Evaluation of nasal IgA secretion in normal subjects by nasal spray and aspiration.

PubMed

Fujimoto, Chisa; Kido, Hiroshi; Sawabuchi, Takako; Mizuno, Dai; Hayama, Masaki; Yanagawa, Hiroaki; Takeda, Noriaki

2009-06-01

Nasal washing (NW) is a popular method for collecting human nasal lavage fluid. However, for NW the subject must be trained, and the method is unsuitable for field studies on untrained subjects. To overcome this problem, we have developed an easy and painless method, a nasal spray and aspiration (NSA) method. This method is different from NW in that the nasal cavity is misted over with saline, and the nasal lavage fluid is aspirated from the nostrils through a silicon tube. First, nasal lavage fluid was obtained twice by NSA with an interval of a week between lavages to evaluate intraindividual variability, and the IgA and protein levels in the nasal lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and bicinchoninic acid assay, respectively. Next, the IgA value determined by NSA was compared with that by NW in another 12 normal subjects 2 days after NSA. In 10 normal subjects, mean volume of saline sprayed into the nose was 0.46+/-0.15 ml (mean+/-S.D.). Mean volume of aspirated nasal lavage fluid containing both sprayed saline and nasal secretion was 0.44+/-0.37 ml. The mean IgA level/mg protein in the nasal lavage fluid determined by NSA was 112+/-18 microg/mg protein at the first and 99+/-20 at the second times of measurement, being highly reproducible. The mean value by NSA was 114+/-19 microg/mg protein, being almost the same as that by NW of 99+/-27. These findings suggest that the IgA level/mg protein in nasal lavage fluid determined by NSA instead of NW might be useful for assessing the variability of nasal IgA secretion.

The four-meter confrontation visual field test.

PubMed Central

Kodsi, S R; Younge, B R

1992-01-01

The 4-m confrontation visual field test has been successfully used at the Mayo Clinic for many years in addition to the standard 0.5-m confrontation visual field test. The 4-m confrontation visual field test is a test of macular function and can identify small central or paracentral scotomas that the examiner may not find when the patient is tested only at 0.5 m. Also, macular sparing in homonymous hemianopias and quadrantanopias may be identified with the 4-m confrontation visual field test. We recommend use of this confrontation visual field test, in addition to the standard 0.5-m confrontation visual field test, on appropriately selected patients to obtain the most information possible by confrontation visual field tests. PMID:1494829

The four-meter confrontation visual field test.

PubMed

Kodsi, S R; Younge, B R

1992-01-01

The 4-m confrontation visual field test has been successfully used at the Mayo Clinic for many years in addition to the standard 0.5-m confrontation visual field test. The 4-m confrontation visual field test is a test of macular function and can identify small central or paracentral scotomas that the examiner may not find when the patient is tested only at 0.5 m. Also, macular sparing in homonymous hemianopias and quadrantanopias may be identified with the 4-m confrontation visual field test. We recommend use of this confrontation visual field test, in addition to the standard 0.5-m confrontation visual field test, on appropriately selected patients to obtain the most information possible by confrontation visual field tests.

Visual brain plasticity induced by central and peripheral visual field loss.

PubMed

Sanda, Nicolae; Cerliani, Leonardo; Authié, Colas N; Sabbah, Norman; Sahel, José-Alain; Habas, Christophe; Safran, Avinoam B; Thiebaut de Schotten, Michel

2018-06-23

Disorders that specifically affect central and peripheral vision constitute invaluable models to study how the human brain adapts to visual deafferentation. We explored cortical changes after the loss of central or peripheral vision. Cortical thickness (CoTks) and resting-state cortical entropy (rs-CoEn), as a surrogate for neural and synaptic complexity, were extracted in 12 Stargardt macular dystrophy, 12 retinitis pigmentosa (tunnel vision stage), and 14 normally sighted subjects. When compared to controls, both groups with visual loss exhibited decreased CoTks in dorsal area V3d. Peripheral visual field loss also showed a specific CoTks decrease in early visual cortex and ventral area V4, while central visual field loss in dorsal area V3A. Only central visual field loss exhibited increased CoEn in LO-2 area and FG1. Current results revealed biomarkers of brain plasticity within the dorsal and the ventral visual streams following central and peripheral visual field defects.

[Relationship between visual field index and visual field morphological stages of glaucoma and their diagnostic value].

PubMed

Hou, X R; Qin, J Y; Ren, Z Q

2017-02-11

Objective: To investigate the rationality of visual field morphological stages of glaucoma, its relationship with visual field index and their diagnostic value. Methods: Retrospective series case study. Two hundred and seventy-four glaucoma patients and 100 normal control received visual field examination by Humphrey perimeter using standard automatic perimetry (SAP) program from March 2014 to September 2014. Glaucoma patients were graded into four stages according to characteristic morphological damage of visual field, distribution of mean defect (MD) and visual field index (VFI) of each stage were plotted and receiver operation characteristic curve (ROC) was used to explore its correlation with MD and VFI. The diagnostic value of MD and VFI was also compared. For the comparison of general data of subjects, categorical variables were compared using χ(2) test, numerical variables were compared using F test. MD and VFI were compared using ANOVA among stages according to visual field, followed by multiple comparisons using LSD method. The correlation between MD and VFI and different stages according to visual field defined their diagnostic value, and compared using area under the curve (AUC) of ROC. Results: No characteristic visual field damage was found in normal control group, and MD and VFI was (-0.06±1.24) dB and (99.15±0.76)%, respectively. Glaucomatous visual field damage was graded into early, medium, late and end stage according to morphological characteristic. MD for each stage were (-2.83±2.00) dB, (-9.70±3.68) dB, (-18.46±2.90) dB, and (-27.96±2.76) dB, respectively. VFI for each stage were (93.84±3.61)%, (75.16±10.85)%, (49.36±11.26)% and (17.65±10.59)%, respectively. MD and VFI of each stage of glaucomatous group and normal control group were all significantly different ( F= 1 165.53 and P <0.01 for MD; F= 1 028.04 and P <0.01 for VFI). AUC of ROC was A(MD)=0.91 and Se(MD)=0.01 (95% confident interval was 0.89-0.94) for MD, and A(VFI)=0

Correlation between nasal obstruction symptoms and objective parameters of acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry.

PubMed

Kim, C S; Moon, B K; Jung, D H; Min, Y G

1998-01-01

Acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry have been used to assess nasal airway patency objectively. We compared nasal obstruction symptoms before and after decongestion with several parameters of these objective tests. The patients assessed their nasal obstruction using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Cross-sectional areas and nasal resistance were measured by acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry before and after topical application of 1% phenylephrine solution in 32 patients with nasal obstruction symptoms. There was no significant correlation between the difference in the VAS and the difference in nasal resistance. There was also no significant correlation between the difference in the VAS and minimal cross-sectional area and cross-sectional areas at 3.3 cm (CA3.3), CA4.0 and CA6.4 from the nosepiece both in the wide and narrow sides and in both nasal cavities before and after nasal decongestion. It is concluded that rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry may have no diagnostic value in estimating the severity of nasal obstruction symptoms.

Visual Field Map Clusters in Macaque Extrastriate Visual Cortex

PubMed Central

Kolster, Hauke; Mandeville, Joseph B.; Arsenault, John T.; Ekstrom, Leeland B.; Wald, Lawrence L.; Vanduffel, Wim

2009-01-01

The macaque visual cortex contains more than 30 different functional visual areas, yet surprisingly little is known about the underlying organizational principles that structure its components into a complete ‘visual’ unit. A recent model of visual cortical organization in humans suggests that visual field maps are organized as clusters. Clusters minimize axonal connections between individual field maps that represent common visual percepts, with different clusters thought to carry out different functions. Experimental support for this hypothesis, however, is lacking in macaques, leaving open the question of whether it is unique to humans or a more general model for primate vision. Here we show, using high-resolution BOLD fMRI data in the awake monkey at 7 Tesla, that area MT/V5 and its neighbors are organized as a cluster with a common foveal representation and a circular eccentricity map. This novel view on the functional topography of area MT/V5 and satellites indicates that field map clusters are evolutionarily preserved and may be a fundamental organizational principle of the old world primate visual cortex. PMID:19474330

The golden ratio of nasal width to nasal bone length.

PubMed

Goynumer, G; Yayla, M; Durukan, B; Wetherilt, L

2011-01-01

To calculate the ratio of fetal nasal width over nasal bone length at 14-39 weeks' gestation in Caucasian women. Fetal nasal bone length and nasal width at 14-39 weeks' gestation were measured in 532 normal fetuses. The mean and standard deviations of fetal nasal bone length, nasal width and their ratio to one another were calculated in normal fetuses according to the gestational age to establish normal values. A positive and linear correlation was detected between the nasal bone length and the gestational week, as between the nasal width and the gestational week. No linear growth pattern was found between the gestational week and the ratio of nasal width to nasal bone length, nearly equal to phi, throughout gestation. The ratio of nasal width to nasal bone length, approximately equal to phi, can be calculated at 14-38 weeks' gestation. This might be useful in evaluating fetal abnormalities.

[Are Visual Field Defects Reversible? - Visual Rehabilitation with Brains].

PubMed

Sabel, B A

2017-02-01

Visual field defects are considered irreversible because the retina and optic nerve do not regenerate. Nevertheless, there is some potential for recovery of the visual fields. This can be accomplished by the brain, which analyses and interprets visual information and is able to amplify residual signals through neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change its own functional architecture by modulating synaptic efficacy. This is actually the neurobiological basis of normal learning. Plasticity is maintained throughout life and can be induced by repetitively stimulating (training) brain circuits. The question now arises as to how plasticity can be utilised to activate residual vision for the treatment of visual field loss. Just as in neurorehabilitation, visual field defects can be modulated by post-lesion plasticity to improve vision in glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or optic neuropathy. Because almost all patients have some residual vision, the goal is to strengthen residual capacities by enhancing synaptic efficacy. New treatment paradigms have been tested in clinical studies, including vision restoration training and non-invasive alternating current stimulation. While vision training is a behavioural task to selectively stimulate "relative defects" with daily vision exercises for the duration of 6 months, treatment with alternating current stimulation (30 min. daily for 10 days) activates and synchronises the entire retina and brain. Though full restoration of vision is not possible, such treatments improve vision, both subjectively and objectively. This includes visual field enlargements, improved acuity and reaction time, improved orientation and vision related quality of life. About 70 % of the patients respond to the therapies and there are no serious adverse events. Physiological studies of the effect of alternating current stimulation using EEG and fMRI reveal massive local and global changes in the brain. These include

Nasal polyps

MedlinePlus

... get rid of nasal polyps. Nasal steroid sprays shrink polyps. They help clear blocked nasal passages and ... is stopped. Corticosteroid pills or liquid may also shrink polyps, and can reduce swelling and nasal congestion. ...

Corrective Septorhinoplasty in Acute Nasal Bone Fractures.

PubMed

Kim, Jisung; Jung, Hahn Jin; Shim, Woo Sub

2018-03-01

Closed reduction is generally recommended for acute nasal bone fractures, and rhinoplasty is considered in cases with an unsatisfactory outcome. However, concomitant rhinoplasty with fracture reduction might achieve better surgical outcomes. This study investigated the surgical techniques and outcomes in patients who underwent rhinoplasty and fracture reduction concomitantly, during the acute stage of nasal bone fracture. Forty-five patients who underwent concomitant rhinoplasty and fracture reduction were enrolled. Nasal bone fractures were classified into three major types (type I, simple fracture; type II, fracture line that mimics nasal osteotomy; and type III, comminuted fracture) based on computed tomography images and preoperative facial images. Two independent otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons evaluated the surgical outcomes and telephone based survey were made to evaluate patients satisfaction. Among 45 patients, there were 39 males and 6 females. Type I was the commonest type of fracture with 18 patients (40%), while the most frequently used surgical technique for corrective surgery was dorsal augmentation with 44 patients (97.8%). The mean visual analogue scale satisfaction score of the surgeons and patients were 7.62 and 8, respectively, with no significant differences between fracture types. Concomitant rhinoplasty with fracture reduction can be performed for acute nasal bone fracture patients, and it might lead to better aesthetic outcomes.

Comparison of 3 mm versus 4 mm rigid endoscope in diagnostic nasal endoscopy.

PubMed

Neel, Gregory S; Kau, Ryan L; Bansberg, Stephen F; Lal, Devyani

2017-03-01

Compare nasal endoscopy with 3 mm versus conventional 4 mm rigid 30° endoscopes for visualization, patient comfort, and examiner ease. Ten adults with no previous sinus surgery underwent bilateral nasal endoscopy with both 4 mm and 3 mm endoscopes (resulting in 20 paired nasal endoscopies). Visualization, patient discomfort and examiner's difficulty were assessed with every endoscopy. Sino-nasal structures were checked on a list if visualized satisfactorily. Patients rated discomfort on a standardized numerical pain scale (0-10). Examiners rated difficulty of examination on a scale of 1-5 (1 = easiest). Visualization with 3 mm endoscope was superior for the sphenoid ostium ( P  = 0.002), superior turbinate ( P  = 0.007), spheno-ethmoid recess ( P  = 0.006), uncinate process ( P  = 0.002), cribriform area ( P  = 0.007), and Valve of Hasner ( P  = 0.002). Patient discomfort was not significantly different for 3 mm vs. 4 mm endoscopes but correlated with the examiners' assessment of difficulty ( r  = 0.73). The examiner rated endoscopy with 4 mm endoscopes more difficult ( P  = 0.027). The 3 mm endoscope was superior in visualizing the sphenoid ostium, superior turbinate, spheno-ethmoid recess, uncinate process, cribriform plate, and valve of Hasner. It therefore may be useful in assessment of spheno-ethmoid recess, nasolacrimal duct, and cribriform area pathologies. Overall, patients tolerated nasal endoscopy well. Though patient discomfort was not significantly different between the endoscopes, most discomfort with 3 mm endoscopes was noted while examining structures difficult to visualize with the 4 mm endoscope. Patients' discomfort correlated with the examiner's assessment of difficulty.

Inverted papillomas and benign nonneoplastic lesions of the nasal cavity

PubMed Central

Casiano, Roy R.

2012-01-01

Background: Benign lesions of the nasal cavity represent a diverse group of pathologies. Furthermore, each of these disorders may present differently in any given patient as pain and discomfort, epistaxis, headaches, vision changes, or nasal obstruction. Although these nasal masses are benign, many of them have a significant capacity for local tissue destruction and symptomatology secondary to this destruction. Advances in office-based endoscopic nasendoscopy have equipped the otolaryngologist with a safe, inexpensive, and rapid means of directly visualizing lesions within the nasal cavity and the initiation of appropriate treatment. Methods: The purpose of this study is to review the diagnosis, management, and controversies of many of the most common benign lesions of the nasal cavity encountered by the primary care physician or otolaryngologist. Results: This includes discussion of inverted papilloma (IP), juvenile angiofibroma, squamous papilloma, pyogenic granuloma, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, schwannoma, benign fibro-osseous lesions, and other benign lesions of the nasal cavity, with particular emphasis on IP and juvenile angiofibroma. Conclusion: A diverse array of benign lesions occur within the nasal cavity and paranasal cavities. Despite their inability to metastasize, many of these lesions have significant capability for local tissue destruction and recurrence. PMID:22487294

Comparison of Nasal Acceleration and Nasalance across Vowels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thorp, Elias B.; Virnik, Boris T.; Stepp, Cara E.

2013-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of normalized nasal acceleration (NNA) relative to nasalance as estimates of nasalized versus nonnasalized vowel and sentence productions. Method: Participants were 18 healthy speakers of American English. NNA was measured using a custom sensor, and nasalance was measured using…

Nasal deposition of ciclesonide nasal aerosol and mometasone aqueous nasal spray in allergic rhinitis patients.

PubMed

Emanuel, Ivor A; Blaiss, Michael S; Meltzer, Eli O; Evans, Philip; Connor, Alyson

2014-01-01

Sensory attributes of intranasal corticosteroids, such as rundown to the back of the throat, may influence patient treatment preferences. This study compares the nasal deposition and nasal retention of a radiolabeled solution of ciclesonide nasal aerosol (CIC-hydrofluoroalkane [HFA]) with a radiolabeled suspension of mometasone furoate monohydrate aqueous nasal spray (MFNS) in subjects with either perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) or seasonal AR. In this open-label, single-dose, randomized, crossover scintigraphy study, 14 subjects with symptomatic AR received a single dose of radiolabeled 74-μg CIC-HFA (37 μg/spray, 1 spray/each nostril) via a nasal metered-dose inhaler or a single dose of radiolabeled 200-μg MFNS (50 μg/spray, 2 sprays/each nostril), with a minimum 5-day washout period between treatments. Initial deposition (2 minutes postdose) of radiolabeled CIC-HFA and MFNS in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and on nasal wipes, and retention of radioactivity in the nasal cavity and nasal run-out on nasal wipes at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 minutes postdose were quantified with scintigraphy. At 2 and 10 minutes postdose, deposition of radiolabeled CIC-HFA was significantly higher in the nasal cavity versus radiolabeled MFNS (99.42% versus 86.50% at 2 minutes, p = 0.0046; and 81.10% versus 54.31% at 10 minutes, p < 0.0001, respectively; p values unadjusted for multiplicity). Deposition of radioactivity on nasal wipes was significantly higher with MFNS versus CIC-HFA at all five time points, and posterior losses of radiolabeled formulation were significantly higher with MFNS at 6, 8, and 10 minutes postdose. In this scintigraphic study, significantly higher nasal deposition and retention of radiolabeled aerosol CIC-HFA were observed versus radiolabeled aqueous MFNS in subjects with AR.

Introduction to Vector Field Visualization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kao, David; Shen, Han-Wei

2010-01-01

Vector field visualization techniques are essential to help us understand the complex dynamics of flow fields. These can be found in a wide range of applications such as study of flows around an aircraft, the blood flow in our heart chambers, ocean circulation models, and severe weather predictions. The vector fields from these various applications can be visually depicted using a number of techniques such as particle traces and advecting textures. In this tutorial, we present several fundamental algorithms in flow visualization including particle integration, particle tracking in time-dependent flows, and seeding strategies. For flows near surfaces, a wide variety of synthetic texture-based algorithms have been developed to depict near-body flow features. The most common approach is based on the Line Integral Convolution (LIC) algorithm. There also exist extensions of LIC to support more flexible texture generations for 3D flow data. This tutorial reviews these algorithms. Tensor fields are found in several real-world applications and also require the aid of visualization to help users understand their data sets. Examples where one can find tensor fields include mechanics to see how material respond to external forces, civil engineering and geomechanics of roads and bridges, and the study of neural pathway via diffusion tensor imaging. This tutorial will provide an overview of the different tensor field visualization techniques, discuss basic tensor decompositions, and go into detail on glyph based methods, deformation based methods, and streamline based methods. Practical examples will be used when presenting the methods; and applications from some case studies will be used as part of the motivation.

Objective Measure of Nasal Air Emission Using Nasal Accelerometry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cler, Meredith J.; Lien, Yu-An, S.; Braden, Maia N.; Mittleman, Talia; Downing, Kerri; Stepp, Cara, E.

2016-01-01

Purpose: This article describes the development and initial validation of an objective measure of nasal air emission (NAE) using nasal accelerometry. Method: Nasal acceleration and nasal airflow signals were simultaneously recorded while an expert speech language pathologist modeled NAEs at a variety of severity levels. In addition, microphone and…

Piezoelectric sensing: Evaluation for clinical investigation of deviated nasal septum

PubMed Central

Manjunatha, Roopa G.; Mahapatra, Roy D.; Dorasala, Srinivas

2013-01-01

Noninvasive objective evaluation of nasal airflow is one of the important clinical aspects. The developed polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensor enables measurement of airflow through each side of the nose using its piezoelectric property. This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic capability of the PVDF sensor in assessing the deviated nasal septum (DNS). PVDF nasal sensor uses its piezoelectric property to measure the peak-to-peak amplitude (Vp-p) of nasal airflow in both of the nostrils: right nostril (RN) and left nostril (LN), separately and simultaneously. We have compared the results of PVDF nasal sensor, visual analog scale (VAS), and clinician scale for 34 DNS patients and 28 healthy controls. Additionally, the results were further analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve and correlation between PVDF nasal sensor and VAS in detecting DNS. We found a significant difference in the peak-to-peak amplitude values of the test group and the control group. The correlation between the PVDF nasal sensor measurements and VAS (RN and LN combined) for test group was statistically significant (−0.807; p < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the PVDF nasal sensor measurements in the detection of DNS (RN and LN combined) was 85.3 and 74.4%, respectively, with optimum cutoff value ≤0.34 Vp-p. The developed PVDF nasal sensor is noninvasive and requires less patient efforts. The sensitivity and specificity of the PVDF nasal sensor are reliable. According to our findings, we propose that the said PVDF nasal sensor can be used as a new diagnostic tool to evaluate the DNS in routine clinical practice. PMID:24498519

Regional peak mucosal cooling predicts the perception of nasal patency.

PubMed

Zhao, Kai; Jiang, Jianbo; Blacker, Kara; Lyman, Brian; Dalton, Pamela; Cowart, Beverly J; Pribitkin, Edmund A

2014-03-01

Nasal obstruction is the principal symptom that drives patients with rhinosinus disease to seek medical treatment. However, patient perception of obstruction often bears little relationship to actual measured physical obstruction of airflow. This lack of an objective clinical tool hinders effective diagnosis and treatment. Previous work has suggested that the perception of nasal patency may involve nasal trigeminal activation by cool inspiratory airflow; we attempt to derive clinically relevant variables following this phenomenon. Prospective healthy cohort. Twenty-two healthy subjects rated unilateral nasal patency in controlled room air using a visual analog scale, followed by rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and butanol lateralization thresholds (BLTs). Each subject then immediately underwent a computed tomography scan, enabling the construction of a real-time computational fluid dynamics (CFD) nasal airway model, which was used to simulate nasal mucosa heat loss during steady resting breathing. Among all measured and computed variables, only CFD-simulated peak heat loss posterior to the nasal vestibule significantly correlated with patency ratings (r = -0.46, P < .01). Linear discriminant analysis predicted patency categories with 89% success rate, with BLT and rhinomanometric nasal resistance being two additional significant variables. As validation, CFD simulated nasal resistance significantly correlated with rhinomanometrically measured resistance (r = 0.41, P < .01). These results reveal that our noses are sensing patency via a mechanism involving localized peak nasal mucosal cooling. The analysis provides a strong rationale for combining the individualized CFD with other objective and neurologic measures to create a novel clinical tool to diagnose nasal obstruction and to predict and evaluate treatment outcomes. © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Automated objective characterization of visual field defects in 3D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fink, Wolfgang (Inventor)

2006-01-01

A method and apparatus for electronically performing a visual field test for a patient. A visual field test pattern is displayed to the patient on an electronic display device and the patient's responses to the visual field test pattern are recorded. A visual field representation is generated from the patient's responses. The visual field representation is then used as an input into a variety of automated diagnostic processes. In one process, the visual field representation is used to generate a statistical description of the rapidity of change of a patient's visual field at the boundary of a visual field defect. In another process, the area of a visual field defect is calculated using the visual field representation. In another process, the visual field representation is used to generate a statistical description of the volume of a patient's visual field defect.

Patterns of glaucomatous visual field loss in sita fields automatically identified using independent component analysis.

PubMed

Goldbaum, Michael H; Jang, Gil-Jin; Bowd, Chris; Hao, Jiucang; Zangwill, Linda M; Liebmann, Jeffrey; Girkin, Christopher; Jung, Tzyy-Ping; Weinreb, Robert N; Sample, Pamela A

2009-12-01

To determine if the patterns uncovered with variational Bayesian-independent component analysis-mixture model (VIM) applied to a large set of normal and glaucomatous fields obtained with the Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) are distinct, recognizable, and useful for modeling the severity of the field loss. SITA fields were obtained with the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc, Dublin, California) on 1,146 normal eyes and 939 glaucoma eyes from subjects followed by the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study. VIM modifies independent component analysis (ICA) to develop separate sets of ICA axes in the cluster of normal fields and the 2 clusters of abnormal fields. Of 360 models, the model with the best separation of normal and glaucomatous fields was chosen for creating the maximally independent axes. Grayscale displays of fields generated by VIM on each axis were compared. SITA fields most closely associated with each axis and displayed in grayscale were evaluated for consistency of pattern at all severities. The best VIM model had 3 clusters. Cluster 1 (1,193) was mostly normal (1,089, 95% specificity) and had 2 axes. Cluster 2 (596) contained mildly abnormal fields (513) and 2 axes; cluster 3 (323) held mostly moderately to severely abnormal fields (322) and 5 axes. Sensitivity for clusters 2 and 3 combined was 88.9%. The VIM-generated field patterns differed from each other and resembled glaucomatous defects (eg, nasal step, arcuate, temporal wedge). SITA fields assigned to an axis resembled each other and the VIM-generated patterns for that axis. Pattern severity increased in the positive direction of each axis by expansion or deepening of the axis pattern. VIM worked well on SITA fields, separating them into distinctly different yet recognizable patterns of glaucomatous field defects. The axis and pattern properties make VIM a good candidate as a preliminary process for

Visualizing second order tensor fields with hyperstreamlines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delmarcelle, Thierry; Hesselink, Lambertus

1993-01-01

Hyperstreamlines are a generalization to second order tensor fields of the conventional streamlines used in vector field visualization. As opposed to point icons commonly used in visualizing tensor fields, hyperstreamlines form a continuous representation of the complete tensor information along a three-dimensional path. This technique is useful in visulaizing both symmetric and unsymmetric three-dimensional tensor data. Several examples of tensor field visualization in solid materials and fluid flows are provided.

Flow through the nasal cavity of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timm-Davis, L. L.; Fish, F. E.

2015-12-01

The nasal cavity of spiny dogfish is a blind capsule with no internal connection to the oral cavity. Water is envisioned to flow through the cavity in a smooth, continuous flow pattern; however, this assumption is based on previous descriptions of the morphology of the olfactory cavity. No experimentation on the flow through the internal nasal cavity has been reported. Morphology of the head of the spiny dogfish ( Squalus acanthias) does not suggest a close external connection between the oral and nasal systems. However, dye visualization showed that there was flow through the nasal apparatus and from the excurrent nostril to the mouth when respiratory flows were simulated. The hydrodynamic flow through the nasal cavity was observed from flow tank experiments. The dorsum of the nasal cavity of shark heads from dead animals was exposed by dissection and a glass plate was glued over of the exposed cavity. When the head was placed in a flow, dye was observed to be drawn passively into the cavity showing a complex, three-dimensional hydrodynamic flow. Dye entered the incurrent nostril, flowed through the nasal lamellae, crossed over and under the nasal valve, and circulated around the nasal valve before exiting the excurrent nostril. When the nasal valve was removed, the dye became stagnant and back flowed out through the incurrent nostril. The single nasal valve has a hydrodynamic function that organizes a coherent flow of water through the cavity without disruption. The results suggest that the morphology of the nasal apparatus in concert with respiratory flow and ambient flows from active swimming can be used to draw water through the olfactory cavity of the shark.

Comparison of Threshold Saccadic Vector Optokinetic Perimetry (SVOP) and Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP) in Glaucoma. Part II: Patterns of Visual Field Loss and Acceptability.

PubMed

McTrusty, Alice D; Cameron, Lorraine A; Perperidis, Antonios; Brash, Harry M; Tatham, Andrew J; Agarwal, Pankaj K; Murray, Ian C; Fleck, Brian W; Minns, Robert A

2017-09-01

We compared patterns of visual field loss detected by standard automated perimetry (SAP) to saccadic vector optokinetic perimetry (SVOP) and examined patient perceptions of each test. A cross-sectional study was done of 58 healthy subjects and 103 with glaucoma who were tested using SAP and two versions of SVOP (v1 and v2). Visual fields from both devices were categorized by masked graders as: 0, normal; 1, paracentral defect; 2, nasal step; 3, arcuate defect; 4, altitudinal; 5, biarcuate; and 6, end-stage field loss. SVOP and SAP classifications were cross-tabulated. Subjects completed a questionnaire on their opinions of each test. We analyzed 142 (v1) and 111 (v2) SVOP and SAP test pairs. SVOP v2 had a sensitivity of 97.7% and specificity of 77.9% for identifying normal versus abnormal visual fields. SAP and SVOP v2 classifications showed complete agreement in 54% of glaucoma patients, with a further 23% disagreeing by one category. On repeat testing, 86% of SVOP v2 classifications agreed with the previous test, compared to 91% of SAP classifications; 71% of subjects preferred SVOP compared to 20% who preferred SAP. Eye-tracking perimetry can be used to obtain threshold visual field sensitivity values in patients with glaucoma and produce maps of visual field defects, with patterns exhibiting close agreement to SAP. Patients preferred eye-tracking perimetry compared to SAP. This first report of threshold eye tracking perimetry shows good agreement with conventional automated perimetry and provides a benchmark for future iterations.

Visual field defects may not affect safe driving.

PubMed

Dow, Jamie

2011-10-01

In Quebec a driver whose acquired visual field defect renders them ineligible for a driver's permit renewal may request an exemption from the visual field standard by demonstrating safe driving despite the defect. For safety reasons it was decided to attempt to identify predictors of failure on the road test in order to avoid placing driving evaluators in potentially dangerous situations when evaluating drivers with visual field defects. During a 4-month period in 2009 all requests for exemptions from the visual field standard were collected and analyzed. All available medical and visual field data were collated for 103 individuals, of whom 91 successfully completed the evaluation process and obtained a waiver. The collated data included age, sex, type of visual field defect, visual field characteristics, and concomitant medical problems. No single factor, or combination of factors, could predict failure of the road test. All 5 failures of the road test had cognitive problems but 6 of the successful drivers also had known cognitive problems. Thus, cognitive problems influence the risk of failure but do not predict certain failure. Most of the applicants for an exemption were able to complete the evaluation process successfully, thereby demonstrating safe driving despite their handicap. Consequently, jurisdictions that have visual field standards for their driving permit should implement procedures to evaluate drivers with visual field defects that render them unable to meet the standard but who wish to continue driving.

Similarity and Enhancement: Nasality from Moroccan Arabic Pharyngeals and Nasals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zellou, Georgia Eve

2012-01-01

Experimental studies of the articulation, acoustics, and perception of nasal and pharyngeal consonants and adjacent vowels were conducted to investigate nasality in Moroccan Arabic (MA). The status of nasality in MA is described as coarticulatorily complex, where two phoneme types (pharyngeal segments and nasal segments) yield similar…

Saline nasal washes

MedlinePlus

... nasal wash helps flush pollen, dust, and other debris from your nasal passages. It also helps remove excess mucus (snot) and adds moisture. Your nasal passages are open spaces behind your nose. Air passes through your nasal ...

Numerical simulation and nasal air-conditioning

PubMed Central

Keck, Tilman; Lindemann, Jörg

2011-01-01

Heating and humidification of the respiratory air are the main functions of the nasal airways in addition to cleansing and olfaction. Optimal nasal air conditioning is mandatory for an ideal pulmonary gas exchange in order to avoid desiccation and adhesion of the alveolar capillary bed. The complex three-dimensional anatomical structure of the nose makes it impossible to perform detailed in vivo studies on intranasal heating and humidification within the entire nasal airways applying various technical set-ups. The main problem of in vivo temperature and humidity measurements is a poor spatial and time resolution. Therefore, in vivo measurements are feasible only to a restricted extent, solely providing single temperature values as the complete nose is not entirely accessible. Therefore, data on the overall performance of the nose are only based on one single measurement within each nasal segment. In vivo measurements within the entire nose are not feasible. These serious technical issues concerning in vivo measurements led to a large number of numerical simulation projects in the last few years providing novel information about the complex functions of the nasal airways. In general, numerical simulations merely calculate predictions in a computational model, e.g. a realistic nose model, depending on the setting of the boundary conditions. Therefore, numerical simulations achieve only approximations of a possible real situation. The aim of this review is the synopsis of the technical expertise on the field of in vivo nasal air conditioning, the novel information of numerical simulations and the current state of knowledge on the influence of nasal and sinus surgery on nasal air conditioning. PMID:22073112

Effects of Peripheral Visual Field Loss on Eye Movements During Visual Search

PubMed Central

Wiecek, Emily; Pasquale, Louis R.; Fiser, Jozsef; Dakin, Steven; Bex, Peter J.

2012-01-01

Natural vision involves sequential eye movements that bring the fovea to locations selected by peripheral vision. How peripheral visual field loss (PVFL) affects this process is not well understood. We examine how the location and extent of PVFL affects eye movement behavior in a naturalistic visual search task. Ten patients with PVFL and 13 normally sighted subjects with full visual fields (FVF) completed 30 visual searches monocularly. Subjects located a 4° × 4° target, pseudo-randomly selected within a 26° × 11° natural image. Eye positions were recorded at 50 Hz. Search duration, fixation duration, saccade size, and number of saccades per trial were not significantly different between PVFL and FVF groups (p > 0.1). A χ2 test showed that the distributions of saccade directions for PVFL and FVL subjects were significantly different in 8 out of 10 cases (p < 0.01). Humphrey Visual Field pattern deviations for each subject were compared with the spatial distribution of eye movement directions. There were no significant correlations between saccade directional bias and visual field sensitivity across the 10 patients. Visual search performance was not significantly affected by PVFL. An analysis of eye movement directions revealed patients with PVFL show a biased directional distribution that was not directly related to the locus of vision loss, challenging feed-forward models of eye movement control. Consequently, many patients do not optimally compensate for visual field loss during visual search. PMID:23162511

Visual field defects and retinal nerve fiber imaging in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and in healthy controls.

PubMed

Casas, Paula; Ascaso, Francisco J; Vicente, Eugenio; Tejero-Garcés, Gloria; Adiego, María I; Cristóbal, José A

2018-03-02

To assess the retinal sensitivity in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients evaluated with standard automated perimetry (SAP). And to correlate the functional SAP results with structural parameters obtained with optical coherence tomography (OCT). This prospective, observational, case-control study consisted of 63 eyes of 63 OSAHS patients (mean age 51.7 ± 12.7 years, best corrected visual acuity ≥20/25, refractive error less than three spherical or two cylindrical diopters, and intraocular pressure < 21 mmHg) who were enrolled and compared with 38 eyes of 38 age-matched controls. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured by Stratus OCT and SAP sensitivities and indices were explored with Humphrey Field Analyzer perimeter. Correlations between functional and structural parameters were calculated, as well as the relationship between ophthalmologic and systemic indices in OSAHS patients. OSAHS patients showed a significant reduction of the sensitivity for superior visual field division (p = 0.034, t-student test). When dividing the OSAHS group in accordance with the severity of the disease, nasal peripapillary RNFL thickness was significantly lower in severe OSAHS than that in controls and mild-moderate cases (p = 0.031 and p = 0.016 respectively, Mann-Whitney U test). There were no differences between groups for SAP parameters. We found no correlation between structural and functional variables. The central visual field sensitivity of the SAP revealed a poor Pearson correlation with the apnea-hipopnea index (0.284, p = 0.024). Retinal sensitivity show minor differences between healthy subjects and OSAHS. Functional deterioration in OSAHS patients is not easy to demonstrate with visual field examination.

Stimulatory effects of histamine on migration of nasal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Hong, Sung-Moon; Park, Il-Ho; Um, Ji-Young; Shin, Jae-Min; Lee, Heung-Man

2015-10-01

Fibroblast migration is crucial for normal wound repair after sinonasal surgery. Histamine is known to be involved in wound healing by its effects on cell proliferation and migration. This study aimed to determine whether histamine affects the migration of nasal fibroblasts and to investigate the mechanism of action of histamine on nasal fibroblasts. Primary cultures of nasal fibroblasts were established from inferior turbinate samples. Fibroblast migration was evaluated with scratch assays. Cells were treated with histamine and/or histamine receptor-selective antagonists. U-73122 and pertussis toxin, which are selective inhibitors of the lower signaling pathway of H1R and H4R, were used to confirm the modulation of nasal fibroblast migration by histamine. Fibroblast cytoskeletal structures were visualized with immunocytochemistry. Histamine significantly stimulated the migration of nasal fibroblasts. Antagonists selective for HR1 and HR4 significantly reduced nasal fibroblast migration. In immunocytochemical staining, histamine treatment increased membrane ruffling and pyrilamine, diphenhydramine, fexofenadine, and JNJ7777120 decreased histamine-induced membrane ruffling. U-73122 and pertussis toxin also decreased histamine-induced migration of fibroblasts. Histamine maintains its stimulatory effects on fibroblast migration in the presence of mitomycin C, which blocks proliferation of cells. We showed that histamine stimulates fibroblast migration in nasal fibroblasts. This effect appeared to be mediated by HR1 and HR4. However, because fibroblast migration also can be involved in scaring and fibrosis, more research is necessary to determine the effects of antihistamine on wound healing after sinus surgery. © 2015 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

21 CFR 886.1360 - Visual field laser instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Visual field laser instrument. 886.1360 Section... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 886.1360 Visual field laser instrument. (a) Identification. A visual field laser instrument is an AC-powered device intended to provide...

21 CFR 886.1360 - Visual field laser instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Visual field laser instrument. 886.1360 Section... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 886.1360 Visual field laser instrument. (a) Identification. A visual field laser instrument is an AC-powered device intended to provide...

21 CFR 886.1360 - Visual field laser instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Visual field laser instrument. 886.1360 Section... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 886.1360 Visual field laser instrument. (a) Identification. A visual field laser instrument is an AC-powered device intended to provide...

21 CFR 886.1360 - Visual field laser instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Visual field laser instrument. 886.1360 Section... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 886.1360 Visual field laser instrument. (a) Identification. A visual field laser instrument is an AC-powered device intended to provide...

Visual Field Asymmetry in Attentional Capture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Du, Feng; Abrams, Richard A.

2010-01-01

The present study examined the spatial distribution of involuntary attentional capture over the two visual hemi-fields. A new experiment, and an analysis of three previous experiments showed that distractors in the left visual field that matched a sought-for target in color produced a much larger capture effect than identical distractors in the…

Assessment of nasalance and nasality in patients with a repaired cleft palate.

PubMed

Sinko, Klaus; Gruber, Maike; Jagsch, Reinhold; Roesner, Imme; Baumann, Arnulf; Wutzl, Arno; Denk-Linnert, Doris-Maria

2017-07-01

In patients with a repaired cleft palate, nasality is typically diagnosed by speech language pathologists. In addition, there are various instruments to objectively diagnose nasalance. To explore the potential of nasalance measurements after cleft palate repair by NasalView ® , we correlated perceptual nasality and instrumentally measured nasalance of eight speech items and determined the relationship between sensitivity and specificity of the nasalance measures by receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analyses and AUC (area under the curve) computation for each single test item and specific item groups. We recruited patients with a primarily repaired cleft palate receiving speech therapy during follow-up. During a single day visit, perceptive and instrumental assessments were obtained in 36 patients and analyzed. The individual perceptual nasality was assigned to one of four categories; the corresponding instrumental nasalance measures for the eight specific speech items were expressed on a metric scale (1-100). With reference to the perceptual diagnoses, we observed 3 nasal and one oral test item with high sensitivity. However, the specificity of the nasality indicating measures was rather low. The four best speech items with the highest sensitivity provided scores ranging from 96.43 to 100%, while the averaged sensitivity of all eight items was below 90%. We conclude that perceptive evaluation of nasality remains state of the art. For clinical follow-up, instrumental nasalance assessment can objectively document subtle changes by analysis of four speech items only. Further studies are warranted to determine the applicability of instrumental nasalance measures in the clinical routine, using discriminative items only.

A modified intranasal endoscopic excision for nasal vestibular cyst in China.

PubMed

Huang, Zizhen; Li, Jingjia; Yang, Qintai; Li, Peng; Ye, Jin; Liu, Xian; Zhang, Gehua

2015-03-01

This study aimed to improve the surgical removal procedure for nasal vestibular cysts. Twenty-three patients with nasal vestibular cysts underwent surgical removal of the cyst via a transoral sublabial approach and another 30 patients via a modified intranasal endoscopic excision method. The 30 patients were treated with local anesthesia and the roof of the cyst, which was firmly attached to the mucous membrane of the anterior floor of the nasal cavity, was removed transnasally with microdebrider. Bleeding of the opening was stopped by electric coagulation without nasal packing. Among the 30 consecutive patients who underwent the modified surgical procedure, all patients were successfully treated. The mean duration of surgery was 5.7 ± 2.6 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 3.5 ± 2.1 ml. All patients were outpatients. The mean hospital stay was 1 h. The mean total cost was 140. The visual analog scale scores of postoperative pain, pressure and nasal obstruction were 1, 0 and 1, respectively. The incidence rate of postoperative lip swelling or numbness was 0 %. Postoperative endoscopic findings revealed that the cyst was replaced by an air-containing sinus with a persistent opening at the anterolateral nasal floor. There was no recurrence during a mean follow-up of 18 months. The modified intranasal endoscopic excision is a simple, less invasive, low-cost and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of nasal vestibular cysts. It might change the pattern of treatment for nasal vestibular cysts in China.

Visualization of 3-D tensor fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hesselink, L.

1996-01-01

Second-order tensor fields have applications in many different areas of physics, such as general relativity and fluid mechanics. The wealth of multivariate information in tensor fields makes them more complex and abstract than scalar and vector fields. Visualization is a good technique for scientists to gain new insights from them. Visualizing a 3-D continuous tensor field is equivalent to simultaneously visualizing its three eigenvector fields. In the past, research has been conducted in the area of two-dimensional tensor fields. It was shown that degenerate points, defined as points where eigenvalues are equal to each other, are the basic singularities underlying the topology of tensor fields. Moreover, it was shown that eigenvectors never cross each other except at degenerate points. Since we live in a three-dimensional world, it is important for us to understand the underlying physics of this world. In this report, we describe a new method for locating degenerate points along with the conditions for classifying them in three-dimensional space. Finally, we discuss some topological features of three-dimensional tensor fields, and interpret topological patterns in terms of physical properties.

Impacts of Fluid Dynamics Simulation in Study of Nasal Airflow Physiology and Pathophysiology in Realistic Human Three-Dimensional Nose Models

PubMed Central

Lee, Heow Peuh; Gordon, Bruce R.

2012-01-01

During the past decades, numerous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies, constructed from CT or MRI images, have simulated human nasal models. As compared to rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, which provide quantitative information only of nasal airflow, resistance, and cross sectional areas, CFD enables additional measurements of airflow passing through the nasal cavity that help visualize the physiologic impact of alterations in intranasal structures. Therefore, it becomes possible to quantitatively measure, and visually appreciate, the airflow pattern (laminar or turbulent), velocity, pressure, wall shear stress, particle deposition, and temperature changes at different flow rates, in different parts of the nasal cavity. The effects of both existing anatomical factors, as well as post-operative changes, can be assessed. With recent improvements in CFD technology and computing power, there is a promising future for CFD to become a useful tool in planning, predicting, and evaluating outcomes of nasal surgery. This review discusses the possibilities and potential impacts, as well as technical limitations, of using CFD simulation to better understand nasal airflow physiology. PMID:23205221

[Visual field progression in glaucoma: cluster analysis].

PubMed

Bresson-Dumont, H; Hatton, J; Foucher, J; Fonteneau, M

2012-11-01

Visual field progression analysis is one of the key points in glaucoma monitoring, but distinction between true progression and random fluctuation is sometimes difficult. There are several different algorithms but no real consensus for detecting visual field progression. The trend analysis of global indices (MD, sLV) may miss localized deficits or be affected by media opacities. Conversely, point-by-point analysis makes progression difficult to differentiate from physiological variability, particularly when the sensitivity of a point is already low. The goal of our study was to analyse visual field progression with the EyeSuite™ Octopus Perimetry Clusters algorithm in patients with no significant changes in global indices or worsening of the analysis of pointwise linear regression. We analyzed the visual fields of 162 eyes (100 patients - 58 women, 42 men, average age 66.8 ± 10.91) with ocular hypertension or glaucoma. For inclusion, at least six reliable visual fields per eye were required, and the trend analysis (EyeSuite™ Perimetry) of visual field global indices (MD and SLV), could show no significant progression. The analysis of changes in cluster mode was then performed. In a second step, eyes with statistically significant worsening of at least one of their clusters were analyzed point-by-point with the Octopus Field Analysis (OFA). Fifty four eyes (33.33%) had a significant worsening in some clusters, while their global indices remained stable over time. In this group of patients, more advanced glaucoma was present than in stable group (MD 6.41 dB vs. 2.87); 64.82% (35/54) of those eyes in which the clusters progressed, however, had no statistically significant change in the trend analysis by pointwise linear regression. Most software algorithms for analyzing visual field progression are essentially trend analyses of global indices, or point-by-point linear regression. This study shows the potential role of analysis by clusters trend. However, for best

Nasal Anatomy and Function.

PubMed

Patel, Ruchin G

2017-02-01

The nose is a complex structure important in facial aesthetics and in respiratory physiology. Nasal defects can pose a challenge to reconstructive surgeons who must re-create nasal symmetry while maintaining nasal function. A basic understanding of the underlying nasal anatomy is thus necessary for successful nasal reconstruction. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Large Field Visualization with Demand-Driven Calculation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moran, Patrick J.; Henze, Chris

1999-01-01

We present a system designed for the interactive definition and visualization of fields derived from large data sets: the Demand-Driven Visualizer (DDV). The system allows the user to write arbitrary expressions to define new fields, and then apply a variety of visualization techniques to the result. Expressions can include differential operators and numerous other built-in functions, ail of which are evaluated at specific field locations completely on demand. The payoff of following a demand-driven design philosophy throughout becomes particularly evident when working with large time-series data, where the costs of eager evaluation alternatives can be prohibitive.

Island composite nasal flap for nasal dorsum skin defects.

PubMed

Skitarelić, Neven; Mladina, Ranko; Mraovic, Boris; Simurina, Tatjana; Skitarelić, Nataa; Vuković, Katarina

2009-08-01

Skin defects on the nasal dorsum remain a challenge for the plastic surgeon. There are few local nasal flap options for the repair of proximally positioned nasal skin defects. During a 3-year period, 22 patients were treated after excision of skin cancer in the proximal two-thirds of the nose. Nine patients (41%) were female and 13 (59%) were male, with an average age of 69 years. All patients were operated on under local anesthesia. The average follow-up was 25 months. In all patients, after tumor ablation, the skin defect was closed with an island composite nasal skin flap. Pathohistologic analysis confirmed that the margins of the removed tumor were free of malignant cells. Six patients (27.3%) had squamous cell and 16 (72.7%) had basal cell carcinoma. There was no total or partial flap loss. None of the patients has suffered from recurrence of the tumor. The island composite nasal flap is a reliable technique for the closure of proximal nasal skin defects. Complications in the elevation of the island composite flap were rare, and the final result was acceptable.

Optic nerve dysfunction during gravity inversion. Visual field abnormalities.

PubMed

Sanborn, G E; Friberg, T R; Allen, R

1987-06-01

Inversion in a head-down position (gravity inversion) results in an intraocular pressure of 35 to 40 mm Hg in normal subjects. We used computerized static perimetry to measure the visual fields of normal subjects during gravity inversion. There were no visual field changes in the central 6 degrees of the visual field compared with the baseline (preinversion) values. However, when the central 30 degrees of the visual field was tested, reversible visual field defects were found in 11 of 19 eyes. We believe that the substantial elevation of intraocular pressure during gravity inversion may pose potential risks to the eyes, and we recommend that inversion for extended periods of time be avoided.

A computational theory of visual receptive fields.

PubMed

Lindeberg, Tony

2013-12-01

A receptive field constitutes a region in the visual field where a visual cell or a visual operator responds to visual stimuli. This paper presents a theory for what types of receptive field profiles can be regarded as natural for an idealized vision system, given a set of structural requirements on the first stages of visual processing that reflect symmetry properties of the surrounding world. These symmetry properties include (i) covariance properties under scale changes, affine image deformations, and Galilean transformations of space-time as occur for real-world image data as well as specific requirements of (ii) temporal causality implying that the future cannot be accessed and (iii) a time-recursive updating mechanism of a limited temporal buffer of the past as is necessary for a genuine real-time system. Fundamental structural requirements are also imposed to ensure (iv) mutual consistency and a proper handling of internal representations at different spatial and temporal scales. It is shown how a set of families of idealized receptive field profiles can be derived by necessity regarding spatial, spatio-chromatic, and spatio-temporal receptive fields in terms of Gaussian kernels, Gaussian derivatives, or closely related operators. Such image filters have been successfully used as a basis for expressing a large number of visual operations in computer vision, regarding feature detection, feature classification, motion estimation, object recognition, spatio-temporal recognition, and shape estimation. Hence, the associated so-called scale-space theory constitutes a both theoretically well-founded and general framework for expressing visual operations. There are very close similarities between receptive field profiles predicted from this scale-space theory and receptive field profiles found by cell recordings in biological vision. Among the family of receptive field profiles derived by necessity from the assumptions, idealized models with very good qualitative

Influence of cooling face masks on nasal air conditioning and nasal geometry.

PubMed

Lindemann, J; Hoffmann, T; Koehl, A; Walz, E M; Sommer, F

2017-06-01

Nasal geometries and temperature of the nasal mucosa are the primary factors affecting nasal air conditioning. Data on intranasal air conditioning after provoking the trigeminal nerve with a cold stimulus simulating the effects of an arctic condition is still missing. The objective was to investigate the influence of skin cooling face masks on nasal air conditioning, mucosal temperature and nasal geometry. Standardized in vivo measurements of intranasal air temperature, humidity and mucosal temperature were performed in 55 healthy subjects at defined detection sites before and after wearing a cooling face mask. Measurements of skin temperature, rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry were accomplished. After wearing the face mask the facial skin temperature was significantly reduced. Intranasal air temperature did not change. Absolute humidity and mucosal temperature increased significantly. The acoustic rhinometric results showed a significant increase of the volumes and the cross-sectional areas. There was no change in nasal airflow. Nasal mucosal temperature, humidity of inhaled air, and volume of the anterior nose increased after application of a cold face mask. The response is mediated by the trigeminal nerve. Increased mucosal temperatures as well as changes in nasal geometries seem to guarantee sufficient steady intranasal nasal air conditioning.

