Attitudes, practices on allergic rhinitis of three socioeconomic classes of Filipinos in the National Capital Region

BACKGROUND: Healthcare access and usage may vary according to socioeconomic class (SEC). Knowing this variable's effect on patient attitudes, practices, and health seeking behavior allows better understanding of compliance, adherence to treatment, and educational needs on allergic rhinitis (AR). OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to assess the attitudes and practices on AR of Filipinos in the National Capital Region. METHODS: A cross sectional survey of 301 Filipinos, stratified into socioeconomic groups ABC1, C2, and DE, was conducted from December 2014 to February 2015. A previously validated and pilot tested questionnaire on AR was administered via structured face to face interviews. RESULTS: Most respondents attributed their symptoms to "colds" (ABC1 77%, C2 79%, DE 78%); most did not consult a physician for their symptoms. Only 26% of all respondents were aware of AR. Only the ABC1 group had respondents who specifically used the term AR. Most respondents' symptoms fulfilled criteria for moderate to severe disease. Sleep was the activity most affected by AR (62%). For symptom relief, over the counter antihistamine-decongestants were the most preferred drug preparations (ABC1 30%, C2 38%, DE 34%). Groups ABC1 and C2 cited family, television, and Internet as the top primary sources of health information; DE cited family, television, and friends. CONCLUSION: Regardless of SEC, Filipinos are not aware of AR. Lack of awareness and gaps in knowledge can result to an underestimation of the condition, decrease in health seeking behavior, unmet patient needs, and undertreatment of disease.

Mandibular ameloblastoma with lung metastasis 10 years after resection

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To present a case of mandibular ameloblastoma with pulmonary metastasis after ten years and discuss the possible pathophysiology, diagnostic and therapeutic options.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong><br /><strong> Design:</strong> Case Report<br /> <strong>Setting:</strong> Tertiary Private Hospital<br /><strong> Patient:</strong> One<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A  27-year-old  woman  diagnosed  with  follicular  variant  ameloblastoma  underwent left  segmental  mandibulectomy  with  iliac  bone reconstruction  in  2004.  The  titanium  plates were  removed  in  2008  because  of  a  recurrent  orocutaneous  fistula.  She  was  apparently  well until 2014, when she complained of intermittent, non-radiating, sharp and piercing, right upper back pains. Work-ups revealed multiple bilateral lung nodules.  A CT scan-guided percutaneous needle  biopsy  of  the  right  upper  lung  nodule  revealed  metastatic  ameloblastoma.  Opting  for observation  instead  of  chemoradiation,  she  remains  asymptomatic  on  regular  follow-ups  with medical oncology, pulmonary medicine and otorhinolaryngology.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Though  benign,  ameloblastoma  has  a  high  propensity  for  local  invasion  and  may metastasize.  It  is  difficult  to  predict metastasis, even  with  adequate  treatment  of  the  primary lesion. There is no standard protocol to prevent or detect metastatic ameloblastoma, but regular and close follow up may ensure early diagnosis.</p>

Attitudes, practices on allergic rhinitis of generalists and specialists in Philippine National Capital Region

BACKGROUND: Treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) consistent with consensus guidelines is reported to result in better patient outcomes. However, physicians may manage patients independently of guidelines. Asian data on physician perspectives regarding AR diagnosis and management is limited. OBJECTIVE: The study objective is to assess attitudes and practices on AR of Filipino specialists and generalists. METHODS: A cross sectional survey of 100 specialists and 100 generalists was conducted from November 2014 to January 2015. A previously validated and pilot tested questionnaire was administered via structured face to face interviews. RESULTS: Specialists reported greater adequate knowledge of AR (specialists, 58%; generalists, 39%) and adherence to guidelines (specialists, 84%; generalists, 54%). Diagnostic tests were not routinely used (specialists, 81%; generalists, 92%). Monotherapy, specifically antihistamines, was preferred for mild AR. For moderate-severe AR, preference for monotherapy versus combination therapy (specialists, 49% vs. 51%; generalists, 44% vs. 56%) was similar. Both groups preferred intranasal corticosteroid spray (INCS) for monotherapy and antileukotrienes, antihistamines, INCS for combination therapy. For adjuvant therapy, specialists (82%) preferred nasal irrigation/douche. Primary consideration for choice of therapy was efficacy. Cost was the perceived reason for patients' noncompliance with treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite differences in awareness of and adherence to guidelines, prescribing patterns on management of mild and moderate-severe AR are similar among Filipino specialists and generalists. This can be attributed to a shared perception of efficacy and cost as drivers for therapeutic choices.

