Ear; Nose; and Throat Foreign Bodies in a Tertiary Health Institution in Sokoto; Nigeria

Background: Otorhinolaryngeal foreign bodies are common in ear; nose; and throat (ENT) practice. The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of otorhinolaryngeal foreign bodies in a Tertiary Health Institution in Sokoto; North-Western Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a 2 year retrospective study using the records of all cases of ENT foreign bodies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital; Sokoto; from January 2009 to December 2010. Data analysis was carried out using the SPSS for windows version 13.0. Results: A total of 90 cases were analysed. Ear foreign bodies 48 (53.3) were commonest; followed by nasal foreign bodies 16 (17.8); bronchial foreign bodies 15 (16.7); and esophageal foreign bodies 11 (12.2). Age range was 9 months to 64 years. High frequency of the foreign bodies was noted in the younger age group. The foreign bodies varied according to the site with plant seed being more common in the ear and the nose while meat bolus is more common in the esophagus. Bronchial foreign bodies were seen exclusively in children less than 14 years old with beads and valve of plastic toys being the most common. Conclusion: Otorhinolaryngeal foreign bodies remain frequent occurrence particularly in the younger age group 9 years old or less and high index of suspicion suggested and early intervention to prevent the morbidity and mortality from complications

Surgical Considerations in the Management of Tumours of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses in a Northern Nigerian Teaching Hospital

BACKGROUND: Tumours of the nose and paranasal sinuses in sub-Saharan Africa are generally characterised by late presentation posing management challenges to the otorhinolaryngologists in the sub-region. OBJECTIVES: To appraise surgical considerations in the management of tumours of the nose and paranasal sinuses in a developing nation from the experiences of an Ear; Nose; and Throat Department of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. METHODS: This was a chart review of patients with tumours of the nose and paranasal sinuses who underwent various surgical operations over a period of four and a half years.The patients were referred by other physicians or health care workers. They were assessed clinically; backed by laboratory and radiological investigations. RESULTS: A total number of 55 patients underwent 64 surgical operations. There were 31 (56.4) males and 24 (43.6) females; giving a male to female ratio of 1.3:1. They were aged between four years and 70 years. In 46(83.6) patients the tumours had extended beyond the nasal cavity or one sinus cavity to contiguous structures. The surgical operations carried out were lateral rhinotomy in 37(57.8); intranasal clearance and intranasal antrostomy in 16(25); total maxillectomy in seven(11); and anterior craniofacial resection in two (3.1) patients.The histological examination showed that 43 (78.2) cases were benign; while 12 (21.8) cases were malignant. These malignant cases needed radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Majority of the cases were characterised by late presentation; requiring surgical approaches such as lateral rhinotomy; total maxillectomy or craniofacial resection depending on the extent of the tumour. Poverty; ignorance; inadequate funding and administration challenges of health resources are factors militating against proper clinical management of tumours of the nose and paranasal sinuses in developing nations. Provision of free medical care and modern facilities for early diagnosis; treatment; and health education are needed to reverse the trend