[Evaluation of cholesteatoma frequency in patients with chronic otitis media]

Chronic otitis media [COM] is regarded as one of the disabling diseases which have a great influence on the quality of life. Because of the surgical approach of cholesteatoma, timely diagnosis is very important in management of patients with COM. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of cholesteatoma in patients with COM, demographic factors and disease related factors. In this retrospective study, medical records of 100 patients with COM who had surgery since 2005 to 2009 in Imam Reza Hospital were selected. Patients' age, gender, duration of COM, clinical manifestations, location of perforation of tympanic membrane and presence or absence of cholesteatoma were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and some tables and graphs were planned. Patients included 70 males and 30 females with an average age of 23.08 +/- 11.35. Mean of COM duration was 8.04 +/- 7.14 years. The most common manifestations of the disease were otorrhea [92%] and hearing loss [80%]. The most frequent type of tympanic perforation was total perforation. Frequency of cholesteatoma was 42% and it was more common in males than females [42.9% and 40%]. Presence of choleasteatoma was related to gender, age, location of tympanic perforation, presence of otorrhea and hearing loss. Prevalence of cholesteatoma in patients with COM in Mashhad is more than other cites of Iran and also other countries, but it is less than prevalence of non cholesteatomatos COM. It is very important to pay more attention to patients with COM who are evaluated about presence of cholesteatoma, specially those with otorrhea, hearing loss, total perforation of tympanic membrane or male gender

[ comparison between the bacteria flora in tonsils' surface and center in patients undergone tonsillectomy]

Chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy is known as subclinical infection of the tonsil's parenchyma and has various clinical presentations. The absolute cure is tonsillectomy. Since the microorganisms indwelling the central part of tonsils play an important role in chronic tonsillitis, getting to know these germs is of essential importance. This study was performed on fifty four [29 boys and 25 girls, 3-15 years old] candidates for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy, referring to Ghaem Hospital through 2007-2008. The aerobes and anaerobes of the tonsils' surface and center were analyzed by smears and appropriate cultures. The most common aerobe on either the surface or centre of tonsils was Streptococus. viridans, and the next common one was Staphilococus aureous. No significant difference was observed between cultured organisms in tonsils' surface and center. Among the anaerobes gram negative cocci, [Villonella] and gram positive cocci, [Peptostreptococcus] were respectively the most common. Using appropriate techniques, we can specify much more easily the microorganisms of tonsils' center by surface sampling