Reduced nasal growth after primary nasal repair combined with cleft lip surgery.

PubMed

Yoshimura, Y; Okumoto, T; Iijima, Y; Inoue, Y

2015-11-01

Nasal growth after cleft lip surgery with or without primary nasal repair was evaluated using lateral cephalograms. In 14 patients who underwent simultaneous nasal repair with primary cleft lip repair and 12 patients without simultaneous nasal repair, lateral cephalograms were obtained at 5 and 10 years of age. Lateral cephalograms of normal Japanese children were used as a control. At 5 years of age, there were significant differences in the nasal height and columellar angle among the three groups. Children without simultaneous nasal repair had shorter noses with more upward tilt of the columella compared with the controls, while children with simultaneous nasal repair had much shorter noses and more upward tilt than those without repair. At 10 years of age, the children without simultaneous nasal repair showed no differences from the control group, while those with simultaneous repair still had shorter noses and more upward tilt of the columella. These findings suggest that performing nasal repair at the same time as primary cleft lip surgery has an adverse influence on the subsequent growth of the nose. Copyright © 2015 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Earbuds: A Method for Analyzing Nasality in the Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, Jesse; Kohlberger, Martin

2017-01-01

Existing methods for collecting and analyzing nasality data are problematic for linguistic fieldworkers: aerodynamic equipment can be expensive and difficult to transport, and acoustic analyses require large amounts of optimally-recorded data. In this paper, a highly mobile and low-cost method is proposed. By connecting low impedance earbuds into…

Modulation of visualized electrical field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Chin-Jung; Wu, Chi-Chung; Wang, Yi-Ting; Huang, Shiuan-Hau

2015-10-01

Polarization is an important concept of electromagnetism, and polarizers were traditionally applied to demonstrate this concept in a laboratory. We set up a optical system with the optical component "axis finder" to visualize the polarization direction immediately. The light phenomena, such as birefringence, circular polarization, and Brewster's angle, can be examined polarization visually. In addition, the principle of different waveplate and optical axis can be presented in a straightforward approach. By means of image analysis, the great precision of polarizing direction can be measured up to 0.01 degree. Modulated polarized light is applied to a few optical devices, like Liquid-crystal display. It is marvelous to trace the light polarization between the backlight module, polarizer, and panel. As seeing is believing, the visualized electrical field allows educators to teach polarization in a smooth and strikingly manifest manner. Without any polarizer and analyzer, we examine the rotary power of different concentration syrup, presenting the relationship with polarization change. We also demonstrate the wide application of polarization light in modern life, and examine the principle through this visualized electrical field system.

[Endoscopic treatment of small osteoma of nasal sinuses manifested as nasal and facial pain].

PubMed

Li, Yu; Zheng, Tianqi; Li, Zhong; Deng, Hongyuan; Guo, Chaoxian

2015-12-01

To discuss the clinical features, diagnosis and endoscopic surgical intervention for small steoma of nasal sinuses causing nasal and facial pain. A retrospective review was performed on 21 patients with nasal and facial pain caused by small osteoma of nasal sinuses, and nasal endoscopic surgery was included in the treatment of all cases. The nasal and facial pain of all the patients was relieved. Except for one ase exhibiting periorbital bruise after operation, the other patients showed no postoperative complications. Nasal and facial pain caused by small osteoma of nasal sinuses was clinically rare, mostly due to the neuropathic pain of nose and face caused by local compression resulting from the expansion of osteoma. Early diagnosis and operative treatment can significantly relieve nasal and facial pain.

Routine use of humidification with nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

PubMed

Worsnop, C J; Miseski, S; Rochford, P D

2010-09-01

Heated humidification can reduce nasal symptoms caused by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, but its routine use has not been studied over the medium term in a randomized controlled trial. The aim of this study is to determine if heated humidification would reduce nasal symptoms and improve adherence with CPAP treatment in all patients with sleep apnoea irrespective of whether they had nasal symptoms initially. A randomized, parallel group design. Patients were treated for 3 months with a Fisher & Paykel HC201 pump with built-in heated humidification, or with the heater disabled and without water. Adherence was measured with a timer built into the pumps. Nasal symptoms were measured with a 10-cm visual analogue scale. There were 25 in the humidification group and 29 in the non-humidification group. After 12 weeks mean (standard deviation) adherence with CPAP was 4.7 (2.4) and 4.5 (2.2) hours per night respectively. Nasal symptoms that were reduced were nose blocked* 6 (12), 18 (26); sneezing* 4 (8), 15 (25); dry nose* 8 (12), 24 (33); stuffy nose* 7 (14), 22(31); dry mouth* 13 (18), 33(36); and runny nose* 6 (17), 14 (29). Parameters marked with an asterisk '*' had P < 0.05 with t-tests. The routine use of heated humidification with CPAP in all patients with sleep apnoea reduced nasal symptoms, but did not improve adherence. © 2010 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal © 2010 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Visual field impairment captures disease burden in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Ortiz-Perez, Santiago; Andorra, Magí; Sanchez-Dalmau, Bernardo; Torres-Torres, Rubén; Calbet, David; Lampert, Erika J; Alba-Arbalat, Salut; Guerrero-Zamora, Ana M; Zubizarreta, Irati; Sola-Valls, Nuria; Llufriu, Sara; Sepúlveda, María; Saiz, Albert; Villoslada, Pablo; Martinez-Lapiscina, Elena H

2016-04-01

Monitoring disease burden is an unmeet need in multiple sclerosis (MS). Identifying patients at high risk of disability progression will be useful for improving clinical-therapeutic decisions in clinical routine. To evaluate the role of visual field testing in non-optic neuritis eyes (non-ON eyes) as a biomarker of disability progression in MS. In 109 patients of the MS-VisualPath cohort, we evaluated the association between visual field abnormalities and global and cognitive disability markers and brain and retinal imaging markers of neuroaxonal injury using linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, disease duration and use of disease-modifying therapies. We evaluated the risk of disability progression associated to have baseline impaired visual field after 3 years of follow-up. Sixty-two percent of patients showed visual field defects in non-ON eyes. Visual field mean deviation was statistically associated with global disability; brain (normalized brain parenchymal, gray matter volume and lesion load) and retinal (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and macular ganglion cell complex thickness) markers of neuroaxonal damage. Patients with impaired visual field had statistically significative greater disability, lower normalized brain parenchymal volume and higher lesion volume than patients with normal visual field testing. MS patients with baseline impaired VF tripled the risk of disability progression during follow-up [OR = 3.35; 95 % CI (1.10-10.19); p = 0.033]. The association of visual field impairment with greater disability and neuroaxonal injury and higher risk of disability progression suggest that VF could be used to monitor MS disease burden.

Anosognosia for obvious visual field defects in stroke patients.

PubMed

Baier, Bernhard; Geber, Christian; Müller-Forell, Wiebke; Müller, Notger; Dieterich, Marianne; Karnath, Hans-Otto

2015-01-01

Patients with anosognosia for visual field defect (AVFD) fail to recognize consciously their visual field defect. There is still unclarity whether specific neural correlates are associated with AVFD. We studied AVFD in 54 patients with acute stroke and a visual field defect. Nineteen percent of this unselected sample showed AVFD. By using modern voxelwise lesion-behaviour mapping techniques we found an association between AVFD and parts of the lingual gyrus, the cuneus as well as the posterior cingulate and corpus callosum. Damage to these regions appears to induce unawareness of visual field defects and thus may play a significant role for conscious visual perception.

Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray

MedlinePlus

... is recommended by a doctor. Children 6 to 12 years of age should use oxymetazoline nasal spray carefully and under adult supervision. Oxymetazoline is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. It works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages.

EVALUATION OF THE CHANGES IN THE NASAL CAVITY DURING THE MIGRAINE ATTACK

PubMed Central

Arslan, H. Hüseyin; Tokgöz, Erkan; Yıldızoğlu, Üzeyir; Durmaz, Abdullah; Bek, Semai; Gerek, Mustafa

2012-01-01

Objectives There are some subjective symptoms involving the nasal cavity such as nasal congestion during a migraine attack. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the possible changes occuring in the nasal cavity, during headache in migraine patients. Material and Methods Subjects with migraine were studied. The control group was consisted with tension-type headache patients. The severity of the headache and accompanying complaints were assessed by visual analog scale, and nasal mucosa was assessed by anterior rhinoscopy and endoscopy. Resistance of the nasal cavity was evaluated with anterior rhinomanometry. The data obtained during the attack periods and attack free periods were compared. Results 25 migraine patients and 15 tension-type headache patients were enrolled. It was found that 19 subjects (%76) of migraine group and 5 of tension-type headache group were suffering from nasal congestion during the attack, and that the differences between the groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). The average of total nasal resistance in migraine patients was 0,57±0,60 kPa/L/sn during migraine attacks and 0,28±0,14 kPa/L/sn during attack free periods. The average of total nasal resistance in tension-type headache patients was 0,32±0,14 kPa/L/sn during attack periods and 0,31±0,20 kPa/L/sn during attack free periods. In the migraine group, the change of nasal resistance between during the attack and attack free periods was found statistically significant, while there was no statistically significant difference in the tension-type headache group. Conclusion According to the results of this study, complaining of nasal obstruction and nasal airway resistance increases during migraine attacks. Cause and effect relationship between nasal obstruction and pain is not clear and clinical trials are needed to determine the effect of nasal obstruction treatment (mucosal decongestion etc.) on the complaint of pain. PMID:25072974

The Effect of Dexpanthenol-Vitamin A (Nazalnem) on Silastic Splints After Nasal Septal Surgery.

PubMed

Yildirim, Güven; Kumral, Tolgar Lütfi; Altindağ, Cem; Özdemir, Erdi; Uyar, Yavuz

2017-11-01

To investigate the effect of dexpanthenol-vitamin A (Nazalnem) ointment applied to the surface of silastic splints with an airway immediately after nasal septal surgery on postoperative complaints and nasal mucosa function. The study enrolled 60 patients undergoing nasal septoplasty surgery. Group 1 (n = 30) received silastic splints with ointment containing dexpanthenol-vitamin A (Nazalnem), and Group 2 (n = 30), the control group, received silastic splints with vaseline. Of these patients, 2 patients from the Group 1 and 9 from the Group 2 were excluded.A thin layer of ointment was applied to the flat side of a silastic splint with an airway. The splints were removed on the second postoperative day. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and 1 and 2 weeks postoperatively using a visual analog scale and the Sino-Nasal Outcome test (SNOT-22). Mucociliary clearance (MCC) tests were performed at the same times. Visual analog scale for nasal crusting, nasal congestion, and foul odor was better in Group 1 than in Group 2 both at 1 week and at 2 weeks postoperatively (P < 0.05).The SNOT scores were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 at 1 week (P < 0.01), but did not differ at 2 weeks postoperatively (P > 0.05).Postoperatively, the MCC were insignificant between the groups and within the groups at 1 and 2 weeks (P > 0.05). Although Dexpanthenol-Vitamin A ointment had no direct effect on wound healing, it had significant effects on crusting, obstruction, and foul smell. However, silastic splints with dexpanthenol did not improve the MCC of the nose.

Image-guided transnasal cryoablation of a recurrent nasal adenocarcinoma in a dog.

PubMed

Murphy, S M; Lawrence, J A; Schmiedt, C W; Davis, K W; Lee, F T; Forrest, L J; Bjorling, D E

2011-06-01

An eight-year-old female spayed Airedale terrier with rapid recurrence of a nasal adenocarcinoma following image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy was treated with transnasal, image-guided cryotherapy. Ice ball size and location were monitored real-time with computed tomography-fluoroscopy to verify that the entire tumour was enveloped in ice. Serial computed tomography scans demonstrated reduction in and subsequent resolution of the primary tumour volume corresponding visually with the ice ball imaged during the ablation procedure. Re-imaging demonstrated focallysis of the cribriform plate following ablation that spontaneously resolved by 13 months. While mild chronic nasal discharge developed following cryoablation, no other clinical signs of local nasal neoplasia were present. Twenty-one months after nasal tumour cryoablation the dog was euthanased as a result of acute haemoabdomen. Image-guided cryotherapy may warrant further investigation for the management of focal residual or recurrent tumours in dogs, especially in regions where critical structures preclude surgical intervention. © 2011 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Representation of the visual field in the striate cortex: comparison of MR findings with visual field deficits in organic mercury poisoning (Minamata disease).

PubMed

Korogi, Y; Takahashi, M; Hirai, T; Ikushima, I; Kitajima, M; Sugahara, T; Shigematsu, Y; Okajima, T; Mukuno, K

1997-01-01

To compare MR imaging findings of the striate cortex with visual field deficits in patients with Minamata disease and to reestimate the classical Holmes retinotopic map by using the data obtained from comparing visual field abnormalities with degree of visual cortex atrophy. MR imaging was performed in eight patients with Minamata disease who had been given a full neuroophthalmic examination, including Goldmann dynamic perimetry. The atrophic portions of the calcarine area were measured in the sagittal plane next to the midsagittal image and represented as a percentage of atrophy of the total length of the calcarine fissure. MR findings were compared with results of a visual field test. The visual field test revealed moderate to severe concentric constriction of the visual fields, with central vision ranging from 7 degrees to 42 degrees (mean, 19 degrees). The ventral portion of the calcarine sulcus was significantly dilated on MR images in all patients. A logarithmic correlation was found between the visual field defect and the extent of dilatation of the calcarine fissure. The central 10 degrees and 30 degrees of vision seemed to fill about 20% and 50% of the total surface area of the calcarine cortex, respectively. Visual field deficits in patients with Minamata disease correlated well with MR findings of the striate cortex. Our data were consistent with the classical Holmes retinotopic map.

[The efficacy and safety of budesonide inhalation suspension via transnasal nebulization compared with oral corticosteroids in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps].

PubMed

Lou, Hongfei; Wang, Chengshuo; Zhang, Luo

2015-05-01

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a short course of nebulized budesonide via transnasal inhalation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Fifty patients with severe eosinophilic nasal polyps were randomized devided into study group (n = 25) and control group (n = 25). The study group received budesonide inhalation suspension (1 mg twice daily) via transnasal nebulization for one week and the control group received oral prednisone (24 mg QD). Visual analogue scales (VAS) of nasal symptoms, endoscopic polyp scores (kennedy scores) and morning serum cortisol concentrations were assessed in both groups pre- and post-treatment. Operation time and surgical field bleeding were evaluated. Four subjects dropped out in control group. Budesonide transnasal nebulization caused a significant improvement in all nasal symptoms especially nasal obstruction (baseline: 8.25 ± 0.53; after treatment: 4.97 ± 0.97, P < 0.01) and reduced polyp size significantly (baseline: 4.64 ± 0.63; after treatment: 3.40 ± 0.76, P < 0.01) compared to pre-treatment. The patients treated with oral prednisone, however, showed more obvious improvement in nasal symptoms and polyp size, shorter operation time and better surgical field than budesonide group. Additionally, the morning serum cortisol concentration was mildly decreased after one week treatment in budesonide group [baseline (17.18 ± 2.83) μg/dl, after treatment (16.24 ± 2.93) μg/dl, P > 0.05], but all values were still located in normal range (normal range: 5-25 μg/dl). Conversely, the morning serum cortisol concentration in oral prednisone group was lower than normal limit [baseline (18.19 ± 2.81) μg/dl, after treatment (2.26 ± 0.70) μg/dl, P < 0.01]. Twice daily budesonide transnasal nebulization is an effective and safe treatment as evidenced by significant improvements in nasal symptoms and reduction in polyp size, coupled with an absence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, which is safer than the

Visual cortex in aging and Alzheimer's disease: changes in visual field maps and population receptive fields

PubMed Central

Brewer, Alyssa A.; Barton, Brian

2012-01-01

Although several studies have suggested that cortical alterations underlie such age-related visual deficits as decreased acuity, little is known about what changes actually occur in visual cortex during healthy aging. Two recent studies showed changes in primary visual cortex (V1) during normal aging; however, no studies have characterized the effects of aging on visual cortex beyond V1, important measurements both for understanding the aging process and for comparison to changes in age-related diseases. Similarly, there is almost no information about changes in visual cortex in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia. Because visual deficits are often reported as one of the first symptoms of AD, measurements of such changes in the visual cortex of AD patients might improve our understanding of how the visual system is affected by neurodegeneration as well as aid early detection, accurate diagnosis and timely treatment of AD. Here we use fMRI to first compare the visual field map (VFM) organization and population receptive fields (pRFs) between young adults and healthy aging subjects for occipital VFMs V1, V2, V3, and hV4. Healthy aging subjects do not show major VFM organizational deficits, but do have reduced surface area and increased pRF sizes in the foveal representations of V1, V2, and hV4 relative to healthy young control subjects. These measurements are consistent with behavioral deficits seen in healthy aging. We then demonstrate the feasibility and first characterization of these measurements in two patients with mild AD, which reveal potential changes in visual cortex as part of the pathophysiology of AD. Our data aid in our understanding of the changes in the visual processing pathways in normal aging and provide the foundation for future research into earlier and more definitive detection of AD. PMID:24570669

[Dexpanthenol nasal spray in comparison to dexpanthenol nasal ointment. A prospective, randomised, open, cross-over study to compare nasal mucociliary clearance].

PubMed

Verse, T; Klöcker, N; Riedel, F; Pirsig, W; Scheithauer, M O

2004-07-01

Recent technical developments in metered pump systems allow the production and use of preservative-free nasal products. The aim of the current study is to compare the tolerability of a preservative-free dexpanthenol (5%) nasal spray with that of the established dexpanthenol (5%) nasal ointment, also without preservatives. The main outcome measure was in vivo mucociliary clearance. Mucociliary clearance was assessed by saccharin migration time in 20 volunteers. Wash-out phases were 7 days and the spray or ointment was always applied 20 min before the saccharin test. The study was designed to test for non-inferiority. Saccharin migration time was slightly longer after ointment administration, however, these were not significantly different to nasal spray. The saccharin migration time showed a significant correlation with the age of the volunteers. The upper confidence limit of dexpanthenol nasal spray was markedly less than that of the ointment. Therefore, dexpanthenol nasal spray is at least equal to if not better than dexpanthenol nasal ointment. Due to its ease of administration, preservative-free dexpanthenol nasal spray offers a valuable therapeutic alternative.

Nasal Cancer

MedlinePlus

... the way to your throat as you breathe. Cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is ... be like those of infections. Doctors diagnose nasal cancer with imaging tests, lighted tube-like instruments that ...

Mechanisms Underlying Development of Visual Maps and Receptive Fields

PubMed Central

Huberman, Andrew D.; Feller, Marla B.; Chapman, Barbara

2008-01-01

Patterns of synaptic connections in the visual system are remarkably precise. These connections dictate the receptive field properties of individual visual neurons and ultimately determine the quality of visual perception. Spontaneous neural activity is necessary for the development of various receptive field properties and visual feature maps. In recent years, attention has shifted to understanding the mechanisms by which spontaneous activity in the developing retina, lateral geniculate nucleus, and visual cortex instruct the axonal and dendritic refinements that give rise to orderly connections in the visual system. Axon guidance cues and a growing list of other molecules, including immune system factors, have also recently been implicated in visual circuit wiring. A major goal now is to determine how these molecules cooperate with spontaneous and visually evoked activity to give rise to the circuits underlying precise receptive field tuning and orderly visual maps. PMID:18558864

Nasal Physiology

MedlinePlus

... Anatomy Virtual Anatomy Disclosure Statement Printer Friendly Nasal Physiology Jeremiah A. Alt, MD, PhD Noam Cohen, MD, ... control the inflammation. CONCLUSION An understanding of the physiology of the nose is critical to understand nasal ...

[Nasal glial heterotopia: Clinical and morphological characteristics].

PubMed

Bykova, V P; Bakhtin, A A; Polyakov, D P; Yunusov, A S; Daikhes, N A

The paper describes a case of nasal glial heterotopia in a 10-month-old girl with a mixed (intranasal and subcutaneous) localization, which is accompanied by the divergence of the nasal bones. Histological examination supplemented by immunohistochemical reactions with antibodies to vimentin, S100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, as well as Ki-67 and smooth muscle actin confirmed the neural nature of the tumor. Fields of mature astrocytic glia including individual cells with neuronal differentiation were found among the fibrous and fibrovascular tissues. The paper provides a brief overview of the discussed pathology.

Refinement treatment of nasal bone fracture: A 6-year study of 329 patients.

PubMed

Chou, Chieh; Chen, Chao-Wen; Wu, Yi-Chia; Chen, Ko-Kang; Lee, Su-Shin

2015-10-01

The reliability of X-ray radiography for diagnosing nasal bone fractures (NBFs) remains controversial. Recent studies show that, for determining the orientation and location of the displaced/depressed fracture, nasal sonography is as accurate as facial computed tomography. This retrospective study compared conductor-assisted nasal sonography (CANS) to conventional diagnostic tools and reported subjective patient satisfaction and discomfort after closed reduction combined with tube technique. This retrospective study reports the results of 329 refinement treatments for nasal bone fracture (including 199 men and 130 women) performed from 2005 to 2011. All patients were assessed with CANS and completed a survey immediately prior to removing the packing. Questionnaires were adapted from the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale. The study found that CANS has a 97.2% rate of accuracy in diagnosing NBF. The visual analog scale scores of nasal obstruction, nasal congestion, sleep disturbance, trouble breathing, and inability to move air through the nose were analyzed. The experimental group scores were significantly different from the control group for all scores (p < 0.001). Compared to conventional methods, CANS is more accurate for detecting NBF. We recommend its use as an alternative tool for diagnosing a nasal fracture. Because the tube technique balances pressure between the nasopharynx and middle ear during swallowing, patient comfort is enhanced. Application of these modifications can improve accuracy in diagnosing NBF and can improve the quality of NBF treatment. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Taiwan.

Properties of the statpac visual field index.

PubMed

Artes, Paul H; O'Leary, Neil; Hutchison, Donna M; Heckler, Lisa; Sharpe, Glen P; Nicolela, Marcelo T; Chauhan, Balwantray C

2011-06-08

Purpose. To compare the properties of the visual field index (VFI) to those of mean deviation (MD) in patients with glaucoma. Methods. MD and VFI were calculated in data obtained from an ongoing longitudinal study in which patients with glaucoma (N = 109, 204 eyes) were observed for 9.8 years (median, 21 tests) with static automated perimetry. MD and VFI were compared in one test of each eye, and a subset of 30 tests were selected to compare the VFI with the judgments of eight experts who judged the percentage of the remaining visual field. In series of tests obtained over time, rates of change, statistical significance, evidence of nonlinearity, and variability were compared between both indices. Results. In single tests, MD and VFI were closely related (r = 0.88, P < 0.001). The relationship between both indices appeared linear, except in visual fields with MDs better than -5.0 dB where 29 (22%) of 129 eyes exhibited a ceiling effect (VFI = 100%). Based on this relationship, the predicted VFIs for visual fields with MDs of -5, -10, and -15 dB were 91%, 76%, and 60%, respectively. The percentage of remaining visual field suggested by the VFI exceeded the range of the experts' subjective judgments in 16 (53%) of 30 eyes. In series of tests obtained over time, rates of change with the two indices were closely related (r = 0.79, P < 0.001), and statistically significant reductions over time (P < 0.05) occurred in a similar number of eyes (92 [45%] with MD, and 87 [43%] with VFI). Of the 105 eyes with statistically significant (P < 0.05) negative trend in either MD or VFI, 74 (70%) showed such trends with both indices (κ = 0.69). The variability of MD and VFI increased with damage, and there was no evidence that change over time was more linear with VFI than with MD. Conclusions. The VFI provides a simple and understandable metric of visual field damage, but its estimates of remaining visual field were more optimistic than those of the experts. Rates of change over

[Effect of absorption enhancers on nasal ginsenoside Rg1 delivery and its nasal ciliotoxicity].

PubMed

Chen, Xin-mei; Zhu, Jia-bi; Sun, Wei-dong; Zhang, Li-jian

2006-02-01

The enhancing activity and safety of several absorption enhancers were evaluated as potential nasal absorption enhancers to increase intranasal absorption of ginsenoside Rg1. Nasal circulatory perfusion test in vivo had been employed to investigate the effect of absorption enhancers for nasal mucosa absorption of ginsenoside Rgl in rats. The safety of the absorption enhancers were evaluated by testing cilia movement of the in situ toad palate model, the hemolysis of erythrocyte membrane of the rabbit, leaching of protein and LDH from the mice nasal mucosa and the effect on cilia structural and specific cellular changes of nasal mucosa. Absorption enhancers were necessary to facilitate ginsenoside Rg1 absorption by nasal mucosa. Among the absorption enhancers 1% sodium deoxycholate had great effect to facilite ginsenoside Rgl absorption by nasal mucosa; 1% dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and 1% azone had moderate effect to facilitate ginsenoside Rg1 absorption by nasal mucosa; 1% Tween-80, 2% beta-cyclodextrin, 0.5% borneol (dissolved in paraffin liquid), 0.5% chitosan, 5% hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and 0.1% EDTA had low effect to facilitate ginsenoside Rgl absorption by nasal mucosa. 1% sodium deoxycholate, 1% azone and 1% dipotassium glycyrrhizinate had serious nasal toxicity; 1% Tween-80, 2% beta-cyclodextrin, 5% hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin had moderate nasal toxicity; 0.5% borneol (dissolved in paraffin liquid), 0.5% chitosan and 0.1% EDTA have little nasal toxicity. 0.5% borneol and 0.5% chitosan were the promising candidates having a good balance between enhancing activity and safety for nasal ginsenoside Rg1 delivery.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured with optical coherence tomography is related to visual function in glaucomatous eyes.

PubMed

El Beltagi, Tarek A; Bowd, Christopher; Boden, Catherine; Amini, Payam; Sample, Pamela A; Zangwill, Linda M; Weinreb, Robert N

2003-11-01

To determine the relationship between areas of glaucomatous retinal nerve fiber layer thinning identified by optical coherence tomography and areas of decreased visual field sensitivity identified by standard automated perimetry in glaucomatous eyes. Retrospective observational case series. Forty-three patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy identified by optic disc stereo photographs and standard automated perimetry mean deviations >-8 dB were included. Participants were imaged with optical coherence tomography within 6 months of reliable standard automated perimetry testing. The location and number of optical coherence tomography clock hour retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measures outside normal limits were compared with the location and number of standard automated perimetry visual field zones outside normal limits. Further, the relationship between the deviation from normal optical coherence tomography-measured retinal nerve fiber layer thickness at each clock hour and the average pattern deviation in each visual field zone was examined by using linear regression (R(2)). The retinal nerve fiber layer areas most frequently outside normal limits were the inferior and inferior temporal regions. The least sensitive visual field zones were in the superior hemifield. Linear regression results (R(2)) showed that deviation from the normal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness at optical coherence tomography clock hour positions 6 o'clock, 7 o'clock, and 8 o'clock (inferior and inferior temporal) was best correlated with standard automated perimetry pattern deviation in visual field zones corresponding to the superior arcuate and nasal step regions (R(2) range, 0.34-0.57). These associations were much stronger than those between clock hour position 6 o'clock and the visual field zone corresponding to the inferior nasal step region (R(2) = 0.01). Localized retinal nerve fiber layer thinning, measured by optical coherence tomography, is topographically related to

Interpretation of nasal swab measurements following suspected releases of actinide aerosols

DOE PAGES

Klumpp, John Allan; Bertelli, Luiz; Waters, Tom L.

2017-05-01

For radionuclides such as plutonium and americium, detection of removable activity in the nose (i.e., nasal swab measurements) are frequently used to determine whether follow-up bioassay measurements are warranted following a potential intake. For this paper, the authors analyzed 429 nasal swab measurements taken following incidents or suspicious circumstances (such as an air monitor alarming) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for which the dose was later evaluated using in vitro bioassay. Nasal swab measurements were found to be very poor predictors of dose and should not be used as such in the field. However, nasal swab measurements can bemore » indicative of whether a reliably detectable committed effective dose (CED) occurred. About 14% of nasal swab measurements between 1.25 and 16.7 Bq corresponded to CEDs greater than 1 mSv, so in general, positive nasal swabs always indicate that follow-up bioassay should be performed (positive nasal swabs less than 1.25 Bq are considered separately). This probability increased significantly for nasal swabs greater than 16.7 Bq. Only about 3% of nasal swabs with no detectable activity (NDA) corresponded to reliably detectable CEDs. As a result, a nasal swab with NDA is therefore necessary, but not sufficient, to negate the need for a follow-up bioassay if it was collected following other workplace indicators of a potential intake.« less

Anxiety in visual field testing.

PubMed

Chew, Shenton S L; Kerr, Nathan M; Wong, Aaron B C; Craig, Jennifer P; Chou, Chi-Ying; Danesh-Meyer, Helen V

2016-08-01

To determine if Humphrey visual field (HVF) testing induces anxiety and how anxiety relates to visual field parameters of reliability and severity. A prospective cohort study at a university affiliated private ophthalmic practice. 137 consecutive age-matched and gender-matched patients with glaucoma undergoing either HVF testing only (n=102) or Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT) only (n=35) were enrolled. Prior to testing, participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. A 5-point Likert scale was used to grade pretest anxiety and was repeated after testing to grade intratest anxiety. Subjective discomfort parameters were also recorded. Anxiety scores were used to make non-parametrical comparisons and correlations between cohorts and also against visual field reliability and severity indices. Trait anxiety (p=0.838) and pretest anxiety (p=0.802) were not significantly different between test groups. Within the HVF group, intratest anxiety was 1.2 times higher than pretest anxiety (p=0.0001), but was not significantly different in the HRT group (p=0.145). Pretest anxiety was correlated with test unreliability (Spearman's r=0.273, p=0.006), which was predictive of worse test severity (p=0.0027). Subjects who had undergone more than 10 visual field tests had significantly lower pretest and intratest anxiety levels than those who had not (p=0.0030 and p=0.0004, respectively). HVF testing induces more anxiety than HRT. Increased pretest anxiety may reduce HVF test reliability. Increased test experience or interventions aimed at reducing pretest anxiety may result in improved test reliability and accuracy. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Nasal computed tomography.

PubMed

Kuehn, Ned F

2006-05-01

Chronic nasal disease is often a challenge to diagnose. Computed tomography greatly enhances the ability to diagnose chronic nasal disease in dogs and cats. Nasal computed tomography provides detailed information regarding the extent of disease, accurate discrimination of neoplastic versus nonneoplastic diseases, and identification of areas of the nose to examine rhinoscopically and suspicious regions to target for biopsy.

Effect on patient anxiety of lidocaine infiltration into nasal packing after septoplasty: prospective, controlled study.

PubMed

Sahin, C; Aras, H I

2015-08-01

This prospective, controlled study investigated the effect on patient anxiety of lidocaine infiltration into nasal packing following septoplasty. The study included 50 patients who underwent septoplasty operation. Patient anxiety levels were measured 24 hours pre-operatively; 48 hours post-operatively, before saline or lidocaine infiltration; and 15 minutes after lidocaine or saline infiltration into the packing. The patients were asked to mark their level of pain during pack removal on a visual analogue scale. Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores for lidocaine infiltration patients were: 15.1 ± 7.4 pre-operatively; 16 ±7.6 post-operatively, before infiltration; and 13.7 ± 6.6 at 15 minutes after infiltration. The scores for saline infiltration patients were: 16.3 ± 6.8 pre-operatively, 16.4 ± 5.5 before infiltration and 16.1 ± 6.1 after infiltration. The visual analogue scale pain score was 5.3 ± 2.0 in the lidocaine study group and 7.5 ± 1.8 in the control saline group. Infiltration of lidocaine into nasal packing significantly reduced patient pain. Patients developed mild to moderate anxiety before nasal packing removal. Use of techniques without nasal packing can be recommended after septoplasty to ease patient post-operative discomfort.

Semantic bifurcated importance field visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindahl, Eric; Petrov, Plamen

2007-04-01

While there are many good ways to map sensual reality to two dimensional displays, mapping non-physical and possibilistic information can be challenging. The advent of faster-than-real-time systems allow the predictive and possibilistic exploration of important factors that can affect the decision maker. Visualizing a compressed picture of the past and possible factors can assist the decision maker summarizing information in a cognitive based model thereby reducing clutter and perhaps related decision times. Our proposed semantic bifurcated importance field visualization uses saccadic eye motion models to partition the display into a possibilistic and sensed data vertically and spatial and semantic data horizontally. Saccadic eye movement precedes and prepares decision makers before nearly every directed action. Cognitive models for saccadic eye movement show that people prefer lateral to vertical saccadic movement. Studies have suggested that saccades may be coupled to momentary problem solving strategies. Also, the central 1.5 degrees of the visual field represents 100 times greater resolution that then peripheral field so concentrating factors can reduce unnecessary saccades. By packing information according to saccadic models, we can relate important decision factors reduce factor dimensionality and present the dense summary dimensions of semantic and importance. Inter and intra ballistics of the SBIFV provide important clues on how semantic packing assists in decision making. Future directions of SBIFV are to make the visualization reactive and conformal to saccades specializing targets to ballistics, such as dynamically filtering and highlighting verbal targets for left saccades and spatial targets for right saccades.

Inhibition of Return in the Visual Field

PubMed Central

Bao, Yan; Lei, Quan; Fang, Yuan; Tong, Yu; Schill, Kerstin; Pöppel, Ernst; Strasburger, Hans

2013-01-01

Inhibition of return (IOR) as an indicator of attentional control is characterized by an eccentricity effect, that is, the more peripheral visual field shows a stronger IOR magnitude relative to the perifoveal visual field. However, it could be argued that this eccentricity effect may not be an attention effect, but due to cortical magnification. To test this possibility, we examined this eccentricity effect in two conditions: the same-size condition in which identical stimuli were used at different eccentricities, and the size-scaling condition in which stimuli were scaled according to the cortical magnification factor (M-scaling), thus stimuli being larger at the more peripheral locations. The results showed that the magnitude of IOR was significantly stronger in the peripheral relative to the perifoveal visual field, and this eccentricity effect was independent of the manipulation of stimulus size (same-size or size-scaling). These results suggest a robust eccentricity effect of IOR which cannot be eliminated by M-scaling. Underlying neural mechanisms of the eccentricity effect of IOR are discussed with respect to both cortical and subcortical structures mediating attentional control in the perifoveal and peripheral visual field. PMID:23820946

[Clinical effects of nasal glucocorticoid on amelioration of nasal obstruction in patients with persistent non-allergic rhinitis].

PubMed

Sail, Giyab A; Zuo, Ke-jun; Xu, Geng

2009-09-01

To observe the efficacy of nasal glucocorticoid continuously used for 12 weeks on nasal obstruction in patients with persistent non-allergic rhinitis (PNAR). The changes of nasal obstruction, nasal resistance, nasal mucous membrane and quality of life in 47 patients with PNAR were observed. The efficacy of nasal glucocorticoid (Mometasone Furoate Nasal Spray, MFNS 200 microg/day) on patients with PNAR was evaluated. The results of nasal glucocorticoid (MFNS) continuously used for 12 weeks demonstrated: (1) After treatment, the nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, nasal obstruction related dizziness, headache, hyposmia, daily life activity, whole body fatigue, mental status were significantly improved (P < 0.05). (2) Nasal resistance showed significant amelioration (pre-treatment = 0.28 +/- 0.10, post- treatment = 0.16 +/- 0.05; F = 91.471, P < 0.05). (3) SF-36 questionnaire revealed that role physical, bodily pain, general health, role emotional had significant amelioration (P < 0.01). (4) SNOT-20 questionnaire revealed that the defatigation, impaired concentration, pinch the nose, nasal discharging into the throat, sleep quality had significant amelioration (P < 0.01). (5) Continued treatment for 12 weeks was better than 4 weeks, continued treatment had good effect. The study shows that nasal glucocorticoid improved the nasal obstruction, nasal resistance, nasal mucous membrane and quality of life in patients with PNAR.

Immediate effect of benzalkonium chloride in decongestant nasal spray on the human nasal mucosal temperature.

PubMed

Lindemann, J; Leiacker, R; Wiesmiller, K; Rettinger, G; Keck, T

2004-08-01

Benzalkonium chloride is a preservative commonly used in nasal decongestant sprays. It has been suggested that benzalkonium chloride may be harmful to the nasal mucosa. Decongestion with the vasoconstrictor xylometazoline containing benzalkonium chloride has been shown to cause a significant reduction of the nasal mucosal temperature. The purpose of the present study was to determine the short-term influence of xylometazoline nasal spray with and without benzalkonium chloride on the nasal mucosal temperature. Healthy volunteers (30) were included in the study. Fifteen volunteers received xylometazoline nasal spray (1.0 mg/mL) containing benzalkonium chloride (0.1 mg/mL) and 15 age-matched subjects, received xylometazoline nasal spray without benzalkonium chloride. Using a miniaturized thermocouple the septal mucosal temperature was continuously measured at defined intranasal detection sites before and after application of the nasal spray. The mucosal temperature values did not significantly differ between the group receiving xylometazoline containing benzalkonium chloride and the group receiving xylometazoline spray without benzalkonium chloride before and after decongestion (P > 0.05). In both study groups septal mucosal temperatures significantly decreased after decongestion (P < 0.05) because of a reduction of the nasal mucosal blood flow following vasoconstriction. This study indicates that benzalkonium chloride itself does not seem to influence nasal blood flow and nasal mucosal temperature in topical nasal decongestants.

Interventions for visual field defects in patients with stroke.

PubMed

Pollock, Alex; Hazelton, Christine; Henderson, Clair A; Angilley, Jayne; Dhillon, Baljean; Langhorne, Peter; Livingstone, Katrina; Munro, Frank A; Orr, Heather; Rowe, Fiona J; Shahani, Uma

2011-10-05

Visual field defects are estimated to affect 20% to 57% of people who have had a stroke. Visual field defects can affect functional ability in activities of daily living (commonly affecting mobility, reading and driving), quality of life, ability to participate in rehabilitation, and depression, anxiety and social isolation following stroke. There are many interventions for visual field defects, which are proposed to work by restoring the visual field (restitution); compensating for the visual field defect by changing behaviour or activity (compensation); substituting for the visual field defect by using a device or extraneous modification (substitution); or ensuring appropriate diagnosis, referral and treatment prescription through standardised assessment or screening, or both. To determine the effects of interventions for people with visual field defects after stroke. We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (February 2011), the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register (December 2009) and nine electronic bibliographic databases including CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1950 to December 2009), EMBASE (1980 to December 2009), CINAHL (1982 to December 2009), AMED (1985 to December 2009), and PsycINFO (1967 to December 2009). We also searched reference lists and trials registers, handsearched journals and conference proceedings and contacted experts. Randomised trials in adults after stroke, where the intervention was specifically targeted at improving the visual field defect or improving the ability of the participant to cope with the visual field loss. The primary outcome was functional ability in activities of daily living and secondary outcomes included functional ability in extended activities of daily living, reading ability, visual field measures, balance, falls, depression and anxiety, discharge destination or residence after stroke, quality of life and social isolation, visual scanning, adverse events and death. Two

Sunglasses with thick temples and frame constrict temporal visual field.

PubMed

Denion, Eric; Dugué, Audrey Emmanuelle; Augy, Sylvain; Coffin-Pichonnet, Sophie; Mouriaux, Frédéric

2013-12-01

Our aim was to compare the impact of two types of sunglasses on visual field and glare: one ("thick sunglasses") with a thick plastic frame and wide temples and one ("thin sunglasses") with a thin metal frame and thin temples. Using the Goldmann perimeter, visual field surface areas (cm²) were calculated as projections on a 30-cm virtual cupola. A V4 test object was used, from seen to unseen, in 15 healthy volunteers in the primary position of gaze ("base visual field"), then allowing eye motion ("eye motion visual field") without glasses, then with "thin sunglasses," followed by "thick sunglasses." Visual field surface area differences greater than the 14% reproducibility error of the method and having a p < 0.05 were considered significant. A glare test was done using a surgical lighting system pointed at the eye(s) at different incidence angles. No significant "base visual field" or "eye motion visual field" surface area variations were noted when comparing tests done without glasses and with the "thin sunglasses." In contrast, a 22% "eye motion visual field" surface area decrease (p < 0.001) was noted when comparing tests done without glasses and with "thick sunglasses." This decrease was most severe in the temporal quadrant (-33%; p < 0.001). All subjects reported less lateral glare with the "thick sunglasses" than with the "thin sunglasses" (p < 0.001). The better protection from lateral glare offered by "thick sunglasses" is offset by the much poorer ability to use lateral space exploration; this results in a loss of most, if not all, of the additional visual field gained through eye motion.

Visual field progression in glaucoma: total versus pattern deviation analyses.

PubMed

Artes, Paul H; Nicolela, Marcelo T; LeBlanc, Raymond P; Chauhan, Balwantray C

2005-12-01

To compare visual field progression with total and pattern deviation analyses in a prospective longitudinal study of patients with glaucoma and healthy control subjects. A group of 101 patients with glaucoma (168 eyes) with early to moderately advanced visual field loss at baseline (average mean deviation [MD], -3.9 dB) and no clinical evidence of media opacity were selected from a prospective longitudinal study on visual field progression in glaucoma. Patients were examined with static automated perimetry at 6-month intervals for a median follow-up of 9 years. At each test location, change was established with event and trend analyses of total and pattern deviation. The event analyses compared each follow-up test to a baseline obtained from averaging the first two tests, and visual field progression was defined as deterioration beyond the 5th percentile of test-retest variability at three test locations, observed on three consecutive tests. The trend analyses were based on point-wise linear regression, and visual field progression was defined as statistically significant deterioration (P < 5%) worse than -1 dB/year at three locations, confirmed by independently omitting the last and the penultimate observation. The incidence and the time-to-progression were compared between total and pattern deviation analyses. To estimate the specificity of the progression analyses, identical criteria were applied to visual fields obtained in 102 healthy control subjects, and the rate of visual field improvement was established in the patients with glaucoma and the healthy control subjects. With both event and trend methods, pattern deviation analyses classified approximately 15% fewer eyes as having progressed than did the total deviation analyses. In eyes classified as progressing by both the total and pattern deviation methods, total deviation analyses tended to detect progression earlier than the pattern deviation analyses. A comparison of the changes observed in MD and the

Surgical management of nasal obstruction.

PubMed

Moche, Jason A; Palmer, Orville

2012-05-01

The proper evaluation of the patient with nasal obstruction relies on a comprehensive history and physical examination. Once the site of obstruction is accurately identified, the patient may benefit from a trial of medical management. At times however, the definitive treatment of nasal obstruction relies on surgical management. Recognizing the nasal septum, nasal valve, and turbinates as possible sites of obstruction and addressing them accordingly can dramatically improve a patient's nasal breathing. Conservative resection of septal cartilage, submucous reduction of the inferior turbinate, and structural grafting of the nasal valve when appropriate will provide the optimal improvement in nasal airflow and allow for the most stable results. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Snoring and Nasal Congestion

MedlinePlus

... treat the various causes of nasal congestion include: Topical nasal steroid spray Topical nasal antihistamine spray Oral antibiotic (in case of ... include more than just the decrease in oxygen levels at night during the apnea episodes. They also ...

Rehabilitation of Reading and Visual Exploration in Visual Field Disorders: Transfer or Specificity?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schuett, Susanne; Heywood, Charles A.; Kentridge, Robert W.; Dauner, Ruth; Zihl, Josef

2012-01-01

Reading and visual exploration impairments in unilateral homonymous visual field disorders are frequent and disabling consequences of acquired brain injury. Compensatory therapies have been developed, which allow patients to regain sufficient reading and visual exploration performance through systematic oculomotor training. However, it is still…

21 CFR 886.1360 - Visual field laser instrument.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Visual field laser instrument. 886.1360 Section 886.1360 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 886.1360 Visual field laser instrument...

Preparation of nose for nasal endoscopy: cotton pledget packing versus topical spray. A prospective randomized blinded study.

PubMed

Mishra, Prasun; Kaushik, Maitri; Dehadaray, Arun; Qadri, Haris; Raichurkar, Annapurna; Seth, Tanvi

2013-01-01

During nasal endoscopy it is essential to have proper visualization of structures with minimal discomfort to patient and surgeon. For this it is essential that the nose is well prepared before the procedure. The main objective of the study is to compare and evaluate the efficacy of cotton pledget packing versus topical sprays in preparation of nose for nasal endoscopy. The method includes prospective randomized blinded study on 100 patients. Patients were randomly divided in two groups. In first group the nose was packed with 4% lignocaine with xylometazoline nasal drops and in the other group it was prepared with 10% lignocaine topical spray and xylometazoline nose drops. Following the procedure, patient and the surgeon were asked a pre-formed questionnaire to know their experience during endoscopy. It was observed the packing group required more preparatory time as compared to the spray group. The group which was packed had less discomfort, less pain while endoscopy. The visualization of structures was significantly better in the packed group. Eight patients in the packed group did have some mucosal bleed during the process of packing which was not seen in the spray group. Both methods of preparation have merits and demerits but in terms of discomfort, pain during procedure and visualization of structure, packing of nasal cavity with 4% lignocaine and xylometazoline drops is better than spraying of nose with 10% lignocaine and xylometazoline drops.

Topical nasal decongestant oxymetazoline (0.05%) provides relief of nasal symptoms for 12 hours.

PubMed

Druce, H M; Ramsey, D L; Karnati, S; Carr, A N

2018-05-22

Nasal congestion, often referred to as stuffy nose or blocked nose is one of the most prevalent and bothersome symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection. Oxymetazoline, a widely used intranasal decongestant, offers fast symptom relief, but little is known about the duration of effect. The results of 2 randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, single-dose, parallel, clinical studies (Study 1, n=67; Study 2, n=61) in which the efficacy of an oxymetazoline (0.05% Oxy) nasal spray in patients with acute coryzal rhinitis was assessed over a 12-hour time-period. Data were collected on both subjective relief of nasal congestion (6-point nasal congestion scale) and objective measures of nasal patency (anterior rhinomanometry) in both studies. A pooled study analysis showed statistically significant changes from baseline in subjective nasal congestion for 0.05% oxymetazoline and vehicle at each hourly time-point from Hour 1 through Hour 12 (marginally significant at Hour 11). An objective measure of nasal flow was statistically significant at each time-point up to 12 hours. Adverse events on either treatment were infrequent. The number of subjects who achieved an improvement in subjective nasal congestion scores of at least 1.0 was significantly higher in the Oxy group vs. vehicle at all hourly time-points on a 6-point nasal congestion scale. This study shows for the first time, that oxymetazoline provides both statistically significant and clinically meaningful relief of nasal congestion and improves nasal airflow for up to 12 hours following a single dose.

Sparse coding can predict primary visual cortex receptive field changes induced by abnormal visual input.

PubMed

Hunt, Jonathan J; Dayan, Peter; Goodhill, Geoffrey J

2013-01-01

Receptive fields acquired through unsupervised learning of sparse representations of natural scenes have similar properties to primary visual cortex (V1) simple cell receptive fields. However, what drives in vivo development of receptive fields remains controversial. The strongest evidence for the importance of sensory experience in visual development comes from receptive field changes in animals reared with abnormal visual input. However, most sparse coding accounts have considered only normal visual input and the development of monocular receptive fields. Here, we applied three sparse coding models to binocular receptive field development across six abnormal rearing conditions. In every condition, the changes in receptive field properties previously observed experimentally were matched to a similar and highly faithful degree by all the models, suggesting that early sensory development can indeed be understood in terms of an impetus towards sparsity. As previously predicted in the literature, we found that asymmetries in inter-ocular correlation across orientations lead to orientation-specific binocular receptive fields. Finally we used our models to design a novel stimulus that, if present during rearing, is predicted by the sparsity principle to lead robustly to radically abnormal receptive fields.

Sparse Coding Can Predict Primary Visual Cortex Receptive Field Changes Induced by Abnormal Visual Input

PubMed Central

Hunt, Jonathan J.; Dayan, Peter; Goodhill, Geoffrey J.

2013-01-01

Receptive fields acquired through unsupervised learning of sparse representations of natural scenes have similar properties to primary visual cortex (V1) simple cell receptive fields. However, what drives in vivo development of receptive fields remains controversial. The strongest evidence for the importance of sensory experience in visual development comes from receptive field changes in animals reared with abnormal visual input. However, most sparse coding accounts have considered only normal visual input and the development of monocular receptive fields. Here, we applied three sparse coding models to binocular receptive field development across six abnormal rearing conditions. In every condition, the changes in receptive field properties previously observed experimentally were matched to a similar and highly faithful degree by all the models, suggesting that early sensory development can indeed be understood in terms of an impetus towards sparsity. As previously predicted in the literature, we found that asymmetries in inter-ocular correlation across orientations lead to orientation-specific binocular receptive fields. Finally we used our models to design a novel stimulus that, if present during rearing, is predicted by the sparsity principle to lead robustly to radically abnormal receptive fields. PMID:23675290

Perceiving nasal patency through mucosal cooling rather than air temperature or nasal resistance.

PubMed

Zhao, Kai; Blacker, Kara; Luo, Yuehao; Bryant, Bruce; Jiang, Jianbo

2011-01-01

Adequate perception of nasal airflow (i.e., nasal patency) is an important consideration for patients with nasal sinus diseases. The perception of a lack of nasal patency becomes the primary symptom that drives these patients to seek medical treatment. However, clinical assessment of nasal patency remains a challenge because we lack objective measurements that correlate well with what patients perceive. The current study examined factors that may influence perceived patency, including air temperature, humidity, mucosal cooling, nasal resistance, and trigeminal sensitivity. Forty-four healthy subjects rated nasal patency while sampling air from three facial exposure boxes that were ventilated with untreated room air, cold air, and dry air, respectively. In all conditions, air temperature and relative humidity inside each box were recorded with sensors connected to a computer. Nasal resistance and minimum airway cross-sectional area (MCA) were measured using rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, respectively. General trigeminal sensitivity was assessed through lateralization thresholds to butanol. No significant correlation was found between perceived patency and nasal resistance or MCA. In contrast, air temperature, humidity, and butanol threshold combined significantly contributed to the ratings of patency, with mucosal cooling (heat loss) being the most heavily weighted predictor. Air humidity significantly influences perceived patency, suggesting that mucosal cooling rather than air temperature alone provides the trigeminal sensation that results in perception of patency. The dynamic cooling between the airstream and the mucosal wall may be quantified experimentally or computationally and could potentially lead to a new clinical evaluation tool.

Correlation between local glaucomatous visual field defects and loss of nerve fiber layer thickness measured with polarimetry and spectral domain OCT.

PubMed

Horn, Folkert K; Mardin, Christian Y; Laemmer, Robert; Baleanu, Delia; Juenemann, Anselm M; Kruse, Friedrich E; Tornow, Ralf P

2009-05-01

To study the correlation between local perimetric field defects and glaucoma-induced thickness reduction of the nerve layer measured in the peripapillary area with scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SOCT) and to compare the results with those of a theoretical model. The thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer was determined in 32 sectors (11.25 degrees each) by using SLP with variable cornea compensation (GDxVCC; Laser Diagnostics, San Diego, CA) and the newly introduced high-resolution SOCT (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Eighty-eight healthy subjects served as control subjects, to determine the thickness deviation in patients with glaucoma. The relationship between glaucomatous nerve fiber reduction and visual field losses was calculated in six nerve fiber bundle-related areas. Sixty-four patients at different stages of open-angle glaucoma and 26 patients with ocular hypertension underwent perimetry (Octopus G1; Haag-Streit, Köniz, Switzerland) and measurements with the two morphometric techniques. Sector-shaped analyses between local perimetric losses and reduction of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness showed a significant association for corresponding areas except for the central visual field in SLP. Correlation coefficients were highest in the area of the nasal inferior visual field (SOCT, -0.81; SLP, -0.57). A linear model describes the association between structural and functional damage. Localized perimetric defects can be explained by reduced nerve fiber layer thickness. The data indicate that the present SOCT is useful for determining the functional-structural relationship in peripapillary areas and that association between perimetric defects and corresponding nerve fiber losses is stronger for SOCT than for the present SLP. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00494923.).

Functional anatomy of the nasal bones and adjacent structures. Consequences for nasal surgery.

PubMed

Popko, M; Verlinde-Schellekens, S A M W; Huizing, E H; Bleys, R L A W

2018-03-01

The periosteum of the nasal bones, the periosteal-perichondrial nasal envelope, and the cartilaginous support of the bony vault were studied in serial coronal sections of four human cadaver noses. To differentiate between the various tissue components, the sections were stained according to Mallory-Cason and Verhoeff-Van Gieson stain. The results demonstrated: 1. the presence of clearly distinguishable layers of the periosteum covering the nasal bones; 2. the presence of a continuous periosteal-perichondrial covering of the bony and cartilaginous nasal vaults; 3. the way the cartilaginous support of the bony vault is constructed. The findings described in the present study may have clinical relevance in nasal surgery.

Shape of the human nasal cavity promotes retronasal smell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trastour, Sophie; Melchionna, Simone; Mishra, Shruti; Zwicker, David; Lieberman, Daniel E.; Kaxiras, Efthimios; Brenner, Michael P.

2015-11-01

Humans are exceptionally good at perceiving the flavor of food. Flavor includes sensory input from taste receptors but is dominated by olfactory (smell) receptors. To smell food while eating, odors must be transported to the nasal cavity during exhalation. Olfactory performance of this retronasal route depends, among other factors, on the position of the olfactory receptors and the shape of the nasal cavity. One biological hypothesis is that the derived configuration of the human nasal cavity has resulted in a greater capacity for retronasal smell, hence enhanced flavor perception. We here study the air flow and resulting odor deposition as a function of the nasal geometry and the parameters of exhalation. We perform computational fluid dynamics simulations in realistic geometries obtained from CT scans of humans. Using the resulting flow fields, we then study the deposition of tracer particles in the nasal cavity. Additionally, we derive scaling laws for the odor deposition rate as a function of flow parameters and geometry using boundary layer theory. These results allow us to assess which changes in the evolution of the human nose led to significant improvements of retronasal smell.

Comparison between Perceptual Assessments of Nasality and Nasalance Scores

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brunnegard, Karin; Lohmander, Anette; van Doorn, Jan

2012-01-01

Background: There are different reports of the usefulness of the Nasometer[TM] as a complement to listening, often as correlation calculations between listening and nasalance measurements. Differences between findings have been attributed to listener experience and types of speech stimuli. Aims: To compare nasalance scores from the Nasometer with…

Perceiving Nasal Patency through Mucosal Cooling Rather than Air Temperature or Nasal Resistance

PubMed Central

Zhao, Kai; Blacker, Kara; Luo, Yuehao; Bryant, Bruce; Jiang, Jianbo

2011-01-01

Adequate perception of nasal airflow (i.e., nasal patency) is an important consideration for patients with nasal sinus diseases. The perception of a lack of nasal patency becomes the primary symptom that drives these patients to seek medical treatment. However, clinical assessment of nasal patency remains a challenge because we lack objective measurements that correlate well with what patients perceive.The current study examined factors that may influence perceived patency, including air temperature, humidity, mucosal cooling, nasal resistance, and trigeminal sensitivity. Forty-four healthy subjects rated nasal patency while sampling air from three facial exposure boxes that were ventilated with untreated room air, cold air, and dry air, respectively. In all conditions, air temperature and relative humidity inside each box were recorded with sensors connected to a computer. Nasal resistance and minimum airway cross-sectional area (MCA) were measured using rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, respectively. General trigeminal sensitivity was assessed through lateralization thresholds to butanol. No significant correlation was found between perceived patency and nasal resistance or MCA. In contrast, air temperature, humidity, and butanol threshold combined significantly contributed to the ratings of patency, with mucosal cooling (heat loss) being the most heavily weighted predictor. Air humidity significantly influences perceived patency, suggesting that mucosal cooling rather than air temperature alone provides the trigeminal sensation that results in perception of patency. The dynamic cooling between the airstream and the mucosal wall may be quantified experimentally or computationally and could potentially lead to a new clinical evaluation tool. PMID:22022361

The accuracy of confrontation visual field test in comparison with automated perimetry.

PubMed Central

Johnson, L. N.; Baloh, F. G.

1991-01-01

The accuracy of confrontation visual field testing was determined for 512 visual fields using automated static perimetry as the reference standard. The sensitivity of confrontation testing excluding patchy defects was 40% for detecting anterior visual field defects, 68.3% for posterior defects, and 50% for both anterior and posterior visual field defects combined. The sensitivity within each group varied depending on the type of visual field defect encountered. Confrontation testing had a high sensitivity (75% to 100%) for detecting altitudinal visual loss, central/centrocecal scotoma, and homonymous hemianopsia. Confrontation testing was fairly insensitive (20% to 50% sensitivity) for detecting arcuate scotoma and bitemporal hemianopsia. The specificity of confrontation testing was high at 93.4%. The high positive predictive value (72.6%) and negative predictive value (75.7%) would indicate that visual field defects identified during confrontation testing are often true visual field defects. However, the many limitations of confrontation testing should be remembered, particularly its low sensitivity for detecting visual field loss associated with parasellar tumors, glaucoma, and compressive optic neuropathies. PMID:1800764

Torsional ARC Effectively Expands the Visual Field in Hemianopia

PubMed Central

Satgunam, PremNandhini; Peli, Eli

2012-01-01

Purpose Exotropia in congenital homonymous hemianopia has been reported to provide field expansion that is more useful when accompanied with harmonios anomalous retinal correspondence (HARC). Torsional strabismus with HARC provides a similar functional advantage. In a subject with hemianopia demonstrating a field expansion consistent with torsion we documented torsional strabismus and torsional HARC. Methods Monocular visual fields under binocular fixation conditions were plotted using a custom dichoptic visual field perimeter (DVF). The DVF was also modified to measure perceived visual directions under dissociated and associated conditions across the central 50° diameter field. The field expansion and retinal correspondence of a subject with torsional strabismus (along with exotropia and right hypertropia) with congenital homonymous hemianopia was compared to that of another exotropic subject with acquired homonymous hemianopia without torsion and to a control subject with minimal phoria. Torsional rotations of the eyes were calculated from fundus photographs and perimetry. Results Torsional ARC documented in the subject with congenital homonymous hemianopia provided a functional binocular field expansion up to 18°. Normal retinal correspondence was mapped for the full 50° visual field in the control subject and for the seeing field of the acquired homonymous hemianopia subject, limiting the functional field expansion benefit. Conclusions Torsional strabismus with ARC, when occurring with homonymous hemianopia provides useful field expansion in the lower and upper fields. Dichoptic perimetry permits documentation of ocular alignment (lateral, vertical and torsional) and perceived visual direction under binocular and monocular viewing conditions. Evaluating patients with congenital or early strabismus for HARC is useful when considering surgical correction, particularly in the presence of congenital homonymous hemianopia. PMID:22885782

Assessment of nasal spray deposition pattern in a silicone human nose model using a color-based method.

PubMed

Kundoor, Vipra; Dalby, Richard N

2010-01-01

To develop a simple and inexpensive method to visualize and quantify droplet deposition patterns. Deposition pattern was determined by uniformly coating the nose model with Sar-Gel (a paste that changes from white to purple on contact with water) and subsequently discharging sprays into the nose model. The color change was captured using a digital camera and analyzed using Adobe Photoshop. Several tests were conducted to validate the method. Deposition patterns of different nasal sprays (Ayr, Afrin, and Zicam) and different nasal drug delivery devices (Afrin nasal spray and PARI Sinustar nasal nebulizer) were compared. We also used the method to evaluate the effect of inhaled flow rate on nasal spray deposition. There was a significant difference in the deposition area for Ayr, Afrin, and Zicam. The deposition areas of Afrin nasal spray and PARI Sinustar nasal nebulizer (2 min and 5 min) were significantly different. Inhaled flow rate did not have a significant effect on the deposition pattern. Lower viscosity formulations (Ayr, Afrin) provided greater coverage than the higher viscosity formulation (Zicam). The nebulizer covered a greater surface area than the spray pump we evaluated. Aerosol deposition in the nose model was not affected by air flow conditions.

Nasalance measures in Cantonese-speaking women.

PubMed

Whitehill, T L

2001-03-01

To establish and evaluate stimulus materials for nasalance measurement in Cantonese speakers, to provide normative data for Cantonese-speaking women, and to evaluate session-to-session reliability of nasalance measures. One hundred forty-one Cantonese-speaking women with normal resonance who were students in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Hong Kong. Participants read aloud four speech stimuli: oral sentences, nasal sentences, an oral paragraph (similar to the Zoo Passage), and an oral-nasal paragraph (similar to the Rainbow Passage). Data were collected and analyzed using the Kay Nasometer 6200. Data collection was repeated for a subgroup of speakers (n = 28) on a separate day. Nasalance materials were evaluated by using statistical tests of difference and correlation. Group mean (standard deviation) nasalance scores for oral sentences, nasal sentences, oral paragraph, and oral-nasal paragraph were 16.79 (5.99), 55.67 (7.38), 13.68 (7.16), and 35.46 (6.22), respectively. There was a significant difference in mean nasalance scores for oral versus nasal materials. Correlations between stimuli were as expected, ranging from 0.43 to 0.91. Session-to-session reliability was within 5 points for over 95% of speakers for the oral stimuli but for less than 76% of speakers for the nasal and oral-nasal stimuli. Standard nasalance materials have been developed for Cantonese, and normative data have been established for Cantonese women. Evaluation of materials indicated acceptable differentiation between oral and nasal materials. Two stimuli (nasal sentences and oral paragraph) are recommended for future use. Comparison with findings from other languages showed similarities in scores; possible language-specific differences are discussed. Session-to-session reliability was poorer for nasal than oral stimuli.

Nasal septal hematoma

MedlinePlus

... medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001292.htm Nasal septal hematoma To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. A nasal septal hematoma is a collection of blood within the septum ...

Same Noses, Different Nasalance Scores: Data from Normal Subjects and Cleft Palate Speakers for Three Systems for Nasalance Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bressmann, Tim; Klaiman, Paula; Fischbach, Simone

2006-01-01

Nasalance scores from the Nasometer, the NasalView and the OroNasal System were compared. The data was collected from 50 normal participants and 19 hypernasal patients with cleft palate. The Nasometer had the lowest nasalance scores for the non-nasal Zoo Passage and that the OroNasal System had the lowest nasalance scores for the Nasal Sentences.…

Nasal hydropulsion.

PubMed

Elizabeth, Ashbaugh

2013-08-01

Intranasal tumors of dogs and cats pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the small animal practitioner. A simplified flushing technique to biopsy and debulk nasal tumors, that often results in immediate clinical relief for the patient is described. This technique can also be utilized to remove nasal foreign bodies. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ipratropium Nasal Spray

MedlinePlus

... follow these steps: Remove the clear plastic dust cap and the safety clip from the nasal spray ... the other nostril. Replace the clear plastic dust cap and safety clip. If the nasal tip becomes ...

Nasal fracture - aftercare

MedlinePlus

... page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000554.htm Nasal fracture - aftercare To use the sharing features on this ... that gives your nose its shape. A nasal fracture occurs when the bony part of your nose ...

Nasal Wash Treatment

MedlinePlus

... Guidelines Wash your hands. Make the nasal wash solution. Do not use tap water for the nasal ... Whichever water you use to make the saline solution, replace container or water at least weekly. To ...

Beclomethasone Nasal Spray

MedlinePlus

... the lining of the nose) after nasal polyp removal surgery. Beclomethasone nasal spray should not be used ... room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).Unneeded medications should be ...

Asymmetrically pressing nasal splint for crooked nose deformity.

PubMed

Tugrul, Selahattin; Dogan, Remzi; Kocak, Ilker; Ozturan, Orhan

2015-01-01

Correcting crooked nose deformity is one of the most difficult procedure in rhinoplastic surgery. For that reason, the authors have been designed an asymmetrically pressing nasal splint. In this prospective study, the aim was to compare the effects of applying asymmetrically pressing nasal splint and normal symmetrically splint on the crooked nose. This study included 129 patients who were operated on for crooked nose deformity. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Normal symmetrically pressing nasal splint was applied to groups 1a (I type) and 1b (C type). Asymmetrically pressing nasal splint was applied to groups 2a (I type) and 2b (C type). All groups were compared according to deflection angle from the midline, the percentage of postoperative improvement, patient satisfaction with visual analog scale, and complication rate. I-type noses in both groups at postoperative angle values were reduced, and C-type noses in both groups at postoperative angle values were increased significantly compared with preoperative values. I-type noses of group 2 at postoperative angle values compared with group 1 were reduced, and C-type noses were increased in group 2 significantly. Patient satisfaction rate in group 2 were significantly better than in group 1. The closeness ratios to the ideal angles in group 1 were in "good" and "moderate" levels, whereas in group 2, it was in "excellent" level. There was no significant difference in complication rate in both groups. Asymmetrically pressing splint (novel design) showed increasing success rate clearly in crooked nose surgery than in normal splints.

Keratoacanthoma of the Nasal Septum Secondary to Ranibizumab Use.

PubMed

Cohn, Jason E; Caruso Sales, Hilary M; Nguyen, Giang Huong; Spector, Harvey; Briskin, Kenneth

2017-01-01

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a benign epithelial tumor that typically presents as a firm, cone-shaped, flesh-colored nodule with a central horn-filled crater. KA is considered to be a low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We report a rare case of a 72-year-old male who presented with a KA involving the nasal septum, possibly related to ranibizumab use. A flesh-colored lesion on the right anterior nasal septum lesion was visualized on examination. Histologic examination revealed a well-circumscribed, dome-shaped central crater filled with keratin, well-differentiated squamous epithelium with ground-glass cytoplasm with pushing margins, and intraepithelial microabscesses establishing the diagnosis of KA. KA of the nasal septum has only been reported once in the literature. This case is unusual because it normally presents on sun-exposed areas. Additionally, this patient was taking ranibizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor for macular degeneration. Despite ranibizumab not being directly linked to precancerous and cancerous skin lesions, agents in this medication class have been. Although it is difficult to prove associations in this isolated case, the role of ranibizumab causing cutaneous lesions should be further investigated.

Nasal Harmony in Aguaruna.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moon, Gui-Sun

A discussion of the nasal harmony of Aguaruna, a language of the Jivaroan family in South America, approaches the subject from the viewpoint of generative phonology. This theory of phonology proposes an underlying nasal consonant, later deleted, that accounts for vowel nasalization. Complex rules that suppose a complex system of vowel and…

Novel application for electrochemotherapy: Immersion of nasal cavity in dog.

PubMed

Suzuki, Daniela O H; Berkenbrock, José A; de Oliveira, Krishna D; Freytag, Jennifer O; Rangel, Marcelo M M

2017-08-01

Electrochemotherapy is a new modality of local cancer treatment that increases the delivery of chemotherapy drugs into tumor cells by applying intense electric fields. This novel electrochemotherapy application was applied as an adjuvant to surgery and eliminated intranasal tumors in dog. The treatment challenges are the surgery limitations due to anatomy and residual tumor in the bone cavity. Most of the tumoral mass on nasal cavity was surgically removed. The internal nasal cavity was immersed in liquid and bleomycin before applying electric field. The solution was necessary to increase the superficial contact between plate electrodes and residual tumor. The numerical study demonstrated electrochemotherapy efficiency in different clinical situations. The proximity between electrodes and bone (<3 mm) and bone irregularities affect the electric field distribution on tumoral tissue. The tumoral tissue around bone protuberances tends to be eliminated. Electrochemotherapy with plate electrodes inside the cavity might not be effective. Different values of electric conductivity solution were studied; the ideal value was 0.5 S/m. The numerical and experimental results confirm the successful application of electrochemotherapy on dog nasal cavity. © 2016 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reading performance after vision rehabilitation of subjects with homonymous visual field defects.

PubMed

Gall, Carolin; Sabel, Bernhard A

2012-12-01

To examine whether increased visual functioning after vision-restoration training (VRT) coincides with improved reading abilities. Prospective noncontrolled open-label trial. Controlled laboratory setting for all diagnostic procedures that were conducted before and after 6 months of home-based VRT with telemedicine support. Eleven subjects who had experienced a posterior-parietal stroke and have homonymous visual field defects. Six months of VRT (1 hour daily repeated light stimulation in the partially damaged visual field). VRT outcome measures were the number of detected light stimuli in eye-tracker controlled high-resolution perimetry and the spared visual field within the affected hemifield up to the relative and absolute defect visual field border (square degrees). Enlargements of spared visual field within the affected hemifield were correlated with changes of reading speed after VRT. After VRT, the number of detected light stimuli increased by 5.02 ± 4.31% (mean ± SD; P = .03). The spared visual field up to the relative defect visual field border increased from 18.09 ± 32.35 square degrees before to 137.40 ± 53.32 after VRT (P = .006), as well as for the absolute defect visual field border from 36.95 ± 33.77 square degrees before VRT to 152.02 ± 49.70 after VRT (P = .005). Reading speed increased from 108.95 ± 33.95 words per minute before VRT to 122.26 ± 30.35 after VRT (P = .017), which significantly correlated with increased spared visual field up to the relative defect visual field border (r = 0.73, P = .016). Measures of eye movement variability did not correlate with VRT outcome. VRT improved visual fields in parafoveal areas, which are most relevant for reading. This finding cannot be explained by changes in eye movement behavior. Because of a significant association between improvements of parafoveal vision and reading speed, we propose that patients with homonymous visual field defects who have reading deficits may benefit from visual

External Nasal Neuralgia: A Neuropathic Pain Within the Territory of the External Nasal Nerve.

PubMed

García-Moreno, Héctor; Aledo-Serrano, Ángel; Gimeno-Hernández, Jesús; Cuadrado, María-Luz

2015-10-01

Nasal pain is a challenging diagnosis and very little has been reported in the neurological literature. The nose is a sophisticated structure regarding its innervation, which is supplied by the first and second divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Painful cranial neuropathies are an important group in the differential diagnosis, although they have been described only scarcely. Here, we report a case that can conform a non-traumatic external nasal nerve neuralgia. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our office due to pain in her left nose. She was suffering from daily excruciating attacks, which were strictly limited to the territory supplied by her left external nasal nerve (left ala nasi and apex nasi). She denied previous traumatisms and the ancillary tests did not yield any underlying pathology. An anesthetic blockade of her left external nasal nerve achieved a marked reduction of the number of episodes as well as their intensity. External nasal neuralgia seems a specific neuralgia causing nasal pain. Anesthetic blockades of the external nasal nerve may be a valid treatment for this condition. © 2015 American Headache Society.

Driving with visual field loss : an exploratory simulation study

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

The goal of this study was to identify the influence of peripheral visual field loss (VFL) on driving performance in a motion-based driving simulator. Sixteen drivers (6 with VFL and 10 with normal visual fields) completed a 14 km simulated drive. Th...

Mask pressure effects on the nasal bridge during short-term noninvasive ventilation

PubMed Central

Brill, Anne-Kathrin; Pickersgill, Rachel; Moghal, Mohammad; Morrell, Mary J.; Simonds, Anita K.

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different masks, ventilator settings and body positions on the pressure exerted on the nasal bridge by the mask and subjective comfort during noninvasive ventilation (NIV). We measured the pressure over the nasal bridge in 20 healthy participants receiving NIV via four different NIV masks (three oronasal masks, one nasal mask) at three different ventilator settings and in the seated or supine position. Objective pressure measurements were obtained with an I-Scan pressure-mapping system. Subjective comfort of the mask fit was assessed with a visual analogue scale. The masks exerted mean pressures between 47.6±29 mmHg and 91.9±42.4 mmHg on the nasal bridge. In the supine position, the pressure was lower in all masks (57.1±31.9 mmHg supine, 63.9±37.3 mmHg seated; p<0.001). With oronasal masks, a change of inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) did not influence the objective pressure over the nasal bridge. Subjective discomfort was associated with higher IPAP and positively correlated with the pressure on the skin. Objective measurement of pressure on the skin during mask fitting might be helpful for mask selection. Mask fitting in the supine position should be considered in the clinical routine. PMID:29637077

Testing of Visual Field with Virtual Reality Goggles in Manual and Visual Grasp Modes

PubMed Central

Wroblewski, Dariusz; Francis, Brian A.; Sadun, Alfredo; Vakili, Ghazal; Chopra, Vikas

2014-01-01

Automated perimetry is used for the assessment of visual function in a variety of ophthalmic and neurologic diseases. We report development and clinical testing of a compact, head-mounted, and eye-tracking perimeter (VirtualEye) that provides a more comfortable test environment than the standard instrumentation. VirtualEye performs the equivalent of a full threshold 24-2 visual field in two modes: (1) manual, with patient response registered with a mouse click, and (2) visual grasp, where the eye tracker senses change in gaze direction as evidence of target acquisition. 59 patients successfully completed the test in manual mode and 40 in visual grasp mode, with 59 undergoing the standard Humphrey field analyzer (HFA) testing. Large visual field defects were reliably detected by VirtualEye. Point-by-point comparison between the results obtained with the different modalities indicates: (1) minimal systematic differences between measurements taken in visual grasp and manual modes, (2) the average standard deviation of the difference distributions of about 5 dB, and (3) a systematic shift (of 4–6 dB) to lower sensitivities for VirtualEye device, observed mostly in high dB range. The usability survey suggested patients' acceptance of the head-mounted device. The study appears to validate the concepts of a head-mounted perimeter and the visual grasp mode. PMID:25050326

Testing of visual field with virtual reality goggles in manual and visual grasp modes.

PubMed

Wroblewski, Dariusz; Francis, Brian A; Sadun, Alfredo; Vakili, Ghazal; Chopra, Vikas

2014-01-01

Automated perimetry is used for the assessment of visual function in a variety of ophthalmic and neurologic diseases. We report development and clinical testing of a compact, head-mounted, and eye-tracking perimeter (VirtualEye) that provides a more comfortable test environment than the standard instrumentation. VirtualEye performs the equivalent of a full threshold 24-2 visual field in two modes: (1) manual, with patient response registered with a mouse click, and (2) visual grasp, where the eye tracker senses change in gaze direction as evidence of target acquisition. 59 patients successfully completed the test in manual mode and 40 in visual grasp mode, with 59 undergoing the standard Humphrey field analyzer (HFA) testing. Large visual field defects were reliably detected by VirtualEye. Point-by-point comparison between the results obtained with the different modalities indicates: (1) minimal systematic differences between measurements taken in visual grasp and manual modes, (2) the average standard deviation of the difference distributions of about 5 dB, and (3) a systematic shift (of 4-6 dB) to lower sensitivities for VirtualEye device, observed mostly in high dB range. The usability survey suggested patients' acceptance of the head-mounted device. The study appears to validate the concepts of a head-mounted perimeter and the visual grasp mode.

Does rhinoplasty improve nasal breathing?

PubMed

Xavier, Rui

2010-08-01

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to improve nasal aesthetics and nasal breathing. The aesthetic improvement of the nose is usually judged subjectively by the patient and the surgeon, but the degree of improvement of nasal obstruction is difficult to assess by clinical examination only. The measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) is a reliable tool that has been shown to correlate with other objective methods of assessing nasal breathing and with patients' symptoms of nasal obstruction. Twenty-three consecutive patients undergoing rhinoplasty have been evaluated by measurement of PNIF before and after surgery. All but three patients had an increase in PNIF after surgery. The mean preoperative PNIF was 86.5 L/min and the mean postoperative PNIF was 123.0 L/min ( P < 0.001). Not surprisingly, the greatest improvement in PNIF was achieved when bilateral spreader grafts were used. This study suggests that rhinoplasty does improve nasal breathing. (c) Thieme Medical Publishers

Combined influences of gravitoinertial force level and visual field pitch on visually perceived eye level

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DiZio, P.; Li, W.; Lackner, J. R.; Matin, L.

1997-01-01

Psychophysical measurements of the level at which observers set a small visual target so as to appear at eye level (VPEL) were made on 13 subjects in 1.0 g and 1.5 g environments in the Graybiel Laboratory rotating room while they viewed a pitched visual field or while in total darkness. The gravitoinertial force was parallel to the z-axis of the head and body during the measurements. The visual field consisted of two 58 degrees high, luminous, pitched-from-vertical, bilaterally symmetric, parallel lines, viewed in otherwise total darkness. The lines were horizontally separated by 53 degrees and presented at each of 7 angles of pitch ranging from 30 degrees with the top of the visual field turned away from the subject (top backward) to 30 degrees with the top turned toward the subject (top forward). At 1.5 g, VPEL changed linearly with the pitch of the 2-line stimulus and was depressed with top backward pitch and elevated with top forward pitch as had been reported previously at 1.0 g (1,2); however, the slopes of the VPEL-vs-pitch functions at 1.0 g and 1.5 g were indistinguishable. As reported previously also (3,4), the VPEL in darkness was considerably lower at 1.5 g than at 1.0 g; however, although the y-intercept of the VPEL-vs-pitch function in the presence of the 2-line visual field (visual field erect) was also lower at 1.5 g than at 1.0 g as it was in darkness, the G-related difference was significantly attenuated by the presence of the visual field. The quantitative characteristics of the results are consistent with a model in which VPEL is treated as a consequence of an algebraic weighted average or a vector sum of visual and nonvisual influences although the two combining rules lead to fits that are equally good.

Management of nasal septal perforation using silicone nasal septal button

PubMed Central

Mullace, M; Gorini, E; Sbrocca, M; Artesi, L; Mevio, N

2006-01-01

Summary Nasal septal perforation may present with various symptoms: epistaxis, crusting, secondary infection, whistling and nasal obstruction. Perforation may be treated by conservative pharmacological treatment or closed by surgical approach. A useful alternative is mechanical obturation, achieved inserting a prosthesis. The present report refers to a study on 15 patients (10 male, 5 female, mean age 38.5 years) treated by insertion of a one-piece or two-piece silicone septal button (Xomed). In the follow-up period, insertion of the nasal button reduced epistaxis, eliminated whistling during inspiration, and reduced nasal obstruction and crusting around the margin of the perforation. Contraindications are presence of acute infection with osteitis, chronic septal disease (Wegener), neoplasia and extremely large perforations. The latest buttons appear to be superior to the conventional type on account of plasticity and adaptability which offer greater conformity to the septum. This study also reveals that the new septal button is well tolerated by patients. PMID:18236638

Visual field shape and foraging ecology in diurnal raptors.

PubMed

Potier, Simon; Duriez, Olivier; Cunningham, Gregory B; Bonhomme, Vincent; O'Rourke, Colleen; Fernández-Juricic, Esteban; Bonadonna, Francesco

2018-05-18

Birds, particularly raptors, are believed to forage primarily using visual cues. However, raptor foraging tactics are highly diverse - from chasing mobile prey to scavenging - which may reflect adaptations of their visual systems. To investigate this, we studied the visual field configuration of 15 species of diurnal Accipitriformes that differ in such tactics, first focusing on the binocular field and blind area by using a single traits approach, and then exploring the shape of the binocular field with morphometric approaches. While the maximum binocular field width did not differ in species of different foraging tactics, the overall shape of their binocular fields did. In particular, raptors chasing terrestrial prey (ground predators) had a more protruding binocular field and a wider blind area above the head than did raptors chasing aerial or aquatic prey and obligate scavengers. Ground predators that forage on mammals from above have a wide but short bill - which increases ingestion rate - and large suborbital ridge to avoid sun glare. This may explain the protruding binocular field and the wide blind area above the head. By contrast, species from the two other groups have long but narrow bills used to pluck, flake or tear food and may need large visual coverage (and reduced suborbital ridges) to increase their foraging efficiency ( e.g. using large visual coverage to follow the escaping prey in three dimensions or detect conspecifics). We propose that binocular field shape is associated with bill and suborbital ridge shape and, ultimately, foraging strategies. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Complications of Nasal Bone Fractures.

PubMed

Hwang, Kun; Yeom, Seung Han; Hwang, Suk Hyun

2017-05-01

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the treatment of nasal bone fractures. The search terms ("nasal bone fracture" AND complication) and ("nasal bone fracture" AND [anosmia OR olfaction OR olfactory nerve OR smell]) and (anosmia AND ["nasal preparation" OR "nasal antiseptics"]) were used to search PubMed and SCOPUS. Of the 500 titles, 40 full papers were reviewed. One paper was excluded, and 3 mined papers were added. Ultimately, 12 papers were analyzed. The overall deformity rate was 10.4% ± 4.8%. No significant differences were found between patients who underwent closed reduction (14.7% ± 7.3%) and those who underwent open reduction (9.4% ± 4.4%), between those who underwent local anesthesia (5.8% ± 4.5%), and those who underwent general anesthesia (8.8% ± 3.8%), or between those who received timely treatment (5.7%) and those whose treatment was delayed (9.0%). Septal deviation occurred in 10.0% of patients as a sequela of nasal bone fracture. The nasal obstruction rate was 10.5% ± 5.3%. Fewer patients of nasal obstruction occurred in the open reduction patients (6.9% ± 4.4%) than in the closed reduction patients (15.2%). One patient of epiphora and 1 patient of diplopia were reportedAmong the 77 patients with nasal bone fractures, 29 (37.7% ± 11.3%) complained of olfactory disturbances. No significant associations were found between the type of fracture and the presence of olfactory disturbances. It is recommended for providers to explain to patients that approximately one-tenth of nasal bone fractures exhibit deformity, septal deviation, or nasal obstruction after surgery. Surgeons should take considerable care to avoid the olfactory mucosa during reduction surgery.

Learning to Recognize Patterns: Changes in the Visual Field with Familiarity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bebko, James M.; Uchikawa, Keiji; Saida, Shinya; Ikeda, Mitsuo

1995-01-01

Two studies were conducted to investigate changes which take place in the visual information processing of novel stimuli as they become familiar. Japanese writing characters (Hiragana and Kanji) which were unfamiliar to two native English speaking subjects were presented using a moving window technique to restrict their visual fields. Study time for visual recognition was recorded across repeated sessions, and with varying visual field restrictions. The critical visual field was defined as the size of the visual field beyond which further increases did not improve the speed of recognition performance. In the first study, when the Hiragana patterns were novel, subjects needed to see about half of the entire pattern simultaneously to maintain optimal performance. However, the critical visual field size decreased as familiarity with the patterns increased. These results were replicated in the second study with more complex Kanji characters. In addition, the critical field size decreased as pattern complexity decreased. We propose a three component model of pattern perception. In the first stage a representation of the stimulus must be constructed by the subject, and restricting of the visual field interferes dramatically with this component when stimuli are unfamiliar. With increased familiarity, subjects become able to reconstruct a previous representation from very small, unique segments of the pattern, analogous to the informativeness areas hypothesized by Loftus and Mackworth [J. Exp. Psychol., 4 (1978) 565].

Changes in nasal airflow and heat transfer correlate with symptom improvement after surgery for nasal obstruction.

PubMed

Kimbell, J S; Frank, D O; Laud, Purushottam; Garcia, G J M; Rhee, J S

2013-10-18

Surgeries to correct nasal airway obstruction (NAO) often have less than desirable outcomes, partly due to the absence of an objective tool to select the most appropriate surgical approach for each patient. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models can be used to investigate nasal airflow, but variables need to be identified that can detect surgical changes and correlate with patient symptoms. CFD models were constructed from pre- and post-surgery computed tomography scans for 10 NAO patients showing no evidence of nasal cycling. Steady-state inspiratory airflow, nasal resistance, wall shear stress, and heat flux were computed for the main nasal cavity from nostrils to posterior nasal septum both bilaterally and unilaterally. Paired t-tests indicated that all CFD variables were significantly changed by surgery when calculated on the most obstructed side, and that airflow, nasal resistance, and heat flux were significantly changed bilaterally as well. Moderate linear correlations with patient-reported symptoms were found for airflow, heat flux, unilateral allocation of airflow, and unilateral nasal resistance as a fraction of bilateral nasal resistance when calculated on the most obstructed nasal side, suggesting that these variables may be useful for evaluating the efficacy of nasal surgery objectively. Similarity in the strengths of these correlations suggests that patient-reported symptoms may represent a constellation of effects and that these variables should be tracked concurrently during future virtual surgery planning. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of refractive errors on visual evoked magnetic fields.

PubMed

Suzuki, Masaya; Nagae, Mizuki; Nagata, Yuko; Kumagai, Naoya; Inui, Koji; Kakigi, Ryusuke

2015-11-09

The latency and amplitude of visual evoked cortical responses are known to be affected by refractive states, suggesting that they may be used as an objective index of refractive errors. In order to establish an easy and reliable method for this purpose, we herein examined the effects of refractive errors on visual evoked magnetic fields (VEFs). Binocular VEFs following the presentation of a simple grating of 0.16 cd/m(2) in the lower visual field were recorded in 12 healthy volunteers and compared among four refractive states: 0D, +1D, +2D, and +4D, by using plus lenses. The low-luminance visual stimulus evoked a main MEG response at approximately 120 ms (M100) that reversed its polarity between the upper and lower visual field stimulations and originated from the occipital midline area. When refractive errors were induced by plus lenses, the latency of M100 increased, while its amplitude decreased with an increase in power of the lens. Differences from the control condition (+0D) were significant for all three lenses examined. The results of dipole analyses showed that evoked fields for the control (+0D) condition were explainable by one dipole in the primary visual cortex (V1), while other sources, presumably in V3 or V6, slightly contributed to shape M100 for the +2D or +4D condition. The present results showed that the latency and amplitude of M100 are both useful indicators for assessing refractive states. The contribution of neural sources other than V1 to M100 was modest under the 0D and +1D conditions. By considering the nature of the activity of M100 including its high sensitivity to a spatial frequency and lower visual field dominance, a simple low-luminance grating stimulus at an optimal spatial frequency in the lower visual field appears appropriate for obtaining data on high S/N ratios and reducing the load on subjects.

Effect of Deviated Nasal Septum Type on Nasal Mucociliary Clearance, Olfactory Function, Quality of Life, and Efficiency of Nasal Surgery.

PubMed

Berkiten, Güler; Kumral, Tolgar Lütfi; Saltürk, Ziya; Atar, Yavuz; Yildirim, Güven; Uyar, Yavuz; Aydoğdu, Imran; Arslanoğlu, Ahmet

2016-07-01

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of deviated nasal septum (DNS) type on nasal mucociliary clearance, quality of life (QoL), olfactory function, and efficiency of nasal surgery (septoplasty with or without inferior turbinate reduction and partial middle turbinectomy). Fifty patients (20 females and 30 males) with septal deviation were included in the study and were divided into 6 groups according to deviation type after examination by nasal endoscopy and paranasal computed tomography. The saccharin clearance test to evaluate the nasal mucociliary clearance time, Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center smell test for olfactory function, and sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22) for patient satisfaction were applied preoperatively and postoperatively at the sixth week after surgery. Nasal mucociliary clearance, smell, and SNOT-22 scores were measured before surgery and at the sixth week following surgery. No significant difference was found in olfactory and SNOT-22 scores for any of the DNS types (both convex and concave sides) (P > 0.05). In addition, there was no difference in the saccharin clearance time (SCT) of the concave and convex sides (P > 0.05). According to the DNS type, the mean SCT of the convex sides showed no difference, but that of the concave sides showed a difference in types 3, 4, 5, and 6. These types had a prolonged SCT (P < 0.05). Olfactory scores revealed no difference postoperatively in types 5 and 6 but were decreased significantly in types 1 to 4 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the healing of both the mucociliary clearance (MCC) and olfactory functions. SNOT-22 results showed a significant decrease in type 3. All DNS types disturb the QoL regarding nasal MCC and olfaction functions. MCC values, olfactory function, and QoL scores are similar among the DNS types. Both sides of the DNS types affect the MCC scores symmetrically. Septal surgery improves olfaction function and QoL at the

Specvis: Free and open-source software for visual field examination.

PubMed

Dzwiniel, Piotr; Gola, Mateusz; Wójcik-Gryciuk, Anna; Waleszczyk, Wioletta J

2017-01-01

Visual field impairment affects more than 100 million people globally. However, due to the lack of the access to appropriate ophthalmic healthcare in undeveloped regions as a result of associated costs and expertise this number may be an underestimate. Improved access to affordable diagnostic software designed for visual field examination could slow the progression of diseases, such as glaucoma, allowing for early diagnosis and intervention. We have developed Specvis, a free and open-source application written in Java programming language that can run on any personal computer to meet this requirement (http://www.specvis.pl/). Specvis was tested on glaucomatous, retinitis pigmentosa and stroke patients and the results were compared to results using the Medmont M700 Automated Static Perimeter. The application was also tested for inter-test intrapersonal variability. The results from both validation studies indicated low inter-test intrapersonal variability, and suitable reliability for a fast and simple assessment of visual field impairment. Specvis easily identifies visual field areas of zero sensitivity and allows for evaluation of its levels throughout the visual field. Thus, Specvis is a new, reliable application that can be successfully used for visual field examination and can fill the gap between confrontation and perimetry tests. The main advantages of Specvis over existing methods are its availability (free), affordability (runs on any personal computer), and reliability (comparable to high-cost solutions).

Specvis: Free and open-source software for visual field examination

PubMed Central

Dzwiniel, Piotr; Gola, Mateusz; Wójcik-Gryciuk, Anna

2017-01-01

Visual field impairment affects more than 100 million people globally. However, due to the lack of the access to appropriate ophthalmic healthcare in undeveloped regions as a result of associated costs and expertise this number may be an underestimate. Improved access to affordable diagnostic software designed for visual field examination could slow the progression of diseases, such as glaucoma, allowing for early diagnosis and intervention. We have developed Specvis, a free and open-source application written in Java programming language that can run on any personal computer to meet this requirement (http://www.specvis.pl/). Specvis was tested on glaucomatous, retinitis pigmentosa and stroke patients and the results were compared to results using the Medmont M700 Automated Static Perimeter. The application was also tested for inter-test intrapersonal variability. The results from both validation studies indicated low inter-test intrapersonal variability, and suitable reliability for a fast and simple assessment of visual field impairment. Specvis easily identifies visual field areas of zero sensitivity and allows for evaluation of its levels throughout the visual field. Thus, Specvis is a new, reliable application that can be successfully used for visual field examination and can fill the gap between confrontation and perimetry tests. The main advantages of Specvis over existing methods are its availability (free), affordability (runs on any personal computer), and reliability (comparable to high-cost solutions). PMID:29028825

Current aspects in reconstructive surgery for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shtin, V. I.; Novikov, V. A.; Gjunter, V. E.; Choinzonov, E. L.; Ryabova, A. I.; Sirkashev, V. A.; Surkova, P. V.; Vasilev, R. V.; Menkova, E. N.

2017-09-01

Tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses present a challenge to treat them. A combination of surgery and radiation therapy can improve treatment outcomes in 49-56% [1, 2] of the patients with locally advanced nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer. The midface reconstruction poses a formidable challenge to the reconstructive surgeon due to the region's complex skeletal and soft-tissue anatomy. The rehabilitation program including the reconstruction of the resected orbital walls using the porous and mesh implants from titanium nickelid (TiNi) was developed at the Cancer Research institute jointly with the Research Institute of Medical Materials. The technique was proven effective, allowing the natural position of the eye and visual function to be preserved in 90% [1-3] of the patients. A long period of reparative processes and risk of developing inflammation in the implant area, as well as the need to decrease length of surgery, contributed to the development of a novel approach to repairing the midface bone structures using the implant based on the microporous wire and TiNi mesh. Eighteen patients with nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer were treated using the combined thin implants. The novel technique allowed the time of the implant installation to be reduced to 5-10 min. The structure of the implant contributed to prevention of inflammatory processes in 97% [1, 2] of cases. Thus, the natural position of the eyeball and visual function were preserved in 100% [1, 3, 4] of patients. The use of the TiNi implants in reconstructive surgery for patients with nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer led to reduced time of surgery and rehabilitation, increased level of social adaptation of patients and improved cosmetic and functional results.

Cosmetic and Functional Nasal Deformities

MedlinePlus

... nasal complaints. Nasal deformity can be categorized as “cosmetic” or “functional.” Cosmetic deformity of the nose results in a less ... taste , nose bleeds and/or recurrent sinusitis . A cosmetic or functional nasal deformity may occur secondary to ...

[New visual field testing possibilities (a preliminary report)].

PubMed

Erichev, V P; Ermolaev, A P; Antonov, A A; Grigoryan, G L; Kosova, D V

2018-01-01

There are currently no portable mobile perimeters that allow visual field testing outside ophthalmologist's examination rooms. To develop a mobile perimetry technique based on use of a virtual reality headset (VR). The study involved 26 patients (30 eyes) with II-III stage primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with compensated IOP. Perimetry was performed for each patient twice - on Humphrey analyzer (test 30-2, 76 points) and employing similar strategy on a perimeter integrated into VR headset (Total Vision, Russia). Visual field testing was performed with an interval from 1 hour to 3 days. The results were comparatively analyzed. Patients tolerated the examination well. Comparative analysis of preliminary perimetry results obtained with both methods showed high degree of identity, so the results were concluded to be comparable. By visually isolating the wearer, VR headset achieves elimination of distractions and stable light conditions for visual field testing. The headset-perimeter is compact, mobile, easily transportable, can be used in the work of visiting medical teams and for examination at home.

Cosmetic rostral nasal reconstruction after nasal planum and premaxilla resection: technique and results in two dogs.

PubMed

Gallegos, Javier; Schmiedt, Chad W; McAnulty, Jonathan F

2007-10-01

To describe a novel reconstructive technique after nasal planum and premaxilla resection. Case report. Dogs (n=2) with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal planum. A 9-year-old neutered female Labrador retriever (dog 1) and an 11-year-old neutered male Golden retriever (dog 2) had resection of the nasal planum and premaxilla for treatment of locally invasive SCC. Reconstruction of a nasal planum facsimile was based on use of the nonhaired pigmented margins of bilateral labial mucocutaneous rotation-advancement flaps. Reconstruction of the premaxilla by construction of a nasal planum facsimile resulted in uncomplicated wound healing and improved cosmesis. There was no tumor recurrence at 1290 (dog 1) and 210 (dog 2) days after surgery. Reconstruction of a nasal planum facsimile was successfully performed without complications in 2 dogs with high owner satisfaction with cosmetic appearance. This technique represents a significant advancement in surgical cosmetic outcome, may potentially reduce postoperative complications, and should be considered for dogs requiring nasal reconstruction after nasal planum resection with premaxillectomy.

Evaluation of postoperative patient satisfaction after covering the nasal dorsum with upper lateral cartilage: "upper lateral closing".

PubMed

Çağıcı, Can Alper

2017-11-16

Following nasal hump removal during septorhinoplasty, the middle vault should be reconstructed to avoid functional and esthetic problems. Middle vault reconstruction, however, may result in widening of the middle vault and may need a camouflage graft to cover dorsal irregularities. To present the results of reconstructing the middle vault with a technique that covers the nasal dorsum with upper lateral cartilage, from the viewpoint of patient satisfaction. Retrospective study of patients who underwent septorhinoplasty that included nasal dorsum closure with upper lateral cartilage from December 1, 2014 to January 31, 2016. Those with postoperative follow-up of less than 3 months were excluded. The final study group included 39 patients. The same surgeon performed all septorhinoplasties. The dorsum was closed using an "upper lateral closing" technique that approximated upper lateral cartilages to each other over the septum. Postoperative patient satisfaction was determined using a visual analog scale and the rhinoplasty outcomes evaluation questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluates patient esthetic and functional satisfaction with the operated nose. High scores indicate improved esthetic results. No dorsal irregularities were seen at postoperative follow-up evaluation of the patients. For esthetic nasal appearance, the median visual analogue scale scores was 86%, and the mean for the questionnaire was 77.03%. The natural dome-shaped anatomy of the nasal dorsum was achieved by approximating the upper lateral cartilages to each other. Closing the dorsum with this technique also covers any dorsal irregularities and results in a smooth dorsum. Patients expressed satisfaction with the esthetic and functional aspects of the smooth, attractive nasal dorsum. Copyright © 2017 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Smart Polymers in Nasal Drug Delivery

PubMed Central

Chonkar, Ankita; Nayak, Usha; Udupa, N.

2015-01-01

Nasal drug delivery has now been recognized as a promising route for drug delivery due to its capability of transporting a drug to systemic circulation and central nervous system. Though nasal mucosa offers improved bioavailability and quick onset of action of the drug, main disadvantage associated with nasal drug delivery is mucocilliary clearance due to which drug particles get cleared from the nose before complete absorption through nasal mucosa. Therefore, mucoadhesive polymeric approach can be successfully used to enhance the retention of the drug on nasal mucosal surface. Here, some of the aspects of the stimuli responsive polymers have been discussed which possess liquid state at the room temperature and in response to nasal temperature, pH and ions present in mucous, can undergo in situ gelation in nasal cavity. In this review, several temperature responsive, pH responsive and ion responsive polymers used in nasal delivery, their gelling mechanisms have been discussed. Smart polymers not only able to enhance the retention of the drug in nasal cavity but also provide controlled release, ease of administration, enhanced permeation of the drug and protection of the drug from mucosal enzymes. Thus smart polymeric approach can be effectively used for nasal delivery of peptide drugs, central nervous system dugs and hormones. PMID:26664051

Risk factors for nasal malignancies in German men: the South-German Nasal cancer study.

PubMed

Greiser, Eberhard M; Greiser, Karin Halina; Ahrens, Wolfgang; Hagen, Rudolf; Lazszig, Roland; Maier, Heinz; Schick, Bernhard; Zenner, Hans Peter

2012-11-06

There are few studies of the effects of nasal snuff and environmental factors on the risk of nasal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the impact of using nasal snuff and of other risk factors on the risk of nasal cancer in German men. A population-based case-control study was conducted in the German Federal States of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Tumor registries and ear, nose and throat departments provided access to patients born in 1926 or later. Telephone interviews were conducted with 427 cases (mean age 62.1 years) and 2.401 population-based controls (mean age 60.8 years). Ever-use of nasal snuff was associated with an odds ratio (OR) for nasal cancer of 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-2.38) in the total study population, whereas OR in smokers was 2.01 (95% CI 1.00-4.02) and in never smokers was 1.10 (95% CI 0.43-2.80). The OR in ever-smokers vs. never-smokers was 1.60 (95% CI 1.24-2.07), with an OR of 1.06 (95% CI 1.05-1.07) per pack-year smoked, and the risk was significantly decreased after quitting smoking. Exposure to hardwood dust for at least 1 year resulted in an OR of 2.33 (95% CI 1.40-3.91) in the total population, which was further increased in never-smokers (OR 4.89, 95% CI 1.92-12.49) in analyses stratified by smoking status. The OR for nasal cancer after exposure to organic solvents for at least 1 year was 1.53 (1.17-2.01). Ever-use of nasal sprays/nasal lavage for at least 1 month rendered an OR of 1.59 (1.04-2.44). The OR after use of insecticides in homes was 1.48 (95% CI 1.04-2.11). Smoking and exposure to hardwood dust were confirmed as risk factors for nasal carcinoma. There is evidence that exposure to organic solvents, and in-house use of insecticides could represent novel risk factors. Exposure to asbestos and use of nasal snuff were risk factors in smokers only.

Nasal obstruction and human communication.

PubMed

Malinoff, R; Moreno, C

1989-04-01

Nasal obstruction may cause a variety of communication disorders, particularly in children. The effects of nasal obstruction on hearing, speech, language, and voice are examined. Methods for assessing the effects of nasal obstruction are delineated, and recommendations for therapeutic interventions are described.

21 CFR 874.3900 - Nasal dilator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Nasal dilator. 874.3900 Section 874.3900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES... nasal airflow. The device decreases airway resistance and increases nasal airflow. The external nasal...

21 CFR 874.3900 - Nasal dilator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Nasal dilator. 874.3900 Section 874.3900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES... nasal airflow. The device decreases airway resistance and increases nasal airflow. The external nasal...

