[Mechanisms smoothing deglutition disorders after oral cancer surgery]. / Mechanizmy lagodzace zaburzenia polykania po wycieciu nowotworu jamy ustnej.

Compensatory treatment for oropharyngeal dysphagia includes postural changes and reducing the risk of aspiration. Some of compensatory maneuvers are introduced spontaneously by the ill at first weeks after oral cavity tumour resection. On the basis of roentgenotelevision examination of deglutition in 82 patients we detected mechanisms with intention to minimize swallowing disturbances. Variability of their occurrence and differences in their efficiency should be emphasized, as well as essential synchronization of laryngeal closure with emptying of pharynx and opening upper oesophageal sphincter for swallowing efficiency. The valuation of compensatory maneuvers introduced spontaneously by the ill was defined as an important part of swallowing rehabilitation.

Avalanche of bifurcations and hysteresis in a model of cellular differentiation.

Cellular differentiation in a developing organism is studied via a discrete bistable reaction-diffusion model. A system of undifferentiated cells is allowed to receive an inductive signal emanating from its environment. Depending on the form of the nonlinear reaction kinetics, this signal can trigger a series of bifurcations in the system. Differentiation starts at the surface where the signal is received and either cells change type up to a given distance or, under other conditions, the differentiation process propagates throughout the whole domain. When the signal diminishes, hysteresis is observed.

[An unusual case of a foreign body in the maxillary sinus]. / Niezwykly przypadek ciala obcego zatoki szczekowej.

An unusual case of a foreign body in the maxillary sinus was presented with a 13-year-old boy. The boy led a sewing needle into the maxillary sinus through a tooth destroyed by caries. Trying to remove the needle, the boy broke it. The existence of the foreign body was proved by an X-ray picture. The operation was conducted according to the Caldwell-Luc's method. A two centimeter piece of the needle was extracted. The interior of the sinus was cleaned and inflammated mucous membrane, and granulation were removed. The cause tooth was extracted. The tooth-socket was sewn and the fistula at the bottom of the sinus was covered with a peduncular layer of mucous membrane of the nasal duct. Post-operational conduct without any complications.

Effects of ionic and non-ionic contrast media on platelet function as evaluated by plasma concentration of beta-thromboglobulin.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of ionic and non-ionic contrast media on platelet function. In 44 patients who underwent angiography, the plasma concentration of beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) was measured before and after ionic contrast medium (diatrizoate) administration in 22 patients and non-ionic contrast medium (iopromide) in the other 22 patients. A significant decrease in the plasma beta TG levels after intraarterial contrast medium injection occurred in both groups of patients. No significant beta TG level changes occurred in patients with normal pre-examination beta TG levels in both groups. In patients with elevated beta TG levels before arteriography, beta TG returned to normal values after contrast medium injection in both groups. There was no significant correlation between the amount of administered contrast medium and beta TG concentration after angiography. These results suggest that platelet function is not affected by either ionic or non-ionic contrast medium in patients with normal platelet activation. In patients with enhanced platelet activation, the activation became normal after contrast medium administration.

[Radiocinematographic assessment of deglutition after surgical treatment for oral and maxillary neoplasms]. / Badanie rentgenokinematograficzne polykania po operacyjnym leczeniu nowotworów jamy ustnej i szczek.

The authors report the results of radiocinematographic examinations of 98 patients operated on for oral and maxillary neoplasms with analysis of the disturbances of various phases of deglutition in relation to the site and extent of the operation. Leakage into lower respiratory tract is discussed. Extensive operations in the mouth and on the lower and upper jaws were found to cause disturbances of both deglutition phases, and retention of contrast in postoperative tissue defects limitation of the movements of various anatomical structures were the most frequent disturbances of deglutition.

[Effect of cerebral angiography on intracranial pressure in dogs]. / Wplyw angiografii mózgowej na cisnienie wewnatrzczaszkowe u psów.

Intracranial pressure changes in dogs after intra-arterial administration of contrast media and saline in different amounts at various flow rates were studied by the authors, using continuous epidural pressure recording. In two animals the venous pressure was measured as well. Contrast media and saline alike were found to produce similar intracranial pressure increases when given intravenously though a greater rise with longer-lasting fall and successive rise of the pressure was observed when the former were used. The increase of the amount of the medium or saline had no significant effect on the value of ultracranial pressure.