Relationship of oral tumor thickness with the rate of lymph node metastasis in neck based on CT scan

Objective: To determine the relationship of tumor thickness of oral lesions with metastasis in neck based on CT scan

Methods: A total of 58 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients having the median age of 46 [39-55] years, with either gender presented with malignant tumor of buccal mucosa and tongue were prospectively enrolled. A CT Scan with contrast was performed on all patients. Correlation of tumor thickness level with metastasis in neck was calculated using spearman's rank correlation coefficient test

Results: Median age of the patients was 46 [39-55] years with preponderance of male gender, i.e. 48 [82.8%]. Strong positive significant correlation was observed in between transverse dimension [TS] tumor size and stages of tumor [rho 0.673, p-value <0.001], Anterioposterior [AP] tumor size and stages of tumor [rho 0.675, p-value <0.001], and Craniocaudal [CC] tumor size and stages of tumor [rho 0.771, p-value <0.001]

Conclusion: CT scan of neck with contrast can be used for predicting the positive presence of lymph node in neck with primary tumors having a size of more than 4 mm

Career choices of medical doctors at graduate level - a multicenter study

Objective: To find out the specialty choices being taken by Final year Medical students and graduate Doctors

Method: This is a cross sectional survey study which was conducted over two months from 1[st] November to 31st December 2016. Final year students and house job doctors were asked for the filling of Performa, after filling the consent form. A self -developed, anonymous questionnaire was used to conduct the study using close ended type of questions. This was a multi-center study conducted at Dow International Medical College and Jinnah Medical and Dental College. An IRB approval was taken for the study. A total of 317 individuals completed the Performa. Demaographic data included information regarding the year of passing, number of family members already in the medical profession, then specific questions were asked regarding their future career choice and the reason for choosing that particular speciality. After collection of data from both the centers a single operator entered the Data on SPSS 16 version. Frequencies and chi-square test were performed and p-valves were tabulated

Results: A total of 317 individuals completed the Performa. Two hundred and nine participants [65.9%] were females and one hundred and eight [34.1%] were male participants. The age ranged from 22-29 years mean of 25.15 and SD of 1 .348. One hundred and twenty one [38%] had a family member as a doctor in the family. Medicine and allied was the most sought after specialty 184[58%], followed by surgery and allied in 108[34%]. Non-Clinical Specialty such as radiology, basic sciences was taken up by 27[7.9%]

Conclusion: The working hours followed by passion for the chosen field were the important reasons for selecting any specialty. The next most important reason was higher income and other family responsibilities of an individual. The ladies are opting more for fields with a controllable life style

Relationship of ear phone usage and recreational noise induced hearing loss based on audiogram assessment

Introduction: Over the last two decades the use of personal music player [PMP] with headphones/earphones has increased tremendously. Those people using headphones/ earphones on regular basis belongs from all age groups. They become accustomed to use headphones/earphones at high volumes and over long periods of time which may be implicated in ongoing permanent hearing loss in these individuals. Both the intensity and duration of noise exposure determines the potential for damage of the hair cells of the inner ear. The study population was the university students using such devices, however audiogram performed only in participants using these devices for more than 1 hour a day, at moderate to high volumes

Objective: To identify association of sensorineural hearing loss and noise exposure from a personal music player with head phones/earphones among the young university students

Material and methods: This prospective study conducted at Dow International Medical College, DUHS from January 2015 to April 2015. All Final year students were invited for the survey. Informed consent was taken from each participant. Data was collected regarding the duration and hours of use of personal music players. To detect degree of the change in hearing threshold, Audiograms assessment done on 56 participants from high risk group. The data was analyzed using SPSS16

Result: The majority of earphone users are young adults. The audiogram showed mild hearing loss in frequencies over 0.5- 8 kHz

Conclusion: There is mild hearing loss in the high risk group, therefore adequate counseling, for these individuals, regarding change of their listening habits is necessary if further hearing loss is to be prevented

Complementary/alternative medicine practices for sore throat - comparing practices in healthcare providers and the general population

OBJECTIVES: To determine the practice and varieties of Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM] for sore throat and common cold treatment in healthcare providers[HP] and the general population

METHOD: This is a questionnaire-based cross sectional study conducted at Ojha Campus, Dow International Medical Collge Karachi

RESULTS: This study shows that 62% of our total study population use CAM [62.8% healthcare providers, 61% general population]. Combination therapy was the most popular method of CAM usage [55.8% healthcare providers, 47% general population]. Family and friends were the most common source of CAM information in both groups. Steam, Saltwater gargles, Medicated vapors, honey and ginger were most frequently used, in both populations. Very few persons had a regular practice of informing their healthcare provider about their CAM use [23.8% healthcare providers, 2.7% general population]. Around 63% healthcare providers recommend CAM to their patients for treating sore throat. The most frequent reason for doing so being their personal effective experience

CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the high usage of CAM to treat sore throat. Some basic training in CAM should be considered for our healthcare providers, in order to integrate this cost effective form of therapy in our healthcare system. Healthcare providers should inquire about their patients' CAM usage to avoid interactions between the two forms of therapy

Early hearing aid fitting - key to better education for school going special children with hearing impairment

INTRODUCTION: 10% of the world population has hearing impairment. The most common association for this neurological impairment is considered to be consanguineous marriages. Our study aim is to find the Impact of late advice and fitting of hearing aid on the level of schooling of special children and the rate at which consanguinity is related to congenital hearing loss

MATERIALS and METHODS: This is a cross sectional survey conducted on special children participating in a free ENT examination camp conducted for the special children. 50 children with hearing impairment as the single disability were selected for the questionnaire based survey

RESULTS: Fifty six percent children were fitted with hearing aid at the ages of 1-2 years, only twelve percent [6 participants] were able to communicate verbally; this is when speech therapy was also received along with a hearing aid. This had a p-value of 0.001. They also had the most age appropriate school years.Thirty eight of the participants gave a history of consanguineous marriage which is seventy six percent

CONCLUSION: The children who had the diagnostic workup completed and hearing aid fitted at 2-4 years, not only did well in developing verbal communication. They also did better at school

Another important factor in speech development is speech therapy after the fitting of Hearing Aid. Without speech therapy the maximum benefit cannot be achieved from the hearing aid device

The frequency of hearing impairment being associated with consanguineous marriage in our study is seventy six percent which is even higher than the regional figures for this problem