Frontal sinus outflow tract "anatomic study".

Meticulous anatomical knowledge is mandatory to approach endoscopically the frontal sinus area safely and manage its diseases successfully. The aim of this study was to identify the various drainage patterns of the frontal sinus. To illustrate these patterns we performed anatomical dissections of the outflow tract of the frontal sinus in 30 cadaver half heads. We found that the frontal sinus drained anterior to the uncinate process in 23.3% of specimens and posterior to it in 63.3%, while it drained medial to the semilunar hiatus in 6.6%. Our study, however, represents an exclusive assortment of linear and angular measurements of important landmarks around the frontal recess region. Although these measurements were made in embalmed tissue, we believe they will provide reference points in endoscopic sinus surgery.

Nasal endoscopy and CT study of Pharaonic and Roman mummies.

In ancient Egypt mummifications were first carried out around 3000 BC. The visceral organs (lungs, stomach, liver and bowel) were removed from the body, cleansed, desiccated and placed in four canopic jars. The brain was removed from the body but was not preserved. Exactly how removal of the brain was accomplished is not clear. This study investigated the route of brain removal during mummification. Nasal endoscopy was carried out on 20 Pharaonic and Roman mummies. CT examination was performed on 2 mummy heads. In all mummies a communication between the cranial and nasal cavities was found passing through the posterior ethmoids and cribriform plates. The cranial cavity was empty. Our results demonstrate that brain removal during mummification was performed endonasally by trained personnel with a good knowledge of anatomy, using special instruments capable of creating a clean-cut endonasal craniotomy.

Septal mucoperichondrial flap for closure of nostril in atrophic rhinitis.

The aetiology of primary atrophic rhinitis is still unknown. Treatment of this disease is conservative in the first place. Surgery is indicated if the medical treatment fails. The aim of surgery is either to narrow the nasal cavity or in special cases to close the nostril. Closure of the nostril (Young's operation), is achieved by raising a circular skin flap. Raising the skin flap is difficult, the suture line may break down and an excessive scar tissue may form resulting in vestibular stenosis. We therefore developed a septal mucoperichondrial flap to close the nostril. This new and easy technique has been used to treat 17 patients with excellent results. The description of this technique and the results of surgery will be discussed.

Study on the pathogenicity of some Nocardia spp isolated from tap water of Ismailia City, Egypt.

All actinomycetes isolated from canal water, Ismailia water plant and tap water were identified into 5 genera. All Nocardia isolates were identified into 3 species. Two of which, Nocardia transvalensis and Nocardia otitidus-caviarus were recorded in tap water. These species are pathogenic for human kind and animals. The pathogenicity of these isolates was tested on Swiss Albino mice. Symptomatic changes and death of mice inoculated with Nocardia suspension were recorded. The main symptoms were erythema, enduration and inflammation together with abcesses and an increase in the size of the spleen (spleenomegally). It is concluded from these experiments that: i) All Nocardia species isolated from tap water are pathogenic, at least for mice, ii) these isolates could present health hazards to human kind and needs an urgent investigation.

Total count of microorganisms contaminating water supply system of Ismailia City, Egypt.

The efficiency of water purification in the French and the British systems of Ismailia city was evaluated concerning the contaminating microorganisms. Counting of microbial contaminants was based on the phenotypic characters of the colony type. Colony-types of eubacteria, eumycetes, Micromonospores and Streptomyces enumerated in the crude water and the different steps of purification. Total counts of microflora in both systems were higher than the counts in canal water. Meanwhile, microbial isolates were higher in the French system than that of the British one. The increased counts in tap water, compared with canal water, were recorded in winter for bacteria and in spring for fungi. These data showed variations in the microbial total counts according to: plant system, steps of purification, chlorination season and type of microbes.

Bacterial contamination of water wells in Wadi el-Sheikh area, in southern Sinai.

