Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Blokmanis

Publications and source records attributed to A Blokmanis.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess: value of intraoral sonography.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical differentiation of peritonsillar abscess from peritonsillar cellulitis can be difficult and often relies on blind needle aspiration of the tonsillar fossa to locate pus. The objective of this study was to establish a noninvasive and reliable sonographic technique for differentiating peritonsillar abscess from peritonsillar cellulitis in equivocal cases and to thereby avoid unnecessary needle aspiration. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population included three healthy volunteers and 18 patients with clinically suspected peritonsillar abscess. The tonsils were assessed by using transcutaneous and intraoral sonography. RESULTS: The tonsils were visualized on both transcutaneous and intraoral sonograms in all three volunteers and in 16 patients. In one patient, the tonsils were not visualized on transcutaneous imaging; intraoral imaging showed cellulitis. In another patient, the intraoral examination was unsuccessful, whereas transcutaneous sonograms showed normal tonsils. On the basis of findings on transcutaneous sonograms, tonsils were considered normal in seven patients. Subsequent intraoral sonograms showed peritonsillar abscesses in four and peritonsillar cellulitis in two. Intraoral imaging was unsuccessful in one patient. On the basis of findings on transcutaneous sonograms, nine patients were thought to have peritonsillar cellulitis. Subsequent intraoral sonograms confirmed cellulitis in four and showed peritonsillar abscess in five. Transcutaneous sonography showed one peritonsillar abscess that was confirmed by findings on intraoral sonography. Surgical confirmation of sonographic findings was obtained in 12 of 18 patients; nine of 10 peritonsillar abscesses had surgical drainage, and three of seven cases of peritonsillar cellulitis had a dry, blind needle aspiration. CONCLUSION: These results show that enlarged tonsils can be visualized with transcutaneous sonography, but intraoral sonography is necessary to adequately define the heterogeneous or cystic nature of a peritonsillar abscess. Intraoral sonography is a useful, simple, and well-tolerated noninvasive technique that can be used to accurately differentiate peritonsillar abscess from peritonsillar cellulitis in clinically equivocal cases. This technique eliminates the need for blind needle aspiration of the tonsillar fossa before surgical drainage. Intraoral sonography also can be used to monitor patients' responses after treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Endoscopic diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of tumours of the nose and sinuses.

In the last decade, a great deal of attention has been focused on functional endoscopic nasal surgery for chronic sinus disease. There has been less emphasis in regard to the obvious advantages of the endoscope for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of tumours of the nose and paranasal sinuses. This presentation discusses in detail the reasons that the endoscopic technique is useful when applied to diagnosis of benign or malignant lesions in these areas. This new technique can be used to remove benign tumours, avoiding the external excisions that often can be disfiguring to the patient. The endoscope is less useful for removal of malignant lesions unless they are very small and localized, but it can be used as a palliative measure. Early diagnosis of recurrence, especially for benign tumours, is possible, and further localized excision can result in the cure.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Sinusitis. Diagnostic methods.

Sinusitis, which primarily involves the anterior ethmoid air cells, can spread to the larger sinus cavities to cause acute and chronic secondary infection. Endoscopic and computed tomographic techniques enable earlier diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis and permanent cure. Primary care physicians should try to identify the disease before it reaches a stage where endoscopic control becomes difficult. Ultrasonography is now used in Europe to diagnose sinusitis and initiate treatment.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of peritonsillar abscesses.

This study was conducted to determine the possibility of using an intracavitary ultrasound probe to differentiate between peritonsillar cellulitis and peritonsillar abscesses. Three volunteers and 11 of 12 patients were successfully scanned. The ultrasound method successfully demonstrated four cases of peritonsillar cellulitis and seven cases of peritonsillar abscesses. We conclude that ultrasound is a simple, safe, and noninvasive method of both assessing unilateral tonsillar swelling and determining the presence or absence of peritonsillar abscess.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Long-term results of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for snoring.

Snoring is a disease of listeners and one which can cause significant disruption in an otherwise peaceful household. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) was initially described in 1981 for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, and since that time only one large series has evaluated it as a treatment for snoring. Various therapeutic strategies have been described for the treatment of snoring, but UPPP seems to hold the most promise. A retrospective review was undertaken of over 100 patients undergoing UPPP since 1984 to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure in controlling the symptom of snoring. The group of patients who will benefit most from this procedure is identified.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Upper airway measurements predict response to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in obstructive sleep apnea.

Although uvulopalatopharyngoplasty relieves obstructive sleep apnea in the majority of patients, the factors that determine a successful response are not well defined. To determine whether preoperative awake upper airway measurements predict the response to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, presurgical lateral cephalometric radiographs were evaluated on 60 consecutive patients with symptomatic obstructive sleep apnea. Patients underwent overnight polysomnograms before uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and 3 months afterwards. Forty-eight (80%) patients had a good response as defined by a postoperative apnea index of less than or equal to 4 apneas/hour or a reduction in apnea index of greater than or equal to 60%. Responders had a significantly narrower inferior airway space (P less than .0005) and a smaller ratio of inferior airway space to tongue length (P less than .001). Improvement in apnea severity following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty was related to the degree of airway narrowing (r = 0.36; P less than .01). This study shows that upper airway measurements help predict response to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with a narrow airway, particularly relative to tongue size, have good responses to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Although uvulopalatopharyngoplasty has been proposed as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, there is limited objective data concerning its efficacy. We have examined 40 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea before and 3 months following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. A standardized questionnaire and detailed overnight sleep study were performed before and after surgery. In addition, 15 patients were retested 1 year postoperatively. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty resulted in a statistically significant reduction in symptoms, blood pressure, apnea index, and total apneic time. There was no significant change in patient weight or sleep gas exchange. Seventy-seven percent had a reduction in apnea index of greater than 50%, which is better than other reported series using a more conservative approach. Our more aggressive surgical method will be shown in detail. The 1-year follow-up studies revealed the results were maintained or slightly improved over time.

Humans↗
PubMed1985

Nasal septal perforations.

The etiology, symptoms, and size of 90 nasal septal perforations subjected to corrective surgery were assessed, indicating significant parameters of closure technique which should improve longterm prognosis. The use of bilateral nasal septal mucosal flaps in conjunction with an autogenous interposition graft provided for optimal results in small and medium sized (less than 20 mm) perforation closure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

T3 and T4 carcinoma of the larynx--a retrospective study.

T3 and T4 lesions of the larynx were reviewed and the five year survival figures compared for radiotherapy, surgery, and combined therapy. Glottic T3N0M0 lesions gave an acceptable five year survival figure of 66 per cent. Radiotherapy is advised as the modality of treatment for T3N0M0 lesions. Larger glottic and supraglottic lesions responded poorly to all modalities of treatment and a more aggressive treatment policy may be advisable.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Experiences with the homograft tympanic membrane.

Forty-three patients who underwent tympanoplasty with the use of a homograft tympanic membrane are reviewed. These procedures were performed by 10 different surgeons over a period of six years. The success rate of tympanic membrane closure, hearing results, and incidence of complication were studied. Results were examined to determine possible factors contributing to failure. The success rate and lack of complications suggest that homograft tympanic membrane tympanoplasty is a useful procedure, particularly where the blood supply to the tympanic remnant is felt to be in jeopardy.

Hearing↗
PubMed1979

Tattoo removal with the carbon dioxide laser.

Our preliminary experience with tattoo removal utilizing the carbon dioxide laser at the Vancouver General Hospital is reviewed. We developed the method by trial and error until we produced a system yielding an acceptable procedure time with good results.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

British Columbia ear bank.

The B.C. Ear Bank was established in 1974 as a temporal bone laboratory devoted to the study of hearing loss and histological examination of temporal bones. It expanded its activities to the collection and preservation of homograft otologic tissue needed for the ever expanding field of ear surgery. The function of the ear bank in these two fields is discussed in detail.

British Columbia↗