Cholesteatoma; its complications

OBJECTIVE: To find out the incidence of various extracranial and intracranial complications in the patients having chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma. DESIGN: Study of 40 patients having various extracranial and intracranial complications due to chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma. SETTING: Department of ENT, Mayo Hospital, Lahore PERIOD: 1st January, 1995 to 30th December, 1997. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 40 patients having chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma. The incidence of various extracranial and intracranial complications found in these patients was recorded. Thirty patients [75%] presented with extracranial complications. The most common extracranial complication was postaural fistula [35%] followed by mastoid abscess [20%] and facial paralysis [15%]. Ten patients [25%] presented with intracranial complications. The most common intracranial complication was brain abscess [10%] followed by extradural abscess [7.5%] and meningitis [5%]. Twelve patients [30%] presented with more than one complications. Chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma is a dangerous condition. It can lead to various extracranial and intracranial complications. More patients present with extracranial complications than the patients presenting with intracranial complications. Some patients present with more than one complications

Asymmetrical tonsils: Clinical, microbiological and histopathological evaluation

In this study, the different causes of the asymmetrical tonsils are ascertained with histopathological examination. Tonsillar surface bacteriological examination and histopathological picture are also compared. There is no correlation between tonsillar surface bacteriology and histopathological examination done after tonsillectomy. While the chronic tonsillitis [non-specific] is the commonest cause, tuberculosis of the tonsils is not uncommon, presenting as asymmetrical tonsils, in Pakistan