Restorative procedures in disturbed function of the upper airways - nasal breathing

PubMed Central

Mlynski, Gunter

2005-01-01

These days, functional rhinosurgery is almost always taken to mean the improvement of nasal airflow. However, air should not only pass through the nose without obstruction. It needs to be warmed, moistened and filtered. This requires sufficient air/mucous membrane contact by spreading airflow over the entire turbinate region, as well as regulation of nasal airway resistance and the degree of turbulence within the nasal cycle. These factors are not considered enough in the concept of functional rhinosurgery. There cannot be a rigid concept for functional/aesthetic rhinosurgery, the surgical procedure must be adapted to the individual anatomy and pathology. In spite of this, it must be clear (based on evidence) which surgical steps can solve a functional problem of the nose in the long term. This paper cannot explain evidence-based treatment strategies to restore nasal respiratory function because in all branches of rhinosurgery, there are no prospective studies available with a sufficiently high sample size and long-term results objectivized by functional diagnosis. Studies available on septal surgery show better results for SP after Cottle than for SMR after Killian. However, the success rate of a 70 to 80% improvement in nasal breathing is not satisfactory. The incidence of postoperative, dry nasal mucosa is also too high. The task of rhinology is to stress the functional side of rhinosurgery more. This includes preoperative analysis of the causes of disturbed respiratory function using the functional diagnosis methods available, the use of evidence-based surgical techniques and postoperative, objectivized quality control. More research needs to be done on the physiology and pathophysiology of nasal airflow as well as on the effect of rhinosurgery on airflow. Numerical flow simulation can contribute greatly to this because the effects of shape changes on the flow can be visualized. Methods need to be developed which can be used for routine, diagnostic recording of

Visual field defects after temporal lobe resection for epilepsy.

PubMed

Steensberg, Alvilda T; Olsen, Ane Sophie; Litman, Minna; Jespersen, Bo; Kolko, Miriam; Pinborg, Lars H

2018-01-01

To determine visual field defects (VFDs) using methods of varying complexity and compare results with subjective symptoms in a population of newly operated temporal lobe epilepsy patients. Forty patients were included in the study. Two patients failed to perform VFD testing. Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) perimetry was used as the gold standard test to detect VFDs. All patients performed a web-based visual field test called Damato Multifixation Campimetry Online (DMCO). A bedside confrontation visual field examination ad modum Donders was extracted from the medical records in 27/38 patients. All participants had a consultation by an ophthalmologist. A questionnaire described the subjective complaints. A VFD in the upper quadrant was demonstrated with HFA in 29 (76%) of the 38 patients after surgery. In 27 patients tested ad modum Donders, the sensitivity of detecting a VFD was 13%. Eight patients (21%) had a severe VFD similar to a quadrant anopia, thus, questioning their permission to drive a car. In this group of patients, a VFD was demonstrated in one of five (sensitivity=20%) ad modum Donders and in seven of eight (sensitivity=88%) with DMCO. Subjective symptoms were only reported by 28% of the patients with a VFD and in two of eight (sensitivity=25%) with a severe VFD. Most patients (86%) considered VFD information mandatory. VFD continue to be a frequent adverse event after epilepsy surgery in the medial temporal lobe and may affect the permission to drive a car in at least one in five patients. Subjective symptoms and bedside visual field testing ad modum Donders are not sensitive to detect even a severe VFD. Newly developed web-based visual field test methods appear sensitive to detect a severe VFD but perimetry remains the golden standard for determining if visual standards for driving is fulfilled. Patients consider VFD information as mandatory. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Central Field Index Versus Visual Field Index for Central Visual Function in Stable Glaucoma.

PubMed

Rao, Aparna; Padhy, Debananda; Mudunuri, Harika; Roy, Avik K; Sarangi, Sarada P; Das, Gopinath

2017-01-01

To compare the variability of central field index (CFI) versus visual field index (VFI) in stable glaucoma with central fixation involvement. For this retrospective study, we identified multiple visual fields (VFs) of patients with repeatable central fixation involvement on Humphrey VFs (24-2 and 10-2 program) which were stable (clinically and on VFs) over a very short period of 2 to 3 months. The VFI and CFI were calculated as described in earlier reports. We graded the fields as early [mean deviation (MD)>-6 dB], moderate (-6.1 to -12 dB), and severe glaucoma (<-12 dB) based on MD on 24-2 program. The variability of CFI and VFI between visits and across different severity of glaucoma was compared. Relation of the divergence to field indices and clinical parameters were assessed. The intervisit difference for VFI was greater than CFI ranging from -4% to 9% versus -1% to 8% in early (P=0.9), -13% to 18% versus -6% to 17% (P=0.056) in moderate, and -21% to 19% versus -9% to 9% (P<0.001) in severe glaucoma. The CFI within each group had narrower range than VFI with maximum range in severe glaucoma (33% to 95%). The divergence of CFI from VFI started at MD 24-2 beyond (worse) -10 dB. This difference between CFI and VFI was associated significantly with number of points with P<1% on 24-2 (R=80.3%). CFI is less variable than VFI in stable eyes with fixation involvement especially in severe glaucoma indicating need for incorporating CFI calculation for monitoring advanced disease in eyes with central defects.

Recognizing patterns of visual field loss using unsupervised machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousefi, Siamak; Goldbaum, Michael H.; Zangwill, Linda M.; Medeiros, Felipe A.; Bowd, Christopher

2014-03-01

Glaucoma is a potentially blinding optic neuropathy that results in a decrease in visual sensitivity. Visual field abnormalities (decreased visual sensitivity on psychophysical tests) are the primary means of glaucoma diagnosis. One form of visual field testing is Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) that tests sensitivity at 52 points within the visual field. Like other psychophysical tests used in clinical practice, FDT results yield specific patterns of defect indicative of the disease. We used Gaussian Mixture Model with Expectation Maximization (GEM), (EM is used to estimate the model parameters) to automatically separate FDT data into clusters of normal and abnormal eyes. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to decompose each cluster into different axes (patterns). FDT measurements were obtained from 1,190 eyes with normal FDT results and 786 eyes with abnormal (i.e., glaucomatous) FDT results, recruited from a university-based, longitudinal, multi-center, clinical study on glaucoma. The GEM input was the 52-point FDT threshold sensitivities for all eyes. The optimal GEM model separated the FDT fields into 3 clusters. Cluster 1 contained 94% normal fields (94% specificity) and clusters 2 and 3 combined, contained 77% abnormal fields (77% sensitivity). For clusters 1, 2 and 3 the optimal number of PCA-identified axes were 2, 2 and 5, respectively. GEM with PCA successfully separated FDT fields from healthy and glaucoma eyes and identified familiar glaucomatous patterns of loss.

The importance of side difference in nasal obstruction and rhinomanometry: a retrospective correlation of symptoms and rhinomanometry in 1000 patients.

PubMed

Thulesius, H L; Cervin, A; Jessen, M

2012-02-01

The correlation between subjective and objective outcomes of nasal obstruction is still a matter of controversy. The aim of this study was to determine the minimal level of side difference in nasal airway resistance (NAR measured by Broms'v(2)) between the two nasal cavities, which could be discerned subjectively by the patient on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Nasal airway resistance was calculated from rhinomanometric measurements of nasal airflow and transnasal pressure after decongestion of the nasal mucosa. A retrospective study. ENT department, Vaxjo Central Hospital, Sweden. We studied 1000 active anterior rhinomanometries from patients with nasal obstructions. We compared the side difference of nasal airway resistance with the side difference of VAS estimated immediately prior to the rhinomanometry. Each measurement was performed after nasal decongestion. When the difference in nasal airway resistance between the two nasal cavities was larger than 20° (Broms'v(2)) or R(2) > 0.36 Pa/cm(3) /s, we found a significant correlation between side differences of the objective measurement and the subjective assessment (VAS). With a nasal airway resistance side difference over 20°, an additional 20° difference corresponded to a 0.9 centimetre average VAS change. The more obstructed side of the nose could be determined by VAS in 823 (82.3%) of 1000 patients. Yet, 177 (17.7%) patients had a paradoxical sensation of nasal obstruction with the low resistance side of the nose experienced as the most congested side. A significant correlation between the side differences of nasal airway resistance and VAS can serve as a supplement to rhinoscopy in decisions about nasal surgery. This study also showed that in 17.7% of patients, there was a negative correlation between subjective and objective evaluations of nasal airway resistance. But in this group, the nasal airway resistance side difference was mostly under 20°. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

[Nasal septal abscess].

PubMed

Barril, María F; Ferolla, Fausto M; José, Pablo; Echave, Cecilia; Tomezzoli, Silvana; Fiorini, Sandra; López, Eduardo Luis

2008-12-01

A nasal septal abscess (NA) is defined as a collection of pus between the cartilage or bony septum and its normally applied mucoperichondrium or mucoperiostium. It is an uncommon disease which should be suspected in a patient with acute onset of nasal obstruction and recent history of nasal trauma, periodontal infection or an inflammatory process of the rhinosinusal region. We report a case of an 8-year-old boy with bilateral NA caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MR-CO) in order to emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment to prevent the potentially dangerous spread of infection and the development of severe functional and cosmetic sequelae.

Visualizing vector field topology in fluid flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Helman, James L.; Hesselink, Lambertus

1991-01-01

Methods of automating the analysis and display of vector field topology in general and flow topology in particular are discussed. Two-dimensional vector field topology is reviewed as the basis for the examination of topology in three-dimensional separated flows. The use of tangent surfaces and clipping in visualizing vector field topology in fluid flows is addressed.

A prospective profile of visual field loss following stroke: prevalence, type, rehabilitation, and outcome.

PubMed

Rowe, Fiona J; Wright, David; Brand, Darren; Jackson, Carole; Harrison, Shirley; Maan, Tallat; Scott, Claire; Vogwell, Linda; Peel, Sarah; Akerman, Nicola; Dodridge, Caroline; Howard, Claire; Shipman, Tracey; Sperring, Una; Macdiarmid, Sonia; Freeman, Cicely

2013-01-01

To profile site of stroke/cerebrovascular accident, type and extent of field loss, treatment options, and outcome. Prospective multicentre cohort trial. Standardised referral and investigation protocol of visual parameters. 915 patients were recruited with a mean age of 69 years (SD 14). 479 patients (52%) had visual field loss. 51 patients (10%) had no visual symptoms. Almost half of symptomatic patients (n = 226) complained only of visual field loss: almost half (n = 226) also had reading difficulty, blurred vision, diplopia, and perceptual difficulties. 31% (n = 151) had visual field loss as their only visual impairment: 69% (n = 328) had low vision, eye movement deficits, or visual perceptual difficulties. Occipital and parietal lobe strokes most commonly caused visual field loss. Treatment options included visual search training, visual awareness, typoscopes, substitutive prisms, low vision aids, refraction, and occlusive patches. At followup 15 patients (7.5%) had full recovery, 78 (39%) had improvement, and 104 (52%) had no recovery. Two patients (1%) had further decline of visual field. Patients with visual field loss had lower quality of life scores than stroke patients without visual impairment. Stroke survivors with visual field loss require assessment to accurately define type and extent of loss, diagnose coexistent visual impairments, and offer targeted treatment.

Ocular Aberrations Across the Visual Field During Accommodation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Tao

Myopia is classically defined as a mismatch between the optical power of the relaxed eye and its dioptric length. This definition is entirely foveocentric without concern for the contributions of peripheral refractive errors to myopia development. Long periods of steady near-work was considered to cause myopia development due to inadequate accommodation. Consequently, not only the on-axis optical features but also off-axis ones should be probed to gain insight about myopia progression. Moreover, these features need to be understood not only for the relaxed eye, but also for the accommodating eye. To acquire complete data set, a custom-built Indiana Scanning Aberrometer for Wavefront (I SAW) was developed to measure wavefront aberration along 37 line-of-sights at 8 different accommodation states in the central 30 degree visual field. We found that ocular refractive state changed uniformly over the central visual field as the eye accommodates up to 6D, and the accuracy of accommodation across the central visual field is similar to that measured in the fovea. No systematic difference between emmetropic and myopic eyes was evident. Then, a linear vector-summation rule for axial and oblique astigmatism was found to account for their interaction over the central visual field. Using this combination rule, our experimental evidence revealed no systematic effect of accommodation on axial or oblique astigmatism for two adult populations. The axial and oblique astigmatism of the whole eye is less than for the cornea alone, indicating a compensatory role for internal optics at all accommodative states. This compensation mechanism was further validated theoretically with schematic eye model. Lastly, we developed a hybrid method yielding customized eye models that accurately reproduce the empirical measurements and reasonably represent the anatomical structure, thus providing a mechanistic explanation for the changes in the eye's aberration structure that occur over the central

Nasal Glial Heterotopia with Cleft Palate.

PubMed

Chandna, Sudhir; Mehta, Milind A; Kulkarni, Abhishek Kishore

2018-01-01

Congenital midline nasal masses are rare anomalies of which nasal glial heterotopia represents an even rarer subset. We report a case of a 25-day-old male child with nasal glial heterotopia along with cleft palate suggesting embryonic fusion anomaly which was treated with excision and primary closure for nasal mass followed by palatal repair at later date.

Natural course of visual field loss in patients with Type 2 Usher syndrome.

PubMed

Fishman, Gerald A; Bozbeyoglu, Simge; Massof, Robert W; Kimberling, William

2007-06-01

To evaluate the natural course of visual field loss in patients with Type 2 Usher syndrome and different patterns of visual field loss. Fifty-eight patients with Type 2 Usher syndrome who had at least three visual field measurements during a period of at least 3 years were studied. Kinetic visual fields measured on a standard calibrated Goldmann perimeter with II4e and V4e targets were analyzed. The visual field areas in both eyes were determined by planimetry with the use of a digitalizing tablet and computer software and expressed in square inches. The data for each visual field area measurement were transformed to a natural log unit. Using a mixed model regression analysis, values for the half-life of field loss (time during which half of the remaining field area is lost) were estimated. Three different patterns of visual field loss were identified, and the half-life time for each pattern of loss was calculated. Of the 58 patients, 11 were classified as having pattern type I, 12 with pattern type II, and 14 with pattern type III. Of 21 patients whose visual field loss was so advanced that they could not be classified, 15 showed only a small residual central field (Group A) and 6 showed a residual central field with a peripheral island (Group B). The average half-life times varied between 3.85 and 7.37 for the II4e test target and 4.59 to 6.42 for the V4e target. There was no statistically significant difference in the half-life times between the various patterns of field loss or for the test targets. The average half-life times for visual field loss in patients with Usher syndrome Type 2 were statistically similar among those patients with different patterns of visual field loss. These findings will be useful for counseling patients with Type 2 Usher syndrome as to their prognosis for anticipated visual field loss.

The relationship between the Nasality Severity Index 2.0 and perceptual judgments of hypernasality.

PubMed

Bettens, Kim; De Bodt, Marc; Maryn, Youri; Luyten, Anke; Wuyts, Floris L; Van Lierde, Kristiane M

2016-01-01

The Nasality Severity Index 2.0 (NSI 2.0) forms a new, multiparametric approach in the identification of hypernasality. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between the NSI 2.0 scores and the perceptual assessment of hypernasality. Speech samples of 35 patients, representing a range of nasality from normal to severely hypernasal, were rated by four expert speech-language pathologists using visual analogue scaling (VAS) judging the degree of hypernasality, audible nasal airflow (ANA) and speech intelligibility. Inter- and intra-listener reliability was verified using intraclass correlation coefficients. Correlations between NSI 2.0 scores and its parameters (i.e. nasalance score of an oral text and vowel /u/, voice low tone to high tone ratio of the vowel /i/) and the degree of hypernasality were determined using Pearson correlation coefficients. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the possible influence of ANA and speech intelligibility on the NSI 2.0 scores. Overall good to excellent inter- and intra-listener reliability was found for the perceptual ratings. A moderate, but significant negative correlation between NSI 2.0 scores and perceived hypernasality (r=-0.64) was found, in which a more negative NSI 2.0 score indicates the presence of more severe hypernasality. No significant influence of ANA or intelligibility on the NSI 2.0 was observed based on the regression analysis. Because the NSI 2.0 correlates significantly with perceived hypernasality, it provides an easy-to-interpret severity score of hypernasality which will facilitate the evaluation of therapy outcomes, communication to the patient and other clinicians, and decisions for treatment planning, based on a multiparametric approach. However, research is still necessary to further explore the instrumental correlates of perceived hypernasality. The reader will be able to (1) describe and discuss current issues and influencing variables regarding perceptual

Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy between Octopus 900 and Goldmann Kinetic Visual Fields

PubMed Central

Rowe, Fiona J.; Rowlands, Alison

2014-01-01

Purpose. To determine diagnostic accuracy of kinetic visual field assessment by Octopus 900 perimetry compared with Goldmann perimetry. Methods. Prospective cross section evaluation of 40 control subjects with full visual fields and 50 patients with known visual field loss. Comparison of test duration and area measurement of isopters for Octopus 3, 5, and 10°/sec stimulus speeds. Comparison of test duration and type of visual field classification for Octopus versus Goldmann perimetry. Results were independently graded for presence/absence of field defect and for type and location of defect. Statistical evaluation comprised of ANOVA and paired t test for evaluation of parametric data with Bonferroni adjustment. Bland Altman and Kappa tests were used for measurement of agreement between data. Results. Octopus 5°/sec perimetry had comparable test duration to Goldmann perimetry. Octopus perimetry reliably detected type and location of visual field loss with visual fields matched to Goldmann results in 88.8% of results (K = 0.775). Conclusions. Kinetic perimetry requires individual tailoring to ensure accuracy. Octopus perimetry was reproducible for presence/absence of visual field defect. Our screening protocol when using Octopus perimetry is 5°/sec for determining boundaries of peripheral isopters and 3°/sec for blind spot mapping with further evaluation of area of field loss for defect depth and size. PMID:24587983

[Hemangiopericytoma in nasal cavity: a case report].

PubMed

Hu, Honghai; Shi, Qifeng; Chen, Jidong

2015-05-01

We report a case of a 46 year old female patient with nasal hemangiopericytoma. She complained of left nasal congestion, pus snot for 10 years, sometimes with left nasal bleeding. Physical examination: in the left nasal tract saw red soft neoplasm, roughness surface, easy bleeding when touched. Sinus CT shows: bilateral maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus, sphenoid sinus and the left posterior nasal cavity lesions, considering inflammation with the formation of polyps, tumor not excluded. The left nasal cavity neoplasm biopsy shows: hemangioma of left nasal cavity. After admission in general anesthesia, we do transnasal endoscopic sinus openning operation and the left nasal cavity neoplasm resection. Postoperative pathological examination shows: the left nasal cavity hemangiopericytoma. Immunohistochemical showed: Vimentin(+), Smooth muscle actin(+), Desmin(-), endothelial cells CD31(-) and CD34(-). No postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy, no tumor recurrence. After one year of follow-up, the contact was lost.

Objective measurements for grading the nasal esthetics on Basal view in individuals with secondary cleft nasal deformity.

PubMed

He, Xing; Li, Hua; Shao, Yan; Shi, Bing

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study is to ascertain objective nasal measurements from the basal view that are predictive of nasal esthetics in individuals with secondary cleft nasal deformity. Thirty-three patients who had undergone unilateral cleft lip repair were retrospectively reviewed in this study. The degree of nasal deformity was subjectively ranked by seven surgeons using standardized basal-view measurements. Nine physical objective parameters including angles and ratios were measured. Correlations and regressions between these objective and subjective measurements were then analyzed. There was high concordance in subjective measurements by different surgeons (Kendall's harmonious coefficient = W = .825, P = .006). The strongest predictive factors for nasal aesthetics were the ratio of length of nasal alar (r = .370, P = .034) and the degree of deviation of the columnar axis (r = .451, P = .008). The columellar angle had a more powerful effect in rating nasal esthetics. There was reliable concordance in subjective ranking of nasal esthetics by surgeons. Measurement of the columnar angle may serve as an independent, objective predictor of esthetics of the nose.

Delayed visual maturation in infants: a disorder of figure-ground separation?

PubMed

Harris, C M; Kriss, A; Shawkat, F; Taylor, D; Russell-Eggitt, I

1996-01-01

Delayed visual maturation (DVM) is characterised by visual unresponsiveness in early infancy, which subsequently improves spontaneously to normal levels. We studied the optokinetic response and recorded pattern reversal VEPs in six infants with DVM (aged 2-4 months) when they were at the stage of complete visual unresponsiveness. Although no saccades or visual tracking with the eyes or head could be elicited to visual objects, a normal full-field rapid buildup OKN response occurred when viewing biocularly or during monocular stimulation in the temporo-nasal direction of the viewing eye. Almost no monocular OKN could be elicited in the naso-temporal direction, which was significantly poorer than normal age-matched infants. No OKN quick phases were missed, and there were no other signs of "ocular motor apraxia." VEPs were normal in amplitude and latency for age. It appears, therefore, that infants with DVM are delayed in orienting to local regions of the visual field, but can respond to full-field motion. The presence of normal OKN quick-phases and slow-phases suggests normal brain stem function, and the presence of normal pattern VEPs suggests a normal retino-geniculo-striate pathway. These oculomotor and electrophysiological findings suggest delayed development of extra-striate cortical structures, possibly involving either an abnormality in figure-ground segregation or in attentional pathways.

Nasal mucosal gene expression in patients with allergic rhinitis with and without nasal polyps.

PubMed

Fritz, Stephen B; Terrell, Jeffrey E; Conner, Edward R; Kukowska-Latallo, Jolanta F; Baker, James R

2003-12-01

Nasal polyps are a common problem that is difficult to diagnose and treat, in part because the cause of nasal polyposis is unknown. Although information on the pathogenesis of polyposis is lacking, there are reports suggesting that a genetic predisposition underlies this disorder. We sought to better understand the basis of nasal polyposis associated with allergic rhinitis. We hypothesize that the expression of unique genes is associated with the nasal polyposis phenotype. We examined 12000 human genes transcribed in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis with and without nasal polyps. Biopsy specimens of the mucosa of patients with and without polyps were obtained after the patients refrained from the use of topical or systemic steroid therapy for 2 weeks. Thirty-four genes were differentially expressed between the patient groups, including those for inflammatory molecules and putative growth factors. The greatest differential expression identified by the array analysis was for a group of genes associated with neoplasia, including mammaglobin, a gene transcribed 12-fold higher in patients with polyps compared with control patients with rhinitis alone. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed this differential expression and documented that the number of mammaglobin mRNA copies is actually 64-fold greater in tissues of patients with polyps versus control patients. The specificity of mammaglobin protein expression was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry, which showed specific staining in nasal polyp mucosal goblet cells only in patients with polyps. These data suggest that nasal polyposis involves deregulated cell growth, using gene activation in some ways similar to a neoplasm. In addition, mammaglobin, a gene of unknown function associated with breast neoplasia, might be related to polyp growth.

Eccentric correction for off-axis vision in central visual field loss.

PubMed

Gustafsson, Jörgen; Unsbo, Peter

2003-07-01

Subjects with absolute central visual field loss use eccentric fixation and magnifying devices to utilize their residual vision. This preliminary study investigated the importance of an accurate eccentric correction of off-axis refractive errors to optimize the residual visual function for these subjects. Photorefraction using the PowerRefractor instrument was used to evaluate the ametropia in eccentric fixation angles. Methods were adapted for measuring visual acuity outside the macula using filtered optotypes from high-pass resolution perimetry. Optical corrections were implemented, and the visual function of subjects with central visual field loss was measured with and without eccentric correction. Of the seven cases reported, five experienced an improvement in visual function in their preferred retinal locus with eccentric refraction. The main result was that optical correction for better image quality on the peripheral retina is important for the vision of subjects with central visual field loss, objectively as well as subjectively.

Health risks associated with inhaled nasal toxicants.

PubMed

Feron, V J; Arts, J H; Kuper, C F; Slootweg, P J; Woutersen, R A

2001-05-01

Health risks of inhaled nasal toxicants were reviewed with emphasis on chemically induced nasal lesions in humans, sensory irritation, olfactory and trigeminal nerve toxicity, nasal immunopathology and carcinogenesis, nasal responses to chemical mixtures, in vitro models, and nasal dosimetry- and metabolism-based extrapolation of nasal data in animals to humans. Conspicuous findings in humans are the effects of outdoor air pollution on the nasal mucosa, and tobacco smoking as a risk factor for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma. Objective methods in humans to discriminate between sensory irritation and olfactory stimulation and between adaptation and habituation have been introduced successfully, providing more relevant information than sensory irritation studies in animals. Against the background of chemoperception as a dominant window of the brain on the outside world, nasal neurotoxicology is rapidly developing, focusing on olfactory and trigeminal nerve toxicity. Better insight in the processes underlying neurogenic inflammation may increase our knowledge of the causes of the various chemical sensitivity syndromes. Nasal immunotoxicology is extremely complex, which is mainly due to the pivotal role of nasal lymphoid tissue in the defense of the middle ear, eye, and oral cavity against antigenic substances, and the important function of the nasal passages in brain drainage in rats. The crucial role of tissue damage and reactive epithelial hyperproliferation in nasal carcinogenesis has become overwhelmingly clear as demonstrated by the recently developed biologically based model for predicting formaldehyde nasal cancer risk in humans. The evidence of carcinogenicity of inhaled complex mixtures in experimental animals is very limited, while there is ample evidence that occupational exposure to mixtures such as wood, leather, or textile dust or chromium- and nickel-containing materials is associated with increased risk of nasal cancer. It is remarkable that these

Nasal packing and stenting

PubMed Central

Weber, Rainer K.

2011-01-01

Nasal packs are indispensable in ENT practice. This study reviews current indications, effectiveness and risks of nasal packs and stents. In endoscopic surgery, nasal packs should always have smooth surfaces to minimize mucosal damage, improve wound healing and increase patient comfort. Functional endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery allows the use of modern nasal packs, since pressure is no longer required. So called hemostatic/resorbable materials are a first step in this direction. However, they may lead to adhesions and foreign body reactions in mucosal membranes. Simple occlusion is an effective method for creating a moist milieu for improved wound healing and avoiding dryness. Stenting of the frontal sinus is recommended if surgery fails to produce a wide, physiologically shaped drainage path that is sufficiently covered by intact tissue. PMID:22073095

Appraisal of transverse nasal groove: a study.

PubMed

Sathyanarayana, Belagola D; Basavaraj, Halevoor B; Nischal, Kuchangi C; Swaroop, Mukunda R; Umashankar, Puttagangu N; Agrawal, Dhruv P; Swamy, Suchetha S; Okram, Sarda

2012-01-01

Transverse nasal groove is a condition of cosmetic concern which awaits due recognition and has been widely described as a shallow groove that extends transversely over the dorsum of nose. However, we observed variations in the clinical presentations of this entity, hitherto undescribed in literature. We conducted a clinicoepidemiological study of transverse nasal lesions in patients attending our outpatient department. We conducted a prospective observational study. We screened all patients attending our out-patient department for presence of transverse nasal lesions, signs of any dermatosis and associated other skin conditions. One hundred patients were recruited in the study. Females (80%) predominated over males. Most patients were of 15-45 years age group (70%). Majority of the transverse nasal lesions were classical transverse nasal groove (39%) and others included transverse nasal line (28%), strip (28%), ridge (4%) and loop (1%). Seborrhoeic diathesis was the most common condition associated with transverse nasal lesion. Occurrence of transverse nasal line, strip, ridge and loop, in addition to classical transverse nasal groove implies that latter is actually a subset of transverse nasal lesions. Common association of this entity with seborrheic dermatitis, seborrhea and dandruff raises a possibility of whether transverse nasal lesion is a manifestation of seborrheic diathesis.

Phaeohyphomycosis of the nasal sinuses caused by a new species of Exserohilum.

PubMed Central

Padhye, A A; Ajello, L; Wieden, M A; Steinbronn, K K

1986-01-01

A 27-year-old man with a 6-year history of allergies developed nasal polyps that occluded his nose and prevented visual examination beyond the nasal vestibules. Histological examination of the polyps and bony tissue revealed septate, dematiaceous hyphae invading the bone trabeculae. A dematiaceous fungus was isolated in pure culture from the diseased tissue. Detailed mycological examination of the isolate showed that it produced numerous, distinctive poroconidia from erect, geniculate, sympodial conidiophores. The conidia were straight and cylindroellipsoidal, had 8 to 13 distosepta, and had protruding hila. The outer cell walls of the conidia, which were initially smooth, became unevenly roughened on aging. Comparison with other Exserohilum species revealed that the isolate represented an undescribed species; it is named Exserohilum mcginnisii sp. nov. Images PMID:3745422

Nasal budesonide offers superior symptom relief in perennial allergic rhinitis in comparison to nasal azelastine.

PubMed

Stern, M A; Wade, A G; Ridout, S M; Cambell, L M

1998-10-01

Allergic rhinitis is usually treated with oral antihistamines or nasal steroids. Topically active nasal antihistamine is a new treatment modality for allergic rhinitis. The efficacy in comparison to well established topical treatment alternatives is not fully known. To compare the efficacy of intranasally administered azelastine to budesonide, at their respectively recommended dosage, on the symptoms of perennial rhinitis patients. A placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel group study was conducted to compare the efficacy and tolerability of intranasal budesonide aqueous suspension (256 microg once daily) with azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray (280 microg twice daily (560 microg/day)) and with placebo in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. The 195 patients (with at least a 2-year history of perennial allergic rhinitis) recorded individual nasal symptom scores, the degree of symptom control achieved and any adverse events experienced over a 2-week baseline period and a 6-week treatment period. Following treatment, the reductions in mean combined and individual nasal symptom scores from baseline values were significantly greater in the budesonide group compared with the placebo group (P < .0001 for all variables except runny nose P = .01). In patients treated with budesonide, there were also significantly larger reductions from baseline values in combined nasal symptom scores (P < .01) and in scores for all individual nasal symptoms (P < or = .05) compared with those treated with azelastine. The reductions from baseline in both combined and individual nasal symptom scores did not differ between azelastine and placebo. The study medications were well tolerated, producing no unexpected or serious treatment-related adverse events. A once-daily dose of 256 microg of intranasal budesonide aqueous suspension is significantly more effective at relieving the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis compared with a twice daily dose of 280 microg of azelastine

Dioptric defocus maps across the visual field for different indoor environments.

PubMed

García, Miguel García; Ohlendorf, Arne; Schaeffel, Frank; Wahl, Siegfried

2018-01-01

One of the factors proposed to regulate the eye growth is the error signal derived from the defocus in the retina and actually, this might arise from defocus not only in the fovea but the whole visual field. Therefore, myopia could be better predicted by spatio-temporally mapping the 'environmental defocus' over the visual field. At present, no devices are available that could provide this information. A 'Kinect sensor v1' camera (Microsoft Corp.) and a portable eye tracker were used for developing a system for quantifying 'indoor defocus error signals' across the central 58° of the visual field. Dioptric differences relative to the fovea (assumed to be in focus) were recorded over the visual field and 'defocus maps' were generated for various scenes and tasks.

Nasal symptoms following endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: assessment using the General Nasal Patient Inventory.

PubMed

Wang, Yi Yuen; Srirathan, Vinothan; Tirr, Erica; Kearney, Tara; Gnanalingham, Kanna K

2011-04-01

The endoscopic approach for pituitary tumors is a recent innovation and is said to reduce the nasal trauma associated with transnasal transsphenoidal surgery. The authors assessed the temporal changes in the rhinological symptoms following endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary lesions, using the General Nasal Patient Inventory (GNPI). The GNPI was administered to 88 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery at 3 time points (presurgery, 3-6 months postsurgery, and at final follow-up). The total GNPI score and the scores for the individual GNPI questions were calculated and differences between groups were assessed once before surgery, several months after surgery, and at final follow-up. Of a maximum possible score of 135, the mean GNPI score at 3-6 months postsurgery was only 12.9 ± 12 and was not significantly different from the preoperative score (10.4 ± 13) or final follow-up score (10.3 ± 10). Patients with functioning tumors had higher GNPI scores than those with nonfunctioning tumors for each of these time points (p < 0.05). Individually, a mild increase in symptom severity was seen for symptoms attributable to the nasal trauma of surgery, with partial recovery (nasal sores and bleeding) or complete recovery (nasal blockage, painful sinuses, and unpleasant nasal smell) by final follow-up (p < 0.05). Progressive improvements in symptom severity were seen for symptoms more attributable to tumor mass preoperatively (for example, headaches and painkiller use [p < 0.05]). In total, by final follow-up 8 patients (9%) required further treatment or advice for ongoing nasal symptoms. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is a well-tolerated minimally invasive procedure for pituitary fossa lesions. Overall patient-assessed nasal symptoms do not change, but some individual symptoms may show a mild worsening or overall improvement.

The Effect of Nasal Functions on the Integrity of Grafts after Myringoplasty

PubMed Central

Eser, Başak Çaypınar; Yılmaz, Aslı Şahin; Toros, Sema Zer; Oysu, Çağatay

2017-01-01

Objective We aimed to evaluate the effects of nasal functions for the integrity of grafts after myringoplasty. Methods In our study 78 patients who underwent myringoplasty operation between 2011–2013 were included. Group I was defined as the group with an intact tympanic membrane following surgery. Group II was defined as the group with a tympanic membrane perforation following surgery. Group I consisted of 44 and Group II consisted of 34 patients. Subjective and objective measurements of nasal functions, Eustachian tube function (ETF), and allergic status were performed using nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale, visual analog scale (VAS), and the score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaires and acoustic rhinometry and saccharin test. It was investigated whether there was any difference between these two groups in terms of these parameters. Results There was statistically no significant difference between groups according to the age, sex and the presence of tubal dysfunction and allergic rhinitis (p>0.05). In the group of intact tympanic membranes, the likelihood of right ear being the operated one was significantly higher compared to the group of myringoplasty failures (p=0.037). The VAS and NOSE scales did not show any significant difference between groups in terms of successful outcome of myringoplasty (p>0.05). The nasal congestion index (NCI) and the mucociliary clearance (MCC) did not show any significant difference between groups in terms of successful outcome of myringoplasty (p>0.05). Conclusion This study has shown that nasal functions measured by objective and subjective methods had no effects on the success of myringoplasty. PMID:29515926

The Effect of Nasal Functions on the Integrity of Grafts after Myringoplasty.

PubMed

Eser, Başak Çaypınar; Yılmaz, Aslı Şahin; Önder, Serap Şahin; Toros, Sema Zer; Oysu, Çağatay

2017-12-01

We aimed to evaluate the effects of nasal functions for the integrity of grafts after myringoplasty. In our study 78 patients who underwent myringoplasty operation between 2011-2013 were included. Group I was defined as the group with an intact tympanic membrane following surgery. Group II was defined as the group with a tympanic membrane perforation following surgery. Group I consisted of 44 and Group II consisted of 34 patients. Subjective and objective measurements of nasal functions, Eustachian tube function (ETF), and allergic status were performed using nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale, visual analog scale (VAS), and the score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaires and acoustic rhinometry and saccharin test. It was investigated whether there was any difference between these two groups in terms of these parameters. There was statistically no significant difference between groups according to the age, sex and the presence of tubal dysfunction and allergic rhinitis (p>0.05). In the group of intact tympanic membranes, the likelihood of right ear being the operated one was significantly higher compared to the group of myringoplasty failures (p=0.037). The VAS and NOSE scales did not show any significant difference between groups in terms of successful outcome of myringoplasty (p>0.05). The nasal congestion index (NCI) and the mucociliary clearance (MCC) did not show any significant difference between groups in terms of successful outcome of myringoplasty (p>0.05). This study has shown that nasal functions measured by objective and subjective methods had no effects on the success of myringoplasty.

Use of optical coherence tomography to evaluate visual acuity and visual field changes in dengue fever.

PubMed

Rhee, Taek Kwan; Han, Jung Il

2014-02-01

Dengue fever is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes and affects humans. In rare cases, dengue fever can cause visual impairment, which usually occurs within 1 month after contracting dengue fever and ranges from mild blurring of vision to severe blindness. Visual impairment due to dengue fever can be detected through angiography, retinography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, electroretinography, event electroencephalography (visually evoked potentials), and visual field analysis. The purpose of this study is to report changes in the eye captured using fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green, and OCT in 3 cases of dengue fever visual impairment associated with consistent visual symptoms and similar retinochoroidopathic changes. The OCT results of the three patients with dengue fever showed thinning of the outer retinal layer and disruption of the inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction. While thinning of the retina outer layer is an irreversible process, disruption of IS/OS junction is reported to be reversible. Follow-up examination of individuals with dengue fever and associated visual impairment should involve the use of OCT to evaluate visual acuity and visual field changes in patients with acute choroidal ischemia.

Useful visual field in patients with schizophrenia: a choice reaction time study.

PubMed

Matsuda, Yukihisa; Matsui, Mie; Tonoya, Yasuhiro; Ebihara, Naokuni; Kurachi, Masayoshi

2011-04-01

This study examined the size of the useful visual field in patients (9 men, 6 women) with schizophrenia. A choice reaction task was conducted, and performances at 2.5, 5, 7, 10, and 25 degrees in both visual fields were measured. Three key findings were shown. First, patients had slower choice reaction times (choice RTs) than normal controls. Second, patients had slower choice RTs in the right visual field than in the left visual field. Third, patients and normal controls showed the same U-shaped choice RT pattern. The first and second findings were consistent with those of other studies. The third finding was a clear indication of the patients' performance in peripheral vision, and a comparison with normal controls suggested that there was no difference in the size of the useful visual field, at least within

Adjuncts to Improve Nasal Reconstruction Results.

PubMed

Gordon, Shayna Lee; Hurst, Eva A

2017-02-01

The final cosmetic appearance of nasal reconstruction scars is of paramount importance to both the patient and surgeon. Ideal postreconstruction nasal scars are flat and indistinguishable from surrounding skin. Unfortunately, even with meticulous surgical execution, nasal scars can occasionally be suboptimal. Abnormal fibroblast response can lead to hypertrophic nasal scars, and excessive angiogenesis may lead to telangiectasias or an erythematous scar. Imperfect surgical closure or poor postoperative management can lead to surgical outcomes with step-offs, depressions, suture marks, or dyspigmentation. Aesthetically unacceptable nasal scars can cause pruritus, tenderness, pain, sleep disturbance, and anxiety and depression in postsurgical patients. Fortunately, there are several minimally invasive or noninvasive techniques that allow for enhancement and improvement of cosmetic results with minimal risk and associated downtime. This article provides an overview of adjuncts to improve nasal reconstruction with a focus on techniques to be used in the postoperative period. Armed with an understanding of relevant available therapies, skillful surgeons may drastically improve the final cosmesis and outcome of nasal reconstruction scars. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Presurgical Nasal Molding With a Nasal Spring in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Nasal Deformity With Incomplete Unilateral Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate.

PubMed

Peanchitlertkajorn, Supakit

2018-01-01

Traditional nasoalveolar molding (NAM) requires steep learning curve for clinicians and significant compliance from parents. Nasal springs have been developed by the author to simplify presurgical nasal molding. This article presents the design, construction, and application of the spring. The treatment goal is to improve nasal deformity prior to primary repair in infants born with incomplete unilateral cleft lip with or without cleft palate. The design, fabrication, and utility of the nasal spring are described. The spring has a simpler design and construction compared to a traditional NAM appliance. Two patients with incomplete unilateral cleft lip with and without cleft palate are presented. The spring is constructed and delivered. The active arm of the spring can be 3-dimensionally (3-D) adjusted to mold the alar cartilage of the affected nostril. The spring does not require an oral plate for adherence as a traditional NAM appliance does, hence an oral impression is not needed. The spring is easy for clinicians to adjust. It also requires less compliance by parents. Main Outcome Measures/Results: The presurgical molding achieved by the use of a nasal spring improved surgical nasolabial aesthetic outcomes. The nasal springs are effective in reducing the initial cleft nasal deformity. This facilitates primary surgical cleft lip and nose correction and improves surgical outcomes in patients with incomplete unilateral cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

Management of Intractable Nasal Hyperreactivity by Selective Resection of Posterior Nasal Nerve Branches

PubMed Central

Takahara, Daisuke; Hamamoto, Takao; Ishino, Takashi; Hirakawa, Katsuhiro

2017-01-01

The posterior nasal nerves emerge from the sphenopalatine foramen and contain sensory and autonomic nerve components. Posterior nasal neurectomy is an effective method to remove pathological neural networks surrounding the inferior turbinate that cause unregulated nasal hypersensitivity with excess secretion in patients with severe allergic rhinitis (AR). We describe the sophisticated endoscopic surgical procedure that allows feasible access to the confined area and selective resection of the nerve branches with the preservation of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA). We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 23 symptomatic severe AR patients who failed to respond to standard medical treatment and underwent surgery. There have been no major complications after surgery including nasal bleeding or transient numbness of the upper teeth. The mean total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) were decreased by 70.2% at 12 months after the procedure. Our comparison of the clinical effectiveness based on the number of severed nerve branches revealed that the improvement of the TNSS was significantly higher in patients with >2 branches. We conclude that this minimally invasive technique that preserves the SPA is clinically useful and decreases the rate of postoperative complications. This trial is registered with UMIN000029025. PMID:29379524

Management of Intractable Nasal Hyperreactivity by Selective Resection of Posterior Nasal Nerve Branches.

PubMed

Takahara, Daisuke; Takeno, Sachio; Hamamoto, Takao; Ishino, Takashi; Hirakawa, Katsuhiro

2017-01-01

The posterior nasal nerves emerge from the sphenopalatine foramen and contain sensory and autonomic nerve components. Posterior nasal neurectomy is an effective method to remove pathological neural networks surrounding the inferior turbinate that cause unregulated nasal hypersensitivity with excess secretion in patients with severe allergic rhinitis (AR). We describe the sophisticated endoscopic surgical procedure that allows feasible access to the confined area and selective resection of the nerve branches with the preservation of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA). We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 23 symptomatic severe AR patients who failed to respond to standard medical treatment and underwent surgery. There have been no major complications after surgery including nasal bleeding or transient numbness of the upper teeth. The mean total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) were decreased by 70.2% at 12 months after the procedure. Our comparison of the clinical effectiveness based on the number of severed nerve branches revealed that the improvement of the TNSS was significantly higher in patients with >2 branches. We conclude that this minimally invasive technique that preserves the SPA is clinically useful and decreases the rate of postoperative complications. This trial is registered with UMIN000029025.

Dioptric defocus maps across the visual field for different indoor environments

PubMed Central

García, Miguel García; Ohlendorf, Arne; Schaeffel, Frank; Wahl, Siegfried

2017-01-01

One of the factors proposed to regulate the eye growth is the error signal derived from the defocus in the retina and actually, this might arise from defocus not only in the fovea but the whole visual field. Therefore, myopia could be better predicted by spatio-temporally mapping the ‘environmental defocus’ over the visual field. At present, no devices are available that could provide this information. A ‘Kinect sensor v1’ camera (Microsoft Corp.) and a portable eye tracker were used for developing a system for quantifying ‘indoor defocus error signals’ across the central 58° of the visual field. Dioptric differences relative to the fovea (assumed to be in focus) were recorded over the visual field and ‘defocus maps’ were generated for various scenes and tasks. PMID:29359108

[Disturbances of nasal aerodynamics in patients with the curved nasal septum and the rationale for its surgical correction].

PubMed

Tulebaev, R K; Mustafin, A A; Zholdybaeva, Z T

2011-01-01

Serious disturbances of nasal aerodynamics contribute to the development of diseases of the broncho-pulmonary apparatus. The early recognition of ventilation problems in patients with the curved nasal septum is paramount for the efficacious prevention and treatment of respiratory complications. The authors describe principles of rhinosurgical correction of affected nasal aerodynamics in patients with the curved nasal septum.

Action video game players and deaf observers have larger Goldmann visual fields.

PubMed

Buckley, David; Codina, Charlotte; Bhardwaj, Palvi; Pascalis, Olivier

2010-03-05

We used Goldmann kinetic perimetry to compare how training and congenital auditory deprivation may affect the size of the visual field. We measured the ability of action video game players and deaf observers to detect small moving lights at various locations in the central (around 30 degrees from fixation) and peripheral (around 60 degrees ) visual fields. Experiment 1 found that 10 habitual video game players showed significantly larger central and peripheral field areas than 10 controls. In Experiment 2 we found that 13 congenitally deaf observers had significantly larger visual fields than 13 hearing controls for both the peripheral and central fields. Here the greatest differences were found in the lower parts of the fields. Comparison of the two groups showed that whereas VGP players have a more uniform increase in field size in both central and peripheral fields deaf observers show non-uniform increases with greatest increases in lower parts of the visual field.

[Diagnostic difficulties in a case of constricted tubular visual field].

PubMed

Dogaru, Oana-Mihaela; Rusu, Monica; Hâncu, Dacia; Horvath, Kárin

2013-01-01

In the paper below we present the clinical case of a 48 year old female with various symptoms associated with functional visual disturbance -constricted tubular visual fields, wich lasts from 6 years; the extensive clinical and paraclinical ophthalmological investigations ruled out the presence of an organic disorder. In the present, we suspect a diagnosis of hysteria, still uncertain, wich represented over time a big challenge in psychology and ophthalmology. The mechanisms and reasons for hysteria are still not clear and it could represent a fascinating research theme. The tunnel, spiral or star-shaped visual fields are specific findings in hysteria for patients who present visual disturbance. The question of whether or not a patient with hysterical visual impairment can or cannot "see" is still unresolved.

A Nasal Epithelial Receptor for Staphylococcus aureus WTA Governs Adhesion to Epithelial Cells and Modulates Nasal Colonization

PubMed Central

Faulstich, Manuela; Grau, Timo; Severin, Yannik; Unger, Clemens; Hoffmann, Wolfgang H.; Rudel, Thomas; Autenrieth, Ingo B.; Weidenmaier, Christopher

2014-01-01

Nasal colonization is a major risk factor for S. aureus infections. The mechanisms responsible for colonization are still not well understood and involve several factors on the host and the bacterial side. One key factor is the cell wall teichoic acid (WTA) of S. aureus, which governs direct interactions with nasal epithelial surfaces. We report here the first receptor for the cell wall glycopolymer WTA on nasal epithelial cells. In several assay systems this type F-scavenger receptor, termed SREC-I, bound WTA in a charge dependent manner and mediated adhesion to nasal epithelial cells in vitro. The impact of WTA and SREC-I interaction on epithelial adhesion was especially pronounced under shear stress, which resembles the conditions found in the nasal cavity. Most importantly, we demonstrate here a key role of the WTA-receptor interaction in a cotton rat model of nasal colonization. When we inhibited WTA mediated adhesion with a SREC-I antibody, nasal colonization in the animal model was strongly reduced at the early onset of colonization. More importantly, colonization stayed low over an extended period of 6 days. Therefore we propose targeting of this glycopolymer-receptor interaction as a novel strategy to prevent or control S. aureus nasal colonization. PMID:24788600

Radiofrequency turbinate volume reduction vs. radiofrequency-assisted turbinectomy for nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

PubMed

Kumar, Saumitra; Anand, Trivender Singh; Pal, Indranil

2017-02-01

Radiofrequency procedures are a well-accepted treatment for nasal obstruction. We conducted a randomized, noncontrolled study to compare the effectiveness of submucosal bipolar radiofrequency turbinate volume reduction (RFTVR) and bipolar radiofrequency-assisted turbinectomy (RFaT) in patients presenting with nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. A total of 30 patients-15 males and 15 females, aged 15 to 60 years (mean: 32)-were randomly divided into one of the two homogeneous treatment groups. Outcomes were determined by comparisons of subjective symptom scores on a visual analog scale and by anterior active rhinomanometry at postoperative days 7, 14, and 28 and again at 6 months postoperatively. Both groups demonstrated significant and similar improvements in nasal airway function both subjectively and objectively. However, we noted that the incidence of adverse effects and postoperative morbidity was higher in the RFaT group. Therefore, we conclude that when surgery is indicated, RFTVR is the preferred treatment for nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. RFaT is equally effective, but it is associated with a slightly higher incidence of adverse effects.

Angioleiomyosarcoma in the Nasal Vestibule of a Dog: Surgical Excision via a Modified Lateral Approach.

PubMed

McGhie, Jayne A; FitzGerald, Louise; Hosgood, Giselle

2015-01-01

This case report describes an 11 yr old spayed female German shepherd dog weighing 42 kg that presented with intermittent epistaxis from the left nostril. A nonulcerated pale irregular polypoid mass was visualized within the left nares. Computed tomography revealed a pedunculated mass arising from the ventrolateral nasal mucosal of the left nasal cavity with no evidence of involvement or invasion of adjacent soft tissues or bony structures. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of rhinoscopic biopsies returned a diagnosis of an angioleiomyosarcoma. The mass was excised using a modified lateral approach to the nasal cavity. Fulguration of the wound bed was performed. Clean surgical margins were identified on histopathology. The dog remained clinically free of recurrence 28 mo postsurgically. Angioleiomyosarcomas are rare tumors originating from the smooth muscle cells of blood vessel walls and are included in the spectrum of perivascular wall tumor, a subgroup of soft-tissue sarcomas.

Oxymetazoline plus dexpanthenol in nasal congestion.

PubMed

Jagade, Mohan V; Langade, Deepak G; Pophale, Rupesh R; Prabhu, Arun

2008-12-01

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of Oxymetazoline 0.05 % plus Dexpanthanol 5% versus Xylometazoline 0.1 % nasal drops in patients with nasal congestion due to allergic rhinitis and following nasal surgery. An investigator-blind, randomized, controlled, phase IV clinical trial conducted in 100 patients with acute allergic rhinitis or patients post-nasal surgery. Patients received either Oxymetazoline 0.05% with Dexpanthanol 5% (OD) or Xylometazoline 0.1% (XO) nasal drops. Relief from nasal congestion was significantly better in the OD group then in the XO group (mean nasal scores 1.24 vs 1.86). Significantly more improvement in sneezing and decrease in nasal discharge was seen in the OD group than the XO group. Nasal irritation in the OD group was significantly less as compared to XO group (0.38 v/s 1.12 on second day and 0.10 vs 0.36 on the fourth day). The recovery time for OD group was 1.08 hours, which was significantly (46 min) lesser than that of the XO group. Rebound congestion was significantly less in OD as compared to XO group (6.25% vs 82.98%). 93.75% of the physicians in the OD group and 51.28% in XO group reported response to therapy as good to excellent. 95.83% patients in the OD group and only 52.91% patients in the XO group rated tolerability to therapy as good to excellent. Oxymetazoline and dexpanthenol combination has a better efficacy, shorter recovery time, causes lesser rebound congestion and has better tolerability than xylometazoline.

The effect of prilocaine and prilocaine plus meperidine infiltration on the pain during nasal packing removal.

