Human amnion is a readily available allograft with low antigenicity, high antimicrobial potential, and the ability to foster cpithelialization. We have used human amniotic membrane in our department for replacing nasal mucosa in Rendu‐Osler‐Weber disease, as tympanic membrane grafts, and for covering head and neck sites after flap necrosis. Our experience shows moderate success for management of severe epistaxis and excellent results in covering surfaces after flap necrosis.
Use of amnion in eardrum perforations was unsuccessful and was discontinued. Properties of human amniotic membrane are listed and its application in the otolaryngologic practice is reviewed.
The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of arginine vasopressin (AVP) known as the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is characterized by hyponatremia that results from water retention attributable to persistent AVP release. It may occur in a variety of malignant and nonmalignant lesions, with small cell or oat cell carcinoma of the lung by far responsible for the largest number of these cases. Cancer of the head and neck may be a rare cause of SIADH, and only a few such cases have been reported. We describe four patients with advanced cancer of the head and neck region with coexisting SIADH. Diagnosis and treatment are reported and the literature is reviewed. The possible occurrence of SIADH in the head and neck surgical practice should be kept in mind. Since SIADH is usually transient, water restriction and parenteral sodium chloride may be sufficient in overcoming the acute phase.
The objective is to evaluate and compare data on a cohort of terminal head and neck cancer (HNC) patients from both home and hospital-based hospice programs and to define the particular problems and needs of those patients. The setting was a tertiary academic referral centre in Tel Hashomer, Israel. We carried out a retrospective survey of patient charts based on hospice databases and death certificates of the hospital tumor registry. Charts of 102 HNC patients admitted to the hospice between 1988 and 1994 and 24 charts of HNC patients cared for by the home hospice program between 1990 and 1994 were studied. Pain, airway problems, and dysphagia were the common problems reported. A comparison of the two programs showed home hospice patients to be younger and with lower pain levels, less weight loss, and less oral candidiasis. There were fewer oral cavity tumor patients in the home hospice group. The incidence of distant metastases was in the 50% range in both groups. Judging by chart entries relating to pain, airway care, and food intake, treatment protocols were effective in both programs in the alleviation of pain and other symptoms. Both programs appeared to provide adequate care for terminal HNC patients. The main differences in care between the two groups stemmed from the decisions of referring physicians and not from a predetermined level of care. The incidence of distant metastases was higher than that reported in earlier clinical series.
1. Chronic renal failure was induced in rats by five-sixths nephrectomy. Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) was recorded after 3 months. 2. In the uraemic rats latency of the first wave was delayed, while the interpeak I-V latency was similar to that of the controls. 3. These results suggest a delayed neural conduction along the acoustic nerve or cochlear changes in uraemic rats.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.