Effectiveness of the in vivo assessment of the function of the palatine tonsils in humans

The method of in vivo assessment of the palatine tonsil function proposed by E. L. Popov and P. N. Pushchina was verified. Using a special unit, the lacunar contents were examined in 16 patients with decompensated chronic tonsillitis and 10 healthy subjects. It was concluded that the above method cannot be recommended for wide application while the apparatus can be well used for further study of palatine tonsils.     

Tumors of the parotid glands in the material of the Department of otolaryngology of the Medical Academy in Warsaw in 1986-1995

In the Department of Otolaryngology, Medical Academy in Warsaw, 332 patients were surgically treated between 1986 and 1995 because of parotid gland tumors. In 275 cases benign tumors, in 57 cases--malignant tumors were observed. The majority of benign tumors were pleomorphic adenoma (61.45%) and lymphadenoma (22.54%); the majority of malignant tumors were adenocarcinoma (28%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (21%), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (15.78%). All patients with benign tumors were surgically treated, patients with malignant tumors were operated on and irradiated. The surgical procedure used superficial parotidectomy and total parotidectomy with preservation of facial nerve where possible. Ten patients required total parotidectomy with facial nerve resection because of malignant tumors, six patients had neck dissection performed. Of the 57 patients treated on account of malignant tumors 43 survived; 14 patients died of a local recurrence or generalization neoplasm disease.     

The role of the condyle in the growth of the mandible and in facial balance

The condyle is not responsible for the growth of the body of the mandible, as the latter does not extend in length caudally at the expense of the ascending rami (through the classical relocation phenomenon), but does so deep to these, at the level of the lower insertions of the sphenomandibular ligaments (i.e., from the inlet inner border of the inferior dental canals). Philogenetically and ontogenetically, its appearance reflects the adaptation of the mandible of mammals to the morphologic and functional changes that took place in their cephalic skeleton (more erect posture, more vigorous mastication). Its chief role in man is to stabilize the mandibular body and to allow it to be properly mobilized, although contributing also to its forward and downward movements (namely in its posterior aspect). As such, it plays an active role in mandibular growth, and this role varies according to the primary "potential" of the condylar cartilage. Such primary-type potential for condylar growth may be adequately assessed by studying the shape of the mandible, as well as through an analysis of craniofacial architecture. Most of the conventional diagrams depicting mandibular growth are defective. Another figurative system has to be innovated, that will differentiate each skeletal unit--body, condyle, coronoid process, angle, alveolodental arch--, the sum of which confers the shape, the size, and the multiple variations to the mandible as a whole.     

Electromyography in the evaluation of the functional state of the internal neuromuscular apparatus of the larynx in myasthenia]

Using needle transcutaneous electromyography of internal laryngeal muscles and kalymin tests, 40 patients with myasthenia of different forms were examined. It was found that patients with generalized and local pharyngeal-facial forms of the disease developed latent generalization of myasthenic injury. Characteristic changes can be used to determine the degree of disorders in the internal nervous-muscular apparatus of the larynx.     

推动老年性聋人工耳蜗植入在中国的开展

随着中国经济的不断发展与人民健康水平的提高，我国已逐步进入老龄化社会。据预测，至2040年，全世界65周岁及以上老年人口绝对数将达到1096亿，其中我国为299亿，占世界老年人口总数的25％：占全国人口总数的比例也正在快速增长。老年人口数量的增加必然带来老年疾患数量的增加，目前世界上60～74岁老龄人中．老年性聋的比例高达30％～50％，在我国听力障碍人群中，有900多万是老年人。北京地区1996年抽样调查发现，北京市区老年人的耳聋患病率为41.84％。     

Value of MRI in the visualization of the meniscus in temporomandibular joints

Modern imaging techniques, among which nuclear magnetic resonance currently ranks first, have made it much easier to understand the internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint. While computed tomography still is the ideal technique for all bony affections in the articular region, especially for injuries. MRI now is an essential first-intention complementary examination. It allows assessing the location of the meniscus and very well defines the pathology being explored: reducible or irreducible dislocation of the meniscus, either purely anterior or anterolateral, the latter being better visible on coronal views (which are not systematically taken). The examination includes T1-weighted parasagittal views perpendicular to the axis of the condyle, taken with a surface coil (knee coil). Two sequences are performed, one with the mouth open and one with the mouth shut. The meniscus appears as a biconcave hypointense signal, which normally lies on the head of the condyle both when the mouth is open and when it is shut. T2-weighted sequences have the advantage of revealing possible effusion or intra-articular adhesion between the capsule and the synovial membrane. They may also better demonstrate a possible myxoid degeneration of the meniscus. The considerable increase in scanning time required for these sequences accounts for their unfrequent use. The condition of the bone can also be assessed, but we find MRI less accurate than direct sagittal CT scans. The future prospects include shorter imaging times owing to fast-imaging sequences (short T1 with partial flip angle).