Investigating the learning curve in endoscopic compared to microscopic myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion.

Objective: Rate of learning is often cited as a deterrent in the use of endoscopic ear surgery. This study investigated the learning curves of novice surgeons performing simulated ear surgery using either an endoscope or a microscope.

Methods: A prospective multi-site clinical research study was conducted.

Age, smoking and nasal ciliary beat frequency.

The nasal ciliary beat frequency of 120 individuals in a British urban population was determined from nasal brushings. These individuals formed part of a previous study which looked at nasal and middle ear ciliary beat frequency in 60 patients with middle ear disease and compared it to nasal ciliary beat frequency in 60 matched controls. The present study intended to investigate any changes in nasal ciliary beat frequency with age.

Increase in epithelial mast cell numbers in the nasal mucosa of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

The aim of the study was to compare the numbers and distribution of mast cells in the nasal mucosa of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) patients and controls, as demonstrated by different staining methods for light microscopy. Biopsies of inferior turbinate mucosa were taken from 10 patients with PAR and 10 patients undergoing septoplasty or septorhinoplasty (control group). Sections for light microscopy were stained with azure A.

Mucociliary function in patients with nasal polyps.

Patients with nasal polyposis complain of nasal blockage and rhinorrhoea, which may be due to impaired mucociliary clearance. The saccharine clearance time and ciliary beat frequency of samples of ciliated epithelium from patients with nasal polyps was measured. We also studied the effect of fluid from the oedematous stroma of nasal polyps and of histamine and prostaglandin (PG) D2, E2 and F2 alpha on the cilia from normal individuals.

Multiple rice body formation in chronic subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis: MR appearances.

Multiple rice body formation is an unusual complication of chronic bursitis. Clinically and macroscopically, it can resemble synovial osteochondromatosis. Radiographic and MR appearances, however, may allow an accurate pre-operative diagnosis.