Pharynx Region Research Articles

Immunocytochemical demonstration of vertebrate neuropeptides in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris (Annelida, Oligochaeta)

The localisation and distribution of 10 vertebrate-derived neuropeptides in the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, have been determined by an indirect immunofluorescence technique. The peptides are pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), neuropeptide Y (NPY), glucagon (C-terminal), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), gastrinreleasing peptide (GRP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neurotensin (NT), and met-enkephalin. For 6 of the peptides — PYY, NPY, PHI, glucagon, GRP and CGRP — this is the first demonstration of their presence in any annelid, and NT has not previously been described in an oligochaete. Cell bodies and nerve fibres immunoreactive to the 10 peptides occur throughout the CNS. In the PNS, epidermal sensory cells displayed immunoreactivities to PP and PYY, and PP-, PYY-, NPY-, PHI- and GRP-like immunoreactivities occurred in nerve fibres supplying the main body muscles. Nerve fibres immunoreactive to PP and PYY are also associated with the innervation of the gut (pharynx, oesophageal glands, and mid and posterior regions of the intestine). No endocrine cells immunoreactive for any of the antisera tested could be identified in the gut epithelium, suggesting that dual location of peptides in the brain and gut epithelium is a phenomenon that occurred at a later stage in evolution. No immunoreactive elements were detected in any of the organs and ducts of the reproductive and excretory systems.

Clinical applications with the HIDAC positron camera

A high density avalanche chamber (HIDAC) positron camera has been used for positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging in three different human studies, including patients presenting with: (I) thyroid diseases (124 cases); (II) clinically suspected malignant tumours of the pharynx or larynx (ENT) region (23 cases); and (III) clinically suspected primary malignant and metastatic tumours of the liver (9 cases, 19 PET scans). The positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals used for the three studies were Na 124I (4.2 d half-life) for the thyroid, 55Co-bleomycin (17.5 h half-life) for the ENT-region and 68Ga-colloid (68 min half-life) for the liver. Tomographic imaging was performed: (I) 24 h after oral Na 124I administration to the thyroid patients, (II) 18 h after intraveneous administration of 55Co-bleomycin to the ENT patients and (III) 20 min following the intraveneous injection of 68Ga-colloid to the liver tumour patients. Three different imaging protocols were used with the HIDAC positron camera to perform appropriate tomographic imaging in each patient study. Promising results were obtained in all three studies, particularly in tomographic thyroid imaging, where a significant clinical contribution is made possible for diagnosis and therapy planning by the PET technique. In the other two PET studies encouraging results were obtained for the detection and precise localisation of malignant tumour disease including an estimate of the functional liver volume based on the reticulo-endothelial-system (RES) of the liver, obtained in vivo, and the three-dimensional display of liver PET data using shaded graphics techniques. The clinical significance of the overall results obtained in both the ENT and the liver PET study, however, is still uncertain and the respective role of PET as a new imaging modality in these applications is not yet clearly established. To appreciate the clinical impact made by PET in liver and ENT malignant tumour staging needs further investigation, and more detailed data on a larger number of clinical and experimental PET scans will be necessary for definitive evaluation. Nevertheless, the HIDAC positron camera may be used for clinical PET imaging in well-defined patient cases, particularly in situations where both high spatial resolution is desired in the reconstructed image of the examined pathological condition and at the same time “static” PET imaging may be adequate, as is the case in thyroid-, ENT- and liver tomographic imaging using the HIDAC positron camera.

Particle Size-Selective Sampling in Establishing Threshold Limit Values

Abstract The principal deposition and retention sites of inhaled particulate air contaminants are governed by particle aerodynamic size and are critical factors in the nature and severity of resulting injury or disease. Inhaled substances may deposit in the alveolar or gas exchange region, in the thoracic conducting airways or tracheobronchial region, and/or in the oral pharynx or nasopharyngeal region (mouth or nose breathing). Examination of specific air contaminants and specific diseases associated with particular regions of the respiratory tract indicates that size-selective sampling is critical to a meaningful evaluation of the inhalation hazard to the worker. Different particle size distributions of the same contaminant will cause major changes in deposition in different regions of the respiratory tract, markedly changing the relative quantity of material deposited within the region and so determining the probability and nature of the associated disease processes. A procedure for determining particl...

Lateral pharyngeal diverticula.