PubMed

Karaaslan, Kazim; Yilmaz, Fahrettin; Gulcu, Nebahat; Yigit, Beyhan; Kocoglu, Hasan

2007-12-01

Removing the nasal packing after nasal surgery is an uncomfortable and painful procedure. Since there is no controlled trial described in the literature about the local use of meperidine during packing removal, we aimed to compare the analgesic and sedative effects of the meperidine-prilocaine combination, injected into the packing 15 minutes before the procedure, with that of prilocaine during packing removal. Fifty adult patients, for whom nasal packing removal after nasal septoplasty was scheduled, were randomly allocated into one of two groups. In the prilocaine group (Group P, n = 25), 5 ml of 1% prilocaine in saline was injected into the pack 15 minutes before removal. In the prilocaine-meperidine group (Group MP, n = 25), 5 ml fluid combination containing prilocaine (10 mg/ml) and meperidine (1 mg/kg) was injected in nasal packs. Five ml saline was injected into the package in the contra-lateral nostril in both groups as control. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was recorded during injections (t) and packing removal (t), and the Ramsay sedation score was evaluated. VAS score was not different from the control nostril in Group P (p > 0.05), where as it was significantly lower than the control nostril in Group MP (p < 0.05). Ramsay sedation scores were significantly higher in Group MP compared to the control nostril and actively treated nostril of Group P (p < 0.05). The injection of prilocaine plus meperidine into the nasal pack 15 minutes before nasal packing removal provides effective analgesia and mild sedation during the procedure.

Nasal dermoid sinus cyst.

PubMed

Cauchois, R; Laccourreye, O; Bremond, D; Testud, R; Küffer, R; Monteil, J P

1994-08-01

Nasal dermoid sinus cyst is one of the diagnoses of midline nasal masses in children. This retrospective study analyzes the various theories regarding the origin of this congenital abnormality, the differential diagnosis, and the value of magnetic resonance imaging, as well as the various surgical options available.

Three-dimensional imaging in degraded visual field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oran, A.; Ozharar, S.; Ozdur, I.

2016-04-01

Imaging at degraded visual environments is one of the biggest challenges in today’s imaging technologies. Especially military and commercial rotary wing aviation is suffering from impaired visual field in sandy, dusty, marine and snowy environments. For example during landing the rotor churns up the particles and creates dense clouds of highly scattering medium, which limits the vision of the pilot and may result in an uncontrolled landing. The vision in such environments is limited because of the high ratio of scattered photons over the ballistic photons which have the image information. We propose to use optical spatial filtering (OSF) method in order to eliminate the scattered photons and only collect the ballistic photons at the receiver. OSF is widely used in microscopy, to the best of our knowledge this will be the first application of OSF for macroscopic imaging. Our experimental results show that most of the scattered photons are eliminated using the spatial filtering in a highly scattering impaired visual field. The results are compared with a standard broad area photo detector which shows the effectiveness of spatial filtering.

Slow changing postural cues cancel visual field dependence on self-tilt detection.

PubMed

Scotto Di Cesare, C; Macaluso, T; Mestre, D R; Bringoux, L

2015-01-01

Interindividual differences influence the multisensory integration process involved in spatial perception. Here, we assessed the effect of visual field dependence on self-tilt detection relative to upright, as a function of static vs. slow changing visual or postural cues. To that aim, we manipulated slow rotations (i.e., 0.05° s(-1)) of the body and/or the visual scene in pitch. Participants had to indicate whether they felt being tilted forward at successive angles. Results show that thresholds for self-tilt detection substantially differed between visual field dependent/independent subjects, when only the visual scene was rotated. This difference was no longer present when the body was actually rotated, whatever the visual scene condition (i.e., absent, static or rotated relative to the observer). These results suggest that the cancellation of visual field dependence by dynamic postural cues may rely on a multisensory reweighting process, where slow changing vestibular/somatosensory inputs may prevail over visual inputs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Speech rate reduction and "nasality" in normal speakers.

PubMed

Brancewicz, T M; Reich, A R

1989-12-01

This study explored the effects of reduced speech rate on nasal/voice accelerometric measures and nasality ratings. Nasal/voice accelerometric measures were obtained from normal adults for various speech stimuli and speaking rates. Stimuli included three sentences (one obstruent-loaded, one semivowel-loaded, and one containing a single nasal), and /pv/ syllable trains.. Speakers read the stimuli at their normal rate, half their normal rate, and as slowly as possible. In addition, a computer program paced each speaker at rates of 1, 2, and 3 syllables per second. The nasal/voice accelerometric values revealed significant stimulus effects but no rate effects. The nasality ratings of experienced listeners, evaluated as a function of stimulus and speaking rate, were compared to the accelerometric measures. The nasality scale values demonstrated small, but statistically significant, stimulus and rate effects. However, the nasality percepts were poorly correlated with the nasal/voice accelerometric measures.

The activity of N-acetyl-β-d-hexosaminidase A and B and β-glucuronidase in nasal polyps and hypertrophic nasal concha.

PubMed

Chojnowska, Sylwia; Minarowska, Alina; Waszkiewicz, Napoleon; Kępka, Alina; Zalewska-Szajda, Beata; Gościk, Elżbieta; Kowal, Krzysztof; Olszewska, Ewa; Konarzewska-Duchnowska, Emilia; Minarowski, Łukasz; Zwierz, Krzysztof; Ładny, Jerzy Robert; Szajda, Sławomir Dariusz

2014-01-01

Nasal polyps and hypertrophic lower nasal conchae are common disorders of nasal cavity. The majority of etiopathogenetic theories indicate inflammatory background of polyps and hypertrophic concha. N-acetyl-β-D-hexosaminidase and β-glucuronidase are lysosomal exoglycosidases revealing accelerated activity in inflammatory processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the catabolism of glycoconjugates in nasal polyps and hypertrophic nasal concha basing on the activity of N-acetyl-β-D-hexosaminidase (HEX) and β-glucuronidase (GLU). Material consisted of nasal polyps taken from 40 patients during polypectomy in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and hypertrophic lower nasal conchae taken from 20 patients during mucotomy. The activity of HEX, HEX A, HEX B and GLU in supernatant of homogenates of nasal polyps and hypertrophic lower nasal concha tissues has been estimated using colorimetric method. Statistically significant decrease has been observed in concentration of the activity (per 1mg of tissue) of HEX (p<0.05), HEX B (p<0.001) and specific activity (per 1mg of protein) of HEX B (p<0.001) in nasal polyps tissue in comparison to hypertrophic lower nasal conchae tissue. Decrease in the activity and specific activity concentration of the majority of examined lysosomal exoglycosidases (increasing in inflammations) in comparison to hypertrophic lower nasal conchae suggests electrolytes disorders and questions the inflammatory background of nasal polyps. Copyright © 2013 Polish Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.

Hemisphere-Dependent Attentional Modulation of Human Parietal Visual Field Representations

PubMed Central

Silver, Michael A.

2015-01-01

Posterior parietal cortex contains several areas defined by topographically organized maps of the contralateral visual field. However, recent studies suggest that ipsilateral stimuli can elicit larger responses in the right than left hemisphere within these areas, depending on task demands. Here we determined the effects of spatial attention on the set of visual field locations (the population receptive field [pRF]) that evoked a response for each voxel in human topographic parietal cortex. A two-dimensional Gaussian was used to model the pRF in each voxel, and we measured the effects of attention on not only the center (preferred visual field location) but also the size (visual field extent) of the pRF. In both hemispheres, larger pRFs were associated with attending to the mapping stimulus compared with attending to a central fixation point. In the left hemisphere, attending to the stimulus also resulted in more peripheral preferred locations of contralateral representations, compared with attending fixation. These effects of attention on both pRF size and preferred location preserved contralateral representations in the left hemisphere. In contrast, attentional modulation of pRF size but not preferred location significantly increased representation of the ipsilateral (right) visual hemifield in right parietal cortex. Thus, attention effects in topographic parietal cortex exhibit hemispheric asymmetries similar to those seen in hemispatial neglect. Our findings suggest potential mechanisms underlying the behavioral deficits associated with this disorder. PMID:25589746

Brief Communication: visual-field superiority as a function of stimulus type and content: further evidence.

PubMed

Basu, Anamitra; Mandal, Manas K

2004-07-01

The present study examined visual-field advantage as a function of presentation mode (unilateral, bilateral), stimulus structure (facial, lexical), and stimulus content (emotional, neutral). The experiment was conducted in a split visual-field paradigm using a JAVA-based computer program with recognition accuracy as the dependent measure. Unilaterally, rather than bilaterally, presented stimuli were significantly better recognized. Words were significantly better recognized than faces in the right visual-field; the difference was nonsignificant in the left visual-field. Emotional content elicited left visual-field and neutral content elicited right visual-field advantages. Copyright Taylor and Francis Inc.

Extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma of the palate and paranasal sinuses

PubMed Central

Nikolaos, Nikitakis; Grigorios, Polyzois; Konstantinos, Katoumas; Savvas, Titsinides; Vassiliki, Zolota; Alexandra, Sklavounou; Theodoros, Papadas

2012-01-01

Summary Background: Extranodal nasal-type natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma represents a rare entity, typically originating in the nasal cavity, palate or midfacial region. Signs and symptoms include non-specific rhinitis and/or sinusitis, nasal obstruction, epistaxis, facial swelling and development of deep necrotic ulceration in the midline of the palate, causing an oronasal defect. Differential diagnosis includes fungal infections, Wegener’s granulomatosis, tertiary syphilis, other non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and malignant epithelial midline tumors. Case Report: We present a case of a 40-year-old man complaining of headache, facial pain, nasal congestion and fever. Examination revealed a large deep necrotic ulcer in the middle of the palate, presenting as an oronasal defect. Endoscopic rhinoscopy revealed crusts in the nasal cavities, moderate perforation of the nasal septum cartilage and contraction of the middle and inferior conchae. Computer tomography showed occupation of the maxillary sinuses, ethmoidal cells and sphenoidal sinus by a hyperdense soft tissue mass. Laboratory investigation revealed increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A wide excision of the lesion was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation established the diagnosis of extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with CHOP chemotherapy, involved-field radiotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation. A removable partial denture with obturator was fabricated and inserted to relieve problems caused by the oronasal defect. Conclusions: Extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma is a very aggressive, rapidly progressing malignant neoplasm with a poor prognosis, which can be improved by early diagnosis and combined treatment. PMID:23569495

Effect of a patient training video on visual field test reliability

PubMed Central

Sherafat, H; Spry, P G D; Waldock, A; Sparrow, J M; Diamond, J P

2003-01-01

Aims: To evaluate the effect of a visual field test educational video on the reliability of the first automated visual field test of new patients. Methods: A prospective, randomised, controlled trial of an educational video on visual field test reliability of patients referred to the hospital eye service for suspected glaucoma was undertaken. Patients were randomised to either watch an educational video or a control group with no video. The video group was shown a 4.5 minute audiovisual presentation to familiarise them with the various aspects of visual field examination with particular emphasis on sources of unreliability. Reliability was determined using standard criteria of fixation loss rate less than 20%, false positive responses less than 33%, and false negative responses less than 33%. Results: 244 patients were recruited; 112 in the video group and 132 in the control group with no significant between group difference in age, sex, and density of field defects. A significant improvement in reliability (p=0.015) was observed in the group exposed to the video with 85 (75.9%) patients having reliable results compared to 81 (61.4%) in the control group. The difference was not significant for the right (first tested) eye with 93 (83.0%) of the visual fields reliable in the video group compared to 106 (80.0%) in the control group (p = 0.583), but was significant for the left (second tested) eye with 97 (86.6 %) of the video group reliable versus 97 (73.5%) of the control group (p = 0.011). Conclusions: The use of a brief, audiovisual patient information guide on taking the visual field test produced an improvement in patient reliability for individuals tested for the first time. In this trial the use of the video had most of its impact by reducing the number of unreliable fields from the second tested eye. PMID:12543740

Effect of a patient training video on visual field test reliability.

PubMed

Sherafat, H; Spry, P G D; Waldock, A; Sparrow, J M; Diamond, J P

2003-02-01

To evaluate the effect of a visual field test educational video on the reliability of the first automated visual field test of new patients. A prospective, randomised, controlled trial of an educational video on visual field test reliability of patients referred to the hospital eye service for suspected glaucoma was undertaken. Patients were randomised to either watch an educational video or a control group with no video. The video group was shown a 4.5 minute audiovisual presentation to familiarize them with the various aspects of visual field examination with particular emphasis on sources of unreliability. Reliability was determined using standard criteria of fixation loss rate less than 20%, false positive responses less than 33%, and false negative responses less than 33%. 244 patients were recruited; 112 in the video group and 132 in the control group with no significant between group difference in age, sex, and density of field defects. A significant improvement in reliability (p=0.015) was observed in the group exposed to the video with 85 (75.9%) patients having reliable results compared to 81 (61.4%) in the control group. The difference was not significant for the right (first tested) eye with 93 (83.0%) of the visual fields reliable in the video group compared to 106 (80.0%) in the control group (p = 0.583), but was significant for the left (second tested) eye with 97 (86.6 %) of the video group reliable versus 97 (73.5%) of the control group (p = 0.011). The use of a brief, audiovisual patient information guide on taking the visual field test produced an improvement in patient reliability for individuals tested for the first time. In this trial the use of the video had most of its impact by reducing the number of unreliable fields from the second tested eye.

Distilled water nasal provocation in hyperreactive patients.

PubMed

Baudoin, T; Anzic, S A; Kalogjera, L

1999-01-01

Nonisotonic aerosol may act as a provocation agent in the upper and lower airways of hyperreactive individuals. The purpose of the study was to compare the results of nasal challenge with distilled water in patients with allergic rhinitis to those with noninfective nonallergic rhinitis (NINAR), with respect to the potential clinical use of the obtained data. A group of 68 ambulatory patients with allergic rhinitis or NINAR (39 perennial allergic, 6 seasonal, 23 NINAR) were challenged with 10 mL of distilled water aerosol after the baseline active anterior rhinomanometry. Patients with nasal polyposis at endoscopy, significant unilateral septal deviation, positive bacteriologic swab, recent nasal surgery, and uncertain anamnestic data about the medication taken 6 weeks before the provocation were excluded from the study. After 10 minutes of nasal provocation, rhinomanometry was repeated to assess the response. In 15 patients of the perennial allergic group, the same measurements were performed after a 2-week oral antihistamine and topical steroid therapy. Nasal resistance was significantly increased on the more patent side of the nose after nasal provocation with distilled water aerosol in allergic patients in comparison to the nasal resistance before provocation. In the patients with NINAR, the provocation resulted in a significant rise on the more patent side, but the total nasal airway resistance (NAR) levels were also significantly increased. The systemic antihistamine and topical steroid 2-week therapy in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis significantly reduced the response to nasal distilled water provocation. Nasal provocation with distilled water aerosol is a cheap, simple, and acceptable method that provides useful clinical data on the level of nonspecific nasal hyperreactivity and the therapy success.

Medical review licensing outcomes in drivers with visual field loss in Victoria, Australia

PubMed Central

Muir, Carlyn; Charlton, Judith L; Odell, Morris; Keeffe, Jill; Wood, Joanne; Bohensky, Megan; Fildes, Brian; Oxley, Jennifer; Bentley, Sharon; Rizzo, Matthew

2017-01-01

Background Good vision is essential for safe driving and studies have associated visual impairment with an increased crash risk. Currently, there is little information about the medical review of drivers with visual field loss. This study examines the prevalence of visual field loss among drivers referred for medical review in one Australian jurisdiction and investigates factors associated with licence outcome in this group. Methods A random sample of 10,000 (31.25 per cent) medical review cases was extracted for analysis from the Victorian licensing authority. Files were screened for the presence of six visual field-related medical conditions. Data were captured on a range of variables, including referral source, age, gender, health status, crash history and licence outcome. Prevalence analyses were univariate and descriptive. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with licence outcomes in the visual field loss group. Results Approximately 1.9 per cent of the 10,000 medical review cases screened had a visual field loss condition identified (n=194). Among the visual field loss group, 57.2 per cent were permitted to continue driving (conditional/unconditional licence). Primary referral sources were the police, self-referrals and general medical practitioners. Key factors associated with licence test outcomes were visual field condition, age group, crash involvement and referral to the Driver Licensing Authority’s Medical Advisors. Those who were younger had a crash involvement triggering referral and those who were referred to the Medical Advisors were more likely to have a positive licensing outcome. Conclusion The evidence base for making licensing decisions is complicated by the variable causes, patterns, progressions and measuring technologies for visual field loss. This study highlighted that the involvement of an expert medical advisory service in Victoria resulted in an increased likelihood that drivers with visual field loss will be

Nasal microenvironments and interspecific interactions influence nasal microbiota complexity and S. aureus carriage.

PubMed

Yan, Miling; Pamp, Sünje J; Fukuyama, Julia; Hwang, Peter H; Cho, Do-Yeon; Holmes, Susan; Relman, David A

2013-12-11

The indigenous microbiota of the nasal cavity plays important roles in human health and disease. Patterns of spatial variation in microbiota composition may help explain Staphylococcus aureus colonization and reveal interspecies and species-host interactions. To assess the biogeography of the nasal microbiota, we sampled healthy subjects, representing both S. aureus carriers and noncarriers at three nasal sites (anterior naris, middle meatus, and sphenoethmoidal recess). Phylogenetic compositional and sparse linear discriminant analyses revealed communities that differed according to site epithelium type and S. aureus culture-based carriage status. Corynebacterium accolens and C. pseudodiphtheriticum were identified as the most important microbial community determinants of S. aureus carriage, and competitive interactions were only evident at sites with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. In vitro cocultivation experiments provided supporting evidence of interactions among these species. These results highlight spatial variation in nasal microbial communities and differences in community composition between S. aureus carriers and noncarriers. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nasal microenvironments and interspecific interactions influence nasal microbiota complexity and S. aureus carriage

PubMed Central

Yan, Miling; Pamp, Sünje J.; Fukuyama, Julia; Hwang, Peter H.; Cho, Do-Yeon; Holmes, Susan; Relman, David A.

2013-01-01

Summary The indigenous microbiota of the nasal cavity plays important roles in human health and disease. Patterns of spatial variation in microbiota composition may help explain Staphylococcus aureus colonization, and reveal interspecies and species-host interactions. To assess the biogeography of the nasal microbiota, we sampled healthy subjects, representing both S. aureus carriers and non-carriers, at 3 nasal sites (anterior naris, middle meatus, and sphenoethmoidal recess). Phylogenetic compositional and sparse linear discriminant analyses revealed communities that differed according to site epithelium type and S. aureus culture-based carriage status. Corynebacterium accolens and C. pseudodiphtheriticum were identified as the most important microbial community determinants of S. aureus carriage, with competitive interactions evident only at sites with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. In vitro co-cultivation experiments provided supporting evidence of interactions among these species. These results highlight spatial variation in nasal microbial communities and differences in community composition between S. aureus carriers and non-carriers. PMID:24331461

38 CFR 4.77 - Visual fields.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... who are well adapted to intraocular lens implant or contact lens correction, visual field examinations.... For aphakic individuals not well adapted to contact lens correction or pseudophakic individuals not... meridians 221/2 degrees apart for each eye and indicate the Goldmann equivalent used. See Table III for the...

38 CFR 4.77 - Visual fields.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... who are well adapted to intraocular lens implant or contact lens correction, visual field examinations.... For aphakic individuals not well adapted to contact lens correction or pseudophakic individuals not... meridians 221/2 degrees apart for each eye and indicate the Goldmann equivalent used. See Table III for the...

Simulating the nasal cycle with computational fluid dynamics

PubMed Central

Patel, Ruchin G.; Garcia, Guilherme J. M.; Frank-Ito, Dennis O.; Kimbell, Julia S.; Rhee, John S.

2015-01-01

Objectives (1) Develop a method to account for the confounding effect of the nasal cycle when comparing pre- and post-surgery objective measures of nasal patency. (2) Illustrate this method by reporting objective measures derived from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models spanning the full range of mucosal engorgement associated with the nasal cycle in two subjects. Study Design Retrospective Setting Academic tertiary medical center. Subjects and Methods A cohort of 24 nasal airway obstruction patients was reviewed to select the two patients with the greatest reciprocal change in mucosal engorgement between pre- and post-surgery computed tomography (CT) scans. Three-dimensional anatomic models were created based on the pre- and post-operative CT scans. Nasal cycling models were also created by gradually changing the thickness of the inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and septal swell body. CFD was used to simulate airflow and to calculate nasal resistance and average heat flux. Results Before accounting for the nasal cycle, Patient A appeared to have a paradoxical worsening nasal obstruction in the right cavity postoperatively. After accounting for the nasal cycle, Patient A had small improvements in objective measures postoperatively. The magnitude of the surgical effect also differed in Patient B after accounting for the nasal cycle. Conclusion By simulating the nasal cycle and comparing models in similar congestive states, surgical changes in nasal patency can be distinguished from physiological changes associated with the nasal cycle. This ability can lead to more precise comparisons of pre and post-surgery objective measures and potentially more accurate virtual surgery planning. PMID:25450411

[Clinical analysis of nasal mucosa contact headache].

PubMed

Gu, Qingjia; Wen, Bei; Li, Jingxian; Fan, Jiangang; He, Gang

2013-07-01

To investigate the efficacy of nasal mucosa contact point headache with the treatment of endoscopic sinus surgery. Clinical data of 75 cases with nasal mucosa contact point headache treated in our department from Jan 2008 to Nov 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were performed with endoscopic sinus surgery. All patients were followed up for more than six months. They all achieved significant efficacy and no complications occurred. Nasal mucosa contact point headache and primary headache had different clinical features and different treatment. Misdiagnosis were easily made if not being carefully analyzed. Three lines tension relaxing septorhinoplasty combined with nasal bone fracture correction can achieve satisfactory curative effect and can effectively prevent the occurrence of complications. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the awareness of this disease. Nasal structure abnormality is the main reason of nasal mucosa contact point headache. The implementation of individualized nasal endoscopic sinus surgery can achieve satisfactory curative effect.

New CFD tools to evaluate nasal airflow.

PubMed

Burgos, M A; Sanmiguel-Rojas, E; Del Pino, C; Sevilla-García, M A; Esteban-Ortega, F

2017-08-01

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a mathematical tool to analyse airflow. As currently CFD is not a usual tool for rhinologists, a group of engineers in collaboration with experts in Rhinology have developed a very intuitive CFD software. The program MECOMLAND ® only required snapshots from the patient's cross-sectional (tomographic) images, being the output those results originated by CFD, such as airflow distributions, velocity profiles, pressure, temperature, or wall shear stress. This is useful complementary information to cover diagnosis, prognosis, or follow-up of nasal pathologies based on quantitative magnitudes linked to airflow. In addition, the user-friendly environment NOSELAND ® helps the medical assessment significantly in the post-processing phase with dynamic reports using a 3D endoscopic view. Specialists in Rhinology have been asked for a more intuitive, simple, powerful CFD software to offer more quality and precision in their work to evaluate the nasal airflow. We present MECOMLAND ® and NOSELAND ® which have all the expected characteristics to fulfil this demand and offer a proper assessment with the maximum of quality plus safety for the patient. These programs represent a non-invasive, low-cost (as the CT scan is already performed in every patient) alternative for the functional study of the difficult rhinologic case. To validate the software, we studied two groups of patients from the Ear Nose Throat clinic, a first group with normal noses and a second group presenting septal deviations. Wall shear stresses are lower in the cases of normal noses in comparison with those for septal deviation. Besides, velocity field distributions, pressure drop between nasopharynx and the ambient, and flow rates in each nostril were different among the nasal cavities in the two groups. These software modules open up a promising future to simulate the nasal airflow behaviour in virtual surgery intervention scenarios under different pressure or

Adaptive Gaze Strategies for Locomotion with Constricted Visual Field

PubMed Central

Authié, Colas N.; Berthoz, Alain; Sahel, José-Alain; Safran, Avinoam B.

2017-01-01

In retinitis pigmentosa (RP), loss of peripheral visual field accounts for most difficulties encountered in visuo-motor coordination during locomotion. The purpose of this study was to accurately assess the impact of peripheral visual field loss on gaze strategies during locomotion, and identify compensatory mechanisms. Nine RP subjects presenting a central visual field limited to 10–25° in diameter, and nine healthy subjects were asked to walk in one of three directions—straight ahead to a visual target, leftward and rightward through a door frame, with or without obstacle on the way. Whole body kinematics were recorded by motion capture, and gaze direction in space was reconstructed using an eye-tracker. Changes in gaze strategies were identified in RP subjects, including extensive exploration prior to walking, frequent fixations of the ground (even knowing no obstacle was present), of door edges, essentially of the proximal one, of obstacle edge/corner, and alternating door edges fixations when approaching the door. This was associated with more frequent, sometimes larger rapid-eye-movements, larger movements, and forward tilting of the head. Despite the visual handicap, the trajectory geometry was identical between groups, with a small decrease in walking speed in RPs. These findings identify the adaptive changes in sensory-motor coordination, in order to ensure visual awareness of the surrounding, detect changes in spatial configuration, collect information for self-motion, update the postural reference frame, and update egocentric distances to environmental objects. They are of crucial importance for the design of optimized rehabilitation procedures. PMID:28798674

Nasal Ketorolac Challenge Using Acoustic Rhinometry in Patients With Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease.

PubMed

Quiralte-Castillo, J; Ávila-Castellano, M R; Cimbollek, S; Benaixa, P; Leguisamo, S; Baynova, K; Labella, M; Quiralte, J

Safer and less time-consuming alternatives to single-blind placebo-controlled oral challenge (SBPCOC) have been sought for the diagnosis of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Nasal challenges with various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and assessment methods have been developed. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the utility and safety of nasal ketorolac challenge (NKC) using acoustic rhinometry in patients with suspected AERD. The study population comprised 36 patients with suspected AERD. NKC was performed with placebo (saline) and 13 mg of ketorolac sprayed as aerosol into both nostrils. A positive challenge result was defined as an increase of ≥30% in nasal symptoms (recorded using a visual analog scale) and a 30% drop in the sum of the volumes of both nasal cavities at 2-8 cm. Patients with a negative NKC result underwent SBPCOC with aspirin (cumulative dose of 750 mg). A naso-ocular reaction during NKC was detected in 21 patients. Four patients also developed mild asthma exacerbations (although only 1 experienced a decrease in FEV1 >15%). No other significant adverse events occurred. The remaining 15 patients with a negative NKC result had a negative response during aspirin SBPCOC. NKC assessed using acoustic rhinometry is a reliable method for the study of patients with AERD. We suggest that NKC assessed with acoustic rhinometry was useful and safe for selection of candidates for safe oral aspirin challenge.

Simulated visual field loss does not alter turning coordination in healthy young adults.

PubMed

Murray, Nicholas G; Ponce de Leon, Marlina; Ambati, V N Pradeep; Saucedo, Fabricio; Kennedy, Evan; Reed-Jones, Rebecca J

2014-01-01

Turning, while walking, is an important component of adaptive locomotion. Current hypotheses regarding the motor control of body segment coordination during turning suggest heavy influence of visual information. The authors aimed to examine whether visual field impairment (central loss or peripheral loss) affects body segment coordination during walking turns in healthy young adults. No significant differences in the onset time of segments or intersegment coordination were observed because of visual field occlusion. These results suggest that healthy young adults can use visual information obtained from central and peripheral visual fields interchangeably, pointing to flexibility of visuomotor control in healthy young adults. Further study in populations with chronic visual impairment and those with turning difficulties are warranted.

Numerical Simulation of Airflow Fields in Two Typical Nasal Structures of Empty Nose Syndrome: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study

PubMed Central

Di, Meng-Yang; Jiang, Zhe; Gao, Zhi-Qiang; Li, Zhi; An, Yi-Ran; Lv, Wei

2013-01-01

Background The pathogenesis of empty nose syndrome (ENS) has not been elucidated so far. Though postulated, there remains a lack of experimental evidence about the roles of nasal aerodynamics on the development of ENS. Objective To investigate the nasal aerodynamic features of ENS andto explore the role of aerodynamic changes on the pathogenesis of ENS. Methods Seven sinonasal models were numerically constructed, based on the high resolution computed tomography images of seven healthy male adults. Bilateral radical inferior/middle turbinectomy were numerically performed to mimic the typical nasal structures of ENS-inferior turbinate (ENS-IT) and ENS-middle turbinate (ENS-MT). A steady laminar model was applied in calculation. Velocity, pressure, streamlines, air flux and wall shear stress were numerically investigated. Each parameter of normal structures was compared with those of the corresponding pathological models of ENS-IT and ENS-MT, respectively. Results ENS-MT: Streamlines, air flux distribution, and wall shear stress distribution were generally similar to those of the normal structures; nasal resistances decreased. Velocities decreased locally, while increased around the sphenopalatine ganglion by 0.20±0.17m/s and 0.22±0.10m/s during inspiration and expiration, respectively. ENS-IT: Streamlines were less organized with new vortexes shown near the bottom wall. The airflow rates passing through the nasal olfactory area decreased by 26.27%±8.68% and 13.18%±7.59% during inspiration and expiration, respectively. Wall shear stresses, nasal resistances and local velocities all decreased. Conclusion Our CFD simulation study suggests that the changes in nasal aerodynamics may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of ENS. An increased velocity around the sphenopalatine ganglion in the ENS-MT models could be responsible for headache in patients with ENS-MT. However, these results need to be validated in further studies with a larger sample size and more

Effect of Cognitive Demand on Functional Visual Field Performance in Senior Drivers with Glaucoma.

PubMed

Gangeddula, Viswa; Ranchet, Maud; Akinwuntan, Abiodun E; Bollinger, Kathryn; Devos, Hannes

2017-01-01

Purpose: To investigate the effect of cognitive demand on functional visual field performance in drivers with glaucoma. Method: This study included 20 drivers with open-angle glaucoma and 13 age- and sex-matched controls. Visual field performance was evaluated under different degrees of cognitive demand: a static visual field condition (C1), dynamic visual field condition (C2), and dynamic visual field condition with active driving (C3) using an interactive, desktop driving simulator. The number of correct responses (accuracy) and response times on the visual field task were compared between groups and between conditions using Kruskal-Wallis tests. General linear models were employed to compare cognitive workload, recorded in real-time through pupillometry, between groups and conditions. Results: Adding cognitive demand (C2 and C3) to the static visual field test (C1) adversely affected accuracy and response times, in both groups ( p < 0.05). However, drivers with glaucoma performed worse than did control drivers when the static condition changed to a dynamic condition [C2 vs. C1 accuracy; glaucoma: median difference (Q1-Q3) 3 (2-6.50) vs. 2 (0.50-2.50); p = 0.05] and to a dynamic condition with active driving [C3 vs. C1 accuracy; glaucoma: 2 (2-6) vs. 1 (0.50-2); p = 0.02]. Overall, drivers with glaucoma exhibited greater cognitive workload than controls ( p = 0.02). Conclusion: Cognitive demand disproportionately affects functional visual field performance in drivers with glaucoma. Our results may inform the development of a performance-based visual field test for drivers with glaucoma.

Nasal Drug Delivery in Traditional Persian Medicine

PubMed Central

Zarshenas, Mohammad Mehdi; Zargaran, Arman; Müller, Johannes; Mohagheghzadeh, Abdolali

2013-01-01

Background Over one hundred different pharmaceutical dosage forms have been recorded in literatures of Traditional Persian Medicine among which nasal forms are considerable. Objectives This study designed to derive the most often applied nasal dosage forms together with those brief clinical administrations. Materials and Methods In the current study remaining pharmaceutical manuscripts of Persia during 9th to 18th century AD have been studied and different dosage forms related to nasal application of herbal medicines and their therapeutic effects were derived. Results By searching through pharmaceutical manuscripts of medieval Persia, different nasal dosage forms involving eleven types related to three main groups are found. These types could be derived from powder, solution or liquid and gaseous forms. Gaseous form were classified into fumigation (Bakhoor), vapor bath (Enkebab), inhalation (Lakhlakheh), aroma agents (Ghalieh) and olfaction or smell (Shomoom). Nasal solutions were as drops (Ghatoor), nasal snuffing drops (Saoot) and liquid snuff formulations (Noshoogh). Powders were as nasal insufflation or snorting agents (Nofookh) and errhine or sternutator medicine (Otoos). Nasal forms were not applied only for local purposes. Rather systemic disorders and specially CNS complications were said to be a target for these dosage forms. Discussion While this novel type of drug delivery is known as a suitable substitute for oral and parenteral administration, it was well accepted and extensively mentioned in Persian medical and pharmaceutical manuscripts and other traditional systems of medicine as well. Accordingly, medieval pharmaceutical standpoints on nasal dosage forms could still be an interesting subject of study. Therefore, the current work can briefly show the pharmaceutical knowledge on nasal formulations in medieval Persia and clarify a part of history of traditional Persian pharmacy. PMID:24624204

Assessment of the vision-specific quality of life using clustered visual field in glaucoma patients.

PubMed

Sawada, Hideko; Yoshino, Takaiko; Fukuchi, Takeo; Abe, Haruki

2014-02-01

To investigate the significance of vision-specific quality of life (QOL) in glaucoma patients based on the location of visual field defects. We examined 336 eyes of 168 patients. The 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire was used to evaluate patients' QOL. Visual field testing was performed using the Humphrey Field Analyzer; the visual field was divided into 10 clusters. We defined the eye with better mean deviation as the better eye and the fellow eye as the worse eye. A single linear regression analysis was applied to assess the significance of the relationship between QOL and the clustered visual field. The strongest correlation was observed in the lower paracentral visual field in the better eye. The lower peripheral visual field in the better eye also showed a good correlation. Correlation coefficients in the better eye were generally higher than those in the worse eye. For driving, the upper temporal visual field in the better eye was the most strongly correlated (r=0.509). For role limitation and peripheral vision, the lower peripheral visual field in the better eye had the highest correlation coefficients at 0.459 and 0.425, respectively. Overall, clusters in the lower hemifield in the better eye were more strongly correlated with QOL than those in the worse eye. In particular, the lower paracentral visual field in the better eye was correlated most strongly of all. Driving, however, strongly correlated with the upper hemifield in the better eye.

Active Learning in Neuroscience: A Manipulative to Simulate Visual Field Defects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Andrew Yue-Lin; Carvalho, Helena

2016-01-01

Prevalent in 20-57% of stroke patients, visual field defects have been shown to impact quality of life. Studies have shown increased risk of falling, ambulatory difficulties, impaired reading ability, and feelings of panic in crowded or unfamiliar places in patients with visual field defects. Rehabilitation, independence, and mental health may…

Red square test for visual field screening. A sensitive and simple bedside test.

PubMed

Mandahl, A

1994-12-01

A reliable bedside test for screening of visual field defects is a valuable tool in the examination of patients with a putative disease affecting the sensory visual pathways. Conventional methods such as Donders' confrontation method, counting fingers in the visual field periphery, of two-hand confrontation are not sufficiently sensitive to detect minor but nevertheless serious visual field defects. More sensitive methods requiring only simple tools are also described. In this study, a test card with four red squares surrounding a fixation target, a black dot, with a total test area of about 11 x 12.5 degrees at a distance of 30 cm, was designed for testing experience of red colour saturation in four quadrants, red square test. The Goldmann visual field was used as reference. 125 consecutive patients with pituitary adenoma (159 eyes), craniopharyngeoma (9 eyes), meningeoma (21 eyes), vascular hemisphere lesion (40 eyes), hemisphere tumour (10 eyes) and hemisphere abscess (2 eyes) were examined. The Goldmann visual field and red square test were pathological in pituitary adenomas in 35%, in craniopharyngeomas in 44%, in meningeomas in 52% and in hemisphere tumours or abscess in 100% of the eyes. Among these, no false-normal or false-pathological tests were found. However, in vascular hemisphere disease the corresponding figures were Goldmann visual field 90% and red square test 85%. The 5% difference (4 eyes) was due to Goldmann visual field defects strictly peripheral to the central 15 degrees. These defects were easily diagnosed with two-hand confrontation and

Visual field examination method using virtual reality glasses compared with the Humphrey perimeter.

PubMed

Tsapakis, Stylianos; Papaconstantinou, Dimitrios; Diagourtas, Andreas; Droutsas, Konstantinos; Andreanos, Konstantinos; Moschos, Marilita M; Brouzas, Dimitrios

2017-01-01

To present a visual field examination method using virtual reality glasses and evaluate the reliability of the method by comparing the results with those of the Humphrey perimeter. Virtual reality glasses, a smartphone with a 6 inch display, and software that implements a fast-threshold 3 dB step staircase algorithm for the central 24° of visual field (52 points) were used to test 20 eyes of 10 patients, who were tested in a random and consecutive order as they appeared in our glaucoma department. The results were compared with those obtained from the same patients using the Humphrey perimeter. High correlation coefficient ( r =0.808, P <0.0001) was found between the virtual reality visual field test and the Humphrey perimeter visual field. Visual field examination results using virtual reality glasses have a high correlation with the Humphrey perimeter allowing the method to be suitable for probable clinical use.

A new approach to the treatment of nasal bone fracture: radiologic classification of nasal bone fractures and its clinical application.

PubMed

Han, Daniel Seung Youl; Han, Yea Sik; Park, Jin Hyung

2011-11-01

A radiologic examination is required in the treatment of nasal bone fracture to determine the fracture condition. Thus, there is an increasing need for radiologic classification of nasal bone fractures that can be applied to clinical practice. Computed tomography was performed in 125 patients with nasal bone fractures to determine which axial view best showed the entire nasal view. The obtained axial view was then used as a reference for classification. The length from the top to the base of the nasal bone was divided into upper, middle, and lower levels, after which the fracture location was determined. If the fracture spanned the boundaries of these levels, it was classified as the total level. Subsequently, the fracture was subclassified based on the fracture direction and pattern and the concurrent fracture. Radiologic examination of patients with nasal bone fracture showed that nasal bone fracture was frequently found at the total, middle, upper, and lower levels, in that order. Nasal bone fractures at the upper level showed lower frequencies of complication and reoperation than the fractures at the other levels, whereas nasal bone fractures at the total level showed the highest frequencies of complication and reoperation. Radiologic classification can be useful for preoperative and postoperative evaluations of nasal bone fractures and can be helpful in understanding such fractures because it can efficiently predict the prognosis of a fracture. Copyright © 2011 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nasal and Oral Inspiration During Natural Speech Breathing

PubMed Central

Lester, Rosemary A.; Hoit, Jeannette D.

2015-01-01

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the typical pattern for inspiration during speech breathing in healthy adults, as well as the factors that might influence it. Method Ten healthy adults, 18–45 years of age, performed a variety of speaking tasks while nasal ram pressure, audio, and video recordings were obtained. Inspirations were categorized as a nasal only, oral only, simultaneous nasal and oral, or alternating nasal and oral inspiration. The method was validated using nasal airflow, oral airflow, audio, and video recordings for two participants. Results The predominant pattern was simultaneous nasal and oral inspirations for all speaking tasks. This pattern was not affected by the nature of the speaking task or by the phonetic context surrounding the inspiration. The validation procedure confirmed that nearly all inspirations during counting and paragraph reading were simultaneous nasal and oral inspirations; whereas for sentence reading, the predominant pattern was alternating nasal and oral inspirations across the three phonetic contexts. Conclusions Healthy adults inspire through both the nose and mouth during natural speech breathing. This pattern of inspiration is likely beneficial in reducing pathway resistance while preserving some of the benefits of nasal breathing. PMID:24129013

[Psychopathological characteristics in patients with deviation of nasal septum: a preliminary analysis].

PubMed

Li, W T; Chen, X Z; Tu, W J; Huang, Z Z; Chang, L H; Wang, J; Zhang, G H

2016-09-07

Objective: To investigate the psychopathological characteristics in patients with deviation of nasal septum. Methods: Between May 2015 and December 2015, fourty-four patients with deviated nasal septum and 37 patients with vocal cord polyp as control were included in this study. Psychological characteristics were evaluated by a series of questionnaire instruments including symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). Visual analogue scale (VAS) and rhinomanometry through front nostril were used to evaluate nasal symptom. The correlation between psychological characteristics and nasal symptom was evaluated. SPSS 20.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The SCL-90 score in nasal septal deviation group was 130.4±48.3. The total score and total average score of SCL-90 had no significant difference between nasal septal deviation group and the Chinese standard or control group( t value was 0.469, 0.112, 1.575, 1.564, respectively, all P >0.05). The scores of somatization, depression and anxiety factors in nasal septal deviation group were higher than control group ( t value was 2.380, 2.133, 1.969, respectively, all P <0.05). The proportion of positive patients in these three factors between nasal septal deviation group and control group had significant differences (χ 2 value was 11.585, 9.610, 5.429, respectively, all P <0.05). The scores of SDS and SAS in nasal septal deviation group were 46.0±10.6 and 43.0±10.2, which were higher than that in the Chinese standard and control group ( t value was 5.342, 6.236, 1.476, 3.013, respectively, all P <0.05). There were 9 patients companying with depression or anxiety (20.5%, 20.5%, respectively) and 5 patients companying with depression and anxiety in nasal septal deviation group (11.4%). There were positive correlation not only between the scores of SDS and the depression factor of SCL-90 but also between the scores of SAS and the anxiety factor of SCL

Effect of Cognitive Demand on Functional Visual Field Performance in Senior Drivers with Glaucoma

PubMed Central

Gangeddula, Viswa; Ranchet, Maud; Akinwuntan, Abiodun E.; Bollinger, Kathryn; Devos, Hannes

2017-01-01

Purpose: To investigate the effect of cognitive demand on functional visual field performance in drivers with glaucoma. Method: This study included 20 drivers with open-angle glaucoma and 13 age- and sex-matched controls. Visual field performance was evaluated under different degrees of cognitive demand: a static visual field condition (C1), dynamic visual field condition (C2), and dynamic visual field condition with active driving (C3) using an interactive, desktop driving simulator. The number of correct responses (accuracy) and response times on the visual field task were compared between groups and between conditions using Kruskal–Wallis tests. General linear models were employed to compare cognitive workload, recorded in real-time through pupillometry, between groups and conditions. Results: Adding cognitive demand (C2 and C3) to the static visual field test (C1) adversely affected accuracy and response times, in both groups (p < 0.05). However, drivers with glaucoma performed worse than did control drivers when the static condition changed to a dynamic condition [C2 vs. C1 accuracy; glaucoma: median difference (Q1–Q3) 3 (2–6.50) vs. controls: 2 (0.50–2.50); p = 0.05] and to a dynamic condition with active driving [C3 vs. C1 accuracy; glaucoma: 2 (2–6) vs. controls: 1 (0.50–2); p = 0.02]. Overall, drivers with glaucoma exhibited greater cognitive workload than controls (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Cognitive demand disproportionately affects functional visual field performance in drivers with glaucoma. Our results may inform the development of a performance-based visual field test for drivers with glaucoma. PMID:28912712

Visual fields at the wheel.

PubMed

Vargas-Martín, Fernando; García-Pérez, Miguel A

2005-08-01

"Looked-but-failed-to-see" errors are a common cause of accidents, but it has never been determined whether obstructive elements within an automobile (e.g., window posts or the interior rearview mirror) have actually been an obstacle to vision. This work describes a technique that can easily be used to determine the available visual field of drivers at the wheel and illustrates its potential in a number of applications. The technique involves calibrating a minicamera for use as a device for perimetry and then mounting it on spectacles so that it lies between the eyes of the subject who wears them. With the spectacle-mounted camera worn by a driver, snapshots were taken when the automobile was parked and the driver looked in different directions, and video sequences were recorded during natural driving in an urban area and on a winding mountain road. All of the automobiles studied place obstacles to vision for any given direction of gaze, although the resultant scotomata have different sizes and are placed in different regions of the visual field for each combination of car and driver. These regions encroach into central vision as drivers turn their head and eyes as required by the characteristics of the road or the urban area during natural driving, in some cases resulting in very poor visibility regardless of the good vision of the driver and the certification of the automobile. Our technique is useful for determining what parts of a given scene are visible to a given driver on a given automobile and, hence, it is useful not only as a tool for accident investigation and in visual ergonomics, but also as an aid for the design of automobiles and road environments.

Visual Field Asymmetries in Attention Vary with Self-Reported Attention Deficits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poynter, William; Ingram, Paul; Minor, Scott

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an index of self-reported attention deficits predicts the pattern of visual field asymmetries observed in behavioral measures of attention. Studies of "normal" subjects do not present a consistent pattern of asymmetry in attention functions, with some studies showing better left visual field (LVF)…

Practical landmarks for visual field disability in glaucoma.

PubMed

Saunders, Luke J; Russell, Richard A; Crabb, David P

2012-09-01

To assess whether mean deviation (MD) from automated perimetry is related to the visual field (VF) component for legal fitness to drive (LFTD) in glaucoma patients. Monocular 24-2 VFs of 2604 patients with bilateral VF damage were retrospectively investigated. Integrated visual fields were calculated and used as a surrogate to assess LFTD according to current UK driving licence criteria. The better eye MD (BEMD), worse eye MD (WEMD) and a measure utilising MD of both eyes were compared, to assess respective diagnostic capabilities to predict LFTD (using the integrated visual field surrogate test as the gold standard) and a 'Probability of Failure' (PoF) for various defect levels was calculated. BEMD appears to be a good predictor of the VF component for a patient's LFTD (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve: 96.2%); MDs from both eyes offered no significant extra diagnostic power (area under the curve: 96.4%). PoF for BEMD thresholds of ≤-10 dB and ≤-14 dB were 70 (95% CI 66% to 74%) and 92% (87% to 95%), respectively. There is a strong relationship between BEMD and a patient's LFTD. PoF values for LFTD associated with readily available MD values provide practical landmarks for VF disability in glaucoma.

The efficacy of a novel mobile phone application for goldmann ptosis visual field interpretation.

PubMed

Maamari, Robi N; D'Ambrosio, Michael V; Joseph, Jeffrey M; Tao, Jeremiah P

2014-01-01

To evaluate the efficacy of a novel mobile phone application that calculates superior visual field defects on Goldmann visual field charts. Experimental study in which the mobile phone application and 14 oculoplastic surgeons interpreted the superior visual field defect in 10 Goldmann charts. Percent error of the mobile phone application and the oculoplastic surgeons' estimates were calculated compared with computer software computation of the actual defects. Precision and time efficiency of the application were evaluated by processing the same Goldmann visual field chart 10 repeated times. The mobile phone application was associated with a mean percent error of 1.98% (95% confidence interval[CI], 0.87%-3.10%) in superior visual field defect calculation. The average mean percent error of the oculoplastic surgeons' visual estimates was 19.75% (95% CI, 14.39%-25.11%). Oculoplastic surgeons, on average, underestimated the defect in all 10 Goldmann charts. There was high interobserver variance among oculoplastic surgeons. The percent error of the 10 repeated measurements on a single chart was 0.93% (95% CI, 0.40%-1.46%). The average time to process 1 chart was 12.9 seconds (95% CI, 10.9-15.0 seconds). The mobile phone application was highly accurate, precise, and time-efficient in calculating the percent superior visual field defect using Goldmann charts. Oculoplastic surgeon visual interpretations were highly inaccurate, highly variable, and usually underestimated the field vision loss.

A randomized trial of Rapid Rhino Riemann and Telfa nasal packs following endoscopic sinus surgery.

PubMed

Cruise, A S; Amonoo-Kuofi, K; Srouji, I; Kanagalingam, J; Georgalas, C; Patel, N N; Badia, L; Lund, V J

2006-02-01

To compare Telfa with the Rapid Rhino Riemann nasal pack for use following endoscopic sinus surgery. Prospective, randomized, double-blind, paired trial. Tertiary otolaryngology hospital. Forty-five adult patients undergoing bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery for either chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyps. A visual analogue scale was used to assess discomfort caused by the presence of the packs in the nose and by their removal. The amount of bleeding was noted with the packs in place and following their removal. Crusting and adhesions were assessed 2 and 6 weeks following surgery. Both packs performed well giving good haemostasis and causing little bleeding on removal. Both packs caused only mild discomfort while in the nose. On the visual analogue scale of 0-10 cm the mean visual analogue score for Rapid Rhino Riemann pack was 1.7 and for Telfa 2.0 (P = 0.371). The Rapid Rhino Riemann pack caused significantly less pain on removal compared with the Telfa pack with a mean visual analogue score of 2.0 in comparison with 3.7 for Telfa (P = 0.001). There were less adhesions with the Rapid Rhino Riemann than Telfa pack but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.102). Both Telfa and Rapid Rhino Riemann packs can be recommended as packs that control postoperative haemorrhage, do not cause bleeding on removal and cause little discomfort while in the nose. The Rapid Rhino Riemann pack has the advantage of causing significantly less pain on removal.

Oronasal Masks Require a Higher Pressure than Nasal and Nasal Pillow Masks for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

PubMed Central

Deshpande, Sheetal; Joosten, Simon; Turton, Anthony; Edwards, Bradley A.; Landry, Shane; Mansfield, Darren R.; Hamilton, Garun S.

2016-01-01

Study Objectives: Oronasal masks are frequently used for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to (1) determine if CPAP requirements are higher for oronasal masks compared to nasal mask interfaces and (2) assess whether polysomnography and patient characteristics differed among mask preference groups. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all CPAP implementation polysomnograms between July 2013 and June 2014. Prescribed CPAP level, polysomnography results and patient data were compared according to mask type (n = 358). Results: Oronasal masks were used in 46%, nasal masks in 35% and nasal pillow masks in 19%. There was no difference according to mask type for baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), body mass index (BMI), waist or neck circumference. CPAP level was higher for oronasal masks, 12 (10–15.5) cm H2O compared to nasal pillow masks, 11 (8–12.5) cm H2O and nasal masks, 10 (8–12) cm H2O, p < 0.0001 (Median [interquartile range]). Oronasal mask type, AHI, age, and BMI were independent predictors of a higher CPAP pressure (p < 0.0005, adjusted R2 = 0.26.). For patients with CPAP ≥ 15 cm H2O, there was an odds ratio of 4.5 (95% CI 2.5–8.0) for having an oronasal compared to a nasal or nasal pillow mask. Residual median AHI was higher for oronasal masks (11.3 events/h) than for nasal masks (6.4 events/h) and nasal pillows (6.7 events/h), p < 0.001. Conclusions: Compared to nasal mask types, oronasal masks are associated with higher CPAP pressures (particularly pressures ≥ 15 cm H2O) and a higher residual AHI. Further evaluation with a randomized control trial is required to definitively establish the effect of mask type on pressure requirements. Commentary: A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1209. Citation: Deshpande S, Joosten S, Turton A, Edwards BA, Landry S, Mansfield DR, Hamilton GS. Oronasal masks require a higher pressure than nasal and

Clinical evaluation of a novel population-based regression analysis for detecting glaucomatous visual field progression.

