The results show that MD is associated with postural instability, slower motor reflexes, and larger sways in response to abrupt changes in the body's center of gravity. These findings may be explained by under reliance on vestibular and visual inputs and increased dependence on the somatosensory system for the maintenance of balance.

No abstract

The internal nasal structures, including the turbinates, regulate the nasal airflow. The surgical treatment of turbinate hypertrophy remains controversial. A wide variety of surgical procedures is performed, with universally unsatisfactory results. Interference with nasal physiology and possible postoperative complications have been the main reasons for the objection to total inferior turbinectomy. Over a 6-year period, 357 total inferior bilateral turbinectomies were performed at our institution. We present the results of these procedures and describe our surgical technique. We conclude that even in a hot and dusty climate, total inferior turbinectomy is an effective and relatively safe procedure.

Vascular transformation of lymph node sinuses is an uncommon condition and only isolated cases have been reported. It is characterized by conversion of nodal sinuses into capillary-like channels, often accompanied by fibrosis. Venous or lymphatic obstruction is thought to be the underlying mechanism, and in most cases factors that may contribute to lymphovascular obstruction can be identified such as tumour in the vicinity, vascular thrombosis, heart failure, previous surgery or radiotherapy. Most cases involve abdominal lymph nodes, and head and neck involvement is rare. We present two cases of vascular transformation of lymph node sinuses presenting only as cervical lymphadenopathy, without an obvious cause of lymphovascular obstruction.

HFJV significantly reduced the amount of intraoperative bleeding and thus significantly improved the quality of the surgical field. It is suggested that increased venous return due to lower intrathoracic pressures resulted in less bleeding and improved operating conditions. HFJV can be effectively used for FESS in order to improve endoscopic view with no adverse effects.

A long-term study was conducted to determine the rate of re-emergence of throat carriage of meningococci in a semi-closed kibbutz community after the administration of chemoprophylaxis to all its members. Serotype B:4 was selected as marker organism since it was isolated from a fatal case and was the most frequently occurring strain (80%) among serogroup B isolates, which themselves comprised 54% of all meningococci. The carriage rate among Israeli residents (volunteer workers were analyzed separately) before treatment was 6.6% (49/748) overall, with 4.3% group B strains. Three weeks after treatment, in most cases with rifampicin (whereby three persistently positive persons were retreated with minocycline), no meningococci were recovered. Six months later, 1.9% of a population sample aged < or = 30 years were positive, while before treatment and one and three years later, 9.4%, 8.6% and 4.6% respectively were positive in this age group. Serotype B:4 comprised 81.3% of group B strains before prophylaxis, 5.3% after one year, and 28.6% after three years, thus possibly re-establishing itself as the single dominant serotype. The marked suppression of carriage after mass chemoprophylaxis appeared to last at least six months, with the meningococcal population being re-established within a year.

Harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy using the curved shears instrument offers advantages over CD tonsillectomy regarding operating time and intraoperative blood loss. In our patients more than 12 years of age, HS tonsillectomy using the curved shears instrument was associated with an increased postoperative bleeding rate compared to CD tonsillectomy.

Otolaryngologists should be aware of this rare entity. Additional studies are indicated to evaluate the exact incidence of myopericarditis associated with acute streptococcal tonsillitis.