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Biomedical subjects

G Reiss

Publications and source records attributed to G Reiss.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Taste disorders].

Gustatory problems have deleterious consequences to systemic health, nutritional status and quality of life. Chemosensory dysfunction is most often secondary to one of only a few causes: viral infection, toxic chemical exposure, head trauma, as well as medication-related and idiopathic conditions. Many gustatory disorders are secondary to a wide variety of diseases. History taking may provide clues to these and other problems. Therapy should not begin until a standardized test has been given that established impairment of the sense of taste. Treatment of underlying diseases may restore chemosensory function. Reference is made to the need for adequate psychic guidance of patients with chemosensorial problems. If restoration of their sense of taste is unlikely, patient should be cautioned to take steps to ensure safety in regard to such dangers and spoiled foods.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Nasal odors].

This review discusses the etiology and pathogenesis of fetor e naso and the associated disease. This paper reviews also the diagnostic management and therapy of nasal fetor. Fetor e naso is a very important and dangerous sign, which should always be clarified.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Importance of computer tomography in preoperative diagnostics of polyposis nasi].

Computed tomography (CT) is a very important diagnostic tool prior to endoscopic nasal or paranasal sinus surgery. However, it is frequently notice during endonsal surgery of the paranasal sinuses, that the intraoperative results do not completely agree with the radiological ones. The objective of the present study was to compare clinical and operative findings with those of CT investigations. We collected 200 cases treated during the past 2 years and studied their CT reports. Paranasal sinuses were separated into six regions, and the pathological changes due to sinusitis found by CT were classified into four groups. Altogether, we found a highly significant relationship between CT and intraoperative findings (r = 0.44; P < 0.0001), but differences were found in several regions. The highest correlation was found in the anterior ethmoid bone area (r = 0.98), posterior ethmoid bone area (r = 0.53), maxillary sinus (r = 0.36) and sphenoid sinus (r = 0.35). There was only a low agreement in the case of frontal sinus and recessus frontalis. Possible factors such as time between CT and operation or inflammation are discussed. While CT is the image modality of choice in evaluating patients with chronic paranasal sinusitis, agreement to intraoperative findings is not perfect. This should be taken into consideration when planning functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Chronic Disease↗

[The value of conventional roentgen imaging and computerized tomography in diagnosis of frontobasal fractures].

The classical x-ray diagnosis and the computer tomography (CT) examination depends mainly on clinical examination. The purpose of our study was to compare the value of conventional x-ray diagnosis and CT in detecting rhinobasal fractures. We examined 133 patients retrospectively who had a fracture. Altogether we considered with the classical x-ray diagnosis 111 and with the CT 250 regions of the frontobasis. In all, one third of fractures in the regions could not be detected preoperatively by CT and not the half by classical x-ray-diagnosis. CT allows a direct detection of brain hernias and far better imaging of osseous lesions, also of fine structures, such as a better appraisal of paranasal sinus pathology. Classical radiology is, however, still indispensable for imaging certain fracture types and localization of a pneumocranium. Except in case of special demands, conventional x-ray diagnosis is important for the routine diagnostics of the facial skull as a primary method supplying an answer to the most important questions at a lower cost and in a shorter time. Altogether, CT allows an improvement of postoperative results, influencing indication, timing of operation, such as surgical approach.

Adult↗

[Some viewpoints on ear cleaning].

The present paper discuss the cleaning of the external auditory canal. It is purpose of this article to show that the insertion of foreign bodies in form of cotton buds, into the ear, is absolutely unnecessary and may be a dangerous practice. We conclude that cotton-tipped swab use may be associated with cerumen accumulation.

Cerumen↗

[Differential diagnosis of unilateral hearing loss].

