Hepatitis C; association of interferon-ribavirin therapy with hearing loss

The objective of this study was to determine association of Interferon-Ribavarin therapy with hearing loss in patients suffering from Hepatitis 'C'. Quasi-experimental study. Otolaryngology Department Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from 09 June 2006 to 08 June 2007. Consenting sixty patients of Hepatitis C divided into two equal groups of 30 each, [group A receiving Interferon-Ribavarin therapy and group B, not receiving it] during the study period fitting the inclusion criteria were selected. Pure Tone Audiometery including both air and bone conduction performed as base line data at commencement of therapy and then at the end of therapy [after six months]. Patients were sampled by Convenience [non-probability] technique. The number of patients who were found to have defined hearing loss was 06 [20%] in Group A [n=30] and 05 [16.67%] in Group B [n=30]. Chi Square test was applied which showed a p-value of 0.739 which is highly insignificant. Interferon-Ribavarin Therapy does not have a significant association with hearing loss in patients of Hepatitis 'C

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo; efficacy of vestibular sedative versus Epley manoeuvre

To compare the efficacy of Vestibular sedative versus Epley manoeuvre in the management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Interventional Quasi experimental study. This study was conducted in ENT OPD Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from 1st January 2008 till 30th June 2008. In this study out of 30 cases managed by vestibular sedative, 10 cases showed complete relief of symptoms after 01 month. Out of 30 cases managed by Epley manoeuvre, 28 cases showed complete recovery after 01 month. The results were compared by Chi square test, as the data was mainly qualitative in nature. The results of both the groups were compared on day 3, day 7 and day 30, which revealed that Epley manoeuvre, is more effective than vestibular sedative in treatment of BPPV. Epley manoeuvre is more effective than vestibular sedative for treating the patients of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Rigid bronchoscopy; a case series of 62 cases in CMH Rawalpindi

To evaluate foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree and effectiveness of the therapeutic use of rigid bronchoscopy in a tertiary care setting. Descriptive study. This study was carried out at Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from June 2006 to June 2010. This descriptive study was designed to evaluate the foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree and effectiveness of the use of rigid bronchoscopy in a tertiary care setting. Sixty two patients underwent initial evaluation by ENT consultants and senior registrars followed by management with rigid bronchoscopy. The most commonly affected age group was under 4 years. Male to female ratio was 3:1. Right main bronchus was affected in 51.61% cases. Most of the foreign bodies removed were organic in nature in 90.32% cases. The success rate for removal with rigid bronchoscopy was achieved in 98.39% cases, with fewer complications and no mortality It may be concluded from this study that early diagnosis and management is essential to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with foreign bodies. Rigid bronchoscopy is the most effective procedure for the removal of foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree