Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B G Moriarty.
External ear manifestations of sarcoidosis are rare. We review six cases in the literature and also report a case. The otolaryngologist plays an important role in making the diagnosis because of the ease of biopsy in all cases of sarcoidosis of the external ear.
Epithelial migration in a centrifugal manner is an established phenomenon in the normal human tympanic membrane. This pattern of migration is symmetrical in both ears of any one individual. We present a prospective study on the pattern of tympanic ink dot migration on the normal drum, in patients with a history of cholesteatoma in one ear. It was demonstrated that patients who develop cholesteatoma have a normal migratory pattern and rate in the unaffected ear. The conclusion from this study is that defective migration is not the initiating factor in the development of acquired cholesteatoma.
Mucociliary clearance as measured by saccharin clearance time is in part dependent on the physiological characteristics of mucus and is partly dependent on ciliary function. This study compared the relationship between saccharin clearance time and ciliary beat frequency in 44 patients attending a rhinology clinic. Whilst saccharin clearance time may be used as a screening test for ciliary function there was no clear linear relationship between mucociliary clearance and ciliary beat frequency.
The worldwide decline in surgery for otosclerosis had been reflected by a similar pattern here in Great Britain. Unless we are prepared to accept poorer results than have formerly been achieved, we will have to adopt measures to ensure that the skills of stapes surgery are transferred to the next generation of surgeons. Using the results of our experience, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, over the past 18 years, I have examined the implications for surgical training and for the management of future patients with otosclerosis.