Biomedical subjects

Slobodanka Lemajić

Publications and source records attributed to Slobodanka Lemajić.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of age on the sense of smell in health individuals].

INTRODUCTION: A need for research of the olfactory function exists in everyday clinical work. The aim of this study was to determine standards for perception and identification thresholds regarding olfactory substances in healthy subjects in regard to their age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research included 120 healthy examinees (60 women and 60 men) classified according to age into three age groups (20-30, 31-40, 41-50 years of age). This examination was done using Fortunato-Niccolini's method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results of this work show that olfactory function becomes significantly weaker after the age of forty. Thresholds of perception in correlation with thresholds of identification for examined olfactory substances are significantly lower in older age groups. CONCLUSION: A gradual loss of olfactory capability with age can be explained by gradual destruction of olfactory cells and fibres of olfactory nerves during life.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Olfactory perception in women with physiologically altered hormonal status (during pregnancy and menopause].

INTRODUCTION: Olfaction is considered to be the ability to: perceive, conduct and recognize scents and odors. With its numerous connections to the limbic system and reticular formation, the olfactory system affects regulation of numerous vegetative functions, visceral functions and sexual behavior. Since estrogen and progesterone protect the olfactory function, changes in their levels in particular physiological states in women (in pregnancy and posmenopause) exert an influence on the ability to feel and recognize smells. It has its role in creating emotions and adjustment of visceral and vegetative response to particular emotional states. Also, it represents the connection between higher cortical functions and the endocrine system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our investigation was performed at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in Novi Sad. The research included 80 healthy women classified into 4 groups; 20 women aged between 20 and 30; 20 women in the first trimester of pregnancy aged between 20 and 30; 20 premenopausal women aged between 41 and 50; and 20 women at least 3 years in postmenopause, aged between 41 and 50. For our research we used an olfactometer and the Fortunato-Niccolini method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In pregnancy the thresholds of perception (TP) and identification (TI) of examined substances were slightly lower in comparison to nonpregnant women of the same ages, but without any statistical significance (p > 0.05). In climacteric-postmenopausal women there was a significant decrease of olfactory ability in comparison to nonmenopausal women of the same ages (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: All changes of the olfactory function in pregnancy are explained by mental changes of pregnant women as well as their hormonal status. Significant decrease of olfactory ability in postemnopause is explained by decline in sexual hormone levels.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Audiologic diagnostics of vestibular schwannoma].

INTRODUCTION: Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) is a rare, but important cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Patients with asymmetric hearing loss, or unilateral tinnitus should be evaluated expeditiously, to prevent further neurological damage. AUDIOLOGIC DIAGNOSTICS: Audiologic diagnostics represents the basic diagnosis for early detection of vestibular schwannoma. Patients with vestibular schwannomas may present with a variety of clinical features, including retrocochlear pattern of sensorineural hearing loss. Supraliminary audiometry, tympanometry, stapedius reflex and otoacoustic emissions as well as vestibular response to caloric testing are methods for selection of patients with suspicion of this tumor. CONCLUSION: The golden standard for audiologic diagnostics of vestibular schwannoma is BAEP (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials). Patients with pathological findings of BAEP should undergo MRI of the posterior fossa. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is the best and final tool for making a diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma.

Audiometry↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Sense of smell in patients with bilateral nasal polyposis].

INTRODUCTION: Sense of smell is susceptible to various changes, both in physiological and in numerous pathological conditions. Of quantitative disorders of smell, hyposmia and anosmia are quite common, whereas of qualitative disorders parosmia is most frequent. The aim of this paper was to examine impact of bilateral nasal polyposis on olfactory function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was carried out at the Nose, Ear and Throat Clinic in Novi Sad. It included 80 examinees, 40 (20 male, 20 female) with bilateral nasal polyposis, while 40 examinees belonged to the control group (20 male, 20 female) without symptoms of nasal polyposes. Fortunato-Niccolini olfactometer was used for this examination. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In patients with bilateral nasal polyposis the average perception threshold values for examined odors were 15.50 ccm of odorous air, while in the control group they were 10.20 ccm of odorous air. The average identification threshold values for examined odors in patients with bilateral nasal polyposis were 18.80 ccm of odorous air, while in the control group they were 13.55 ccm of scented air. T-test showed that values of both thresholds were statistically significantly higher (p<0.01) in patients with bilateral nasal polyposis in relation to the control group. CONCLUSION: Olfactory deficit in patients with bilateral nasal polyposis is explained by difficult or impossible passage of odors into the olfactory region.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Specific vestibular exercises in the treatment of vestibular neuritis].

INTRODUCTION: Vestibular neuritis rapidly damages unilateral vestibular periphery, inducing severe balance disorders. In most cases, such vestibular imbalance is gradually restored to within the normal level after clinical therapies. This successive clinical recovery occurs due to regeneration of vestibular periphery and/or accomplishment of central vestibular compensation. REHABILITATION: The program of vestibular rehabilitation presents a major achievement in the field of treatment of balance disorders. Vestibular compensation is associated with central sensory reintegration and bilaterally equalizes the vestibular tonus over a period of time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study of a series of cases authors present their results in 58 patients undergoing a program of vestibular rehabilitation. Patients were divided into two groups. Thirty patients were in group I, and 28 in group II. Specific vestibular exercises were conducted in group I, and non-specific exercises in group II. Analysis of effects of vestibular compensation was made due electronystagmography. RESULTS: Results were satisfactory in both groups of patients. Absence of spontaneous nystagmus was detected in 83.3% of patients in group I (specific vestibular exercises) and in 53.5% of patients in group II (non-specific exercises), with an average treatment time of up to 2 months. Harmonization of pendular stimulation was detected in 83.3% and 60.7% of patients in groups I and II, respectively. CONCLUSION: Early physiotherapeutic vestibular rehabilitation supports the vestibular compensation mechanism. At the same time vestibular rehabilitation may prevent panic disorder caused by hyperventilation syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Rhinolithiasis].

INTRODUCTION: A rhinolith is a rock which forms in the nose. It occurs from the solidification of mucus and nasal debris: by mineral salts, calcium, magnesium phosphate and carbonate, and it leads to unilateral obstruction of the nasal airway followed by inflammatory changes of the nasal mucus membrane and paranasal cavities. This inflammatory process may lead to a purulent form with complications, intracranial propagation and dacryocystitis. CASE REPORT: This is a case report of a patient with rhinolithiasis, 30 years of age, complaining of breathing difficulties for 10 years, with nasal secretion, reduced olfactory function and headaches. She underwent the following procedures: frontal rhinoscopy, epipharyngoscopy, nasal mucus analysis (fungi and bacteria), x-ray check-up as well as pathohistological analysis of the removed rhinolith. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The significance of computer tomography of paranasal cavities was confirmed in coronal lines, as the most valid radiological analysis which provides adequate diagnosis, differential diagnosis and helps in making the decision on surgical treatment. Surgery is obligatory and in most cases it is endonasal endoscopy. Bigger nasal stones (rhinoliths), progressing into the surrounding anatomic structures, are treated using rhinotomy and trepanation (Caldweell-Luc). In cases of greater rhynoliths with propagation into neighboring anatomic areas, cases of surgical treatment by lateral rhynotomy and trepancy of the sinuses (Caldwel-Luc) were shown.

Adult↗