There are two main kinds of hearing disorders: sensorineural and conductive. Sensorineural hearing loss is a common disorder that results from damage to the inner ear in over 95% of all cases; therefore, retrocochlear hearing disorders are rare and cannot be differentiated from sensory losses by clinical symptoms alone. Unilateral hearing loss entails many problems in hearing during the entire life of the affected patients. Conductive deafness has a readily determined etiology in most cases. In contrast, unilateral sensorineural hearing loss requires more refined and extensive investigation. The etiology of an asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss can often be difficult to determine. Because a wide variety of pathologic processes may be responsible for the hearing loss, numerous diagnostic tests are usually used during initial evaluation, including pure-tone audiometry, acoustic reflex testing, imaging, serologic testing, and auditory brainstem response testing. The most frequent causes of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss were sudden deafness, Menière's disease and cerebellopontine angle tumors. Early diagnosis of acoustic neuroma or other lesions of the internal auditory meatus or cerebello-pontine angle requires special attention. The patient with an acoustic neuroma may present to the otologist with a variety of clinical features. Classically these include a retrocochlear pattern of sensorineural hearing loss, reduced vestibular response on caloric testing and a pathological auditory brainstem response. Magnetic resonance imaging offers greater specificity than computed tomography. Therapy of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss includes efforts to treat known causes either medically or surgically.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Pulsating tinnitus].

Tinnitus is a frequent symptom but a tinnitus that is rhythmic and synchronous with the patient's heartbeat is rare. The symptom "pulsating noise in the ear" may be due to various cause but most frequently, by glomus tumors, intracranial hypertension and atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries. Pulsatile tinnitus can often present a serious diagnostic problem. The diagnostic evaluation includes physical examination, audiologic assessment and imaging techniques (ultrasonic examination of cervical vessels, high-resolution computed tomography of the temporal bones, nuclear magnetic resonance, angiography of the carotid arteries and magnetic resonance angiography). Evaluation should be individualized but must include a thorough ENT work up. The evaluation of the patient includes otomicroscopy, palpation and auscultation of ears and cervical region and the head positioning test. The cause of pulsatile tinnitus may be even identified on otoscopic examination. Further investigations by other specialities (neurology, internal medicine, ophthalmology) may become necessary. Life-threatening causes such as arteriovenous shunts or carotid artery stenosis must be ruled out. Nevertheless, in several cases it will not be possible to determine the etiology of tinnitus. Finally, therapeutic options which occasionally can include surgical techniques or interventional radiology are discussed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Acute tinnitus].

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Acute Disease↗

[Motor assymetry].

Although the study of handedness and its association with hemispheric specialisation represents the prevailing focus of motor dominance research, recent inquiry into footedness and other motoric asymmetries has stimulated several interesting propositions. The present review show the variability of assessing motoric asymmetries. Asymmetry in hand use takes two forms: differential hand preference and differential dexterity between the hands. Motoric asymmetries are strongest and most manifest for handedness (hand preference, performance and dexterity), descending through footedness and other less known asymmetries (tonguedness, chewing preference). Handedness is the most easily observed expression of cerebral lateralization. The alpha and omega of relating handedness to other neuropsychological variables or indices of lateral specialization lies in the classification of handedness. A vast range of testing techniques have been used to assess handedness. Writing hand and self-report are two of the most popular techniques. Other preference measures include observation of how people use tools and questionnaires. Performance tests assess speed and accuracy in tasks stressing manipulative dexterity. Although questionnaires are generally thought to be reliable and valid instruments, there is a disagreement as to the nature, the number and weighting of the items to be included. The least stable results will be obtained if a categorization into "right-handers" and "non-right-handers" is made on the basis of exclusive "right" answers. Slightly more stable is a classification that is based on "right-handers", "mixed preference handers" and "left-hander" based on extreme choices in either direction and intermediate choices. We present shortly a possible inventory assessing motoric asymmetries.

Foot↗

Biochemical identification and biophysical characterization of a channel-forming protein from Rhodococcus erythropolis.

