An aural myiasis case in a 54-year-old male farmer in Korea.
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A 54-year-old male farmer residing in Chunchon, Korea, complaining of blood tinged discharge and tinnitus in the left ear for two days, was examined in August 16, 1996. Otoscopic examination revealed live maggots from the ear canal. The patient did not complain of any symptoms after removal of maggots. Five maggots recovered were identified as the third stage larvae of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). This is the first record of aural myiasis in Korea. (+info)
Examination on biological activities and fates of new steroids, steroid-17-yl methyl glycolate derivatives.
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A variety of acyl derivatives based on the "antedrug" concept were synthesized to evaluate their biological activities, in vitro fate in human serum and examine pharmacokinetics in rats. Among the prepared compounds, acetyl and pivaloyl derivatives (8 and 9) showed strong to vasoconstrictive activity in human, exceeding that of dexamethasone. In rats, topical administration of the compound 8 significantly reduced oxazolone-induced ear edema compared to that of control. These activities were almost equal to that of prednisolone, however 9 did not show any suppression of the oxazolone-induced edema. The in vitro half-lives of 8 and 9 in human serum were 18.2 and 43.8 hours, respectively. Prednisolone and dexamethasone were extremely stable under the used conditions. When compound 8 was intravenously administrated to rats, its metabolites, 20(R)-methyl dexamethasonate (4) and carboxylic acid (18), were found in the systemic blood. The total body clearance of 8 was 1734 ml x hr(-1) x kg(-1), which was about 12 times larger than that of dexamethasone. On the other hand, 9 was found to be metabolized instantaneously to methyl prednisolonate (1) in systemic serum. Acetyl derivative 8 derived from dexamethasone may thus be useful as a topical steroid which offers the advantage of a low potential for systemic and local side effects. (+info)
High-resolution MR cisternography of the cerebellopontine angle: 2D versus 3D fast spin-echo sequences.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The clinical usefulness of MR cisternography of the cerebellopontine angle, applying 2D or 3D fast spin-echo sequences, has been reported recently. Our purpose was to investigate the cause of signal loss in CSF in the prepontine or cerebellopontine angle cistern on 2D FSE MR images and to compare the cisternographic effects of 2D and 3D FSE sequences. METHODS: Preliminary experiments were performed in four volunteers to assess the causes of signal loss. Initially, using a 2D cardiac-gated cine phase-contrast method with a velocity encoding value of 6 cm/s, we measured the velocity and flow pattern of CSF. Comparisons were made to assess the effects of intravoxel dephasing, amplitude of the section-selecting gradient, echo time (TE), and section thickness. Four healthy subjects and 13 patients with ear symptoms were examined, and multisection 3-mm-thick 2D images and 30-mm-slab, 1-mm-section 3D images were compared qualitatively and quantitatively. Then, 3D MR cisternography was performed in 400 patients with ear symptoms, and qualitative evaluation was performed. RESULTS: In volunteers, the average peak velocity of CSF was 1.2 cm/s. With TE = 250, CSF may move an average of 3 mm, and can be washed out of a 3-mm-thick 2D section volume. The CSF signal relative to that of a water phantom decreased gradually as TE increased on single-section 3-mm-thick 2D images. The CSF signal relative to that of the water phantom increased gradually as section thickness increased. No significant differences were noted in intravoxel dephasing and amplitude of the section-selecting gradient. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between CSF and the cerebellar peduncle, and the visibility of the cranial nerves and vertebrobasilar artery were significantly improved on 3D images in 17 subjects. In images from 400 patients, no significant signal loss in the cistern was observed using 3D FSE. CONCLUSION: CSF signal loss in thin-section 2D MR cisternography is mainly attributable to the wash-out phenomenon. 3D acquisition can reduce this phenomenon and provide thinner sections. The scan time for 3D acquisition is not excessive when a long echo train length and half-Fourier imaging are used. MR cisternography should be performed using a 3D acquisition. (+info)
Medical advice for commercial air travelers.
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Family physicians are often asked to advise patients who are preparing to travel. The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 has enabled more passengers with medical disabilities to choose air travel. All domestic U.S. airlines are required to carry basic (but often limited) medical equipment, although several physiologic stresses associated with flight may predispose travelers with underlying medical conditions to require emergency care. Recommendations for passengers with respiratory, cardiac or postsurgical conditions must be individualized and should be based on objective testing measures. Specific advice for patients with diabetes, postsurgical or otolaryngologic conditions may make air travel less hazardous for these persons. Air travel should be delayed after scuba diving to minimize the chance of developing decompression sickness. Although no quick cure for jet lag exists, several simple suggestions may make travel across time zones more comfortable. (+info)
Kimura's disease with bilateral auricular masses.
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We report an unusual case of Kimura's disease. An 81-year-old Japanese woman was shown to have bilateral auricular masses that had begun to enlarge 6 years before. On CT scans, slightly high-density masses with faint contrast enhancement were seen. The masses were heterogeneous and hypointense on T1-weighted MR images, were slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted MR images, and showed heterogeneous enhancement after the administration of contrast material. Kimura's disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of bilateral auricular tumors. (+info)
Homogeneity of Danish environmental and clinical isolates of Shewanella algae.
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Danish isolates of Shewanella algae constituted by whole-cell protein profiling a very homogeneous group, and no clear distinction was seen between strains from the marine environment and strains of clinical origin. Although variation between all strains was observed by ribotyping and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis, no clonal relationship between infective strains was found. From several patients, clonally identical strains of S. algae were reisolated up to 8 months after the primary isolation, indicating that the same strain may be able to maintain the infection. (+info)
Topical fluoroquinolones for eye and ear.
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Topical fluoroquinolones are now available for use in the eye and ear. Their broad spectrum of activity includes the common eye and ear pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For the treatment of acute otitis externa, these agents are as effective as previously available otic preparations. For the treatment of otitis media with tympanic membrane perforation, topical fluoroquinolones are effective and safe. These preparations are approved for use in children, and lack of ototoxicity permits prolonged administration when necessary. Topical fluoroquinolones are not appropriate for the treatment of uncomplicated conjunctivitis where narrower spectrum agents suffice; they represent a simplified regimen for the treatment of bacterial keratitis (corneal ulcers). When administered topically, fluoroquinolones are well tolerated and offer convenient dosing schedules. Currently, bacterial resistance appears limited. (+info)
Letter: Abnormal patency of eustachian tube from oral contraceptives.(8/190)