PubMed

Kovalska, M P; Bürki, E; Schoetzau, A; Orguel, S F; Orguel, S; Grieshaber, M C

2011-04-01

The distinction of real progression from test variability in visual field (VF) series may be based on clinical judgment, on trend analysis based on follow-up of test parameters over time, or on identification of a significant change related to the mean of baseline exams (event analysis). The aim of this study was to compare a new population-based method (Octopus field analysis, OFA) with classic regression analyses and clinical judgment for detecting glaucomatous VF changes. 240 VF series of 240 patients with at least 9 consecutive examinations available were included into this study. They were independently classified by two experienced investigators. The results of such a classification served as a reference for comparison for the following statistical tests: (a) t-test global, (b) r-test global, (c) regression analysis of 10 VF clusters and (d) point-wise linear regression analysis. 32.5 % of the VF series were classified as progressive by the investigators. The sensitivity and specificity were 89.7 % and 92.0 % for r-test, and 73.1 % and 93.8 % for the t-test, respectively. In the point-wise linear regression analysis, the specificity was comparable (89.5 % versus 92 %), but the sensitivity was clearly lower than in the r-test (22.4 % versus 89.7 %) at a significance level of p = 0.01. A regression analysis for the 10 VF clusters showed a markedly higher sensitivity for the r-test (37.7 %) than the t-test (14.1 %) at a similar specificity (88.3 % versus 93.8 %) for a significant trend (p = 0.005). In regard to the cluster distribution, the paracentral clusters and the superior nasal hemifield progressed most frequently. The population-based regression analysis seems to be superior to the trend analysis in detecting VF progression in glaucoma, and may eliminate the drawbacks of the event analysis. Further, it may assist the clinician in the evaluation of VF series and may allow better visualization of the correlation between function and structure owing to VF

38 CFR 4.76a - Computation of average concentric contraction of visual fields.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... concentric contraction of visual fields. 4.76a Section 4.76a Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Disability Ratings The Organs of Special Sense § 4.76a Computation of average concentric contraction of visual fields. Table III—Normal Visual...

Phenotype and function of nasal dendritic cells

PubMed Central

Lee, Haekyung; Ruane, Darren; Law, Kenneth; Ho, Yan; Garg, Aakash; Rahman, Adeeb; Esterházy, Daria; Cheong, Cheolho; Goljo, Erden; Sikora, Andrew G.; Mucida, Daniel; Chen, Benjamin; Govindraj, Satish; Breton, Gaëlle; Mehandru, Saurabh

2015-01-01

Intranasal vaccination generates immunity across local, regional and distant sites. However, nasal dendritic cells (DC), pivotal for the induction of intranasal vaccine- induced immune responses, have not been studied in detail. Here, using a variety of parameters, we define nasal DCs in mice and humans. Distinct subsets of “classical” DCs, dependent on the transcription factor zbtb46 were identified in the murine nose. The murine nasal DCs were FLT3 ligand-responsive and displayed unique phenotypic and functional characteristics including the ability to present antigen, induce an allogeneic T cell response and migrate in response to LPS or live bacterial pathogens. Importantly, in a cohort of human volunteers, BDCA-1+ DCs were observed to be the dominant nasal DC population at steady state. During chronic inflammation, the frequency of both BDCA-1+ and BDCA-3hi DCs was reduced in the nasal tissue, associating the loss of these immune sentinels with chronic nasal inflammation. The present study is the first detailed description of the phenotypic, ontogenetic and functional properties of nasal DCs and will inform the design of preventative immunization strategies as well as therapeutic modalities against chronic rhinosinusitis. PMID:25669151

Binocular Glaucomatous Visual Field Loss and Its Impact on Visual Exploration - A Supermarket Study

PubMed Central

Aehling, Kathrin; Heister, Martin; Rosenstiel, Wolfgang; Schiefer, Ulrich; Papageorgiou, Elena

2014-01-01

Advanced glaucomatous visual field loss may critically interfere with quality of life. The purpose of this study was to (i) assess the impact of binocular glaucomatous visual field loss on a supermarket search task as an example of everyday living activities, (ii) to identify factors influencing the performance, and (iii) to investigate the related compensatory mechanisms. Ten patients with binocular glaucoma (GP), and ten healthy-sighted control subjects (GC) were asked to collect twenty different products chosen randomly in two supermarket racks as quickly as possible. The task performance was rated as “passed” or “failed” with regard to the time per correctly collected item. Based on the performance of control subjects, the threshold value for failing the task was defined as μ+3σ (in seconds per correctly collected item). Eye movements were recorded by means of a mobile eye tracker. Eight out of ten patients with glaucoma and all control subjects passed the task. Patients who failed the task needed significantly longer time (111.47 s ±12.12 s) to complete the task than patients who passed (64.45 s ±13.36 s, t-test, p<0.001). Furthermore, patients who passed the task showed a significantly higher number of glances towards the visual field defect (VFD) area than patients who failed (t-test, p<0.05). According to these results, glaucoma patients with defects in the binocular visual field display on average longer search times in a naturalistic supermarket task. However, a considerable number of patients, who compensate by frequent glancing towards the VFD, showed successful task performance. Therefore, systematic exploration of the VFD area seems to be a “time-effective” compensatory mechanism during the present supermarket task. PMID:25162522

Binocular glaucomatous visual field loss and its impact on visual exploration--a supermarket study.

PubMed

Sippel, Katrin; Kasneci, Enkelejda; Aehling, Kathrin; Heister, Martin; Rosenstiel, Wolfgang; Schiefer, Ulrich; Papageorgiou, Elena

2014-01-01

Advanced glaucomatous visual field loss may critically interfere with quality of life. The purpose of this study was to (i) assess the impact of binocular glaucomatous visual field loss on a supermarket search task as an example of everyday living activities, (ii) to identify factors influencing the performance, and (iii) to investigate the related compensatory mechanisms. Ten patients with binocular glaucoma (GP), and ten healthy-sighted control subjects (GC) were asked to collect twenty different products chosen randomly in two supermarket racks as quickly as possible. The task performance was rated as "passed" or "failed" with regard to the time per correctly collected item. Based on the performance of control subjects, the threshold value for failing the task was defined as μ+3σ (in seconds per correctly collected item). Eye movements were recorded by means of a mobile eye tracker. Eight out of ten patients with glaucoma and all control subjects passed the task. Patients who failed the task needed significantly longer time (111.47 s ±12.12 s) to complete the task than patients who passed (64.45 s ±13.36 s, t-test, p < 0.001). Furthermore, patients who passed the task showed a significantly higher number of glances towards the visual field defect (VFD) area than patients who failed (t-test, p < 0.05). According to these results, glaucoma patients with defects in the binocular visual field display on average longer search times in a naturalistic supermarket task. However, a considerable number of patients, who compensate by frequent glancing towards the VFD, showed successful task performance. Therefore, systematic exploration of the VFD area seems to be a "time-effective" compensatory mechanism during the present supermarket task.

Regional deposition of mometasone furoate nasal spray suspension in humans.

PubMed

Shah, Samir A; Berger, Robert L; McDermott, John; Gupta, Pranav; Monteith, David; Connor, Alyson; Lin, Wu

2015-01-01

Nasal deposition studies can demonstrate whether nasal sprays treating allergic rhinitis and polyposis reach the ciliated posterior nasal cavity, where turbinate inflammation and other pathology occurs. However, quantifying nasal deposition is challenging, because in vitro tests do not correlate to human nasal deposition; gamma scintigraphy studies are thus used. For valid data, the radiolabel must distribute, as the drug, into different-sized droplets, remain associated with the drug in the formulation after administration, and not alter its deposition. Some nasal deposition studies have demonstrated this using homogenous solutions. However, most commercial nasal sprays are heterogeneous suspensions. Using mometasone furoate nasal suspension (MFS), we developed a technique to validate radiolabel deposition as a surrogate for nasal cavity drug deposition and characterized regional deposition and nasal clearance in humans. Mometasone furoate (MF) formulation was spiked with diethylene triamine pentacaetic acid. Both unlabeled and radiolabeled formulations (n = 3) were sprayed into a regionally divided nasal cast. Drug deposition was quantified by high pressure liquid chromatography within each region; radiolabel deposition was determined by gamma camera. Healthy subjects (n = 12) were dosed and imaged for six hours. Scintigraphic images were coregistered with magnetic resonance imaging scans to quantify anterior and posterior nasal cavity deposition and mucociliary clearance. The ratio of radiolabel to unlabeled drug was 1.05 in the nasal cast and regionally appeared to match, indicating that in vivo radiolabel deposition could represent drug deposition. In humans, MFS delivered 86% (9.2) of metered dose to the nasal cavity, approximately 60% (9.1) of metered dose to the posterior nasal cavity. After 15 minutes, mucociliary clearance removed 59% of the initial radiolabel in the nasal cavity, consistent with clearance rates from the ciliated posterior surface. MFS

Regional deposition of mometasone furoate nasal spray suspension in humans.

PubMed

Shah, S A; Berger, R L; McDermott, J; Gupta, P; Monteith, D; Connor, A; Lin, W

2014-11-21

Nasal deposition studies can demonstrate whether nasal sprays treating allergic rhinitis and polyposis reach the ciliated posterior nasal cavity, where turbinate inflammation and other pathology occurs. However, quantifying nasal deposition is challenging, because in vitro tests do not correlate to human nasal deposition; gamma scintigraphy studies are thus used. For valid data, the radiolabel must distribute, as the drug, into different-sized droplets, remain associated with the drug in the formulation after administration, and not alter its deposition. Some nasal deposition studies have demonstrated this using homogenous solutions. However, most commercial nasal sprays are heterogeneous suspensions. Using mometasone furoate nasal suspension (MFS), we developed a technique to validate radiolabel deposition as a surrogate for nasal cavity drug deposition and characterized regional deposition and nasal clearance in humans. Mometasone furoate (MF) formulation was spiked with diethylene triamine pentacaetic acid. Both unlabeled and radiolabeled formulations (n = 3) were sprayed into a regionally divided nasal cast. Drug deposition was quantified by high pressure liquid chromatography within each region; radiolabel deposition was determined by gamma camera. Healthy subjects (n = 12) were dosed and imaged for six hours. Scintigraphic images were coregistered with magnetic resonance imaging scans to quantify anterior and posterior nasal cavity deposition and mucociliary clearance. The ratio of radiolabel to unlabeled drug was 1.05 in the nasal cast and regionally appeared to match, indicating that in vivo radiolabel deposition could represent drug deposition. In humans, MFS delivered 86% (9.2) of metered dose to the nasal cavity, approximately 60% (9.1) of metered dose to the posterior nasal cavity. After 15 minutes, mucociliary clearance removed 59% of the initial radiolabel in the nasal cavity, consistent with clearance rates from the ciliated posterior surface. MFS

A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Nasal Surgery to Increase Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Adherence in Sleep Apnea Patients With Nasal Obstruction

PubMed Central

Kempfle, Judith S.; BuSaba, Nicholas Y.; Dobrowski, John M.; Westover, Michael B.; Bianchi, Matt T.

2017-01-01

Objectives/Hypothesis Nasal surgery has been implicated to improve continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and nasal obstruction. However, the cost-effectiveness of nasal surgery to improve CPAP compliance is not known. We modeled the cost-effectiveness of two types of nasal surgery versus no surgery in patients with OSA and nasal obstruction undergoing CPAP therapy. Study Design Cost-effectiveness decision tree model. Methods We built a decision tree model to identify conditions under which nasal surgery would be cost-effective to improve CPAP adherence over the standard of care. We compared turbinate reduction and septoplasty to nonsurgical treatment over varied time horizons from a third-party payer perspective. We included variables for cost of untreated OSA, surgical cost and complications, improved compliance postoperatively, and quality of life. Results Our study identified nasal surgery as a cost-effective strategy to improve compliance of OSA patients using CPAP across a range of plausible model assumptions regarding the cost of untreated OSA, the probability of adherence improvement, and a chronic time horizon. The relatively lower surgical cost of turbinate reduction made it more cost-effective at earlier time horizons, whereas septoplasty became cost-effective after a longer timespan. Conclusions Across a range of plausible values in a clinically relevant decision model, nasal surgery is a cost-effective strategy to improve CPAP compliance in OSA patients with nasal obstruction. Our results suggest that OSA patients with nasal obstruction who struggle with CPAP therapy compliance should undergo evaluation for nasal surgery. PMID:27653626

Nasal Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma in a Child

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Finitsis, Stefanos; Giavroglou, Constantinos; Potsi, Stamatia, E-mail: matinapotsi@hotmail.co

Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCMH) is a benign tumor that was described in 1998. The occurrence of this lesion in the nasal cavity of infants and children is especially rare, with only 21 cases reported in the international literature. We report a 12-month-old boy with respiratory distress due to nasal obstruction. Computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging examination demonstrated a soft-tissue mass obstructing the left nasal cavity. Digital subtraction angiography and preoperative superselective embolization with microparticles were also performed. The tumor was completely resected surgically. Histopathology and immunohistochemical analyses of the tumor disclosed a NCMH. The imaging characteristics of themore » tumor are described and the radiology literature is reviewed.« less

Puberty as a risk factor for less favorable visual outcome in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

PubMed

Stiebel-Kalish, Hadas; Kalish, Yuval; Lusky, Moshe; Gaton, Dan D; Ehrlich, Rita; Shuper, Avinoam

2006-08-01

To test the hypothesis that puberty is a risk factor for poorer visual outcome in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Retrospective chart review case series. Tertiary referral center, neuro-ophthalmology unit. Ninety-six patients with IIH followed for a minimum of one year. Age (grouped into prepubertal, pubertal, teenage, or adult), obesity, initial intracranial pressure (ICP), measurements and presence of hypertension, anemia, or renal failure were correlated with final visual outcome using chi(2), stepwise logistic regression, and model-selection log linear analyses. Visual outcome was graded into "excellent" -- no evidence of an optic neuropathy or any permanent visual field defect in either eye, "moderate"-- evidence of an optic neuropathy and/or a mild (nasal constriction) visual field defect, or "poor outcome" (peripheral constriction) -- permanent visual field defect. Outcome data were complete for 96 patients. Moderate to poor visual outcome, as opposed to excellent, was significantly associated with puberty (P = .007 using the gender-specific definition of puberty, .0002 using the broad definition). Moderate-poor visual outcome occurred in none of seven IIH patients of prepubertal age (<9 years), in 15 of 26 patients presenting between nine to 16 years, in two of six patients aged 17 to 22 years, and in seven of 57 adult patients over the age of 23 years. In this series of 96 patients with IIH, visual outcome was less favorable in pubertal patients than in prepubertal, teenage, and adult patients. We recommend that clinicians maintain a high index of awareness when caring for pubescent children with IIH.

Assessment of the effect of deviated nasal septum on the structure of nasal cavity.

PubMed

Wang, Junguo; Dou, Xin; Liu, Dingding; Song, Panpan; Qian, Xiaoyun; Wang, Shoulin; Gao, Xia

2016-06-01

The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of DNS on the structure of nasal cavity. The paranasal sinus coronal view CT of 108 patients with DNS and 129 hospitalized patients without DNS was retrospectively analyzed. The transverse diameter of nasal cavity (a), transverse diameter of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus (b), angle between maxillary and palatal bone, interalveolar distance, and maxillary rotation distance were measured. The ratio of a/b in experimental group was 0.367 ± 0.006 which was significantly (P = 0.0023) less than that in control group (0.391 ± 0.005). For the angle between maxillary and palatal bone, there was no significant difference found between DNS and control group for both right and left sides. The interalveolar distance was 40.75 mm in experimental group, and 38.8 mm in control (P = 0.0002). For the maxillary rotation distance, findings were considered as significant (P < 0.0001) in experimental group (11.25 mm) compared with control (10.1 mm). The present study demonstrates that long-term DNS affects the development of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus, as well as increases the interalveolar distance and maxillary rotation distance. These influences may be caused by the alteration of airflow inside the nasal cavities.

A self-organizing model of perisaccadic visual receptive field dynamics in primate visual and oculomotor system.

PubMed

Mender, Bedeho M W; Stringer, Simon M

2015-01-01

We propose and examine a model for how perisaccadic visual receptive field dynamics, observed in a range of primate brain areas such as LIP, FEF, SC, V3, V3A, V2, and V1, may develop through a biologically plausible process of unsupervised visually guided learning. These dynamics are associated with remapping, which is the phenomenon where receptive fields anticipate the consequences of saccadic eye movements. We find that a neural network model using a local associative synaptic learning rule, when exposed to visual scenes in conjunction with saccades, can account for a range of associated phenomena. In particular, our model demonstrates predictive and pre-saccadic remapping, responsiveness shifts around the time of saccades, and remapping from multiple directions.

A self-organizing model of perisaccadic visual receptive field dynamics in primate visual and oculomotor system

PubMed Central

Mender, Bedeho M. W.; Stringer, Simon M.

2015-01-01

We propose and examine a model for how perisaccadic visual receptive field dynamics, observed in a range of primate brain areas such as LIP, FEF, SC, V3, V3A, V2, and V1, may develop through a biologically plausible process of unsupervised visually guided learning. These dynamics are associated with remapping, which is the phenomenon where receptive fields anticipate the consequences of saccadic eye movements. We find that a neural network model using a local associative synaptic learning rule, when exposed to visual scenes in conjunction with saccades, can account for a range of associated phenomena. In particular, our model demonstrates predictive and pre-saccadic remapping, responsiveness shifts around the time of saccades, and remapping from multiple directions. PMID:25717301

Characterization of deposition from nasal spray devices using a computational fluid dynamics model of the human nasal passages.

PubMed

Kimbell, Julia S; Segal, Rebecca A; Asgharian, Bahman; Wong, Brian A; Schroeter, Jeffry D; Southall, Jeremy P; Dickens, Colin J; Brace, Geoff; Miller, Frederick J

2007-01-01

Many studies suggest limited effectiveness of spray devices for nasal drug delivery due primarily to high deposition and clearance at the front of the nose. Here, nasal spray behavior was studied using experimental measurements and a computational fluid dynamics model of the human nasal passages constructed from magnetic resonance imaging scans of a healthy adult male. Eighteen commercially available nasal sprays were analyzed for spray characteristics using laser diffraction, high-speed video, and high-speed spark photography. Steadystate, inspiratory airflow (15 L/min) and particle transport were simulated under measured spray conditions. Simulated deposition efficiency and spray behavior were consistent with previous experimental studies, two of which used nasal replica molds based on this nasal geometry. Deposition fractions (numbers of deposited particles divided by the number released) of 20- and 50-microm particles exceeded 90% in the anterior part of the nose for most simulated conditions. Predicted particle penetration past the nasal valve improved when (1) the smaller of two particle sizes or the lower of two spray velocities was used, (2) the simulated nozzle was positioned 1.0 rather than 0.5 or 1.5 cm into the nostril, and (3) inspiratory airflow was present rather than absent. Simulations also predicted that delaying the appearance of normal inspiratory airflow more than 1 sec after the release of particles produced results equivalent to cases in which no inspiratory airflow was present. These predictions contribute to more effective design of drug delivery devices through a better understanding of the effects of nasal airflow and spray characteristics on particle transport in the nose.

Distinguishing rhinitis and nasal neoplasia by radiography.

PubMed

Russo, M; Lamb, C R; Jakovljevic, S

2000-01-01

To compare the incidence of radiographic signs in dogs with rhinitis and primary nasal neoplasia and to assess the performance of observers for distinguishing these conditions, the nasal radiographs of 72 dogs with either rhinitis (n = 42) or primary nasal neoplasia (n = 30) were examined by two independent observers using custom-designed forms to record their interpretations. Rhinitis was associated with a higher incidence of focal or multifocal lesions, localised soft tissue opacities, lucent foci, and a lack of frontal sinus involvement. Neoplasia was associated with soft tissue opacities and loss of turbinate detail that affected the entire ipsilateral nasal cavity, signs of invasion of the bones surrounding the nasal cavity, and soft tissue/fluid opacities within the ipsilateral frontal sinus. The signs with the highest positive predictive value (PPV) for rhinitis were absence of frontal sinus lesions and lucent foci in nasal cavity (PPV of each 82%), and invasion of surrounding bones for neoplasia (PPV 88%). There were no significant differences in the position of the lesion within the nasal cavity, incidence of unilateral versus bilateral lesions, calcified lesions, or absence of teeth. There was moderate agreement between observers about the diagnosis (kappa 0.59). Areas (SE) under ROC curves were 0.94 (0.03) and 0.96 (0.03) for observers A and B, respectively (not significantly different; P = 0.68). These results indicate a high accuracy for radiologists examining dogs with nasal diseases. Differentiation of rhinitis and nasal neoplasia should be based on finding combinations of radiologic signs that together have a high PPV. Differences in interpretation between experienced observers in this study suggest that certain signs are potential sources of error.

Relationship between progression of visual field defect and intraocular pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma.

PubMed

Naito, Tomoko; Yoshikawa, Keiji; Mizoue, Shiro; Nanno, Mami; Kimura, Tairo; Suzumura, Hirotaka; Shiraga, Fumio

2015-01-01

To analyze the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and the progression of visual field defects in Japanese primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. The subjects of the study were patients undergoing treatment for POAG or NTG who had performed visual field tests at least ten times with a Humphrey field analyzer (Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm standard, C30-2 program). The progression of visual field defects was defined by a significantly negative value of the mean deviation slope at the final visual field test during the follow-up period. The relationships between the progression of visual field defects and IOP, as well as other clinical factors, were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 156 eyes of 156 patients were included in the analysis. Significant progression of visual field defects was observed in 70 eyes of 70 patients (44.9%), while no significant progression was evident in 86 eyes of 86 patients (55.1%). The eyes with visual field defect progression had significantly lower baseline IOP (P<0.05), as well as significantly lower IOP reduction rate (P<0.01). The standard deviation of IOP values during follow-up was significantly greater in the eyes with visual field defect progression than in eyes without (P<0.05). Reducing IOP is thought to be useful for Japanese POAG or NTG patients to suppress the progression of visual field defects. In NTG, IOP management should take into account not only achieving the target IOP, but also minimizing the fluctuation of IOP during follow-up period.

The Tölz Temporal Topography Study: mapping the visual field across the life span. Part II: cognitive factors shaping visual field maps.

PubMed

Poggel, Dorothe A; Treutwein, Bernhard; Calmanti, Claudia; Strasburger, Hans

2012-08-01

Part I described the topography of visual performance over the life span. Performance decline was explained only partly by deterioration of the optical apparatus. Part II therefore examines the influence of higher visual and cognitive functions. Visual field maps for 95 healthy observers of static perimetry, double-pulse resolution (DPR), reaction times, and contrast thresholds, were correlated with measures of visual attention (alertness, divided attention, spatial cueing), visual search, and the size of the attention focus. Correlations with the attentional variables were substantial, particularly for variables of temporal processing. DPR thresholds depended on the size of the attention focus. The extraction of cognitive variables from the correlations between topographical variables and participant age substantially reduced those correlations. There is a systematic top-down influence on the aging of visual functions, particularly of temporal variables, that largely explains performance decline and the change of the topography over the life span.

[Usage of polyvinylpyrrolidonic films for nasal cavity tamponade].

PubMed

Kriukov, A I; Karel'skaia, N A; Kleshnin, D A; Pashkin, I I

2006-01-01

The experience in otorhinolaryngological application of hydrogel films for nasal tamponade in nasal hemorrhage after surgical interventions on the intranasal structures and in nasal hemorrhage in leukemia patients was analysed.

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 868.5340 - Nasal oxygen cannula.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Nasal oxygen cannula. 868.5340 Section 868.5340...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5340 Nasal oxygen cannula. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen cannula is a two-pronged device used to administer oxygen to a patient through...

21 CFR 868.5340 - Nasal oxygen cannula.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Nasal oxygen cannula. 868.5340 Section 868.5340...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5340 Nasal oxygen cannula. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen cannula is a two-pronged device used to administer oxygen to a patient through...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 868.5340 - Nasal oxygen cannula.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Nasal oxygen cannula. 868.5340 Section 868.5340...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5340 Nasal oxygen cannula. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen cannula is a two-pronged device used to administer oxygen to a patient through...

21 CFR 868.5340 - Nasal oxygen cannula.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Nasal oxygen cannula. 868.5340 Section 868.5340...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5340 Nasal oxygen cannula. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen cannula is a two-pronged device used to administer oxygen to a patient through...

21 CFR 868.5340 - Nasal oxygen cannula.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Nasal oxygen cannula. 868.5340 Section 868.5340...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5340 Nasal oxygen cannula. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen cannula is a two-pronged device used to administer oxygen to a patient through...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

Reclaiming the Periphery: Automated Kinetic Perimetry for Measuring Peripheral Visual Fields in Patients With Glaucoma.

PubMed

Mönter, Vera M; Crabb, David P; Artes, Paul H

2017-02-01

Peripheral vision is important for mobility, balance, and guidance of attention, but standard perimetry examines only <20% of the entire visual field. We report on the relation between central and peripheral visual field damage, and on retest variability, with a simple approach for automated kinetic perimetry (AKP) of the peripheral field. Thirty patients with glaucoma (median age 68, range 59-83 years; median Mean Deviation -8.0, range -16.3-0.1 dB) performed AKP and static automated perimetry (SAP) (German Adaptive Threshold Estimation strategy, 24-2 test). Automated kinetic perimetry consisted of a fully automated measurement of a single isopter (III.1.e). Central and peripheral visual fields were measured twice on the same day. Peripheral and central visual fields were only moderately related (Spearman's ρ, 0.51). Approximately 90% of test-retest differences in mean isopter radius were < ±4 deg. Relative to the range of measurements in this sample, the retest variability of AKP was similar to that of SAP. Patients with similar central visual field loss can have strikingly different peripheral visual fields, and therefore measuring the peripheral visual field may add clinically valuable information.

A review of nasal polyposis

PubMed Central

Newton, Jonathan Ray; Ah-See, Kim Wong

2008-01-01

Nasal polyps are common, affecting up to four percent of the population. Their etiology remains unclear, but they are known to have associations with allergy, asthma, infection, cystic fibrosis, and aspirin sensitivity. They present with nasal obstruction, anosmia, rhinorrhoea, post nasal drip, and less commonly facial pain. Clinical examination reveals single or multiple grey polypoid masses in the nasal cavity. Computerized tomography allows evaluation of the extent of the disease and is essential if surgical treatment is to be considered. Management of polyposis involves a combination of medical therapy and surgery. There is good evidence for the use of corticosteroids (systemic and topical) both as primary treatment and as postoperative prophylaxis against recurrence. Surgical treatment has been refined significantly over the past twenty years with the advent of endoscopic sinus surgery and, in general, is reserved for cases refractory to medical treatment. Recurrence of the polyposis is common with severe disease recurring in up to ten percent of patients. PMID:18728843

Normal and variant anatomy of the nasal tip.

PubMed

Ketcham, Amy S; Dobratz, Eric J

2012-04-01

A thorough understanding of nasal tip anatomy is a prerequisite to understanding the nuances of restructuring the nasal tip. The three-dimensional structural anatomy of the nasal tip is complex. Additionally, the interrelationship between these structures determines the ultimate form and function of the nasal tip. As a result, alteration of one structure in the tip will often lead to change in other portions of the nasal tip. This dynamic concept of anatomy in the nasal tip makes proper alteration of the nasal tip one of the most challenging tasks faced by a rhinoplasty surgeon. This article provides a fundamental knowledge of the normal anatomy of the tip structures and how their interaction with each other determines the shape and support of the lower portion of the nose. It also provides a description of some common variants of tip anatomy that cause patients to seek consultation for rhinoplasty. A proper understanding of the concepts presented provides a foundation to build on as the reader continues to explore the "nuances of the nasal tip." Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Relationships between visual field sensitivity and spectral absorption properties of the neuroretinal rim in glaucoma by multispectral imaging.

PubMed

Denniss, Jonathan; Schiessl, Ingo; Nourrit, Vincent; Fenerty, Cecilia H; Gautam, Ramesh; Henson, David B

2011-11-07

To investigate the relationship between neuroretinal rim (NRR) differential light absorption (DLA, a measure of spectral absorption properties) and visual field (VF) sensitivity in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Patients diagnosed with (n = 22) or suspected of having (n = 7) POAG were imaged with a multispectral system incorporating a modified digital fundus camera, 250-W tungsten-halogen lamp, and fast-tuneable liquid crystal filter. Five images were captured sequentially within 1.0 second at wavelengths selected according to absorption properties of hemoglobin (range, 570-610 nm), and a Beer-Lambert law model was used to produce DLA maps of residual NRR from the images. Patients also underwent VF testing. Differences in NRR DLA in vertically opposing 180° and 45° sectors either side of the horizontal midline were compared with corresponding differences in VF sensitivity on both decibel and linear scales by Spearman's rank correlation. The decibel VF sensitivity scale showed significant relationships between superior-inferior NRR DLA difference and sensitivity differences between corresponding VF areas in 180° NRR sectors (Spearman ρ = 0.68; P < 0.0001), superior-/inferior-temporal 45° NRR sectors (ρ = 0.57; P < 0.002), and superior-/inferior-nasal 45° NRR sectors (ρ = 0.59; P < 0.001). Using the linear VF sensitivity scale significant relationships were found for 180° NRR sectors (ρ = 0.62; P < 0.0002) and superior-inferior-nasal 45° NRR sectors (ρ = 0.53; P < 0.002). No significant difference was found between correlations using the linear or decibel VF sensitivity scales. Residual NRR DLA is related to VF sensitivity in POAG. Multispectral imaging may provide clinically important information for the assessment and management of POAG.

Relationships between Visual Field Sensitivity and Spectral Absorption Properties of the Neuroretinal Rim in Glaucoma by Multispectral Imaging

PubMed Central

Denniss, Jonathan; Schiessl, Ingo; Nourrit, Vincent; Fenerty, Cecilia H.; Gautam, Ramesh; Henson, David B.

2011-01-01

Purpose. To investigate the relationship between neuroretinal rim (NRR) differential light absorption (DLA, a measure of spectral absorption properties) and visual field (VF) sensitivity in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods. Patients diagnosed with (n = 22) or suspected of having (n = 7) POAG were imaged with a multispectral system incorporating a modified digital fundus camera, 250-W tungsten-halogen lamp, and fast-tuneable liquid crystal filter. Five images were captured sequentially within 1.0 second at wavelengths selected according to absorption properties of hemoglobin (range, 570–610 nm), and a Beer-Lambert law model was used to produce DLA maps of residual NRR from the images. Patients also underwent VF testing. Differences in NRR DLA in vertically opposing 180° and 45° sectors either side of the horizontal midline were compared with corresponding differences in VF sensitivity on both decibel and linear scales by Spearman's rank correlation. Results. The decibel VF sensitivity scale showed significant relationships between superior–inferior NRR DLA difference and sensitivity differences between corresponding VF areas in 180° NRR sectors (Spearman ρ = 0.68; P < 0.0001), superior-/inferior-temporal 45° NRR sectors (ρ = 0.57; P < 0.002), and superior-/inferior-nasal 45° NRR sectors (ρ = 0.59; P < 0.001). Using the linear VF sensitivity scale significant relationships were found for 180° NRR sectors (ρ = 0.62; P < 0.0002) and superior–inferior–nasal 45° NRR sectors (ρ = 0.53; P < 0.002). No significant difference was found between correlations using the linear or decibel VF sensitivity scales. Conclusions. Residual NRR DLA is related to VF sensitivity in POAG. Multispectral imaging may provide clinically important information for the assessment and management of POAG. PMID:21980002

Normative Nasalance Scores for Brazilian Portuguese Using New Speech Stimuli.

PubMed

Marino, Viviane Cristina de Castro; Dutka, Jeniffer de Cássia Rillo; de Boer, Gillian; Cardoso, Vanessa Moraes; Ramos, Renata Giorgetto; Bressmann, Tim

2015-01-01

Normative data were established for newly developed speech materials for nasalance assessment in Brazilian Portuguese. Nasalance scores of preexisting passages (oral ZOO-BR, low-pressure oral ZOO-BR2 and NASAL-BR), new nasalance passages (oral Dudu no zoológico, oral Dudu no bosque, oral-nasal O cãozinho Totó and nasal O nenê) and Brasilcleft articulation screening sentences were collected from 245 speakers of Brazilian Portuguese, including 121 males and 124 females, divided into 4 groups: children (5-9 years), adolescents (10-19 years), young adults (20-24 years) and adults (25-35 years). Across all nasalance passages, adult females scored on average 2 percentage points higher than males. Children scored 2-4 percentage points lower than older groups for the preexisting nasalance passages ZOO-BR and ZOO-BR2. Nasalance scores for the new nasalance passages were not significantly different from the preexisting passages. Scores for high-pressure sentences did not differ significantly from the oral nasalance passage Dudu no bosque. The nasalance scores for the new nasalance passages were equivalent to the preexisting materials. The new shortened and simplified nasalance passages will be useful for assessing young children. Normative scores for the Brasilcleft high-pressure sentences were equivalent to the new oral passage Dudu no bosque. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Effects of Field of View and Visual Complexity on Virtual Reality Training Effectiveness for a Visual Scanning Task

DOE PAGES

Ragan, Eric D.; Bowman, Doug A.; Kopper, Regis; ...

2015-02-13

Virtual reality training systems are commonly used in a variety of domains, and it is important to understand how the realism of a training simulation influences training effectiveness. The paper presents a framework for evaluating the effects of virtual reality fidelity based on an analysis of a simulation’s display, interaction, and scenario components. Following this framework, we conducted a controlled experiment to test the effects of fidelity on training effectiveness for a visual scanning task. The experiment varied the levels of field of view and visual realism during a training phase and then evaluated scanning performance with the simulator’s highestmore » level of fidelity. To assess scanning performance, we measured target detection and adherence to a prescribed strategy. The results show that both field of view and visual realism significantly affected target detection during training; higher field of view led to better performance and higher visual realism worsened performance. Additionally, the level of visual realism during training significantly affected learning of the prescribed visual scanning strategy, providing evidence that high visual realism was important for learning the technique. The results also demonstrate that task performance during training was not always a sufficient measure of mastery of an instructed technique. That is, if learning a prescribed strategy or skill is the goal of a training exercise, performance in a simulation may not be an appropriate indicator of effectiveness outside of training—evaluation in a more realistic setting may be necessary.« less

Nasal patency and otorhinolaryngologic-orofacial features in children.

PubMed

Milanesi, Jovana de Moura; Berwig, Luana Cristina; Schuch, Luiz Henrique; Ritzel, Rodrigo Agne; Silva, Ana Maria Toniolo da; Corrêa, Eliane Castilhos Rodrigues

2017-11-21

Nasal obstruction is a common symptom in childhood, related to rhinitis and pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy. In the presence of nasal obstruction, nasal patency may be reduced, and nasal breathing is replaced by mouth breathing. Orofacial and otorhinolaryngologic changes are related to this breathing mode. Objective evaluation of upper airways may be obtained through nasal patency measurement. To compare nasal patency and otorhinolaryngologic-orofacial features in children. One hundred and twenty three children, 6-12 year-old, and of both sexes underwent speech therapy evaluation, according to Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation protocol, clinical and endoscopic otorhinolaryngologic examination and nasal patency measurement, using the absolute and predicted (%) peak nasal inspiratory flow values. Lower values of absolute and estimated peak nasal inspiratory flow values were found in children with restless sleep (p=0.006 and p=0.002), nasal obstruction report (p=0.027 and p=0.023), runny nose (p=0.004 and p=0.012), unsystematic lip closure during mastication (p=0.040 and p=0.026), masticatory speed reduced (p=0.006 and p=0.008) and altered solid food swallowing (p=0.006 and p=0.001). Absolute peak nasal inspiratory flow was lower in children with pale inferior turbinate (p=0.040), reduced hard palate width (p=0.037) and altered speech (p=0.004). Higher absolute values were found in children with increased tongue width (p=0.027) and, higher absolute and predicted (%) in children with mild everted lip (p=0.008 and p=0.000). Nasal patency was lower in children with restless sleep, rhinitis signs and symptoms, hard palate width reduced and with changes in mastication, deglutition and speech functions. It is also emphasized that most of the children presented signs and symptom of allergic rhinitis. Copyright © 2017 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Comprehensive visual field test & diagnosis system in support of astronaut health and performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fink, Wolfgang; Clark, Jonathan B.; Reisman, Garrett E.; Tarbell, Mark A.

Long duration spaceflight, permanent human presence on the Moon, and future human missions to Mars will require autonomous medical care to address both expected and unexpected risks. An integrated non-invasive visual field test & diagnosis system is presented for the identification, characterization, and automated classification of visual field defects caused by the spaceflight environment. This system will support the onboard medical provider and astronauts on space missions with an innovative, non-invasive, accurate, sensitive, and fast visual field test. It includes a database for examination data, and a software package for automated visual field analysis and diagnosis. The system will be used to detect and diagnose conditions affecting the visual field, while in space and on Earth, permitting the timely application of therapeutic countermeasures before astronaut health or performance are impaired. State-of-the-art perimetry devices are bulky, thereby precluding application in a spaceflight setting. In contrast, the visual field test & diagnosis system requires only a touchscreen-equipped computer or touchpad device, which may already be in use for other purposes (i.e., no additional payload), and custom software. The system has application in routine astronaut assessment (Clinical Status Exam), pre-, in-, and post-flight monitoring, and astronaut selection. It is deployable in operational space environments, such as aboard the International Space Station or during future missions to or permanent presence on the Moon and Mars.

Task relevance induces momentary changes in the functional visual field during reading.

PubMed

Kaakinen, Johanna K; Hyönä, Jukka

2014-02-01

In the research reported here, we examined whether task demands can induce momentary tunnel vision during reading. More specifically, we examined whether the size of the functional visual field depends on task relevance. Forty participants read an expository text with a specific task in mind while their eye movements were recorded. A display-change paradigm with random-letter strings as preview masks was used to study the size of the functional visual field within sentences that contained task-relevant and task-irrelevant information. The results showed that orthographic parafoveal-on-foveal effects and preview benefits were observed for words within task-irrelevant but not task-relevant sentences. The results indicate that the size of the functional visual field is flexible and depends on the momentary processing demands of a reading task. The higher cognitive processing requirements experienced when reading task-relevant text rather than task-irrelevant text induce momentary tunnel vision, which narrows the functional visual field.

Acoustic Analysis of Nasal Vowels in Monguor Language

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hanbin

2017-09-01

The purpose of the study is to analyze the spectrum characteristics and acoustic features for the nasal vowels [ɑ˜] and [ɔ˜] in Monguor language. On the base of acoustic parameter database of the Monguor speech, the study finds out that there are five main zero-pole pairs appearing for the nasal vowel [ɔ˜] and two zero-pole pairs appear for the nasal vowel [ɔ˜]. The results of regression analysis demonstrate that the duration of the nasal vowel [ɔ˜] or the nasal vowel [ɔ˜] can be predicted by its F1, F2 and F3 respectively.

Detection of Visual Field Loss in Pituitary Disease: Peripheral Kinetic Versus Central Static

PubMed Central

Rowe, Fiona J.; Cheyne, Christopher P.; García-Fiñana, Marta; Noonan, Carmel P.; Howard, Claire; Smith, Jayne; Adeoye, Joanne

2015-01-01

Abstract Visual field assessment is an important clinical evaluation for eye disease and neurological injury. We evaluated Octopus semi-automated kinetic peripheral perimetry (SKP) and Humphrey static automated central perimetry for detection of neurological visual field loss in patients with pituitary disease. We carried out a prospective cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study comparing Humphrey central 30-2 SITA threshold programme with a screening protocol for SKP on Octopus perimetry. Humphrey 24-2 data were extracted from 30-2 results. Results were independently graded for presence/absence of field defect plus severity of defect. Fifty patients (100 eyes) were recruited (25 males and 25 females), with mean age of 52.4 years (SD = 15.7). Order of perimeter assessment (Humphrey/Octopus first) and order of eye tested (right/left first) were randomised. The 30-2 programme detected visual field loss in 85%, the 24-2 programme in 80%, and the Octopus combined kinetic/static strategy in 100% of eyes. Peripheral visual field loss was missed by central threshold assessment. Qualitative comparison of type of visual field defect demonstrated a match between Humphrey and Octopus results in 58%, with a match for severity of defect in 50%. Tests duration was 9.34 minutes (SD = 2.02) for Humphrey 30-2 versus 10.79 minutes (SD = 4.06) for Octopus perimetry. Octopus semi-automated kinetic perimetry was found to be superior to central static testing for detection of pituitary disease-related visual field loss. Where reliant on Humphrey central static perimetry, the 30-2 programme is recommended over the 24-2 programme. Where kinetic perimetry is available, this is preferable to central static programmes for increased detection of peripheral visual field loss. PMID:27928344

Organization of area hV5/MT+ in subjects with homonymous visual field defects.

PubMed

Papanikolaou, Amalia; Keliris, Georgios A; Papageorgiou, T Dorina; Schiefer, Ulrich; Logothetis, Nikos K; Smirnakis, Stelios M

2018-04-06

Damage to the primary visual cortex (V1) leads to a visual field loss (scotoma) in the retinotopically corresponding part of the visual field. Nonetheless, a small amount of residual visual sensitivity persists within the blind field. This residual capacity has been linked to activity observed in the middle temporal area complex (V5/MT+). However, it remains unknown whether the organization of hV5/MT+ changes following early visual cortical lesions. We studied the organization of area hV5/MT+ of five patients with dense homonymous defects in a quadrant of the visual field as a result of partial V1+ or optic radiation lesions. To do so, we developed a new method, which models the boundaries of population receptive fields directly from the BOLD signal of each voxel in the visual cortex. We found responses in hV5/MT+ arising inside the scotoma for all patients and identified two possible sources of activation: 1) responses might originate from partially lesioned parts of area V1 corresponding to the scotoma, and 2) responses can also originate independent of area V1 input suggesting the existence of functional V1-bypassing pathways. Apparently, visually driven activity observed in hV5/MT+ is not sufficient to mediate conscious vision. More surprisingly, visually driven activity in corresponding regions of V1 and early extrastriate areas including hV5/MT+ did not guarantee visual perception in the group of patients with post-geniculate lesions that we examined. This suggests that the fine coordination of visual activity patterns across visual areas may be an important determinant of whether visual perception persists following visual cortical lesions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Oronasal Masks Require a Higher Pressure than Nasal and Nasal Pillow Masks for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

PubMed

Deshpande, Sheetal; Joosten, Simon; Turton, Anthony; Edwards, Bradley A; Landry, Shane; Mansfield, Darren R; Hamilton, Garun S

2016-09-15

Oronasal masks are frequently used for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to (1) determine if CPAP requirements are higher for oronasal masks compared to nasal mask interfaces and (2) assess whether polysomnography and patient characteristics differed among mask preference groups. Retrospective analysis of all CPAP implementation polysomnograms between July 2013 and June 2014. Prescribed CPAP level, polysomnography results and patient data were compared according to mask type (n = 358). Oronasal masks were used in 46%, nasal masks in 35% and nasal pillow masks in 19%. There was no difference according to mask type for baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), body mass index (BMI), waist or neck circumference. CPAP level was higher for oronasal masks, 12 (10-15.5) cm H2O compared to nasal pillow masks, 11 (8-12.5) cm H2O and nasal masks, 10 (8-12) cm H2O, p < 0.0001 (Median [interquartile range]). Oronasal mask type, AHI, age, and BMI were independent predictors of a higher CPAP pressure (p < 0.0005, adjusted R(2) = 0.26.). For patients with CPAP ≥ 15 cm H2O, there was an odds ratio of 4.5 (95% CI 2.5-8.0) for having an oronasal compared to a nasal or nasal pillow mask. Residual median AHI was higher for oronasal masks (11.3 events/h) than for nasal masks (6.4 events/h) and nasal pillows (6.7 events/h), p < 0.001. Compared to nasal mask types, oronasal masks are associated with higher CPAP pressures (particularly pressures ≥ 15 cm H2O) and a higher residual AHI. Further evaluation with a randomized control trial is required to definitively establish the effect of mask type on pressure requirements. A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1209. © 2016 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Optoelectronic aid for patients with severely restricted visual fields in daylight conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peláez-Coca, María Dolores; Sobrado-Calvo, Paloma; Vargas-Martín, Fernando

2011-11-01

In this study we evaluated the immediate effectiveness of an optoelectronic visual field expander in a sample of subjects with retinitis pigmentosa suffering from a severe peripheral visual field restriction. The aid uses the augmented view concept and provides subjects with visual information from outside their visual field. The tests were carried out in daylight conditions. The optoelectronic aid comprises a FPGA (real-time video processor), a wide-angle mini camera and a transparent see-through head-mounted display. This optoelectronic aid is called SERBA (Sistema Electro-óptico Reconfigurable de Ayuda para Baja Visión). We previously showed that, without compromising residual vision, the SERBA system provides information about objects within an area about three times greater on average than the remaining visual field of the subjects [1]. In this paper we address the effects of the device on mobility under daylight conditions with and without SERBA. The participants were six subjects with retinitis pigmentosa. In this mobility test, better results were obtained when subjects were wearing the SERBA system; specifically, both the number of contacts with low-level obstacles and mobility errors decreased significantly. A longer training period with the device might improve its usefulness.

Nasal Base Retraction: A Treatment Algorithm.

PubMed

Tas, Süleyman; Colakoglu, Salih; Lee, Bernard Travis

2017-06-01

Nasal base retraction results from cephalic malposition of the alar base in the vertical plane, which causes disharmony of the alar base with the rest of the nose structures. Correcting nasal base retraction is very important for improved aesthetic outcomes; however, there is a limited body of literature about this deformity and its treatment. Create a nasal base retraction treatment algorithm based on a severity classification system. This is a retrospective case review study of 53 patients who underwent rhinoplasty with correction of alar base retraction by the senior author (S.T.). The minimum follow-up time was 6 months. Levator labii alaque nasi muscle dissection or alar base release with or without a rim graft on the effected side were performed based on the severity of the alar base retraction. Aesthetic results were assessed with objective grading of preoperative and postoperative patient photographs by two independent plastic surgeons. Functional improvement was assessed with patient self-evaluations of nasal patency. Also, a rhinoplasty outcomes evaluation (ROE) questionnaire was distributed to patients. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative photographs demonstrated that nasal base asymmetry was significantly improved in all cases, and 85% of the patients had complete symmetry. Nasal obstruction was also significantly reduced after surgery (P < 0.001). The majority of patients reported satisfaction (92.5%), with an ROE total score greater than or equal to 20. New techniques and a treatment algorithm for correcting nasal base retraction deformities that will help rhinoplasty surgeons obtain aesthetically and functionally pleasing outcomes for patients. © 2017 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com

Relationship among visual field, blood flow, and neural structure measurements in glaucoma.

PubMed

Hwang, John C; Konduru, Ranjith; Zhang, Xinbo; Tan, Ou; Francis, Brian A; Varma, Rohit; Sehi, Mitra; Greenfield, David S; Sadda, Srinivas R; Huang, David

2012-05-17

To determine the relationship among visual field, neural structural, and blood flow measurements in glaucoma. Case-control study. Forty-seven eyes of 42 patients with perimetric glaucoma were age-matched with 27 normal eyes of 27 patients. All patients underwent Doppler Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography to measure retinal blood flow and standard glaucoma evaluation with visual field testing and quantitative structural imaging. Linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship among visual field, blood flow, and structure, after all variables were converted to logarithmic decibel scale. Retinal blood flow was reduced in glaucoma eyes compared to normal eyes (P < 0.001). Visual field loss was correlated with both reduced retinal blood flow and structural loss of rim area and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). There was no correlation or paradoxical correlation between blood flow and structure. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that reduced blood flow and structural loss are independent predictors of visual field loss. Each dB decrease in blood flow was associated with at least 1.62 dB loss in mean deviation (P ≤ 0.001), whereas each dB decrease in rim area and RNFL was associated with 1.15 dB and 2.56 dB loss in mean deviation, respectively (P ≤ 0.03). There is a close link between reduced retinal blood flow and visual field loss in glaucoma that is largely independent of structural loss. Further studies are needed to elucidate the causes of the vascular dysfunction and potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. Blood flow measurement may be useful as an independent assessment of glaucoma severity.

Effects of nasal drug delivery device and its orientation on sprayed particle deposition in a realistic human nasal cavity.

PubMed

Tong, Xuwen; Dong, Jingliang; Shang, Yidan; Inthavong, Kiao; Tu, Jiyuan

2016-10-01

In this study, the effects of nasal drug delivery device and the spray nozzle orientation on sprayed droplets deposition in a realistic human nasal cavity were numerically studied. Prior to performing the numerical investigation, an in-house designed automated actuation system representing mean adults actuation force was developed to produce realistic spray plume. Then, the spray plume development was filmed by high speed photography system, and spray characteristics such as spray cone angle, break-up length, and average droplet velocity were obtained through off-line image analysis. Continuing studies utilizing those experimental data as boundary conditions were applied in the following numerical spray simulations using a commercially available nasal spray device, which was inserted into a realistic adult nasal passage with external facial features. Through varying the particle releasing direction, the deposition fractions of selected particle sizes on the main nasal passage for targeted drug delivery were compared. The results demonstrated that the middle spray direction showed superior spray efficiency compared with upper or lower directions, and the 10µm agents were the most suitable particle size as the majority of sprayed agents can be delivered to the targeted area, the main passage. This study elaborates a comprehensive approach to better understand nasal spray mechanism and evaluate its performance for existing nasal delivery practices. Results of this study can assist the pharmaceutical industry to improve the current design of nasal drug delivery device and ultimately benefit more patients through optimized medications delivery. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neural control of visual search by frontal eye field: effects of unexpected target displacement on visual selection and saccade preparation.

