Otomycosis in central Iran: a clinical and mycological study

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the external ear with bothersome symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of fungal agents, predisposing factors and characteristics of patients. Between May 2008 and April 2010, 171 patients with clinical suspicion of otomycosis were enrolled and the samples from their external ear were examined for any mycological infection. Otomycosis was confirmed after mycological diagnosis in 69% of clinically suspected patients. The highest incidence of otomycosis was in autumn and in patients aged 21-40 years old. Working in dry dusty environment was a major predisposing factor. Pruritus was the most common symptom. Aspergillus flavuswas the most common fungus in otomycosis followed by A. niger, Candida albicans, A. fumigatus, A. nidulansand C. parapsilosis. Clinical suspicion of otomycosis is important to prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics. Etiology of fungal pathogens in dry dusty regions is not similar to hot humid areas and this needs to be considered in future susceptibility tests and treatment of patients with otomycosis

Septoplasty: assessment with rhinomanometry

Septoplasty is one of the most common procedures in the domain of otolaryngology; though, few studies have discussed objectively how much successful this procedure is. We intended to use active anterior rhinomanometry to show this and correlation between these objective figures with clinical signs and symptoms. Overall, 48 patients underwent septoplasty procedure by a single surgeon. Before and one month after surgery, rhinomanometric study [measuring nasal flow and resistance] was done. In that periods, clinical symptoms [nasal obstruction] and signs [nasal impaction seen by rhinoscopy] were recorded by another surgeon, as well. According to history and physical examination, both nasal obstruction and impaction were improved significantly. Nasal flow and nasal resistance improved totally and in each side as well. There significant correlation between obstruction and nasal flow [r=0.34]. In 60.4% of patients, strong correlation was found between patient's satisfaction and clinical findings, as well as a significant but less strong correlation between satisfaction and rhinomanometric findings. Rhinomanometry is able to objectively evaluate the results of septoplasty procedure, so it is a useful and sometimes necessary tool for clinic and research as well as legal issues