Biomedical subjects

W R Kirkham

Publications and source records attributed to W R Kirkham.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1978

Spatial disorientation in general aviation accidents.

Spatial disorientation (SD) was the third highest "cause" of fatal accidents in small, fixed-wing aircraft and closely related to the second highest "cause"--"continued VFR flight into adverse weather." SD was a cause or factor in 16% of all fatal accidents. When SD was ascribed as a cause or factor in an accident, 90% of the time that accident involved fatalities. Small, fixed-wing aircraft under 12,500 lb (570 kg) accounted for 97.3% of all SD accidents. Inclement weather was associated with 42% of all fatal accidents, and SD was a cause or factor in 35.6% of these. Flight was initiated into and continued into adverse weather in 19.7 and 68.7%, respectively, of SD weather-related fatal accidents. Fog (56.8%) and rain (41.8%) were the most prevalent adverse weather conditions. These and other data attest to the importance of this psychophysiological phenomenon in flight safety.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMed1977

Postmortem pink teeth.

A series of cases is reported in which pink teeth were observed during the postmortem period. Most cases were associated with decomposition in a moist environment. Experimental procedures led to the extraction of pink material from dentin and demonstration that hemoglobin and serum proteins were present. The pink-tooth phenomenon was duplicated in human teeth by instilling into the pulp chambers whole blood and blood with the red cells hemolyzed. The change was manifested in teeth of dogs after freezing, heating, and decomposition in a moist environment. The authors postulate that pink teeth occur as a result of breakdown of red blood cells in the pulp chamber of the tooth and diffusion of hemoglobin and other serum proteins into the dentin via the dential tubules. Histochemical studies show that the brown or gray material in some teeth subjected to postmortem aging is probably hemoglobin and serum proteins. Factors of age, vascularity of the pulp chamber, and postmortem conditions are discussed in relation to the postmortem development of pink teeth.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Actinomycosis of the larynx and pharynx.

This paper presents a case report of a 67-year-old man who was seen in the Otolaryngology Clinic, University of Wisconsin Medical Center with a seven-month history of dyspnea and laryngeal stridor. On examination there were several slightly tender firm submucosal nodules in the soft palate and left tonsilar area and a 1.5-cm polypoid subglottic mass arising from the body of the cricoid cartilage. Because of the marked airway obstruction, a tracheotomy was necessary. The laryngeal polypoid mass was removed and biopsies were obtained from the submucosal nodular masses of the palate. Microscopic examination of the tissue revealed the lesions to be caseating granulomas, and actinomycosis was identified on the cultures. The patient received long-term penicillin therapy and has remained asymptomatic. A discussion of the biologic and clinical aspects of actinomycosis is included. A review of the literature revealed only one other description of endolaryngeal actinomycosis.

Actinomycosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Malignant ameloblastoma of the maxilla.

This case illustrates a rare occurrence of an ameloblastoma arising in the maxilla and metastasizing to the neck and lungs within a three-year period following the initial resection. A discussion of the pathology is presented and the necessity for aggressive initial therapy with close follow-up is emphasized.

Ameloblastoma↗