The Journal-Lancet, Vol. XXXV, No. 5, March 1, 1915: The Journal of the Minnesota State Medical Association and Official Organ of the North Dakota and South Dakota State Medical Associations — John Shaqi
The Journal-Lancet, Vol. XXXV, No. 5, March 1, 1915: The Journal of the Minnesota State Medical Association and Official Organ of the North Dakota and South Dakota State Medical AssociationsVarious
Science
The Journal-Lancet, Vol. XXXV, No. 5, March 1, 1915: The Journal of the Minnesota State Medical Association and Official Organ of the North Dakota and South Dakota State Medical Associations
Various
Medicine -- Periodicals
_Sinus thrombosis._--This complication is the one that is recognized as
giving the best prognosis because it can be very readily recognized,
and even exploration is warranted to make such diagnosis. It most
frequently follows, or is associated with, acute infections of the
middle ear and mastoid process. The most important symptoms are the
chills and fever of a distinct septic type, and, as a rule, increasing
in frequency. There is invariably a blood-picture of sepsis, namely,
a very high leucocyte count and the polymorphonuclear type in marked
excess. Blood cultures are, as a rule, positive of a bacteriemia. If
the process has extended to the bulb and internal jugular vein, then
one may feel a thickening or cord-like mass along the anterior border
of the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle. The fundus examination often
reveals a choked disk, especially on the side where the thrombosis is
located. A symptom recently described by Beck, of Vienna, and Crowe, of
Baltimore, and proven by me to be of positive value in several cases,
is the production or increase of a choked disk by compression of the
healthy internal jugular vein. Urbanschitch has shown in quite a number
of cases of sinus thrombosis that the blood-clotting time is very much
enhanced. This of course is true of any case of bacteriemia or septic
phlebitis anywhere in the body. I have proven this test to be of value
to me in several cases of sinus thrombosis. The exploratory exposure of
the lateral sinus is of distinct value, and the only fact to remember
is to expose a sufficient area so that one is able to deal with the
sinus in case it be opened accidentally, because such an accident when
this precaution was not taken has led to serious consequences.
The diagnosis of a thrombotic sinus when exposed is made first by its
discoloration, usually of a grayish pink; secondly, it feels harder
than normal and is not resilient when compressed, that is, it does
not spring back. It, however, may be soft in case the thrombus has
broken down; and in cases of parietal thrombosis it may spring back
because there is blood circulating through it. One will at times
find a small collection of pus about the sinus, a condition known as
perisinus abscess, and in many instances of this condition the sinus
itself is not thrombosed. The puncture of the sinus by a hypodermic
needle and attempt to withdraw some blood, is not at present considered
good practice owing to the danger of infecting a non-infected sinus.
An incision is considered a wiser plan, and subsequently packing
both sides (torcular and bulb) so they are shut off from the general
circulation. There are many instances of secondary infection by
embolism, either in or about the joints, and infection into the lungs,
spleen, pancreas, etc., with the entire train of symptoms from such
complications.
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