Dan Nir

Halitosis: An interdisciplinary approach

PURPOSE To summarize the experience in our halitosis clinic, emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-nine patients with a primary complaint of halitosis were evaluated. Their health was established by a questionnaire, by clinical examination, and by laboratory analysis. Halitosis was evaluated organoleptically by a dentist and an otolaryngologist (odds ratio [OR] = 5.7). The volatile sulfide levels were measured with a portable sulfide monitor (Halimeter; RH-17 series, Interscan, Chatsworth, CA). RESULTS The patients were found to suffer from otolaryngological disorders (26%), dental problems (23%), oral discomfort (18%), and gastrointestinal pathology (10%), or several of the above. In 31% of the patients, however, no clinical involvement was detected. The salivary flow rates in the patients were similar to those in healthy controls, whereas their oral Candida carrier rate was low (28%). Fifty-seven percent of the patients had objective halitosis by organoleptic evaluation and 61% by Halimeter measurement. CONCLUSION A high percentage of the patients who came to the clinic with a primary complaint of halitosis did not have a detectable problem.

Malignant external otitis in an infant

Ten cases of malignant external otitis in children have been reported hitherto. These are reviewe, and an eleventh case, a three-month-old infant associated with genetic granulocytopenia, is presented. On the grounds of the reported paediatric cases, the erudition in childhood is compared with the more common form in the adult, and is found to be much less linked with diabetes mellitus and to have a far better prognosis, with practically no mortality.

Hyoid bone syndrome and its treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

PURPOSE Nonspecific cervical pain is a common complaint in primary ear, nose, and throat clinic patients. In some cases, hyoid bone syndrome has been recognized as the cause of the complaint. Our study describes this common but unrecognized syndrome and suggests a treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a method of treatment not previously reported for this syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with suspected hyoid bone syndrome (38) were treated with oral NSAIDs and/or with an NSAID ointment for topical application. RESULTS Symptomatic relief was obtained in 66% of our patients and in 71% of the patients treated by NSAID tablets. Symptomatic relief was obtained in 91% of the patients with symptom durations of less than 6 weeks. CONCLUSION We recommend a course of NSAID therapy as the first method of treatment for this syndrome before treatment with invasive procedures, especially for patients with symptom durations of less than 6 weeks. Better recognition of the hyoid bone syndrome will result in a more effective treatment and will avoid an unnecessary investigation.

More about pain in the neck: thyroid cartilage and mastoid process syndromes

Eight patients with cervical pain were examined. The only positive finding was an impressive tenderness over the thyroid cartilage (in seven patients) or over the area of the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the mastoid process (in one patient). The diagnosis of thyroid cartilage syndrome and mastoid process syndrome were suggested and the patients were treated with oral and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which reduced the symptoms. These syndromes are rare. The thyroid cartilage syndrome has been previously reported only once in the literature and this is the first report on the mastoid process syndrome. These syndromes, although rare, should be included in the list of causes for cervical pain and better recognition of the syndromes will save patients from undergoing unnecessary investigation and inappropriate treatment.

Space charge effects and dynamic interactions in the case of a broad and intense ion beam bombarding an insulated substrate

Abstract A small single grid ion gun system, isolated by a quartz tube, was investigated. The dependence of the potential of the floating substrates was measured, and its dependence on grid voltage and pressure was determined. This potential could be controlled by changing the parameters of the ion gun. This seems to be a new possibility for controlled deposition of insulating materials with ion beams of low energy. And it explains results which were obtained in deposition of diamond-like carbon films on insulating substrates.

Hearing loss in mastoid surgery

In this way bremodeoxyuridine can be identified through the transit of the cell cycle and the cell division rate of the tumor can be determined. Bromodeoxyuridine was intravenously injected 4 to 5 hours before biopsy; the biopsy specimen was obtained while the patients were under either local or general anesthesia. Eighty-nine patients were studied. Results: The mean age of the patients with cancer was 66 + 2 years (SEM). Most of the malignant tumors were localized within the oropharynx, and 68% were stage III and IV tumors. Completely diploid carcinomas constituted 81%. There was a significant correlation of the bromodeoxyuridine uptake and the growth fraction of the DNA distribution, indicating the validity of the methodology. No significant correlation between the degree of histopathologic differentiation and growth rate could be identified. Sixty-three percent demonstrated bromodeoxyuridine uptake of 7% to 15% and corresponding 60% of the patients had a potential doubling time of less than 73 hours. Our preliminary results indicated that the most rapidly growing head and neck carcinomas seemed to be highly sensitive to irradiation. Conclusions: Carcinomas of the head and neck demonstrate one of the most rapid growth rates among malignant tumors recognized in patients with cancer. Determination of the growth rate may be clinically worthwhile for decisions about cancer treatment.

Dynamic interaction of floating substrates with an ion beam from a three grid microtech system operated without neutralizer

Abstract A 3 grid commercial ion gun was operated at efficient microtech condition but without a neutralizer, and the substrate was allowed to float to high voltages. The space charge effects of the ion beam, which was blocked by the substrate, were traced also by a movable floating probe. The substrate voltage and the deposition energy could be partly controlled by affecting the secondary electron generation at the decelerating grid of the ion gun. The technique was used to deposit diamond-like carbon (DLC) films at energies below 30 eV, which were harder than usual.