PubMed

Murthy, Aditya; Ray, Supriya; Shorter, Stephanie M; Schall, Jeffrey D; Thompson, Kirk G

2009-05-01

The dynamics of visual selection and saccade preparation by the frontal eye field was investigated in macaque monkeys performing a search-step task combining the classic double-step saccade task with visual search. Reward was earned for producing a saccade to a color singleton. On random trials the target and one distractor swapped locations before the saccade and monkeys were rewarded for shifting gaze to the new singleton location. A race model accounts for the probabilities and latencies of saccades to the initial and final singleton locations and provides a measure of the duration of a covert compensation process-target-step reaction time. When the target stepped out of a movement field, noncompensated saccades to the original location were produced when movement-related activity grew rapidly to a threshold. Compensated saccades to the final location were produced when the growth of the original movement-related activity was interrupted within target-step reaction time and was replaced by activation of other neurons producing the compensated saccade. When the target stepped into a receptive field, visual neurons selected the new target location regardless of the monkeys' response. When the target stepped out of a receptive field most visual neurons maintained the representation of the original target location, but a minority of visual neurons showed reduced activity. Chronometric analyses of the neural responses to the target step revealed that the modulation of visually responsive neurons and movement-related neurons occurred early enough to shift attention and saccade preparation from the old to the new target location. These findings indicate that visual activity in the frontal eye field signals the location of targets for orienting, whereas movement-related activity instantiates saccade preparation.

The formulation of a nasal nanoemulsion zaleplon in situ gel for the treatment of insomnia.

PubMed

Hosny, Khaled Mohamed; Banjar, Zainy Mohammed

2013-08-01

Zaleplon is a drug used for the treatment of insomnia and is available in tablet form; however, it has two major problems. First, the drug undergoes extensive first pass metabolism, resulting in only 30% bioavailability, and second, the drug has a poor aqueous solubility, which delays the onset of action. The objective of this study is to utilise nanotechnology to formulate zaleplon into a nasal in situ nanoemulsion gel (NEG) to provide a solution for the previously mentioned problems. The solubility of zaleplon in various oils, surfactants and co-surfactants was estimated. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were developed and various nanoemulsion (NE) formulations were prepared; these formulations were subjected to visual characterisation, thermodynamic stability study and droplet size and conductivity measurements. Carbopol 934 was used as an in situ gelling agent. The gel strength, pH, gelation time, in vitro release and ex vivo nasal permeation were determined. The pharmacokinetic study of the NEG was carried out in rabbits. Stable NEs were successfully developed with a droplet size range of 35 to 73 nm. A NEG composed of 15% Miglyol, 30% Labrasol and 10% PEG 200 successfully provided the maximum in vitro and ex vivo permeation and enhanced the bioavailability in the rabbits by eightfold, when compared with the marketed tablets. The nasal NEG is a promising novel formula for zaleplon that has higher nasal tissue permeability and enhanced systemic bioavailability.

Diagnostic strategies in nasal congestion

PubMed Central

Krouse, John; Lund, Valerie; Fokkens, Wytske; Meltzer, Eli O

2010-01-01

Nasal congestion is a major symptom of upper respiratory tract disorders, and its characterization an important part of the diagnosis of these illnesses. Patient history and assessment of nasal symptoms are essential components of diagnosis, providing an initial evaluation that may be adequate to rule out serious conditions. However, current congestion medications are not always fully effective. Thus, if symptoms do not respond adequately to therapy, or symptoms suggestive of more serious conditions are present, specialized assessments may be needed. Various techniques are available for diagnosing patients, including those used chiefly by primary care clinicians and those requiring the expertise of otolaryngologists, allergists, and other specialists. Endoscopy remains a mainstay for evaluating nasal blockage and its causes, while modalities such as peak nasal inspiratory flow and acoustic rhinometry are evolving to provide easy-to-use, noninvasive procedures that are sensitive enough to measure small but clinically important abnormalities and therapeutic changes. Several imaging modalities are available to the specialist for severe or unusual cases, as are specialized diagnostic procedures that measure adjunctive features of congestion, such as impaired mucociliary function. PMID:20463824

Nasal Oxytocin Treatment Biases Dogs’ Visual Attention and Emotional Response toward Positive Human Facial Expressions

PubMed Central

Somppi, Sanni; Törnqvist, Heini; Topál, József; Koskela, Aija; Hänninen, Laura; Krause, Christina M.; Vainio, Outi

2017-01-01

The neuropeptide oxytocin plays a critical role in social behavior and emotion regulation in mammals. The aim of this study was to explore how nasal oxytocin administration affects gazing behavior during emotional perception in domestic dogs. Looking patterns of dogs, as a measure of voluntary attention, were recorded during the viewing of human facial expression photographs. The pupil diameters of dogs were also measured as a physiological index of emotional arousal. In a placebo-controlled within-subjects experimental design, 43 dogs, after having received either oxytocin or placebo (saline) nasal spray treatment, were presented with pictures of unfamiliar male human faces displaying either a happy or an angry expression. We found that, depending on the facial expression, the dogs’ gaze patterns were affected selectively by oxytocin treatment. After receiving oxytocin, dogs fixated less often on the eye regions of angry faces and revisited (glanced back at) more often the eye regions of smiling (happy) faces than after the placebo treatment. Furthermore, following the oxytocin treatment dogs fixated and revisited the eyes of happy faces significantly more often than the eyes of angry faces. The analysis of dogs’ pupil diameters during viewing of human facial expressions indicated that oxytocin may also have a modulatory effect on dogs’ emotional arousal. While subjects’ pupil sizes were significantly larger when viewing angry faces than happy faces in the control (placebo treatment) condition, oxytocin treatment not only eliminated this effect but caused an opposite pupil response. Overall, these findings suggest that nasal oxytocin administration selectively changes the allocation of attention and emotional arousal in domestic dogs. Oxytocin has the potential to decrease vigilance toward threatening social stimuli and increase the salience of positive social stimuli thus making eye gaze of friendly human faces more salient for dogs. Our study provides

Finite Element Model and Validation of Nasal Tip Deformation

PubMed Central

Manuel, Cyrus T; Harb, Rani; Badran, Alan; Ho, David; Wong, Brian JF

2016-01-01

Nasal tip mechanical stability is important for functional and cosmetic nasal airway surgery. Palpation of the nasal tip provides information on tip strength to the surgeon, though it is a purely subjective assessment. Providing a means to simulate nasal tip deformation with a validated model can offer a more objective approach in understanding the mechanics and nuances of the nasal tip support and eventual nasal mechanics as a whole. Herein we present validation of a finite element (FE) model of the nose using physical measurements recorded using an ABS plastic-silicone nasal phantom. Three-dimensional photogrammetry was used to capture the geometry of the phantom at rest and while under steady state load. The silicone used to make the phantom was mechanically tested and characterized using a linear elastic constitutive model. Surface point clouds of the silicone and FE model were compared for both the loaded and unloaded state. The average Hausdorff distance between actual measurements and FE simulations across the nose were 0.39mm ± 1.04 mm and deviated up to 2mm at the outermost boundaries of the model. FE simulation and measurements were in near complete agreement in the immediate vicinity of the nasal tip with millimeter accuracy. We have demonstrated validation of a two-component nasal FE model, which could be used to model more complex modes of deformation where direct measurement may be challenging. This is the first step in developing a nasal model to simulate nasal mechanics and ultimately the interaction between geometry and airflow. PMID:27633018

Finite Element Model and Validation of Nasal Tip Deformation.

PubMed

Manuel, Cyrus T; Harb, Rani; Badran, Alan; Ho, David; Wong, Brian J F

2017-03-01

Nasal tip mechanical stability is important for functional and cosmetic nasal airway surgery. Palpation of the nasal tip provides information on tip strength to the surgeon, though it is a purely subjective assessment. Providing a means to simulate nasal tip deformation with a validated model can offer a more objective approach in understanding the mechanics and nuances of the nasal tip support and eventual nasal mechanics as a whole. Herein we present validation of a finite element (FE) model of the nose using physical measurements recorded using an ABS plastic-silicone nasal phantom. Three-dimensional photogrammetry was used to capture the geometry of the phantom at rest and while under steady state load. The silicone used to make the phantom was mechanically tested and characterized using a linear elastic constitutive model. Surface point clouds of the silicone and FE model were compared for both the loaded and unloaded state. The average Hausdorff distance between actual measurements and FE simulations across the nose were 0.39 ± 1.04 mm and deviated up to 2 mm at the outermost boundaries of the model. FE simulation and measurements were in near complete agreement in the immediate vicinity of the nasal tip with millimeter accuracy. We have demonstrated validation of a two-component nasal FE model, which could be used to model more complex modes of deformation where direct measurement may be challenging. This is the first step in developing a nasal model to simulate nasal mechanics and ultimately the interaction between geometry and airflow.

Nasal Myiasis in Hinduism and Contemporary Otorhinolaryngology.

PubMed

Bosmia, Anand N; Zimmermann, Terence M; Griessenauer, Christoph J; Shane Tubbs, R; Rosenthal, Eben L

2017-08-01

Various case reports on nasal myiasis written during the 1990s and 2000s state that nasal myiasis, which is known as peenash among South Asian natives, is a form of divine punishment in Hindu mythology, but do not provide citations from Hindu scriptures that would suggest this interpretation. This paper aims to discuss the phenomenon of peenash in a historical context by examining medical literature written during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, to identify Hindu texts contributing to the belief of some Hindus that nasal myiasis is a form of divine punishment, and to provide an overview of contemporary treatment for and management of nasal myiasis.

The mini-incision technique for carpal tunnel release using nasal instruments in Chinese patients.

PubMed

Chen, Yanhua; Ji, Wei; Li, Tao; Cong, Xiaobin; Chen, Zhenbing

2017-08-01

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) remains a challenge for hand surgeons. Carpal tunnel release (CTR) using nasal instruments has the advantages of both endoscopy and open surgery. In this study we aimed to explore the effectiveness of CTR using nasal instruments in Chinese patients.We present a case series of 49 cases of idiopathic CTS treated with the mini-incision technique using nasal instruments. The average recovery days before return to normal work and complications were recorded. The mean grip strength, pinch strength, and sensation were evaluated. Subjective results were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Levine Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (LCTSQ), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36).The mean follow-up was 13 months. No return of symptoms or blood vessel injury occurred. The incidence of scar tenderness was only 8.1%, later pillar pain (after 4 weeks) was 18.4%, and average recovery time to return to normal work was 23.7 days. The mean grip strength, pinch strength, and sensation were significantly improved (P < .001). The VAS, LCTSQ, and DASH survey postoperative mean scores were lower than the preoperative scores (P < .001). SF-36 scores were significantly increased following surgery (P < .001).We conclude that the mini-incision technique for CTR using nasal instruments in Chinese patients is safe, effective, and low cost. It is worthwhile for the technique to be promoted and used.

Unilateral nasal pain with migraine features.

PubMed

Alvarez, Mónica; Montojo, Teresa; de la Casa, Beatriz; Vela, Lydia; Pareja, Juan A

2013-09-01

Migraine attacks exclusively felt in the face are very rare, the pain involving the territories supplied by the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve. Two patients suffering from heminasal pain attacks accompanied with typical migrainous features and responsive to oral or intranasal triptans - but not to intranasal lidocaine or oxymetazoline. In one patient, the attacks could be precipitated upon slight touching on the tip of the nose, in the other attacks were preceded by the nasal sensation typically heralding sneezing. Migraine pain mostly develops within the innervation territory of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve, which includes the nose. Therefore, episodes of unilateral nasal pain with migrainous features could be considered a migraine with unusual topography (nasal migraine). Painful nasal attacks occasionally preceded by stimulation of trigeminal afferents in the nose, could be conceived of as migraine-tic syndrome.

Splitting attention across the two visual fields in visual short-term memory.

PubMed

Delvenne, Jean-Francois; Holt, Jessica L

2012-02-01

Humans have the ability to attentionally select the most relevant visual information from their extrapersonal world and to retain it in a temporary buffer, known as visual short-term memory (VSTM). Research suggests that at least two non-contiguous items can be selected simultaneously when they are distributed across the two visual hemifields. In two experiments, we show that attention can also be split between the left and right sides of internal representations held in VSTM. Participants were asked to remember several colors, while cues presented during the delay instructed them to orient their attention to a subset of memorized colors. Experiment 1 revealed that orienting attention to one or two colors strengthened equally participants' memory for those colors, but only when they were from separate hemifields. Experiment 2 showed that in the absence of attentional cues the distribution of the items in the visual field per se had no effect on memory. These findings strongly suggest the existence of independent attentional resources in the two hemifields for selecting and/or consolidating information in VSTM. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Normal Threshold Size of Stimuli in Children Using a Game-Based Visual Field Test.

PubMed

Wang, Yanfang; Ali, Zaria; Subramani, Siddharth; Biswas, Susmito; Fenerty, Cecilia; Henson, David B; Aslam, Tariq

2017-06-01

The aim of this study was to demonstrate and explore the ability of novel game-based perimetry to establish normal visual field thresholds in children. One hundred and eighteen children (aged 8.0 ± 2.8 years old) with no history of visual field loss or significant medical history were recruited. Each child had one eye tested using a game-based visual field test 'Caspar's Castle' at four retinal locations 12.7° (N = 118) from fixation. Thresholds were established repeatedly using up/down staircase algorithms with stimuli of varying diameter (luminance 20 cd/m 2 , duration 200 ms, background luminance 10 cd/m 2 ). Relationships between threshold and age were determined along with measures of intra- and intersubject variability. The Game-based visual field test was able to establish threshold estimates in the full range of children tested. Threshold size reduced with increasing age in children. Intrasubject variability and intersubject variability were inversely related to age in children. Normal visual field thresholds were established for specific locations in children using a novel game-based visual field test. These could be used as a foundation for developing a game-based perimetry screening test for children.

Nose and Nasal Planum Neoplasia, Reconstruction.

PubMed

Worley, Deanna R

2016-07-01

Most intranasal lesions are best treated with radiation therapy. Computed tomographic imaging with intravenous contrast is critical for treatment planning. Computed tomographic images of the nose will best assess the integrity of the cribriform plate for central nervous system invasion by a nasal tumor. Because of an owner's emotional response to an altered appearance of their dog's face, discussions need to include the entire family before proceeding with nasal planectomy or radical planectomy. With careful case selection, nasal planectomy and radical planectomy surgeries can be locally curative. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measurement of nasal patency in anesthetized and conscious dogs.

PubMed

Koss, Michael C; Yu, Yongxin; Hey, John A; McLeod, Robbie L

2002-02-01

Experiments were undertaken to characterize a noninvasive chronic, model of nasal congestion in which nasal patency is measured using acoustic rhinometry. Compound 48/80 was administered intranasally to elicit nasal congestion in five beagle dogs either by syringe (0.5 ml) in thiopental sodium-anesthetized animals or as a mist (0.25 ml) in the same animals in the conscious state. Effects of mast cell degranulation on nasal cavity volume as well as on minimal cross-sectional area (A(min)) and intranasal distance to A(min) (D(min)) were studied. Compound 48/80 caused a dose-related decrease in nasal cavity volume and A(min) together with a variable increase in D(min). Maximal responses were seen at 90-120 min. Compound 48/80 was less effective in producing nasal congestion in conscious animals, which also had significantly larger basal nasal cavity volumes. These results demonstrate the utility of using acoustic rhinometry to measure parameters of nasal patency in dogs and suggest that this model may prove useful in studies of the actions of decongestant drugs.

Effect of lidocaine-soaked nasal packing on pain relief after endoscopic sinus surgery.

PubMed

Mo, Ji-Hun; Park, Young-Min; Chung, Young-Jun

2013-01-01

Nasal packing is usually performed to control bleeding after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Although new packing materials have been developed, they still cause pain. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of lidocaine-soaked packs on pain after ESS. A prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial was conducted in 63 patients with CRS undergoing ESS. At the conclusion of the operation, 2% lidocaine-soaked biodegradable synthetic polyurethane foam and saline-soaked polyurethane foam were inserted in both nasal cavities of 31 patients and 32 control patients, respectively. The same lidocaine or saline was reapplied into the nasal packs at postoperative 8 hours. Pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale at postoperative 1, 4, 8, 16, 20, and 24 hour(s). The number of gauze that cleaned the blood around the nose was counted. Heart rate, rhythm, and blood pressures were checked preoperatively and postoperatively to evaluate the influence of lidocaine on vital signs. Postoperative pain decreased in lidocaine group at all of the postoperative time periods (p < 0.05). Lidocaine reduced postoperative bleeding at postoperative 8 and 24 hours. Changes of blood pressure from preoperative values in the lidocaine group were not different from those in the control group (p > 0.05). Heart rate in the lidocaine group was more stable than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Lidocaine-soaked packs significantly reduced postoperative pain without serious changes on vital sign. These findings suggest that topical lidocaine application to nasal packs could be a useful method to reduce pain during the early postoperative period after ESS.

Multiresolution and Explicit Methods for Vector Field Analysis and Visualization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nielson, Gregory M.

1997-01-01

This is a request for a second renewal (3d year of funding) of a research project on the topic of multiresolution and explicit methods for vector field analysis and visualization. In this report, we describe the progress made on this research project during the second year and give a statement of the planned research for the third year. There are two aspects to this research project. The first is concerned with the development of techniques for computing tangent curves for use in visualizing flow fields. The second aspect of the research project is concerned with the development of multiresolution methods for curvilinear grids and their use as tools for visualization, analysis and archiving of flow data. We report on our work on the development of numerical methods for tangent curve computation first.

Resilience to the contralateral visual field bias as a window into object representations

PubMed Central

Garcea, Frank E.; Kristensen, Stephanie; Almeida, Jorge; Mahon, Bradford Z.

2016-01-01

Viewing images of manipulable objects elicits differential blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) contrast across parietal and dorsal occipital areas of the human brain that support object-directed reaching, grasping, and complex object manipulation. However, it is unknown which object-selective regions of parietal cortex receive their principal inputs from the ventral object-processing pathway and which receive their inputs from the dorsal object-processing pathway. Parietal areas that receive their inputs from the ventral visual pathway, rather than from the dorsal stream, will have inputs that are already filtered through object categorization and identification processes. This predicts that parietal regions that receive inputs from the ventral visual pathway should exhibit object-selective responses that are resilient to contralateral visual field biases. To test this hypothesis, adult participants viewed images of tools and animals that were presented to the left or right visual fields during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We found that the left inferior parietal lobule showed robust tool preferences independently of the visual field in which tool stimuli were presented. In contrast, a region in posterior parietal/dorsal occipital cortex in the right hemisphere exhibited an interaction between visual field and category: tool-preferences were strongest contralateral to the stimulus. These findings suggest that action knowledge accessed in the left inferior parietal lobule operates over inputs that are abstracted from the visual input and contingent on analysis by the ventral visual pathway, consistent with its putative role in supporting object manipulation knowledge. PMID:27160998

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) in canine nasal carcinomas.

PubMed

Paciello, O; Borzacchiello, G; Varricchio, E; Papparella, S

2007-10-01

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor belonging to the steroid receptor superfamily. PPAR-gamma is expressed in multiple normal and neoplastic tissues, such as the breast, colon, lung, ovary and placenta. In addition to adipogenic and anti-inflammatory effects, PPAR-gamma activation has been shown to be anti-proliferative by its differentiation-promoting effect, suggesting that activation of PPAR-gamma may be useful in slowing or arresting the proliferation of de-differentiated tumour cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of PPAR-gamma in normal and neoplastic canine nasal epithelium. Twenty-five samples composed of five normal nasal epithelia and 20 canine nasal carcinomas, were immunohistochemically stained for PPAR-gamma. The specificity of the antibody was verified by Western Blot analysis. Confocal laser scanning microscopical investigation was also performed. In normal epithelium, the staining pattern was cytoplasmic and polarized at the cellular free edge. In carcinomas, the neoplastic cells showed mainly strong cytoplasmatic PPAR-gamma expression; moreover, perinuclear immunoreactivity was also detected and few neoplastic cells exhibited a nuclear positivity. Our results demonstrate different patterns of PPAR-gamma expression in normal canine nasal epithelium when compared with canine nasal carcinoma. The importance of this transcription factor in the pathophysiology of several different tumours has stimulated much research in this field and has opened new opportunities for the treatment of the tumours.

Hygroscopic condenser humidifier as a solution to nasal dryness due to nasal CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PubMed

Parra, O; Klamburg, J; Xirgu, J; Abad, J; Sala, H; Tomasa, A; Morera, J

1991-04-01

We report an apparent solution to nasal dryness for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) when a hygroscopic condenser humidifier is introduced into the CPAP circuit. Six patients underwent a 5-h test period of nasal CPAP therapy with a mask containing a hygroscopic humidifier. The water vapor showed a statistically significant increase in both inspired and expired gases. The relative humidity of the inspired gases increased significantly. The levels of O2 and CO2 in the respired gases did not change. When patients were asked about nasal dryness at the end of the test, all of them reported marked improvement.

Central corneal thickness and progression of the visual field and optic disc in glaucoma

PubMed Central

Chauhan, B C; Hutchison, D M; LeBlanc, R P; Artes, P H; Nicolela, M T

2005-01-01

Aims: To determine whether central corneal thickness (CCT) is a significant predictor of visual field and optic disc progression in open angle glaucoma. Methods: Data were obtained from a prospective study of glaucoma patients tested with static automated perimetry and confocal scanning laser tomography every 6 months. Progression was determined using a trend based approach called evidence of change (EOC) analysis in which sectoral ordinal scores based on the significance of regression coefficients of visual field pattern deviation and neuroretinal rim area over time are summed. Visual field progression was also determined using the event based glaucoma change probability (GCP) analysis using both total and pattern deviation. Results: The sample contained 101 eyes of 54 patients (mean (SD) age 56.5 (9.8) years) with a mean follow up of 9.2 (0.7) years and 20.7 (2.3) sets of examinations every 6 months. Lower CCT was associated with worse baseline visual fields and lower mean IOP in the follow up. In the longitudinal analysis CCT was not correlated with the EOC scores for visual field or optic disc change. In the GCP analyses, there was a tendency for groups classified as progressing to have lower CCT compared to non-progressing groups. In a multivariate analyses accounting for IOP, the opposite was found, whereby higher CCT was associated with visual field progression. None of the independent factors were predictive of optic disc progression. Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with established glaucoma, CCT was not a useful index in the risk assessment of visual field and optic disc progression. PMID:16024855

Fluid mechanics based classification of the respiratory efficiency of several nasal cavities.

PubMed

Lintermann, Andreas; Meinke, Matthias; Schröder, Wolfgang

2013-11-01

The flow in the human nasal cavity is of great importance to understand rhinologic pathologies like impaired respiration or heating capabilities, a diminished sense of taste and smell, and the presence of dry mucous membranes. To numerically analyze this flow problem a highly efficient and scalable Thermal Lattice-BGK (TLBGK) solver is used, which is very well suited for flows in intricate geometries. The generation of the computational mesh is completely automatic and highly parallelized such that it can be executed efficiently on High Performance Computers (HPCs). An evaluation of the functionality of nasal cavities is based on an analysis of pressure drop, secondary flow structures, wall-shear stress distributions, and temperature variations from the nostrils to the pharynx. The results of the flow fields of three completely different nasal cavities allow their classification into ability groups and support the a priori decision process on surgical interventions. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Visual Field Presentation on Action Planning (Estimating Reach) in Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gabbard, Carl; Cordova, Alberto

2012-01-01

In this article, the authors examined the effects of target information presented in different visual fields (lower, upper, central) on estimates of reach via use of motor imagery in children (5-11 years old) and young adults. Results indicated an advantage for estimating reach movements for targets placed in lower visual field (LoVF), with all…

Imprinting modulates processing of visual information in the visual wulst of chicks.

PubMed

Maekawa, Fumihiko; Komine, Okiru; Sato, Katsushige; Kanamatsu, Tomoyuki; Uchimura, Motoaki; Tanaka, Kohichi; Ohki-Hamazaki, Hiroko

2006-11-14

Imprinting behavior is one form of learning and memory in precocial birds. With the aim of elucidating of the neural basis for visual imprinting, we focused on visual information processing. A lesion in the visual wulst, which is similar functionally to the mammalian visual cortex, caused anterograde amnesia in visual imprinting behavior. Since the color of an object was one of the important cues for imprinting, we investigated color information processing in the visual wulst. Intrinsic optical signals from the visual wulst were detected in the early posthatch period and the peak regions of responses to red, green, and blue were spatially organized from the caudal to the nasal regions in dark-reared chicks. This spatial representation of color recognition showed plastic changes, and the response pattern along the antero-posterior axis of the visual wulst altered according to the color the chick was imprinted to. These results indicate that the thalamofugal pathway is critical for learning the imprinting stimulus and that the visual wulst shows learning-related plasticity and may relay processed visual information to indicate the color of the imprint stimulus to the memory storage region, e.g., the intermediate medial mesopallium.

Imprinting modulates processing of visual information in the visual wulst of chicks

PubMed Central

Maekawa, Fumihiko; Komine, Okiru; Sato, Katsushige; Kanamatsu, Tomoyuki; Uchimura, Motoaki; Tanaka, Kohichi; Ohki-Hamazaki, Hiroko

2006-01-01

Background Imprinting behavior is one form of learning and memory in precocial birds. With the aim of elucidating of the neural basis for visual imprinting, we focused on visual information processing. Results A lesion in the visual wulst, which is similar functionally to the mammalian visual cortex, caused anterograde amnesia in visual imprinting behavior. Since the color of an object was one of the important cues for imprinting, we investigated color information processing in the visual wulst. Intrinsic optical signals from the visual wulst were detected in the early posthatch period and the peak regions of responses to red, green, and blue were spatially organized from the caudal to the nasal regions in dark-reared chicks. This spatial representation of color recognition showed plastic changes, and the response pattern along the antero-posterior axis of the visual wulst altered according to the color the chick was imprinted to. Conclusion These results indicate that the thalamofugal pathway is critical for learning the imprinting stimulus and that the visual wulst shows learning-related plasticity and may relay processed visual information to indicate the color of the imprint stimulus to the memory storage region, e.g., the intermediate medial mesopallium. PMID:17101060

Patient experience with mupirocin or povidone-iodine nasal decolonization.

PubMed

Maslow, Jed; Hutzler, Lorraine; Cuff, Germaine; Rosenberg, Andrew; Phillips, Michael; Bosco, Joseph

2014-06-01

Led by the federal government, the payers of health care are enacting policies designed to base provider reimbursement on the quality of care they render. This study evaluated and compared patient experiences and satisfaction with nasal decolonization with either nasal povidone-iodine (PI) or nasal mupirocin ointment (MO). A total of 1903 patients were randomized to undergo preoperative nasal decolonization with either nasal MO or PI solution. All randomized patients were also given 2% chlorhexidine gluconate topical wipes. Patients were interviewed prior to discharge to assess adverse events and patient experience with their assigned preoperative antiseptic protocol. Of the 1903 randomized patients, 1679 (88.1%) were interviewed prior to discharge. Of patients receiving PI, 3.4% reported an unpleasant or very unpleasant experience, compared with 38.8% of those using nasal MO (P<.0001). Sixty-seven percent of patients using nasal MO believed it to be somewhat or very helpful in reducing surgical site infections, compared with 71% of patients receiving PI (P>.05). Being recruited as an active participant in surgical site infection prevention was a positive experience for 87.2% of MO patients and 86.3% of PI patients (P=.652). Those assigned to receive PI solution preoperatively reported significantly fewer adverse events than the nasal MO group (P<.01). Preoperative nasal decolonization with either nasal PI or MO was considered somewhat or very helpful by more than two-thirds of patients. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

External nasal dilators: definition, background, and current uses

PubMed Central

Dinardi, Ricardo Reis; de Andrade, Cláudia Ribeiro; Ibiapina, Cássio da Cunha

2014-01-01

Our goal was to revise the literature about external nasal dilators (ENDs) as to their definition, history, and current uses. We reviewed journals in the PubMed and MEDLINE databases. The current uses hereby presented and discussed are physical exercise, nasal congestion and sleep, snoring, pregnancy, cancer, and healthy individuals. Numerous studies have shown that ENDs increase the cross-sectional area of the nasal valve, reducing nasal resistance and transnasal inspiratory pressure and stabilizing the lateral nasal vestibule, avoiding its collapse during final inspiration. These effects also facilitate breathing and are beneficial to patients with nasal obstruction. Furthermore, END use is simple, noninvasive, painless, affordable, and bears minimum risk to the user. Most studies have limited sample size and are mainly focused on physical exercise. In conclusion, ENDs seem useful, so further studies involving potential effects on the performance of physical tests and improvements in sleep quality are necessary, especially in children and teenagers. PMID:25419156

Nasal reaction to changes in whole body temperature.

PubMed

Lundqvist, G R; Pedersen, O F; Hilberg, O; Nielsen, B

1993-11-01

The changes in nasal patency following a 1.5 degrees C decrease or increase in whole body temperature were measured in 8 healthy young males, during and after 30 min of immersion in a 15 degrees C cold or a 40 degrees C warm bath, breathing air at the same temperature, in a cross-over experimental design. The nasal reactions were traced by consecutive measurements of changes in nasal cavity volumes by acoustic rhinometry. Swelling of the mucosa during cooling and an almost maximal shrinkage of the mucosa during heating were indicated by respectively a decrease and an increase in nasal cavity volumes. The reactions were determined predominantly by the whole body thermal balance, but were also influenced by the temperature of the inhaled air, either enhanced, reduced or temporarily reversed. The greatest change occurred in the nasal cavity, left or right, which differed most from the final state at the beginning of exposure due to the actual state of nasal cycle.

Comparison of visual field training for hemianopia with active versus sham transcranial direct cortical stimulation.

PubMed

Plow, Ela B; Obretenova, Souzana N; Fregni, Felipe; Pascual-Leone, Alvaro; Merabet, Lotfi B

2012-01-01

Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT) aims to improve visual field function by systematically training regions of residual vision associated with the activity of suboptimal firing neurons within the occipital cortex. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate cortical excitability. Assess the possible efficacy of tDCS combined with VRT. The authors conducted a randomized, double-blind, demonstration-of-concept pilot study where participants were assigned to either VRT and tDCS or VRT and sham. The anode was placed over the occipital pole to target both affected and unaffected lobes. One hour training sessions were carried out 3 times per week for 3 months in a laboratory. Outcome measures included objective and subjective changes in visual field, recording of visual fixation performance, and vision-related activities of daily living (ADLs) and quality of life (QOL). Although 12 participants were enrolled, only 8 could be analyzed. The VRT and tDCS group demonstrated significantly greater expansion in visual field and improvement on ADLs compared with the VRT and sham group. Contrary to expectations, subjective perception of visual field change was greater in the VRT and sham group. QOL did not change for either group. The observed changes in visual field were unrelated to compensatory eye movements, as shown with fixation monitoring. The combination of occipital cortical tDCS with visual field rehabilitation appears to enhance visual functional outcomes compared with visual rehabilitation alone. TDCS may enhance inherent mechanisms of plasticity associated with training.

Effect of bilastine upon nasal obstruction.

PubMed

Dávila, I; Sastre, J; Mullol, J; Montoro, J; Jáuregui, I; Ferrer, M; del Cuvillo, A; Bartra, J; Valero, A

2011-01-01

H1 antihistamines constitute one of the main references for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Classically, these drugs have been considered effective in controlling sneezing, rhinorrhea and itching, though they have not been regarded as particularly effective in application to nasal obstruction. The most recent studies, involving second-generation H1 antihistamines (desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, rupatadine), have shown these drugs to offer effects upon nasal obstruction significantly superior to those of placebo. The present review examines the effect of bilastine, a new, potent and highly specific H1 antihistamine without sedative effects or cardiac toxicity, upon nasal obstruction. The analysis of the data from the different clinical trials indicates that in patients with allergic rhinitis, the effect of bilastine upon nasal obstruction is superior to that of placebo and similar to that of other second-generation H1 antihistamines, manifesting within 24 hours after the start of treatment.

Evaluation of peripheral binocular visual field in patients with glaucoma: a pilot study

PubMed Central

Ana, Banc; Cristina, Stan; Dorin, Chiselita

2016-01-01

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the peripheral binocular visual field (PBVF) in patients with glaucoma using the threshold strategy of Humphrey Field Analyzer. Methods: We conducted a case-control pilot study in which we enrolled 59 patients with glaucoma and 20 controls. All participants were evaluated using a custom PBVF test and central 24° monocular visual field tests for each eye using the threshold strategy. The central binocular visual field (CBVF) was predicted from the monocular tests using the most sensitive point at each field location. The glaucoma patients were grouped according to Hodapp classification and age. The PBVF was compared to controls and the relationship between the PBVF and CBVF was tested. Results: The areas of frame-induced artefacts were determined (over 50° in each temporal field, 24° superiorly and 45° inferiorly) and excluded from interpretation. The patients presented a statistically significant generalized decrease of the peripheral retinal sensitivity compared to controls for Hodapp initial stage - groups aged 50-59 (t = 11.93 > 2.06; p < 0.05) and 60-69 (t = 7.55 > 2.06; p < 0.05). For the initial Hodapp stage there was no significant relationship between PBVF and CBVF (r = 0.39). For the moderate and advanced Hodapp stages, the interpretation of data was done separately for each patient. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that glaucoma patients present a decrease of PBVF compared to controls and CBVF cannot predict the PBVF in glaucoma. Abbreviations: CBVF = central binocular visual field, PBVF = peripheral binocular visual field, MD = mean deviation PMID:27220228

Inhalation of diethylamine--acute nasal effects and subjective response

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lundqvist, G.R.; Yamagiwa, M.; Pedersen, O.F.

1992-03-01

Adult volunteers were exposed to 25 ppm (75 mg/m3) diethylamine in a climate chamber for 15 min in order to study the acute nasal reactions to an exposure equivalent to the present threshold limit value-short-term exposure limit. Changes in nasal volume and nasal resistance were measured by acoustic rhinometry and by rhinomanometry. Acute change in nasal volume, usually seen as acute nasal mucosa response to thermal stimuli, was not observed, nor was an acute change in nasal airway resistance. In a subsequent experiment, the aim was to measure acute sensory effects. Exposure to a concentration increasing from 0 to 12more » ppm took place for 60 min, equal to an average concentration of 10 ppm (30 mg/m3). A moderate to strong olfactory response and distinct nasal and eye irritation were observed. In spite of considerable individual variation, the results were in agreement with sensory effect estimates obtained from animal studies.« less

Chronic Invasive Fungal Sinusitis Presenting as Inferior Altitudinal Visual Field Defect.

PubMed

Bansal, Reema; Takkar, Aastha; Lal, Vivek; Bal, Amanjit; Bansal, Sandeep

2017-06-01

A young male with acute blurring of vision (6/9) complained of an inferior altitudinal field defect in right eye. Clinical ophthalmological examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed the expansion and mucosal thickening of right posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses and opacified right maxillary sinus. Surgical intervention (transethmoidal sphenoidotomy) and histopathological examination revealed chronic invasive granulomatous fungal sinusitis. Anti-fungal therapy led to resolution of visual complaints and restoration of visual field defects.

Modified visual field trend analysis.

PubMed

De Moraes, Carlos Gustavo V; Ritch, Robert; Tello, Celso; Liebmann, Jeffrey M

2011-01-01

Visual field trend analysis can be influenced by outlying values that may disproportionately affect estimation of the rate of change. We tested a modified approach to visual field trend analysis to minimize this problem. Automated pointwise linear regression (PLR) was used in glaucoma patients with ≥13 SITA-Standard 24-2 VF tests in either eye. In the control group (Group A), conventional PLR using the entire set of VF tests was carried out. In the other 3 groups (study groups), a truncated analysis was done using only the first and last 3 (Group B), first and last 4 (Group C), or first and last 5 (Group D) VF tests. We compared the global slopes (dB/y), number of eyes experiencing significant progression, and significant improvement between groups. Ninety eyes of 90 patients were evaluated. The mean number±SD of VF tests was 15.7±2.6, spanning 7.8±1.7 years. The study groups showed similar global rates of VF change as the control group (Group A=-0.48±0.5, Group B=-0.48±0.6, Group C=-0.48±0.6, Group D=-0.48±0.5 dB/y, P>0.05), and a similar number of eyes reaching a progression endpoint (Group A=53, Group B=52, Group C=49, Group D=53, P>0.05). However, Group B showed fewer eyes presenting VF improvement (false-positives). The modified VF trend-analysis showed greater specificity than conventional PLR in a population with glaucoma.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

PubMed Central

Stevens, Whitney W.; Schleimer, Robert P.; Kern, Robert C.

2016-01-01

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is an important clinical entity diagnosed by the presence of both subjective and objective evidence of chronic sinonasal inflammation. Symptoms include anterior or posterior rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, hyposmia and/or facial pressure or pain that last for greater than 12 weeks duration. Nasal polyps are inflammatory lesions that project into the nasal airway, are typically bilateral, and originate from the ethmoid sinus. Males are more likely to be affected than females but no specific genetic or environmental factors have been strongly linked to the development of this disorder to date. CRSwNP is frequently associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis but the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the clinical symptoms are not fully understood. Defects in the sinonasal epithelial cell barrier, increased exposure to pathogenic and colonized bacteria, and dysregulation of the host immune system are all thought to play prominent roles in disease pathogenesis. Additional studies are needed to further explore the clinical and pathophysiological features of CRSwNP so that biomarkers can be identified and novel advances can be made to improve the treatment and management of this disease. PMID:27393770

Algorithm Visualization: The State of the Field

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaffer, Clifford A.; Cooper, Matthew L.; Alon, Alexander Joel D.; Akbar, Monika; Stewart, Michael; Ponce, Sean; Edwards, Stephen H.

2010-01-01

We present findings regarding the state of the field of Algorithm Visualization (AV) based on our analysis of a collection of over 500 AVs. We examine how AVs are distributed among topics, who created them and when, their overall quality, and how they are disseminated. There does exist a cadre of good AVs and active developers. Unfortunately, we…

Effect of formulation- and administration-related variables on deposition pattern of nasal spray pumps evaluated using a nasal cast.

PubMed

Kundoor, Vipra; Dalby, Richard N

2011-08-01

To systematically evaluate the effect of formulation- and administration-related variables on nasal spray deposition using a nasal cast. Deposition pattern was assessed by uniformly coating a transparent nose model with Sar-Gel®, which changes from white to purple on contact with water. Sprays were subsequently discharged into the cast, which was then digitally photographed. Images were quantified using Adobe® Photoshop. The effects of formulation viscosity (which influences droplet size), simulated administration techniques (head orientation, spray administration angle, spray nozzle insertion depth), spray pump design and metering volume on nasal deposition pattern were investigated. There was a significant decrease in the deposition area associated with sprays of increasing viscosity. This appeared to be mediated by an increase in droplet size and a narrowing of the spray plume. Administration techniques and nasal spray pump design also had a significant effect on the deposition pattern. This simple color-based method provides quantitative estimates of the effects that different formulation and administration variables may have on the nasal deposition area, and provides a rational basis on which manufacturers of nasal sprays can base their patient instructions or post approval changes when it is impractical to optimize these using a clinical study.

Graphics and Flow Visualization of Computer Generated Flow Fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kathong, M.; Tiwari, S. N.

1987-01-01

Flow field variables are visualized using color representations described on surfaces that are interpolated from computational grids and transformed to digital images. Techniques for displaying two and three dimensional flow field solutions are addressed. The transformations and the use of an interactive graphics program for CFD flow field solutions, called PLOT3D, which runs on the color graphics IRIS workstation are described. An overview of the IRIS workstation is also described.

Effect of early correction of nasal septal deformity in unilateral cleft lip and palate on inferior turbinate hypertrophy and nasal patency.

PubMed

Pinto, Valentina; Piccin, Ottavio; Burgio, Luca; Summo, Valeria; Antoniazzi, Elisa; Morselli, Paolo G

2018-05-01

A relatively neglected aspect of cleft lip nasal deformity is the effect of septal deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) on the functional airway. In particular, ITH in the noncleft side can be especially problematic, because it reduces the healthy nasal area, creating bilateral nasal obstruction that might affect the growth of the maxillofacial skeleton. Although these anatomic and functional changes are documented, few recommendations have been developed regarding the proper approach to ITH. The aim of the present study was to asses the ITH severity and determine the degree of nasal airway patency in patients who have undergone primary correction of the nasal septum during lip repair compared to patients operated on without primary septal correction. The study population included two groups. One group consisted of twenty unilateral cleft lip palate UCLP patients who have previously undergone primary rhinoseptoplasty as part of their treatment plan. The control group consisted of twenty UCLP patients operated on without rhinoseptal correction. The Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and nasal endoscopy were used to assess nasal obstruction. The overall untreated group reported severe symptoms across all NOSE scale dimensions more frequently than children who have undergone primary rhinoseptoplasty. The difference was statistically significant for each dimensions (p < 0.05). The mean NOSE score for group A and group B was 21.4 ± 9.4 and 70.8 ± 17.2 respectively (p < 0.0001). In group A turbinate size decreased significantly (p < 0.05) compared to pre-operative data. Comparing the two groups a statistically significant difference in turbinate size was observed (p < 0.0001). The results of the present study confirm that there is a significant degree of ITH and nasal airway dysfunction in patients with UCLP. Early septal repositioning during primary cleft lip repair results in a statistically significant reduction in IT

A retrospective study of chronic nasal disease in 75 dogs.

PubMed

Lobetti, R G

2009-12-01

Chronic nasal disease is a common problem in dogs. To determine the aetiology, a retrospective study in 75 dogs with persistent and chronic nasal disease was done. All dogs were evaluated by means of survey nasal radiographs, antegrade and retrograde rhinoscopy, bacterial and fungal cultures, and histopathology. A definitive diagnosis was made in 74/75 cases (98.6%). Nasal neoplasia was the most common diagnosis (46.7%), median age 108 months, followed by lympho-plasmacytic rhinitis (20%), median age 112 months, and fungal rhinitis (10.7%), median age 53.5 months. Other diagnoses included nasal foreign body (5.3%), median age 51 months, and primary bacterial rhinitis (6.7%), median age 116.5 months. Rare aetiologies identified were nasal polyps, granulomatous rhinitis, oro-nasal fistula and naso-pharyngeal stenosis. This study showed that by using a structured combination of survey radiography, rhinoscopy, cultures and histopathology, a diagnosis could be made in dogs with chronic nasal disease.

Nasal reconstruction after epithelioma.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Camps, S

2001-01-01

In this paper we present our procedure for the treatment, histopathological diagnosis, and resection of skin cancer in the nasal pyramid and its subsequent reconstruction. Because we are dealing with the most important anatomical feature of the face our goal is an aesthetic reconstruction [2,4] according to the anatomical subunits criterion of Burget [3]. First, a histopathological diagnosis is made to determine the nature of the tumor. Then, we proceed with the resection according to the Mohs Micrographic Surgery [1,5,7]. Then we begin with the first step of the nasal reconstruction.

A Comparison of Over-the-Counter Mechanical Nasal Dilators: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Kiyohara, Nicole; Badger, Christopher; Tjoa, Tjoson; Wong, Brian

2016-09-01

The internal nasal valve is the narrowest part of the nasal airway and a common site of inspiratory collapse and obstruction of nasal airflow. Over-the-counter mechanical nasal dilators are an alternative to surgical intervention that attempts to improve airflow through the internal nasal valve. To determine the efficacy of over-the-counter mechanical nasal dilators and classify these products by mechanism. A database of 33 available over-the-counter mechanical nasal dilators was generated via a PubMed search as well as an internet search via Amazon.com and Google, conducted from April 1, 2013, through December 31, 2015. Products determined to be unavailable or discontinued were excluded from the database. Of the devices examined in published literature, efficacy was based on objective measures, such as measured airflow, the cross-sectional area of the nasal valve, and changes in resistance. Measures of reported sleep quality or patient perception were excluded. An analysis of each product's mechanism revealed 4 broad classes: external nasal dilator strips, nasal stents, nasal clips, and septal stimulators. A review demonstrated 5 studies supporting the use of external nasal dilator strips, 4 studies supporting the use of nasal clips, 1 study supporting the use of nasal stents, and no studies supporting the use of septal stimulators. Our findings suggest that external nasal dilator strips and nasal clips effectively relieve obstruction of the internal nasal valve and may be an alternative to surgical intervention in some patients.

Field: a new meta-authoring platform for data-intensive scientific visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Downie, M.; Ameres, E.; Fox, P. A.; Goebel, J.; Graves, A.; Hendler, J.

2012-12-01

This presentation will demonstrate a new platform for data-intensive scientific visualization, called Field, that rethinks the problem of visual data exploration. Several new opportunities for scientific visualization present themselves here at this moment in time. We believe that when taken together they may catalyze a transformation of the practice of science and to begin to seed a technical culture within science that fuses data analysis, programming and myriad visual strategies. It is at integrative levels that the principle challenges exist, for many fundamental technical components of our field are now well understood and widely available. File formats from CSV through HDF all have broad library support; low-level high-performance graphics APIs (OpenGL) are in a period of stable growth; and a dizzying ecosystem of analysis and machine learning libraries abound. The hardware of computer graphics offers unprecedented computing power within commodity components; programming languages and platforms are coalescing around a core set of umbrella runtimes. Each of these trends are each set to continue — computer graphics hardware is developing at a super-Moore-law rate, and trends in publication and dissemination point only towards an increasing amount of access to code and data. The critical opportunity here for scientific visualization is, we maintain, not a in developing a new statistical library, nor a new tool centered on a particular technique, but rather new visual, "live" programming environment that is promiscuous in its scope. We can identify the necessarily methodological practice and traditions required here not in science or engineering but in the "live-coding" practices prevalent in the fields of digital art and design. We can define this practice as an approach to programming that is live, iterative, integrative, speculative and exploratory. "Live" because it is exclusively practiced in real-time (often during performance); "iterative", because

Dialectal and gender differences in nasalance for a Mandarin population.

PubMed

Kim, Ha-Kyung; Yu, Xiao-meng; Cao, Yan-jing; Liu, Xiao-ming; Huang, Zhao-Ming

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are dialectal and gender related differences in nasalance of main Mandarin vowels and three sentences in 400 Chinese normal adults. The mean nasalance score difference for dialect and gender was significant (p < .001) in all speech materials. For different dialects, the average nasalance scores show that Chongqing > Beijing > Shanghai > Guangzhou for the nasal sentence, oro-nasal sentence, /a/, /i/ and /u/. In addition, the average nasalance scores of females were higher than those of males for all speech materials in all dialects. The clinical significance of this study can be helpful in making nasalance clinical decisions for Chinese people with cleft palate, hearing disorders and dysarthria with resonance disorders. It also shows the theoretical and socio-cultural features for linguists considering dialects and gender.

Response of Preterm Infants to 2 Noninvasive Ventilatory Support Systems: Nasal CPAP and Nasal Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation.

PubMed

Silveira, Carmen Salum Thomé; Leonardi, Kamila Maia; Melo, Ana Paula Carvalho Freire; Zaia, José Eduardo; Brunherotti, Marisa Afonso Andrade

2015-12-01

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in preterm infants is currently applied using intermittent positive pressure (2 positive-pressure levels) or in a conventional manner (one pressure level). However, there are no studies in the literature comparing the chances of failure of these NIV methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of failure of 2 noninvasive ventilatory support systems in preterm neonates over a period of 48 h. A randomized, prospective, clinical study was conducted on 80 newborns (gestational age < 37 weeks, birthweight < 2,500 g). The infants were randomized into 2 groups: 40 infants were treated with nasal CPAP and 40 infants with nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV). The occurrence of apnea, progression of respiratory distress, nose bleeding, and agitation was defined as ventilation failure. The need for intubation and re-intubation after failure was also observed. There were no significant differences in birth characteristics between groups. Ventilatory support failure was observed in 25 (62.5%) newborns treated with nasal CPAP and in 12 (30%) newborns treated with NIPPV, indicating an association between NIV failure and the absence of intermittent positive pressure (odds ratio [OR] 1.22, P < .05). Apnea (32.5%) was the main reason for nasal CPAP failure. After failure, 25% (OR 0.33) of the newborns receiving nasal CPAP and 12.5% (OR 0.14) receiving NIPPV required invasive mechanical ventilation. Ventilatory support failure was significantly more frequent when nasal CPAP was used. Copyright © 2015 by Daedalus Enterprises.

The Effect of Menstrual Cycle on Nasal Resonance Characteristics in Females

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kumar, Suman; Basu, Shriya; Sinha, Anisha; Chatterjee, Indranil

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to analyze resonance characteristics (nasality and nasalance values) during the menstrual cycle. Previous studies indicate changes in voice quality and nasal mucosa due to temporary falling estrogen levels in human females during their menstrual cycle. The present study compared the nasality and "nasalance scores"…

[Clinico-statistical study on availability of Esterman disability score for assessment of mobility difficulty in patients with visual field loss].

PubMed

Yamagata, Yoshitaka; Terada, Yuko; Suzuki, Atsushi; Mimura, Osamu

2010-01-01

The visual efficiency scale currently adopted to determine the legal grade of visual disability associated with visual field loss in Japan is not appropriate for the evaluation of disability regarding daily living activities. We investigated whether Esterman disability score (EDS) is suitable for the assessment of mobility difficulty in patients with visual field loss. The correlation between the EDS calculated from Goldmann's kinetic visual field and the degree of subjective mobility difficulty determined by a questionnaire was investigated in 164 patients with visual field loss. The correlation between the EDS determined using a program built into the Humphrey field analyzer and that calculated from Goldmann's kinetic visual field was also investigated. The EDS based on the kinetic visual field was correlated well with the degree of subjective mobility difficulty, and the EDS measured using the Humphrey field analyzer could be estimated from the kinetic visual field-based EDS. Instead of the currently adopted visual efficiency scale, EDS should be employed for the assessment of mobility difficulty in patients with visual field loss, also to establish new judgment criteria concerning the visual field.

Correlation between aqueous flare and residual visual field area in retinitis pigmentosa.