A bacterial assessment of water supplies must be done in Egypt as in order to improve the quality of useable water. Saint Katherine, Southern Sinai, was selected as being a populated area where wells are the only source of water for the local population. During one year, water of seven wells in Wadi El-Shiekh were bactiologically studied (El-Arbaien, Haron, Eid, Zitona, Farhan, Sahab and Gofa). The pouring plate technique was used to estimate the total viable bacterial count (TVB). The most probable number (MPN) technique was used to estimate total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC) bacterial count. A result indicates that Al-Arabaien well has the least count of TVB throughout the year of study, possibly because of to geologic nature, low content of salts, low pH value of the water of this well. Zitona and Eid gave relatively the highest counts of TVB. This might had been due to the way in which these well were used. Intermediate counts were recorded in other wells. TC counts reached their maximum in Gofa and Farhan in Autumn. Percentages of FC among the TC counts were higher also in Autum in five wells (Al-Arbaien, Haron, Zitona, Eid and Sahab). This might had had been due to the increased agricultural activities around these wells. TC counts reached their minimum in Zitona during Winter, Spring and Summer. Five families of bacteria were identified form water samples, namely: Bacillaceae, Streptococcaceae Micrococcaceae, Neisseriaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. The geological condition of each well, some meteorological factors, and inhabitants activities around the well were found to play an important role in variability of TVB, TC, and FC counts. It is suggested that the inhabitants be educated of the best and healthy ways of using water and the good healthy habits.

Recoveries of Salmonella from soil in Eastern region of Saudi Arabia Kingdom.

The incidence and persistence of Salmonella in soils of different localities in Eastern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) were investigated by using brilliant green agar (BGA) and Xylose lysine desoxycholate agar (XLDA) media, at 37 degrees C, 43 degrees C and 55 degrees C. No enrichment technique was used. A total of 220 soil samples were collected from agricultural and recreational areas. The positive recoveries of Salmonella were 6.36% at 37 degrees C and 10.5% at 43 degrees C on BGA medium. On XLDA medium the percentage of recoveries of Salmonella were 10.0% and 15.5 at 37 degrees C and 43 degrees C, respectively. No Salmonella was detected on both medium at 55 degrees C temperature. Jointly XLDA medium and 43 degrees C incubation temperature were favourable for recovery of Salmonella from soil samples. Recovery was higher from agricultural soil than recreational soils. The isolated individuals were tentatively classified into two group i) H2 S-producing and ii) H2S-non-producing. Salmonella individuals were sensitive to 50 micrograms/ml chloramphenicol, ampicillin, streptomycin nor tetracycline. But the same concentration of novobiocine and erythromycin reduced Salmonella H2S-non-producing; 30% and 20% for H2S-producing Salmonella. The treatment produced changes of color and size of colonies. This study confirm that the recycling of Salmonella sp. in nature; through human activities, polluted agricultural products and even recreational localities.

Effect of chemical pollutants on bacterial counts in El-Temsah Lake area, Ismailia, Egypt.

Sampling was carried out in El-Temsah Lake and side branch canal to determine the effect of organic and inorganic pollutants and physical parameters on the count of microorganisms of surface water. Standard Plate Counts (SPC) method and Most Probable Number (MPN) technique were used. With SPC, total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC) count were found to be 236 x 10(3), 620/100 ml and 450/100 ml in the side branch canal where water was brackish, turbid and partially stagnant. In El-Temsah lake sites, where the water was salty, clear and agitated, count were 137 x 10(3), 460/100 ml and 137/100 1 in Sc-path way; 137 x 10(3), 420/100 ml and 110/100 ml in Seuz Canal Corporation (SCC) harbour and arsenal; 138 x 10(3), 410/100 ml and 120/100 ml in beach areas. Increase in microbial counts was directly related to increase in organic and inorganic pollutants. The FC counts in first sector exceeded the recommended safe concentration (200/100 ml), while in the other sector they were well within the safe concentration. Moreover bacterial counts were higher in the presence of the surrounding clay soil than in sandy soil. Gram negative rods ratios were higher in the first sector than the second, while gram positive cocci were higher in the second sectors (salted water) than in the first sector. Micrococci and Staphylococci were the dominant genera among positive cocci in salt water, probably due to the salt tolerance of the family Micrococcaceae. In beach area, Staphylococci predominated, due to their endemic nature on human skin.