1/3. Pneumoparotitis associated with the use of an air-powder prophylaxis unit.A case reporting barotrauma to the parotid gland secondarily to the use of an air-powder prophylaxis unit is presented. air pressure associated with these units usually exceeds that for air/driven turbines or air/water dental syringes, yet the reported incidence of iatrogenic trauma is very low. Improper angulation in the use of these instruments may result in serious sequellae. Differential diagnosis and physical examination following trauma to the parotid is discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Sigmoid perforation by compressed carbon dioxide.Self-induced injuries of the bowel have various accidental mechanisms. This is a report of a 35-year-old patient with disruption of the recto-sigmoid junction caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) originating from a bottle of sparkling wine, which was introduced transanally for sexual stimulation. The patient underwent resection of the recto-sigmoid junction and primary anastomosis. The postoperative course was uneventful except for wound infection. The patient was discharged 12 days later. The physical backgrounds, the pathological pathways for perforation and diagnostic modalities including diagnostic pitfalls are critically discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Sudden or fluctuating hearing loss and vertigo in children due to perilymph fistula.Five cases are presented of children with rapid onset of sensorineural hearing loss, disequilibrium, or both, who were found at exploratory tympanotomy to have a perilymph fistula. Four of the children had histories suggesting that antecedent barotrauma or physical exertion contributed to the development of the fistula. One child with congenital unilateral craniosynostosis had a residual temporal bone abnormality on the same side as the perilymph fistula. Two children had identifiable anatomic abnormalities in the middle ear. A classification of perilymph fistula is proposed that describes a congenital, an acquired, and a combined type of fistula. Inner ear fluid dynamics and patency of the cochlear aqueduct appear to be important factors in pathogenesis. Children with unexplained fluctuating or sudden onset of sensorineural hearing loss, and children with unexplained disequilibrium or vertigo should be suspected of having a perilymph fistula. The history can be singularly important in raising the suspicion that a perilymph fistula may be present. Although audiometric, vestibular, and radiographic studies can be helpful, there is no way to prove the presence or absence of a fistula without directly viewing the middle ear. Tympanotomy with repair of the fistula does not assure improvement in hearing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |