Otogenic cranial base osteomyelitis: a proposed prognosis-based system for disease classification.

Objectives: To review the presentation, microbiology, and long-term results of treating otogenic cranial base osteomyelitis to develop a prognosis-based disease classification system.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-eight patients with otogenic cranial base osteomyelitis treated between 1989 and 2002 were studied. Patient demographics, presentation, pathogens, details of therapy, and disease-specific survival were recorded.

Quality-of-life effect of tonsillectomy in a young adult group.

Background: To examine the quality of life after tonsillectomy in a young adult group with chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.

Methods: Retrospective survey of patients aged 15-25 years who underwent tonsillectomy for chronic or recurrent tonsillitis in 2002 or 2003. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory was mailed to patients who were selected from two private general otolaryngology practices.

Initial subjective load carriage injury data collected with interviews and questionnaires.

This study aimed to identify the types, incidence, and causes of any potential load carriage injuries or discomfort as a result of a 2-hour, forced-speed, treadmill march carrying 20 kg. Subjective load carriage data were collected, through both interviews and questionnaires, from relatively inexperienced soldiers after a period of load carriage. Results from the study showed that the upper limb is very susceptible to short-term discomfort, whereas the lower limb is not.

The effect of military load carriage on ground reaction forces.

Load carriage is an inevitable part of military life both during training and operations. Loads carried are frequently as high as 60% bodyweight, and this increases injury risk. In the military, load is carried in a backpack (also referred to as a Bergen) and webbing, these combined form a load carriage system (LCS).

Influence of carrying heavy loads on soldiers' posture, movements and gait.

Military personnel are required to carry heavy loads whilst marching; this load carriage represents a substantial component of training and combat. Studies in the literature mainly concentrate on physiological effects, with few biomechanical studies of military load carriage systems (LCS). This study examines changes in gait and posture caused by increasing load carriage in military LCS.

Airway fire during tracheotomy.

We report a case of airway fire during surgical tracheotomy using diathermy for the incision into the trachea. A literature review of airway fire during tracheotomy was carried out, and the management of airway fire is discussed. Recommendations are made to prevent this adverse outcome.

The effect of single- or multiple-layered garments on interface pressure measured at the backpack-shoulder interface.

Experiments were aimed at determining whether interface pressure measurements are a true reflection of skin contact pressure when made over different layers of clothing. Interface pressures were recorded at the skin interface and above clothing layers, with 11 participants wearing 10 different clothing combinations. The clothing used was standard issue British military clothing, including body armour (without ballistic plate).