Diagnosis and quantification of aerotitis media were performed using a modified commercially-available tympanometer under hypobaric conditions. Subjects were 22 males and 9 females, 22-43 years of age, who were tested in each ear with the tympanometer prior to and after exposure, sequentially at the barometric pressure plateaus of 706, 656, 609, 586, 564, and 522 mm Hg, and following an induced...

OBJECTIVE Ultrasonographic studies have demonstrated transient reduction in spleen volume in relation to apnea diving. We measured spleen volume under various respiratory conditions by MR imaging to accurately determine the influence of ordinary breath holding on spleen volumetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve healthy adult volunteers were examined. Contiguous MR images of the spleen were acqu...

Transmission characteristics of pneumatic pressure to the carotid sinus were evaluated in 19 subjects at rest and during exercise. Either a percutaneous fluid-filled (n = 12) or balloon-tipped catheter (n = 7) was placed at the carotid bifurcation to record internal transmission of external neck pressure/neck suction (NP/NS). Sustained, 5-s pulses, and rapid ramping pulse protocols (+40 to -80 ...

Twenty novice male weight lifters performed resistance exercises using three different breathing techniques to determine the effects on blood pressure. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured by an automated non-invasive method while subjects performed the single arm curl and double knee extension using the different breathing techniques. Performing the Valsalva manoeuvre (breath-h...

A 70-year old man with a 15-year-history of chronic daily Valsalva maneuvers for left ear congestion presented with worsening vertigo and calvarial (occipitoparietal) and upper cervical hyperpneumatization. With continued frequent Valsalva maneuvers, subsequent studies demonstrated increased pneumatization with extension of air into the epidural space, causing mass effect on the left parietal l...

Antonetta Margaretha Gezina Sas, MD Fop van Kooten, PhD An 18-year-old woman was referred for a slowly growing tumor on her scalp, which had been present since her birth. Examination revealed a soft-tissue non-pulsating mass on her scalp (figure 1) which became larger in recumbent position and with Valsalva maneuver. CT showed that almost the entire venous system drained through enlarged pariet...

Thirteen healthy subjects were tested for parasympathetic reactivity during head-up tilt and reversal of the tilt. Head-up tilt (70 degrees) resulted in significant increase in baseline heart rate and diastolic blood pressure. Head-up tilt also led to increased parasympathetic reactivity as measured by Valsalva manoeuvre and hand grip test. Heart rate response to deep breathing test did not cha...

INTRODUCTION The diagnosis of Eustachian tube dysfunctions is essential for better understanding of the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media. A series of tests to assess tube function are described in the literature; however, they are methodologically heterogeneous, with differences ranging from application protocols to standardization of tests and their results. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the var...