Myofacial pain dysfunction (MPD), a commonly occurring illness, presents with a variety of clinical appearances and patient symptoms which mimic many other illnesses. The family physician and medical specialist are often first consulted by patients suffering from the pain and/or limited functions associated with MPD. Although the definitive diagnosis and therapy is usually provided by a dental specialist, the attending physician is often required to make the initial clinical diagnosis of MPD and then select proper referrals and consultations. Physicians with an understanding of the cause and clinical picture of MPD can, by obtaining a comprehensive history and performing a concise clinical examination, make a diagnosis of MPD. A description of the nature of the illness and a clinical examination procedure are presented.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

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Direct laryngoscopy: a retrospective analysis.

A retrospective analysis of direct laryngoscopies performed at our institution in 1978 was undertaken utilizing computer technology. The population which consisted of 54% males and 46% females had an average age of 50.4 years. The most common symptom was hoarseness (83.6%). The most frequent benign and malignant diagnoses were vocal cord polyp and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. Males predominated in all disease entities except vocal cord polyps. Benign disease entities presented most frequently with one or two symptoms, while malignant pathology presented with a varied array and number of symptoms. The indications: "tumor" seen on indirect laryngoscopy, sore throat, dysphagia, otalgia, upper respiratory tract obstruction, hemoptysis, cough and leukoplakia were most frequently associated with malignancy. Voice abuse occupations were most commonly associated with vocal cord polyps and tobacco and alcohol use was most frequently associated with laryngeal cancer. Eighty-five percent of direct laryngoscopies were done under general anesthesia with two-thirds utilizing direct suspension microlaryngoscopy.

Adolescent↗

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Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: a reappraisal.

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Adenoidectomy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Schwannoma of the external auditory canal: an unusual finding.

Schwannoma of the external auditory canal is a rare finding. There are reports of extension of intracranial schwannomas laterally to fill the middle ear and meatus, but in reviewing the English literature, we have found only one report of a primary external canal schwannoma. Three have been reported in the world literature. Such a tumor is described in a 45 year old man, which completely filled the external auditory canal. Total excision was achieved with care to preserve canal skin, to prevent stenosis, and to aid in healing.

Ear Canal↗