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Biomedical subjects

S K Kacker

Publications and source records attributed to S K Kacker.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The enigma of post-radiation oedema and residual or recurrent carcinoma of the larynx and pyriform fossa.

Persistence of significant laryngeal oedema following radiotherapy presents the surgeon with a diagnostic dilemma. Though the oedema may represent a prolonged response to irradiation, the possibility of residual carcinoma must be considered. Several authors have commented upon it and have suggested frequent biopsies to prove the presence of residual or recurrent neoplasm (Ward et al., 1975; Lederman, 1970; Calcaterra et al., 1972). Some reluctance to laryngeal biopsy has been exercised to avoid inciting a fulminant perichondritis. However, the difficulty of obtaining a positive biopsy in a post-irradiated case is well known, and repeated negative biopsies do not exclude the presence of a residual tumour. The present paper studies 52 histopathologically proven cases of carcinoma of the larynx and laryngopharynx which had received radiotherapy earlier. These cases underwent salvage radical surgery on clinical suspicion of residual/recurrent tumour, manifested by persistence of significant laryngeal oedema and/or fixation of the larynx. No positive biopsies had been obtained following radiotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Paranasal sinus aspergillosis.

Nine cases of sinus aspergillosis are presented. The management of the disease is discussed in detail. Emphasis has been placed on the use of intravenous amphotericin B in combination with surgery, in the invasive variety of the disease.

Adolescent↗

Effect of fluoride on alpha-chymotrypsin.

Sodium fluoride has been demonstrated by spectrophotometric experiment to have an inhibitory effect on the hydrolyzing action of alpha-chymotrypsin. Sodium fluoride in moderate therapeutic dosage possibly can retard or completely inhibit the activity of bone-resorbing enzymes in the otospongiotic focus, thus retarding or arresting active expansion of a focus and resulting in stabilizing or arresting the progression of sensorineural hearing loss that is associated with otospongiosis.

Chymotrypsin↗

Vestibular recruitment and decruitment.

Serial Thermal Vestibulometry with the application of increasing caloric stimuli (corresponding to decreasing temperature of water at successive irrigration of the ears) was performed on normal subjects and patients with lesions in the central nervous system involving the statoacoustic subsystem. The normal values and 'slope' values (i.e.increase in degrees of velocity of slow component of nystagmus in response to each 4 degrees C change in water temperature) were computed to yield values of the normal vestibulogram. The values obtained in patients were compared with those of the Normograms and the following diagnostic patterns observed: (a) Hypograms, (b) Hypergrams, (c) Central Vestibular Decruitment. Central Vestibular Recruitment has been explained on the basis of the locus of the lesion leading to involvement of the nystagmogenic area in the lower part of the reticular formation, suprasegmental neurones in the vicinity of the vestibular nuclear complex, and partial destruction of the complex itself, each being responsible alone or in combination. Hypergrams presumably result from suprasegmental lesions, e.g. in cerebrum and stem components. Central decrittment follows neural lesions in the vestibular subsystem. Hypograms are found in vestibular nuclear pathology. Furthermore, it helps in charting a plan for therapy, viz. head and balance exercise, in particular, in the sense that his exercise is not helpful in cases with central decruitment but is in peripheral one. An explanation for this has been put forward.

Caloric Tests↗

Intestinal absorption of fluoride preparations.

Gastric intestinal absorption of five different preparations of sodium fluoride was measured by means of ten hour urinary excretion. Best absorption was by nonenteric coated sodium fluoride. All three enteric coated preparations showed poorer absorption, with marked individual variations. Florical, the currently available preparation, showed better absorption than any enteric coated tablets and only slightly less than sodium fluoride alone. For active cochlear otospongiosis two capsules three times a day should be prescribed.

Administration, Oral↗