There are several categories of lateral pharyngeal diverticula. The most common type passes through the thyrohyoid region and is usually diagnosed when a pharyngo-esophagram is performed during the investigation of dysphagia. The understanding of the terminology describing the various types of such diverticula could be improved by noting whether they dilate with air, the neck is wide or narrow, and by describing the anatomic region of pharynx through which they pass.

A Rare Case of Amyloid Tumor in the Pharynx and Laryngeal Region

A Rare Case of Amyloid Tumor in the Pharynx and Laryngeal Region

ReviewLes Tumeurs Malignes des Votes Aéro-Digestives Supérieures. By J. and DucuingL., 1949, 582 pp (Masson, Paris), Fr. 2,000.

The two authors, one the Professor of Clinical Surgery and Director of the Toulouse Cancer Centre, the other Laryngologist to the Centre, give a comprehensive survey of the malignant tumours of the pharynx and larynx region, and deal successively and in detail with their anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinic, diagnosis and treatment, surgical as well as radiotherapeutical.

RHYTHMIC MYOCLONUS OF THE MUSCLES OF THE PALATE, PHARYNX, LARYNX AND OTHER REGIONS

Of all the interesting manifestations that disordered function of the central nervous system may occasion, abnormal involuntary movements are perhaps the subject of the most intensive investigation and the greatest discussion. When these movements appear in the superficial musculature they naturally attract the attention of the clinician and the patient, but when they occur in less conspicuous muscles they often remain undiscovered, or are ignored and receive less attention than their inherent interest would seem to warrant. To this second group belong the abnormal involuntary movements of muscles, such as those of the palate, pharynx, larynx, diaphragm and other structures. The syndrome to be described consists of constantly recurrent rhythmic contractions of certain muscles, chief among which are the muscles of the oropharynx. In the patients who manifest the fully developed picture of the disorder there are, in addition to the abnormal involuntary movements, other evidences of disturbed function due

PLASMA CELL MYELOMA OF THE PHARYNX AND CERVICAL REGION WITHOUT SKELETAL INVOLVEMENT

Multiple myeloma essentially represents a malignant neoplastic disease of the bone marrow which rarely, if ever, metastasizes. We are reporting a case of plasma cell myeloma of the pharynx and cervical region without apparent skeletal involvement. REPORT OF CASE A man, aged 60, came to the clinic on April 30, 1930. He had first noticed a swelling in his throat and in the right side of his neck two or three months previously. There was slight difficulty in swallowing and breathing but no pain. General examination gave essentially negative results, except for obesity, chronic myocardial degeneration and a moderate degree of hypertension. Examination of the throat revealed an ulcerated, polypoid mass about 3 by 2.5 cm. in the right side of the pharynx which apparently originated in the tonsil. There was also a mass in the right upper cervical region 4 cm. in diameter. Roentgenograms of the

A new Species of Enteropneusta, Ptychodera pelsarti*, from the Abrolhos Islands.

It will be advisable perhaps to add, in the form of a summary, a short diagnosis of the characters of the species Ptychodera pelsarti. Ptychodera Pelsarti, n. sp.—Moderately large form, average size of preserved specimens 50–60 mm. (considerable contraction had taken place). Proboscis cavity with longitudinal muscles gathered into distinct radially arranged bundles. Neck of proboscis with a distinct well-developed but unlobulated “racemose” organ. Ventral proboscis, caecum, and “racemose” organ compressed laterally. Cornua of nuchal skeleton very long and reaching posterior half of collar, body of skeleton with characteristic shape. Two proboscis pores. Stomochord with well-developed lateral pouches. (Esophageal region of pharynx predominates over the branchial. Collar nerve-cord with continuous lumen and usually with three dorsal roots. Locality: Polsart Island, Abrolhos Islands, West Coast of Australia.

SYPHILIS OF THE UPPER AIR-TRACT.

The present paper is based on observations of such syphilitic patients as I have had in my private practice during the last four years, some forty in number. No attempt has been made to figure out the percentage to total number of patients treated; the number is too small for such figures to have any value. No case of primary syphilis of the upper air-tract has been met. They must be quite rare, especially so if primary chancre of the lip be excluded from this analysis and we confine ourselves strictly to the upper air-tract. Secondary and tertiary manifestations are common, the areas most frequently involved being the pharynx and tonsillar region, the nose and larynx. The sore throat of the secondary stage is one of the most common of syphilitic lesions, yet in my experience is less often seen by the specialist than the tertiary. This condition is usually