Pterygopalatine fossa infiltration: A radio-anatomic study among adult patients in a tertiary private hospital

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> As   a   guide   to   the   clinical   practice   of   infiltration   of   local   anesthesia   into   the pterygopalatine fossa via the greater palatine canal, this study sought to determine and record the  mean  CT  scan  measurements  of  the  following:  1)  palatal  mucosal  thickness,  2)  length  and width  of  greater  palatine  canal,  and  3)  length  and  width  of  pterygopalatine  fossa  among  adult patients in a private tertiary hospital in Quezon City.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong><br /><strong>Design:</strong> Retrospective, Descriptive Study<br /><strong>Setting:</strong> Tertiary Private Hospital<br /><strong>Subjects:</strong> Paranasal Sinus (PNS) CT Scans of 113 adult patients from January 2014 to May 2014 were reviewed and evaluated. Excluded were images with pathology that distorted the anatomy of the sinuses and surrounding structures.<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Our study showed average CT scan measurements of 5.98 mm palatal mucosal thickness, 16.99  mm  greater  palatine  canal  length,  18.75  mm  pterygopalatine  fossa  length,  2.37  mm greater palatine canal width and 2.58 mm pterygopalatine fossa width. Comparison of average measurements  by  sex  was  not  statistically  significant.  There  was  statistical  significance  when comparing the right palatal mucosal thickness of 5.86 mm with the left which was 6.11 mm with p-value of 0.001. Comparison between the length of the right pterygopalatine fossa of 18.48 mm with the  left side at 19.01 mm showed statistical significance with p-value of 0.01.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> As the average measurement of the mucosal palatal thickness combined with the length of the greater palatine canal was 22.97 mm, we recommend bending the needle 23 mm from  the  tip  in  a  45  degree  angle  for  adult  patients  who  will  undergo  sinus surgery,  control  of posterior epistaxis, trigeminal nerve block and minor oral cavity surgeries.</p>

Rosai-Dorfman disease presenting as recurrent nasal polyposis

@#OBJECTIVES: To present a case of Rosai-Dorfman disease in an individual with a 14-year history of recurrent nasal polyposis and discuss its clinical presentation, physical examination, radiologic findings, histopathologic characteristics and available treatment. METHODS: Design: Case Report Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital Patient: One RESULTS: A 26-year-old Filipino diagnosed and repeatedly treated medically and surgically for recurrent nasal polyposis underwent repeat endoscopic sinus surgery. A histopathologic impression of Rosai-Dorfman disease was confirmed by positive S-100 and CD1a negative immunochemistry in conjunction with the morphologic findings. CONCLUSION: Rosai-Dorfman disease is a rare entity which should be considered when dealing with recurrent nasal polyposis that is intractable to initial medical and surgical therapies. Histopathologic findings of emperipolesis and immunohistochemical S-100 stains play a key role in the diagnosis but there is yet no definite treatment for this disease.

Subjective and objective assessment of olfactory function in post-laryngectomy patients

Objective: To determine the olfactory function among post-laryngectomy patients using a questionnaire adapted from that of the Smell and Taste Clinic of Hospital of University Pennsylvania (HUP) and the Santo Tomas Smell Identification Test. Methods: Design: Descriptive study Setting: Tertiary Private Hospital Outpatient Department Patients: Twenty five subjects who had undergone total laryngectomy and met inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent rigid nasal endoscopy and olfactory function assessment using an adaptation of the questionnaire of the Smell and Taste Clinic of Hospital of University Pennsylvania (HUP) and the Santo Tomas Smell Identification Test (ST-SIT). Results: Twenty one male subjects completed olfactory testing. All had subjective sense of smell before laryngectomy. Statistically significant correlation was noted between the subjective postoperative smell function and the objective olfactory function test scores. There was no statistically significant difference noted in the ST SIT scores with regards age, duration from laryngectomy to olfactory testing, number of smoking pack- years, use of olfactory technique/maneuver, loss of appetite and adjunctive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusion: All subjects post-laryngectomy had subjective complaints of varying levels of olfactory difficulties based on a structured questionnaire and were documented to be anosmic by an objective smell identification test. Olfactory problems following laryngectomy can have significant effects on the lives of laryngectomees, and health care providers should be knowledgeable of available management options for this condition.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of an orbito-maxillary mass masquerading as a malignancy

Objective: To present a case of a benign orbito-maxillary tumor behaving as an invasive, expansive malignancy. Design: Case report Setting: A tertiary care hospital in Metro Manila Patient: A 4 1/2-year-old boy with a seven month history of right orbito-maxillary mass, proptosis and epiphora. Result: A series of biopsies were done before a definite diagnosis was made due to inconsistencies in the histopathologic findings, clinical picture, and the radiologic presentation of the case. After diagnosis, appropriate intervention resulted in a dramatic decrease in the size of the mass. At present, the patient is disease-free and asymptomatic. Conclusion: Histopathologic diagnosis of Inflammatory Pseudotumor is difficult and differentiating it from malignant tumors is often a concern for otolaryngologists and pathologists. In spite of an initial malignant biopsy result, the combination of clinical signs and symptoms and radiologic findings of an infiltrative mass lesion, should not discount the possibility of a benign entity such as Inflammatory Pseudotumor for which treatment is conservative. (Author)