PubMed

Nishiguchi, Koji M; Yokoyama, Yu; Kunikata, Hiroshi; Abe, Toshiaki; Nakazawa, Toru

2018-06-01

To investigate the relationship between aqueous flare, visual function and macular structures in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Clinical data from 123 patients with RP (227 eyes), 35 patients with macular dystrophy (68 eyes) and 148 controls (148 eyes) were analysed. The differences in aqueous flare between clinical entities and the correlation between aqueous flare (measured with a laser flare cell meter) versus visual acuity, visual field area (Goldmann perimetry) and macular thickness (optical coherence tomography) in patients with RP were determined. Influence of selected clinical data on flare was assessed using linear mixed-effects model. Aqueous flare was higher in patients with RP than patients with macular dystrophy or controls (p=7.49×E-13). Aqueous flare was correlated with visual field area (R=-0.379, p=3.72×E-9), but not with visual acuity (R=0.083, p=0.215). Macular thickness (R=0.234, p=3.74×E-4), but not foveal thickness (R=0.122, p=0.067), was positively correlated with flare. Flare was not affected by the presence of macular complications. All these associations were maintained when the right and the left eyes were assessed separately. Analysis by linear mixed-effects model revealed that age (p=8.58×E-5), visual field area (p=8.01×E-7) and average macular thickness (p=0.037) were correlated with flare. Aqueous flare and visual field area were correlated in patients with RP. Aqueous flare may reflect the degree of overall retinal degeneration more closely than the local foveal impairment. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

[Objective measurement of normal nasality in the Saxony dialect].

PubMed

Müller, R; Beleites, T; Hloucal, U; Kühn, M

2000-12-01

In the United States of America, the nasometer was developed by Fletcher as an objective method for measuring nasality. There are no accepted normal values for comparable test materials regarding the German language. The aim of this study was the examination of the auditively normal nasality of Saxon-speaking people with the nasometer. The nasalance of 51 healthy Saxon-speaking test persons with auditively normal nasality was measured with a model 6200 nasometer (Kay-Elemetrics, U.S.A.). The text materials used were the vowels "a", "e", "i", "o", and "u", the sentences "Die Schokolade ist sehr lecker" ("The chocolate is very tasty") and "Nenne meine Mama Mimi" ("Name my mama Mimi"), and the texts of "North wind and sun", "A children's birthday", and an arbitrary selection from Strittmatter. The mean nasalance for the vowels was 17.7%, for the sentence containing no nasal sounds 13.0%, and for the sentence containing many nasal sounds 67.2%. The mean value of the texts was 33-41%. The results for the texts agreed well with the results of Reuter (1997), who examined people from the state of Brandenburg. A range from 20% to 55% is suggested as the normal value for nasalance in the German-speaking area.

A Nasal Brush-based Classifier of Asthma Identified by Machine Learning Analysis of Nasal RNA Sequence Data.

PubMed

Pandey, Gaurav; Pandey, Om P; Rogers, Angela J; Ahsen, Mehmet E; Hoffman, Gabriel E; Raby, Benjamin A; Weiss, Scott T; Schadt, Eric E; Bunyavanich, Supinda

2018-06-11

Asthma is a common, under-diagnosed disease affecting all ages. We sought to identify a nasal brush-based classifier of mild/moderate asthma. 190 subjects with mild/moderate asthma and controls underwent nasal brushing and RNA sequencing of nasal samples. A machine learning-based pipeline identified an asthma classifier consisting of 90 genes interpreted via an L2-regularized logistic regression classification model. This classifier performed with strong predictive value and sensitivity across eight test sets, including (1) a test set of independent asthmatic and control subjects profiled by RNA sequencing (positive and negative predictive values of 1.00 and 0.96, respectively; AUC of 0.994), (2) two independent case-control cohorts of asthma profiled by microarray, and (3) five cohorts with other respiratory conditions (allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory infection, cystic fibrosis, smoking), where the classifier had a low to zero misclassification rate. Following validation in large, prospective cohorts, this classifier could be developed into a nasal biomarker of asthma.

Comparing artistic and geometrical perspective depictions of space in the visual field

PubMed Central

Baldwin, Joseph; Burleigh, Alistair; Pepperell, Robert

2014-01-01

Which is the most accurate way to depict space in our visual field? Linear perspective, a form of geometrical perspective, has traditionally been regarded as the correct method of depicting visual space. But artists have often found it is limited in the angle of view it can depict; wide-angle scenes require uncomfortably close picture viewing distances or impractical degrees of enlargement to be seen properly. Other forms of geometrical perspective, such as fisheye projections, can represent wider views but typically produce pictures in which objects appear distorted. In this study we created an artistic rendering of a hemispherical visual space that encompassed the full visual field. We compared it to a number of geometrical perspective projections of the same space by asking participants to rate which best matched their visual experience. We found the artistic rendering performed significantly better than the geometrically generated projections. PMID:26034563

Comparing artistic and geometrical perspective depictions of space in the visual field.

PubMed

Baldwin, Joseph; Burleigh, Alistair; Pepperell, Robert

2014-01-01

Which is the most accurate way to depict space in our visual field? Linear perspective, a form of geometrical perspective, has traditionally been regarded as the correct method of depicting visual space. But artists have often found it is limited in the angle of view it can depict; wide-angle scenes require uncomfortably close picture viewing distances or impractical degrees of enlargement to be seen properly. Other forms of geometrical perspective, such as fisheye projections, can represent wider views but typically produce pictures in which objects appear distorted. In this study we created an artistic rendering of a hemispherical visual space that encompassed the full visual field. We compared it to a number of geometrical perspective projections of the same space by asking participants to rate which best matched their visual experience. We found the artistic rendering performed significantly better than the geometrically generated projections.

Disposition of nasal, intravenous, and oral methadone in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Dale, Ola; Hoffer, Christine; Sheffels, Pamela; Kharasch, Evan D

2002-11-01

Nasal administration of many opioids demonstrates rapid uptake and fast onset of action. Nasal administration may be an alternative to intravenous and oral administration of methadone and was therefore studied in human volunteers. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Washington, Seattle. Eight healthy volunteers (6 men and 2 women) aged 19 to 33 years were enrolled after informed written consent was obtained. Subjects received 10 mg methadone hydrochloride nasally, orally, or intravenously on 3 separate occasions in a crossover design. Nasal methadone (50 mg/mL in aqueous solution) was given as a 100-microL spray in each nostril (Pfeiffer BiDose sprayer). Blood samples for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of methadone and the metabolite 2-ethyl-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolinium were drawn for up to 96 hours. The methadone effect was measured by noninvasive infrared pupilometry coincident with blood sampling. Nasal uptake of methadone was rapid, with maximum plasma concentrations occurring within 7 minutes. The maximum effects of intravenous, nasal, and oral methadone, on the basis of dark-adapted pupil diameter, were reached in about 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 2 hours, respectively. The respective durations were 24, 10, and 8 hours. Both nasal and oral bioavailabilities were 0.85. Subjects reported that nasal methadone caused a burning sensation. Nasal administration of methadone results in rapid absorption and onset of effect and high bioavailability, which was greater than that reported for other nasal opioids, with a similar duration of effect. Nasal administration may be an alternative route of methadone administration; however, improved formulations are desirable to reduce nasal irritation.

Nasal-nanotechnology: revolution for efficient therapeutics delivery.

PubMed

Kumar, Amrish; Pandey, Aditya Nath; Jain, Sunil Kumar

2016-01-01

In recent years, nanotechnology-based delivery systems have gained interest to overcome the problems of restricted absorption of therapeutic agents from the nasal cavity, depending upon the physicochemical properties of the drug and physiological properties of the human nose. The well-tolerated and non-invasive nasal drug delivery when combined with the nanotechnology-based novel formulations and carriers, opens the way for the effective systemic and brain targeting delivery of various therapeutic agents. To accomplish competent drug delivery, it is imperative to recognize the interactions among the nanomaterials and the nasal biological environment, targeting cell-surface receptors, drug release, multiple drug administration, stability of therapeutic agents and molecular mechanisms of cell signaling involved in patho-biology of the disease under consideration. Quite a few systems have been successfully formulated using nanomaterials for intranasal (IN) delivery. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), chitosan, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and PLGA-based nanosystems have also been studied in vitro and in vivo for the delivery of several therapeutic agents which shown promising concentrations in the brain after nasal administration. The use of nanomaterials including peptide-based nanotubes and nanogels (NGs) for vaccine delivery via nasal route is a new approach to control the disease progression. In this review, the recent developments in nanotechnology utilized for nasal drug delivery have been discussed.

Nasal septal angiofibroma, a subclass of extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

PubMed

Garcia-Rodriguez, Laura; Rudman, Kelli; Cogbill, Christopher H; Loehrl, Todd; Poetker, David M

2012-01-01

Extranasopharyngeal angiofibromas (ENA) arising from the nasal septum or nasal septal angiofibromas are extremely rare; only 13 such cases have been reported in the international literature. Our objective is to describe the presentation, workup, and surgical management of these lesions. Case reports were done. The setting was a tertiary care referral center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PATIENTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND RESULTS: We present 2 cases of extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma occurring on the nasal septum. In this report, we discuss the occurrence, the histopathologic findings, and the treatment of nasal septal angiofibroma. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Visual Receptive Field Heterogeneity and Functional Connectivity of Adjacent Neurons in Primate Frontoparietal Association Cortices.

PubMed

Viswanathan, Pooja; Nieder, Andreas

2017-09-13

The basic organization principles of the primary visual cortex (V1) are commonly assumed to also hold in the association cortex such that neurons within a cortical column share functional connectivity patterns and represent the same region of the visual field. We mapped the visual receptive fields (RFs) of neurons recorded at the same electrode in the ventral intraparietal area (VIP) and the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rhesus monkeys. We report that the spatial characteristics of visual RFs between adjacent neurons differed considerably, with increasing heterogeneity from VIP to PFC. In addition to RF incongruences, we found differential functional connectivity between putative inhibitory interneurons and pyramidal cells in PFC and VIP. These findings suggest that local RF topography vanishes with hierarchical distance from visual cortical input and argue for increasingly modified functional microcircuits in noncanonical association cortices that contrast V1. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our visual field is thought to be represented faithfully by the early visual brain areas; all the information from a certain region of the visual field is conveyed to neurons situated close together within a functionally defined cortical column. We examined this principle in the association areas, PFC, and ventral intraparietal area of rhesus monkeys and found that adjacent neurons represent markedly different areas of the visual field. This is the first demonstration of such noncanonical organization of these brain areas. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/378919-10$15.00/0.

Nasal Anatomy

MedlinePlus

... below. The nasal cavity is surrounded by paired, air-filled chambers on each side, and these lie towards the ... and left “choana” and open into a common chamber called the ... When we breathe in, air travels through the nostril, through the right and ...

Effort of breathing in children receiving high-flow nasal cannula.

PubMed

Rubin, Sarah; Ghuman, Anoopindar; Deakers, Timothy; Khemani, Robinder; Ross, Patrick; Newth, Christopher J

2014-01-01

High-flow humidified nasal cannula is often used to provide noninvasive respiratory support in children. The effect of high-flow humidified nasal cannula on effort of breathing in children has not been objectively studied, and the mechanism by which respiratory support is provided remains unclear. This study uses an objective measure of effort of breathing (Pressure. Rate Product) to evaluate high-flow humidified nasal cannula in critically ill children. Prospective cohort study. Quaternary care free-standing academic children's hospital. ICU patients younger than 18 years receiving high-flow humidified nasal cannula or whom the medical team planned to extubate to high-flow humidified nasal cannula within 72 hours of enrollment. An esophageal pressure monitoring catheter was placed to measure pleural pressures via a Bicore CP-100 pulmonary mechanics monitor. Change in pleural pressure (ΔPes) and respiratory rate were measured on high-flow humidified nasal cannula at 2, 5, and 8 L/min. ΔPes and respiratory rate were multiplied to generate the Pressure.Rate Product, a well-established objective measure of effort of breathing. Baseline Pes, defined as pleural pressure at end exhalation during tidal breathing, reflected the positive pressure generated on each level of respiratory support. Twenty-five patients had measurements on high-flow humidified nasal cannula. Median age was 6.5 months (interquartile range, 1.3-15.5 mo). Median Pressure,Rate Product was lower on high-flow humidified nasal cannula 8 L/min (median, 329 cm H2O·min; interquartile range, 195-402) compared with high-flow humidified nasal cannula 5 L/min (median, 341; interquartile range, 232-475; p = 0.007) or high-flow humidified nasal cannula 2 L/min (median, 421; interquartile range, 233-621; p < 0.0001) and was lower on high-flow humidified nasal cannula 5 L/min compared with high-flow humidified nasal cannula 2 L/min (p = 0.01). Baseline Pes was higher on high-flow humidified nasal

The mini-incision technique for carpal tunnel release using nasal instruments in Chinese patients

PubMed Central

Chen, Yanhua; Ji, Wei; Li, Tao; Cong, Xiaobin; Chen, Zhenbing

2017-01-01

Abstract Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) remains a challenge for hand surgeons. Carpal tunnel release (CTR) using nasal instruments has the advantages of both endoscopy and open surgery. In this study we aimed to explore the effectiveness of CTR using nasal instruments in Chinese patients. We present a case series of 49 cases of idiopathic CTS treated with the mini-incision technique using nasal instruments. The average recovery days before return to normal work and complications were recorded. The mean grip strength, pinch strength, and sensation were evaluated. Subjective results were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Levine Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (LCTSQ), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). The mean follow-up was 13 months. No return of symptoms or blood vessel injury occurred. The incidence of scar tenderness was only 8.1%, later pillar pain (after 4 weeks) was 18.4%, and average recovery time to return to normal work was 23.7 days. The mean grip strength, pinch strength, and sensation were significantly improved (P < .001). The VAS, LCTSQ, and DASH survey postoperative mean scores were lower than the preoperative scores (P < .001). SF-36 scores were significantly increased following surgery (P < .001). We conclude that the mini-incision technique for CTR using nasal instruments in Chinese patients is safe, effective, and low cost. It is worthwhile for the technique to be promoted and used. PMID:28767593

Nasal hydropulsion: a novel tumor biopsy technique.

PubMed

Ashbaugh, Elizabeth A; McKiernan, Brendan C; Miller, Carrie J; Powers, Barbara

2011-01-01

Intranasal tumors of dogs and cats pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for small animal practitioners. Multiple nasal biopsy techniques have been described in the past. This report describes a simplified flushing technique to biopsy and debulk nasal tumors, which often also results in immediate clinical relief for the patient. Based on the results of this retrospective study, the authors recommend high-pressure saline hydropulsion as a minimally invasive diagnostic, and potentially therapeutic, technique for nasal tumors in dogs and cats.

Visual field defects after missile injuries to the geniculo-striate pathway in man.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koerner, F.; Teuber, H.-L.

1973-01-01

The main objective of the survey reported was a quantitative comparison of different visual functions at identical retinal points of individual patients. The possibility to develop objective forms of visual-field testing was also explored, taking into account reports by Frydrychowicz and Harms (1940) and Harms (1951). These investigators had insisted that pupillary responses to light are depressed in areas of homonymous scotomata. The shapes of homonymous visual field defects are discussed together with questions regarding the association and dissociation of symptoms.

Masked Priming Is Abstract in the Left and Right Visual Fields

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowers, Jeffrey S.; Turner, Emma L.

2005-01-01

Two experiments assessed masked priming for words presented to the left and right visual fields in a lexical decision task. In both Experiments, the same magnitude and pattern of priming was obtained for visually similar ("kiss"-"KISS") and dissimilar ("read"-"READ") prime-target pairs. These findings…

Nasal aesthetics: a cross-cultural analysis.

PubMed

Broer, Peter N; Buonocore, Samuel; Morillas, Angie; Liu, Jong; Tanna, Neil; Walker, Marc; Ng, Reuben; Ng, Ruben; Persing, John A

2012-12-01

Plastic surgeons often approach nasal aesthetic evaluation with the aid of seemingly objective measurements. However, ideal measurements of an attractive nose, as suggested in the literature, might not apply on a cross-cultural basis. Given these controversies, this study aimed to investigate the cultural and ethnic impact on nasal shape preferences. Computerized images of a model's nose were generated in which the nasal width, root, tip, dorsum, and projection of the lips and chin could be altered. A survey containing these images was sent to over 13,000 plastic surgeons and lay people in 50 different countries, with a total response rate of 9.6 percent. Demographic information about the interviewees was obtained. Preferred dimensions of the nose were broken down according to geographic, ethnic, occupational, and sex variables. Interregional comparison revealed that plastic surgeons from Latin America and the Caribbean overall prefer smaller and narrower noses, with more projecting tips, lips, and chins. Similar trends hold true when analyzing results from the general public. Significant differences were found comparing preferences between plastic surgeons and the general public. Plastic surgeons preferred wider nasal roots and tips and, in combination, more projected nasal dorsi, tips, lips, and chins. No universal parameter can define ideal aesthetics of the nose across cultures and ethnic backgrounds. As demonstrated, geographic, ethnic, and cultural factors influence aesthetic perceptions of patients and surgeons.

Airflow, gas deposition, and lesion distribution in the nasal passages.

PubMed Central

Morgan, K T; Monticello, T M

1990-01-01

The nasal passages of laboratory animals and man are complex, and lesions induced in the delicate nasal lining by inhaled air pollutants vary considerably in location and nature. The distribution of nasal lesions is generally a consequence of regional deposition of the inhaled material, local tissue susceptibility, or a combination of these factors. Nasal uptake and regional deposition are are influenced by numerous factors including the physical and chemical properties of the inhaled material, such as water solubility and reactivity; airborne concentration and length of exposure; the presence of other air contaminants such as particulate matter; nasal metabolism, and blood and mucus flow. For certain highly water-soluble or reactive gases, nasal airflow patterns play a major role in determining lesion distribution. Studies of nasal airflow in rats and monkeys, using casting and molding techniques combined with a water-dye model, indicate that nasal airflow patterns are responsible for characteristic differences in the distribution of nasal lesions induced by formaldehyde in these species. Local tissue susceptibility is also a complex issue that may be a consequence of many factors, including physiologic and metabolic characteristics of the diverse cell populations that comprise each of the major epithelial types lining the airways. Identification of the principal factors that influence the distribution and nature of nasal lesions is important when attempting the difficult process of determining potential human risks using data derived from laboratory animals. Toxicologic pathologists can contribute to this process by carefully identifying the site and nature of nasal lesions induced by inhaled materials. Images FIGURE 4. FIGURE 6. FIGURE 7. PMID:2200663

Anatomy of the nasal profile

PubMed Central

Anderson, K J; Henneberg, M; Norris, R M

2008-01-01

There is a lack in the understanding of the variation within the thickness of the soft tissue structures (muscle, skin and fat) overlying the cartilaginous skeleton of the nose and their relationship to the dorsum shape. We examined such relationships by dissecting noses of six adult female and six adult male cadavers, comparing the internal anatomical structures to the external nasal profile. We found that the soft tissue structures differ in thickness along the dorsum and that these differences are individualized. Specifically, continuous presence of subcutaneous fat from root to tip was found in half the sample, one nose had fat only on the tip, another one only on the root, the four others at both positions. The nasalis muscle was identifiable in nine of the 12 noses, transversing the nose in half the sample, and in the remaining three, only the lateral section of the muscle was identified. The superior border of the septal cartilage does not form a linear extension of the profile contour of the nasal bones but angles downwards. The actual profile contour of the dorsum does not follow the profile of the nasal bones or the septal cartilage. These results may influence the current use of nasal guidelines in forensic facial approximation. PMID:19172735

NORMAL NASAL GENE EXPRESSION LEVELS USING CDNA ARRAY TECHNOLOGY

EPA Science Inventory

Normal Nasal Gene Expression Levels Using cDNA Array Technology.

The nasal epithelium is a target site for chemically-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity. To detect and analyze genetic events which contribute to nasal tumor development, we first defined the gene expressi...

Experimental investigation of the visual field dependency in the erect and supine positions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lichtenstein, J. H.; Saucer, R. T.

1972-01-01

The increasing utilization of simulators in many fields, in addition to aeronautics and space, requires the efficient use of these devices. It seemed that personnel highly influenced by the visual scene would make desirable subjects, particularly for those simulators without sufficient motion cues. In order to evaluate this concept, some measure of the degree of influence of the visual field on the subject in necessary. As part of this undertaking, 37 male and female subjects, including eight test pilots, were tested for their visual field dependency or independency. A version of Witkin's rod and frame apparatus was used for the tests. The results showed that nearly all the test subjects exhibited some degree of field dependency, the degree varying from very high field dependency to nearly zero field dependency in a normal distribution. The results for the test pilots were scattered throughout a range similar to the results for the bulk of male subjects. The few female subjects exhibited a higher field dependency than the male subjects. The male subjects exhibited a greater field dependency in the supine position than in the erect position, whereas the field dependency of the female subjects changed only slightly.

Nasal septum perforation of welders.

PubMed

Lee, Choong Ryeol; Yoo, Cheol In; Lee, Ji ho; Kang, Seong Kyu

2002-07-01

During the periodic physical checkups in 1997-2000, the authors have found eleven cases of nasal septum perforation among 2,869 welders in Ulsan, Korea. They have not suffered from diseases and conditions that could cause septum perforation such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and long-term use of topical corticosteroids. And also they did not have trauma history and surgical experiences on their nasal septum. To investigate the cause of septum perforation we reviewed the past history of pre-employment, the results of annual working environment survey and the material safety data sheets of welding rods and steels with which they have dealt. We also analyzed the concentration of several metals of welding fume and the concentration of blood and urinary chromium. In the result, we assumed that the nasal septum perforation of welders was due to chronic exposure to low-level hexavalent chromium.

Infective endocarditis of native valve after anterior nasal packing.

PubMed

Jayawardena, Suriya; Eisdorfer, Jacob; Indulkar, Shalaka; Zarkaria, Muhammad

2006-01-01

We present a case report of a patient who was previously treated for spontaneous epistaxis with a petroleum jelly gauze (0.5 in x 72 in) anterior nasal packing filled with an antibiotic ointment, along with prophylactic oral clindamycin. The patient presented with fever and hypotension 3 days after the nasal packing. Her blood cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the transesophageal echocardiography showed vegetation on the atrial surface of the posterior mitral valve leaflet, confirming the diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis attributable to nasal packing. Several case reports discuss toxic shock syndrome after nasal packing, but none describe endocarditis of the native heart valves subsequent to anterior nasal packing. Current guidelines on endocarditis prophylaxis produced by the American Heart Association, European Cardiac Society, and British Cardiac Society together with published evidence do not recommend endocarditis prophylaxis for patients with native heart valves undergoing anterior nasal packing.

Nasal valve evaluation in the Mexican-Hispanic (mestizo) nose.

PubMed

Jasso-Ramírez, Elizabeth; Sánchez Y Béjar, Fernando; Arcaute Aizpuru, Fernando; Maulen Radován, Irene E; de la Garza Hesles, Héctor

2018-04-01

Our aim in this study was to determine the angle of the internal nasal valve in Mexican patients with the "mestizo nose" feature and without nasal obstructive symptoms. The work was prospective, comparative, and observational in nature and included patients >14 years of age who were seen in the Otolaryngology Department at the Los Angeles Lomas Hospital between April and May 2016. The angle of the internal nasal valve was measured in 30 patients without obstructive symptoms. Endoscopic examination was performed with a 0° endoscope framed with tape at a 13-mm distance from the endoscope's tip, and digital photographs of the internal nasal valve were taken. The measurement of the angle of the internal nasal valve was made in sexagesimal degrees using Golden Ratio v3.1 (2012) software. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel v15.13.3. The angles of the internal nasal valve of the patients were (mean ± standard deviation) 24.07 ± 4.8° for the right nasal cavity and 25.07 ± 5.0° for the left nasal cavity, wider than the angle reported in the normal Caucasian nose established in the literature. According to our results, the Mexican-Hispanic mestizo nose has a wider angle in the internal nasal valve than that considered normal in the literature (10°-15°). We believe it is necessary to undertake a second study and add an airflow resistance measurement with a rhinomanometry procedure so we can compare the results with those in the Caucasian population. © 2018 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

A nasal dermoid sinus in an English bull terrier.

PubMed

Burrow, R D

2004-11-01

A five-year-old, entire female English bull terrier was presented with a six-week history of intermittent facial swelling and nasal pain, following an incident of nasal trauma. A small opening was present at the mucocutaneous junction on the dorsal nasal planum. Examination under general anaesthesia allowed catheterisation of this opening and confirmed the presence of a tract passing caudally. Plain radiographic examination of the region was unremarkable. Positive contrast sinography demonstrated contrast material filling a midline tract that passed caudally and subcutaneously towards the nasal bone. This tract was surgically excised. Histopathological examination of the excised tissue, together with the clinical findings, led to the diagnosis of nasal dermoid sinus.

Effects of topical nasal steroids and diclofenac on the nasal mucosa during hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a double-blind experimental study.

PubMed

Vuralkan, Erkan; Cobanoglu, Hatice Bengu; Arslan, Abdullah; Arslan, Selcuk; Mungan, Sevdegul; Tatar, Selcuk; Toklu, Akın Savas

2014-08-01

We aimed to evaluate nasal mucosal changes and efficiency of nasal steroids and diclofenac on nasal mucosa during hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment. Forty adult Albino-Wistar rats were randomized into four groups. Group 1 (control group) (n = 10) not exposed to hyperbaric or enhanced oxygen concentrations; group 2 (HBO group) (n = 10) underwent only HBO treatment; group 3 (n = 10) received HBO and intranasal mometasone furoate (10 μl/day); group 4 (n = 10) treated with HBO and diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg/day ip). Specimens of nasal mucosa were collected after sacrificing and dissection of animals. The specimens were processed for light microscopic evaluation, and then evaluated histopathologically for fibroblastic proliferation and inflammation. Regarding the scores of inflammation, the level of inflammation in the control group was significantly less severe than the other groups (p < 0.05). Evaluation of the fibrosis scores showed that the scores of both groups 2 and 4 were significantly increased (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between groups 2, 3, and 4 as for fibrosis and inflammation (p > 0.05). Chronic HBO treatment induced mild inflammation of the nasal mucosa. These effects cannot be prevented adequately by administration of nasal steroids and diclofenac.

Relative vascular permeability and vascularity across different regions of the rat nasal mucosa: implications for nasal physiology and drug delivery

PubMed Central

Kumar, Niyanta N.; Gautam, Mohan; Lochhead, Jeffrey J.; Wolak, Daniel J.; Ithapu, Vamsi; Singh, Vikas; Thorne, Robert G.

2016-01-01

Intranasal administration provides a non-invasive drug delivery route that has been proposed to target macromolecules either to the brain via direct extracellular cranial nerve-associated pathways or to the periphery via absorption into the systemic circulation. Delivering drugs to nasal regions that have lower vascular density and/or permeability may allow more drug to access the extracellular cranial nerve-associated pathways and therefore favor delivery to the brain. However, relative vascular permeabilities of the different nasal mucosal sites have not yet been reported. Here, we determined that the relative capillary permeability to hydrophilic macromolecule tracers is significantly greater in nasal respiratory regions than in olfactory regions. Mean capillary density in the nasal mucosa was also approximately 5-fold higher in nasal respiratory regions than in olfactory regions. Applying capillary pore theory and normalization to our permeability data yielded mean pore diameter estimates ranging from 13–17 nm for the nasal respiratory vasculature compared to <10 nm for the vasculature in olfactory regions. The results suggest lymphatic drainage for CNS immune responses may be favored in olfactory regions due to relatively lower clearance to the bloodstream. Lower blood clearance may also provide a reason to target the olfactory area for drug delivery to the brain. PMID:27558973

Triamcinolone Nasal Spray

MedlinePlus

... An adult should help children under 12 years old to use triamcinolone nasal spray. Children younger than ... This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

Comparison of nasal hyperosmolar xylitol and xylometazoline solutions on quality of life in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy secondary to nonallergic rhinitis.

PubMed

Cingi, Cemal; Birdane, Leman; Ural, Ahmet; Oghan, Fatih; Bal, Cengiz

2014-06-01

The purpose of this study was to objectively determine and compare the efficacy and effectiveness of xylitol solution (Xlear Nasal Sprey®) compared with xylometazoline and physiological saline with respect to quality of life (QoL) in patients with nasal congestion. A prospective, randomized study was performed in 42 patients who had nasal obstruction and hypertrophied turbinate mucosa that was refractory to medical treatment. The study population was randomized into 3 groups according to the application of xylometazoline, physiological saline, and xylitol hyperosmolar solution. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated objectively (4-phase rhinomanometry) and subjectively (visual analogue scale VAS.) before and after the application of the nasal solutions. QoL was evaluated by means of Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). VAS scores and 4-phase rhinomanometry scores were better in the group treated with xylometazoline compared to those treated with xylitol or saline. The xylitol procedure yielded better results than the saline procedure, but differences were not statistically significant in both objective and subjective evaluation methods. For overall QoL, there was a significant improvement from baseline for the xylometazoline and xylitol groups. However, the improvement in the xylometazoline group was significantly greater than that obtained in the xylitol group. Xlear Nasal Spray® is an effective modality in the treatment of nasal congestion and has positive effect on the QoL of patients. Further studies are needed in order to plan an ongoing treatment of Xlear Nasal Sprey® at certain intervals for continuous relief of symptoms and a better and longstanding QoL. © 2014 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Total Nasal Reconstruction for Extruded, Pending Extrusion and Severely Displaced Silicone Nasal Implants in Asian Patients.

PubMed

Hodgkinson, Darryl J

2017-04-01

The Australian population is 10% of Asian origin, and many of our Asian patients have had nasal augmentation using prosthetic material prior to immigration or as medical tourists back in their country of origin. Insertion of nasal prostheses is the most common way to augment the nasal dorsum in the Asian patient and although there is a trend towards autogenous primary augmentation still, the vast majority of patients seen in clinical practice have had augmentation by the insertion of foreign material generally silicone. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Shared Gene Expression Alterations in Nasal and Bronchial Epithelium for Lung Cancer Detection.

PubMed

2017-07-01

We previously derived and validated a bronchial epithelial gene expression biomarker to detect lung cancer in current and former smokers. Given that bronchial and nasal epithelial gene expression are similarly altered by cigarette smoke exposure, we sought to determine if cancer-associated gene expression might also be detectable in the more readily accessible nasal epithelium. Nasal epithelial brushings were prospectively collected from current and former smokers undergoing diagnostic evaluation for pulmonary lesions suspicious for lung cancer in the AEGIS-1 (n = 375) and AEGIS-2 (n = 130) clinical trials and gene expression profiled using microarrays. All statistical tests were two-sided. We identified 535 genes that were differentially expressed in the nasal epithelium of AEGIS-1 patients diagnosed with lung cancer vs those with benign disease after one year of follow-up ( P  < .001). Using bronchial gene expression data from the AEGIS-1 patients, we found statistically significant concordant cancer-associated gene expression alterations between the two airway sites ( P  < .001). Differentially expressed genes in the nose were enriched for genes associated with the regulation of apoptosis and immune system signaling. A nasal lung cancer classifier derived in the AEGIS-1 cohort that combined clinical factors (age, smoking status, time since quit, mass size) and nasal gene expression (30 genes) had statistically significantly higher area under the curve (0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.74 to 0.89, P  = .01) and sensitivity (0.91; 95% CI = 0.81 to 0.97, P  = .03) than a clinical-factor only model in independent samples from the AEGIS-2 cohort. These results support that the airway epithelial field of lung cancer-associated injury in ever smokers extends to the nose and demonstrates the potential of using nasal gene expression as a noninvasive biomarker for lung cancer detection. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford

Visual Field Defects and Retinal Ganglion Cell Losses in Human Glaucoma Patients

PubMed Central

Harwerth, Ronald S.; Quigley, Harry A.

2007-01-01

Objective The depth of visual field defects are correlated with retinal ganglion cell densities in experimental glaucoma. This study was to determine whether a similar structure-function relationship holds for human glaucoma. Methods The study was based on retinal ganglion cell densities and visual thresholds of patients with documented glaucoma (Kerrigan-Baumrind, et al.) The data were analyzed by a model that predicted ganglion cell densities from standard clinical perimetry, which were then compared to histologic cell counts. Results The model, without free parameters, produced accurate and relatively precise quantification of ganglion cell densities associated with visual field defects. For 437 sets of data, the unity correlation for predicted vs. measured cell densities had a coefficient of determination of 0.39. The mean absolute deviation of the predicted vs. measured values was 2.59 dB, the mean and SD of the distribution of residual errors of prediction was -0.26 ± 3.22 dB. Conclusions Visual field defects by standard clinical perimetry are proportional to neural losses caused by glaucoma. Clinical Relevance The evidence for quantitative structure-function relationships provides a scientific basis of interpreting glaucomatous neuropathy from visual thresholds and supports the application of standard perimetry to establish the stage of the disease. PMID:16769839

High-sensitivity visualization of localized electric fields using low-energy electron beam deflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Samuel; Ito, Yoshikazu; Edwards, Gary; Fujita, Jun-ichi

2018-06-01

The visualization of localized electronic charges on nanocatalysts is expected to yield fundamental information about catalytic reaction mechanisms. We have developed a high-sensitivity detection technique for the visualization of localized charges on a catalyst and their corresponding electric field distribution, using a low-energy beam of 1 to 5 keV electrons and a high-sensitivity scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) detector. The highest sensitivity for visualizing a localized electric field was ∼0.08 V/µm at a distance of ∼17 µm from a localized charge at 1 keV of the primary electron energy, and a weak local electric field produced by 200 electrons accumulated on the carbon nanotube (CNT) apex can be visualized. We also observed that Au nanoparticles distributed on a CNT forest tended to accumulate a certain amount of charges, about 150 electrons, at a ‑2 V bias.

Triclosan Promotes Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization

PubMed Central

Syed, Adnan K.; Ghosh, Sudeshna; Love, Nancy G.; Boles, Blaise R.

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT The biocide triclosan is used in many personal care products, including toothpastes, soaps, clothing, and medical equipment. Consequently, it is present as a contaminant in the environment and has been detected in some human fluids, including serum, urine, and milk. Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the noses and throats of approximately 30% of the population. Colonization with S. aureus is known to be a risk factor for several types of infection. Here we demonstrate that triclosan is commonly found in the nasal secretions of healthy adults and the presence of triclosan trends positively with nasal colonization by S. aureus. We demonstrate that triclosan can promote the binding of S. aureus to host proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and keratin, as well as inanimate surfaces such as plastic and glass. Lastly, triclosan-exposed rats are more susceptible to nasal colonization with S. aureus. These data reveal a novel factor that influences the ability of S. aureus to bind surfaces and alters S. aureus nasal colonization. PMID:24713325

Respiratory complications from nasal packing: systematic review.

PubMed

Rotenberg, Brian; Tam, Samantha

2010-10-01

Patients with posterior nasal packing are thought to be at high risk for the development of respiratory complications. Controversy exists regarding the evidence in that regard; consequently, the level of vital sign monitoring required for these patients is unclear. The objective of this article is to systematically review the literature describing respiratory complications from nasal packing. Literature published before July 2009 on Medline and Embase was eligible for inclusion. Original research and review articles whose major topic was nasal packing for epistaxis were included. Nonhuman studies and studies not published in English were excluded. Studies were evaluated for quality using a modified Downs and Black scale. Data regarding respiratory complications of nasal packing were extracted and summarized. Of the 262 studies retrieved, 14 met inclusion criteria (7 case series, 3 cohort studies, and 4 reviews). Six studies discussed pulmonary mechanics, three discussed sleep apnea, two reviews described complications of nasal packing, and three articles focused on the treatment of posterior epistaxis. There was a lack of high-quality literature describing adverse respiratory events following posterior packing. The literature regarding development of respiratory complications from posterior packing is mostly based on expert opinion or case series. There is some suggestion that sleep apnea may develop after placement posterior nasal packing, but the severity appears to be mild. Evidence is lacking to support the contention that all patients with posterior packing are at risk for developing adverse respiratory events or require admission to a monitored setting.

A Lack of Left Visual Field Bias when Individuals with Autism Process Faces

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dundas, Eva M.; Best, Catherine A.; Minshew, Nancy J.; Strauss, Mark S.

2012-01-01

It has been established that typically developing individuals have a bias to attend to facial information in the left visual field (LVF) more than in the right visual field. This bias is thought to arise from the right hemisphere's advantage for processing facial information, with evidence suggesting it to be driven by the configural demands of…

Nasal Involvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

PubMed Central

Michels, Daniel de Sousa; Rodrigues, Amanda da Mota Silveira; Nakanishi, Márcio; Sampaio, André Luiz Lopes; Venosa, Alessandra Ramos

2014-01-01

Numerous studies have reported an association between nasal obstruction and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but the precise nature of this relationship remains to be clarified. This paper aimed to summarize data and theories on the role of the nose in the pathophysiology of sleep apnea as well as to discuss the benefits of surgical and medical nasal treatments. A number of pathophysiological mechanisms can potentially explain the role of nasal pathology in OSAS. These include the Starling resistor model, the unstable oral airway, the nasal ventilatory reflex, and the role of nitric oxide (NO). Pharmacological treatment presents some beneficial effects on the frequency of respiratory events and sleep architecture. Nonetheless, objective data assessing snoring and daytime sleepiness are still necessary. Nasal surgery can improve the quality of life and snoring in a select group of patients with mild OSAS and septal deviation but is not an effective treatment for OSA as such. Despite the conflicting results in the literature, it is important that patients who are not perfectly adapted to CPAP are evaluated in detail, in order to identify whether there are obstructive factors that could be surgically corrected. PMID:25548569

An acoustic study of nasal consonants in three Central Australian languages.

PubMed

Tabain, Marija; Butcher, Andrew; Breen, Gavan; Beare, Richard

2016-02-01

This study presents nasal consonant data from 21 speakers of three Central Australian languages: Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara and Warlpiri. The six nasals considered are bilabial /m/, dental /n/, alveolar /n/, retroflex /ɳ/, alveo-palatal /ɲ/, and velar /ŋ/. Nasal formant and bandwidth values are examined, as are the locations of spectral minima. Several differences are found between the bilabial /m/ and the velar /ŋ/, and also the palatal /ɲ/. The remaining coronal nasals /n n ɳ/ are not well differentiated within the nasal murmur, but their average bandwidths are lower than for the other nasal consonants. Broader spectral shape measures (Centre of Gravity and Standard Deviation) are also considered, and comparisons are made with data for stops and laterals in these languages based on the same spectral measures. It is suggested that nasals are not as easily differentiated using the various measures examined here as are stops and laterals. It is also suggested that existing models of nasal consonants do not fully account for the observed differences between the various nasal places of articulation; and that oral formants, in addition to anti-formants, contribute substantially to the output spectrum of nasal consonants.

Nitric oxide-dependent neutrophil recruitment: role in nasal secretion.

PubMed

Cardell, L O; Agustí, C; Nadel, J A

2000-12-01

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), an inflammatory mediator, is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils that plays an important role in nasal secretion via release of elastase. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important modulator of leucocyte-endothelial cell interactions, endogenously produced in large quantities in the paranasal sinuses. To examine the role of NO in LTB4-stimulated nasal secretion. A newly-developed method for isolating and superfusing a nasal segment in dogs was used. Instillation of LTB4 into the nasal segment caused a time-dependent increase in the volume of airway fluid and in the recruitment of neutrophils. N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthase, prevented LTB4-induced neutrophil recruitment and nasal secretion. These studies show that NO modulates LTB4-induced neutrophil recruitment and subsequent fluid secretion in the nose, and they suggest a therapeutic role for NO inhibitors in modulating neutrophil-dependent nasal secretion.

The visual light field in real scenes

PubMed Central

Xia, Ling; Pont, Sylvia C.; Heynderickx, Ingrid

2014-01-01

Human observers' ability to infer the light field in empty space is known as the “visual light field.” While most relevant studies were performed using images on computer screens, we investigate the visual light field in a real scene by using a novel experimental setup. A “probe” and a scene were mixed optically using a semitransparent mirror. Twenty participants were asked to judge whether the probe fitted the scene with regard to the illumination intensity, direction, and diffuseness. Both smooth and rough probes were used to test whether observers use the additional cues for the illumination direction and diffuseness provided by the 3D texture over the rough probe. The results confirmed that observers are sensitive to the intensity, direction, and diffuseness of the illumination also in real scenes. For some lighting combinations on scene and probe, the awareness of a mismatch between the probe and scene was found to depend on which lighting condition was on the scene and which on the probe, which we called the “swap effect.” For these cases, the observers judged the fit to be better if the average luminance of the visible parts of the probe was closer to the average luminance of the visible parts of the scene objects. The use of a rough instead of smooth probe was found to significantly improve observers' abilities to detect mismatches in lighting diffuseness and directions. PMID:25926970

Silicone nasal prosthesis retained by an intranasal stent: a clinical report.

PubMed

Goveas, Reiyal; Puttipisitchet, Ongart; Shrestha, Binit; Thaworanunta, Sita; Srithavaj, M L Theerathavaj

2012-08-01

Nasal defects after tumor excision can leave a patient functionally and esthetically impaired. Loss of nasal septal cartilage support causes the soft tissue to collapse or undergo stenosis, further compounding the problem. Intranasal stents can be used to maintain the patency of such nasal defects. This clinical report describes the use of an acrylic resin nasal stent bonded to a silicone nasal prosthesis to rehabilitate a patient with a nasal defect. Copyright © 2012 The Editorial Council of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

MP29-02 reduces nasal hyperreactivity and nasal mediators in patients with house dust mite-allergic rhinitis.

PubMed

Kortekaas Krohn, I; Callebaut, I; Alpizar, Y A; Steelant, B; Van Gerven, L; Skov, P S; Kasran, A; Talavera, K; Wouters, M M; Ceuppens, J L; Seys, S F; Hellings, P W

2018-05-01

Nasal hyperreactivity (NHR) is an important clinical feature of allergic rhinitis (AR). The efficacy of MP29-02 (azelastine hydrochloride (AZE) and fluticasone propionate [FP]) nasal spray on local inflammatory mediators and NHR in AR is unknown. We tested if MP29-02 decreases inflammatory mediators and NHR in AR and if this effect is due to restoration of nasal epithelial barrier function. A 4-week double-blinded placebo-controlled trial with MP29-02 treatment was conducted in 28 patients with house dust mite (HDM) AR. The presence of NHR was evaluated by measuring reduction in nasal flow upon cold dry air exposure. The effects of AZE ± FP on barrier integrity and airway inflammation were studied in a murine model of HDM-induced NHR and on reduced activation of murine sensory neurons and human mast cells. MP29-02 but not placebo reduced NHR (P < .0001 vs P = .21), levels of substance P (P = .026 vs P = .941), and β-hexosaminidase (P = .036 vs P = .632) in human nasal secretions. In wild-type C57BL6 mice, the reduction in β-hexosaminidase levels (P < .0001) by AZE + FP treatment upon HDM challenge was found in parallel with a decreased transmucosal passage (P = .0012) and completely reversed eosinophilic inflammation (P = .0013). In vitro, repeated applications of AZE + FP desensitized sensory neurons expressing the transient receptor potential channels TRPA1 and TRPV1. AZE + FP reduced MC degranulation to the same extent as AZE alone. MP29-02 treatment reduces inflammatory mediators and NHR in AR. The effects of AZE + FP on MC degranulation, nasal epithelial barrier integrity, and TRP channels provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis. © 2017 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

The detection of gunshot residues in the nasal mucus of suspected shooters.

PubMed

Merli, Daniele; Brandone, Alberto; Amadasi, Alberto; Cattaneo, Cristina; Profumo, Antonella

2016-07-01

The identification and quantification of metallic residues produced by gunshots, called gunshot residues (GSR), provide crucial elements in forensic investigations. The research has been largely focused on their collection onto the hands of suspected shooters, but the method is often burdened by risks of contamination. This research was focused on the possibility of sampling GSR trapped inside the nasal mucus of consenting shooters. Samples of the nasal mucus of "blank" control subjects and shooters were chemically analysed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), for residues of antimony (Sb) and barium (Ba), while lead (Pb) was excluded as ubiquitously environmental contaminant and due to high instrumental quantification limit (IQL) of INAA for this element. Shots were fired using two types of weapons (pistols and revolvers) and different firing sequences. The mucus was sampled at different times: immediately after the shots, after 30-60-120 and 180 min. Different amounts of Sb and Ba were detected between controls and shooters, witnessing the ability of the nasal mucus to retain GSR at concentrations significantly different even from the highest basal levels. Moreover, in order to simulate actual cases, nasal mucus from five groups of shooters was sampled after different shots with the same weapon and cartridges, immediately and after 1, 3, 12, and 24 h. The highest values were always found in the first 3 h from firing, for both weapons. Interestingly, for all the weapons, significant Sb and Ba concentrations were also found up to 12 h after firing, contrary to what occurs on hands, even though a progressive decrease was detected, with values below the detection threshold only after 24 h, thus demonstrating that GSR are persistent in nasal mucus. These first results proving that both Sb and Ba were qualitatively detectable in the nasal mucus of shooters indicate that the chemical analysis of the nasal mucus of suspected shooters may represent a

Kinetics of visual field loss in Usher syndrome Type II.

PubMed

Iannaccone, Alessandro; Kritchevsky, Stephen B; Ciccarelli, Maria Laura; Tedesco, Salvatore A; Macaluso, Claudio; Kimberling, William J; Somes, Grant W

2004-03-01

To characterize the kinetics of visual field decay in Usher syndrome type II. The area of 137 Goldmann visual fields (GVFs) delimited with the I4e and V4e targets was measured in each eye of 19 patients with an established diagnosis of Usher syndrome type II, and the average interocular GVF area for each patient at each time point was calculated. The average follow-up was 5.58 years. Symptomatic disease duration was defined as years elapsed after symptoms were first noted. The data set (n = 67 for the I4e target; n = 70 for the V4e target) was analyzed with a random coefficient mixed model to identify the best-fit model describing the decay of visual field size over time. The half-life of the residual visual field area (t(0.5)) was also calculated. The variable that best explained the decay of the GVF area was the duration of symptomatic disease. In an exponential model, the slope estimate for the natural log of the GVF area was -0.172 for the I4e target and -0.136 for the V4e target for each year of symptomatic disease. Accordingly, t(0.5) was approximately 4 years for the I4e target and 5 years for the V4e target. These estimates are very similar to those in previous studies of nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This study suggests that the kinetics of GVF decline in Usher syndrome type II are, on average, very similar to other forms of RP and that, once the disease becomes symptomatic, GVF deterioration follows stereotyped kinetics, even in patients with late-onset retinal disease.

Neural attractor network for application in visual field data classification.

PubMed

Fink, Wolfgang

2004-07-07

The purpose was to introduce a novel method for computer-based classification of visual field data derived from perimetric examination, that may act as a 'counsellor', providing an independent 'second opinion' to the diagnosing physician. The classification system consists of a Hopfield-type neural attractor network that obtains its input data from perimetric examination results. An iterative relaxation process determines the states of the neurons dynamically. Therefore, even 'noisy' perimetric output, e.g., early stages of a disease, may eventually be classified correctly according to the predefined idealized visual field defect (scotoma) patterns, stored as attractors of the network, that are found with diseases of the eye, optic nerve and the central nervous system. Preliminary tests of the classification system on real visual field data derived from perimetric examinations have shown a classification success of over 80%. Some of the main advantages of the Hopfield-attractor-network-based approach over feed-forward type neural networks are: (1) network architecture is defined by the classification problem; (2) no training is required to determine the neural coupling strengths; (3) assignment of an auto-diagnosis confidence level is possible by means of an overlap parameter and the Hamming distance. In conclusion, the novel method for computer-based classification of visual field data, presented here, furnishes a valuable first overview and an independent 'second opinion' in judging perimetric examination results, pointing towards a final diagnosis by a physician. It should not be considered a substitute for the diagnosing physician. Thanks to the worldwide accessibility of the Internet, the classification system offers a promising perspective towards modern computer-assisted diagnosis in both medicine and tele-medicine, for example and in particular, with respect to non-ophthalmic clinics or in communities where perimetric expertise is not readily available.

Nasal inflammation in sleep apnoea patients using CPAP and effect of heated humidification.

PubMed

Koutsourelakis, I; Vagiakis, E; Perraki, E; Karatza, M; Magkou, C; Kopaka, M; Roussos, C; Zakynthinos, S

2011-03-01

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can cause undesirable nasal symptoms, such as congestion to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients, whose symptoms can be attenuated by the addition of heated humidification. However, neither the nature of nasal symptoms nor the effect of heated humidification on nasal pathophysiology and pathology are convincingly known. 20 patients with OSA on nasal CPAP who exhibited symptomatic nasal obstruction were randomised to receive either 3 weeks of CPAP treatment with heated humidification or 3 weeks of CPAP treatment with sham-heated humidification, followed by 3 weeks of the opposite treatment, respectively. Nasal symptom score, nasal resistance, nasal lavage interleukin-6, interleukin-12 and tumour necrosis factor-α and nasal mucosa histopathology were assessed at baseline and after each treatment arm. Heated humidification in comparison with sham-heated humidification was associated with decrease in nasal symptomatology, resistance and lavage cytokines, and attenuation of inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis of the nasal mucosa. In conclusion, nasal obstruction of OSA patients on CPAP treatment is inflammatory in origin and the addition of heated humidification decreases nasal resistance and mucosal inflammation.

Effect of nasal deviation on quality of life.

PubMed

de Lima Ramos, Sueli; Hochman, Bernardo; Gomes, Heitor Carvalho; Abla, Luiz Eduardo Felipe; Veiga, Daniela Francescato; Juliano, Yara; Dini, Gal Moreira; Ferreira, Lydia Masako

2011-07-01

Nasal deviation is a common complaint in otorhinolaryngology and plastic surgery. This condition not only causes impairment of nasal function but also affects quality of life, leading to psychological distress. The subjective assessment of quality of life, as an important aspect of outcomes research, has received increasing attention in recent decades. Quality of life is measured using standardized questionnaires that have been tested for reliability, validity, and sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life, self-esteem, and depression in patients with nasal deviation. Sixty patients were selected for the study. Patients with nasal deviation (n = 32) were assigned to the study group, and patients without nasal deviation (n = 28) were assigned to the control group. The diagnosis of nasal deviation was made by digital photogrammetry. Quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire; the Rosenberg Self-Esteem/Federal University of São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina Scale; and the 20-item Self-Report Questionnaire. There were significant differences between groups in the physical functioning and general health subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (p < 0.05). Depression was detected in 11 patients (34.4 percent) in the study group and in two patients in the control group, with a significant difference between groups (p < 0.05). Nasal deviation is an aspect of rhinoplasty of which the surgeon should be aware so that proper psychological diagnosis can be made and suitable treatment can be planned because psychologically the patients with nasal deviation have significantly worse quality of life and are more prone to depression. Risk, II.(Figure is included in full-text article.).

Pharmacokinetics of a new, nasal formulation of naloxone.