elongation index of erythrocytes, study of activity of chosen erythrocyte enzymes, and the levels of glutathione, malonyldialdehyde in polycythemia vera (PV).

The principal aim of the study was to investigate rheological properties of erythrocytes obtained from patients admitted to the clinic, and diagnosed with polycythemia vera. The polycythemia vera diagnosis was based on the WHO criteria for polycythemia vera. Using a laser rheometer SSD Rheometer-Rheodyn, the elongation index of erythrocytes was determined, indicating an increased rigidity of the erythrocytes in this disease compared with the erythrocytes in healthy people. In order to explain (albeit partially) the reason for reduced elasticity, the erythrocytes of patients with polycythemia were studied for the activity of enzymes - glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase membrane enzyme, as well as the levels of glutathione and malonyldialdehyde. The elevated activities of these enzymes, the glutathione level, and elevated ‰ of reticulocytes, indicated an increased pool of juvenile erythrocyte forms; furthermore, the elevated value of malonyldialdehyde may suggest a lipid peroxidative damage in certain pool of the erythrocyte membrane in blood circulation.

Laser arytenoidectomy for bilateral vocal fold palsy in Parkinson's disease.

We report a case of laser arytenoidectomy for bilateral abductor palsy of the vocal fold in a patient with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is known to be a rare cause for bilateral vocal fold palsy and this is the second case reported in the English literature. Majority of the reports to date are in the non-English literature. Tracheostomy has been the classic treatment option offered to these patients. To date no report has been found in the literature about a laser arytenoidectomy being performed in a patient suffering from bilateral vocal fold palsy in Parkinson's disease. We have suggested this option as it improves the quality of life of the individual and avoids the difficulty faced by a Parkinson's patient in managing tracheostomy care due to bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor.

Direct phonoplasty under local anaesthetic.

OBJECTIVE: A new technique of direct phonoplasty under local anaesthetic is described. BACKGROUND: Vocal-fold medialization is an accepted method to improve voice in patients with a paralysed vocal fold. Various materials have been used to inject into the paralysed vocal fold, resulting in medialization of the fold and improved phonation. The two established methods are direct injection under general anaesthetic and transcutaneous injection under local anaesthetic; both have advantages and disadvantages. METHOD: A Pentax 80K series flexible endoscope is used to directly inject collagen into the paralysed vocal fold via a reusable 23G endoscopic needle under local anaesthetic. CONCLUSION: New technology and innovation have allowed development of the new technique of direct phonoplasty under local anaesthetic. This combines the advantages of transcutaneous injection under local anaesthetic and direct injection under general anaesthetic, without their disadvantages.

[Hypersensitivity to house dust mites and incidence of acute respiratory tract infections in children with bronchial asthma]. / Uczulenie na roztocza kurzu domowego a czestosc wystepowania ostrych zakazen ukladu oddechowego dzieci z astma oskrzelowa.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between h.d.m. allergy and incidence of respiratory tract infections in children with episodic, mild and moderate asthma. 32 children with bronchial asthma being followed up at the I. Department of Children Diseases P.A.I.P. CMUJ in Cracow were included into the study. The positive skin prick test (SPT) with H.D.M. allergens was confirmed in 18 children. The negative SPT allergens were observed in 14 patients. All patients were examinated by the retrospective inquiry which included the degree of asthma, severity of therapy schedule and incidence of acute respiratory tract infections during the last 6 months. The anthropometric measurement (length, weight, body mass index, thorax circumference) and spirometric parameters with physical examination challenge were introduced. The mean number of infections in group of patients sensitive to H.D.M. was 6.8; in non sensitive group-4.6. There was no significant difference in incidence of acute respiratory tract infections between both groups. It seems likely that small number of patients may influence the statistics. To verify the results, prospective observation of wider group of patients is planned in forthcoming winter.