Organic solvent extracts of whole cells of the gram-positive bacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis contain a channel-forming protein. It was identified by lipid bilayer experiments and purified to homogeneity by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The pure protein had a rather low molecular mass of about 8.4 kDa, as judged by SDS-PAGE. SDS-resistant oligomers with a molecular mass of 67 kDa were also observed, suggesting that the channel is formed by a protein oligomer. The monomer was subjected to partial protein sequencing, and 45 amino acids were resolved. According to the partial sequence, the sequence has no significant homology to known protein sequences. To check whether the channel was indeed localized in the cell wall, the cell wall fraction was separated from the cytoplasmic membrane by sucrose step gradient centrifugation. The highest channel-forming activity was found in the cell wall fraction. The purified protein formed large ion-permeable channels in lipid bilayer membranes with a single-channel conductance of 6.0 nS in 1 M KCl. Zero-current membrane potential measurements with different salts suggested that the channel of R. erythropolis was highly cation selective because of negative charges localized at the channel mouth. The correction of single-channel conductance data for negatively charged point charges and the Renkin correction factor suggested that the diameter of the cell wall channel is about 2.0 nm. The channel-forming properties of the cell wall channel of R. erythropolis were compared with those of other members of the mycolata. These channels have common features because they form large, water-filled channels that contain net point charges.

Cell Membrane Permeability↗

The dominant ear.

Presented are some aspects of the dominant ear or earedness which are also important for other lateralities. Earedness refers not only to a sensory but also to a motor phenomenon.

Auditory Perception↗

[The problem of anosmia].

Olfactory problems have deleterious consequences to systemic health, nutritional status and quality of life. Olfactory disorders are not as rare as generally assumed. Chemosensory dysfunction is most often secondary to one of only a few causes: nasal/sinus disease, viral infection, toxic chemical exposure, head trauma, as well as medication-related and idiopathic conditions. Many olfactory disorders are secondary to a wide variety of diseases, e.g. Alzheimer's disease. The patient's history may provide clues to these and other problems (e.g. toxin exposure, congenital dysosmia). Therapy should not begin until a standardized test has been established the impairment of the sense of smell. Treatment of the underlying diseases may restore chemosensory function. The only truly reversible cause is inflammation, which is confirmed when smell returns after administration of corticosteroids. Reference is made to the need for adequate psychologic guidance of patients with chemosensorial problems. If restoration of their sense of smell is unlikely, patients should be educated to ensure safety in regard to such dangers as gas leaks, smoke, and spoiled foods.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Some aspects of focal infections of the head and neck region].

The so-called focal infections are today considered to be poly-etiologic manifestations, in which there is a summation of various aggressions. The concept of focal infection is still not exactly defined. Bacterial products, toxic or antigenic substances originating from different foci are but one of the elements susceptible of unleashing the disease. This explains why there are so many foci and so few results after their elimination. The diagnosis of chronic tonsillitis or occult sinusitis especially concerning a focal disease is sometimes difficult. The ENT-specialist is responsible for both the detection of a focus in the head and neck region and its operative treatment. The interrelationship between a focal infection and its actual secondary disease must be diagnosed by the primarily inquired doctor. The diagnosis and the treatment of focal infections of the head and neck region are an interdisciplinary problem.

Empyema↗

[Bad breath--etiological, diagnostic and therapeutic problems].

Oral malodor has many etiologies and is a clinical problem for many people. This paper reviews the causes and management of oral malador. In the majority of cases the problem has been shown to originate in the oral cavity. Oral malodor, a generic descriptor term for foul smells emanating from the mouth, encompasses ozostomia, stomatodysodia, halitosis (both pathological halitosis and physiological halitosis) and fetor oris or fetor ex ore. These latter terms, in turn, denote different sources of oral malodor. All conditions that favour the retention of anaerobic, mainly gram-negative, bacteria will predispose for the development of bad breath. In addition to periodontal pockets, the most important retention site is the dorsum of the tongue with its numerous papillae. During the night and between meals the conditions are optimal for odour production. Systemic pathological states, such as diabetes mellitus, uremia and hepatic diseases, induce metabolic products that are detectable as oral smells. It is always easy to recognize halitosis, but identifying the exact cause is more complex. The clinical labelling and interpretation of different oral malodors both contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of underlying disease. Treatment is directed at the underlying cause.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