Epidemiologic Profile of an Otolaryngologic Emergency Service

Introduction According to current research, the number of patients seen in the emergency room is progressively increasing. There are few studies on the characteristics of ear, nose, and throat diseases treated in the emergency room. Objectives (1) To establish the epidemiologic profile of patients with these complaints treated at a referral emergency hospital in locoregional city Curitiba, and (2) to evaluate the calls that truly required emergency care. Methods This is a contemporary cross-study of urgent and emergency referrals to a hospital with otolaryngologic services during the year 2012. Data were collected and epidemiologic characteristics analyzed. Results We analyzed 1,067 patients: 312 presented in spring, 255 in summer, 253 in autumn, and 247 in winter. We found 17 diseases that were common during the year, with 244 (23.99%) upper respiratory tract infections being the most frequent disease. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of diseases, except that acute otitis media was most common during the summer (p = 0.02); distribution between the sexes was balanced. The predominant age group was adults. We found 9.27% cases were true emergencies. Conclusion Patients were 20 to 40 years, with upper respiratory tract infection the most incident disease; 9.27% of cases were emergencies...

Infecções cervicais profundas: classificação em níveis de gravidade / Deep neck infections - classification in levels of severity

Introdução: As infecções dos espaços cervicais constituem quadros graves e que apresentam elevada mortalidade quando evoluem com complicações. Objetivo: Estabelecer um protocolo de graduação dos abscessos cervicais e organizar uma sequência para o atendimento desses pacientes. Método: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de 150 pacientes portadores de abscesso cervical no qual se avaliou a impressão clínica, estado geral, condição respiratória, estado loco-regional, antibióticos utilizados e comorbidades. Após, organizou-se a classificação em níveis de gravidade. Resultados: A idade média foi de 31 anos e em 37% dos casos a origem era dentária. Na avaliação loco - regional em 67% o acometimento se estendia até nível I e II. Conforme a gravidade, os pacientes foram classificados da seguinte maneira: Grau I (46%), II (36%), III (15%) e IV (3%). Somente antibioticoterapia foi utilizada em 27% dos casos. A associação com cirurgia ocorreu em 73% Conclusão: A padronização da conduta terapêutica e a sua classificação em gravidade é fundamental para a sistematização do atendimento e diminuição da morbi-mortalidade.

Introduction: The cervical spaces infections compose severe pictures and result in a high degree of mortality when they evolve with complications. Objective: To set up a graduation protocol of the cervical abscesses and organize a sequence to treat these patients. Method: We carried out a retrospective study of 150 patients with cervical abscess in which we evaluated the clinical impression, general state, respiratory state, locoregional state, antibiotics used and comorbidity. Then we organized a classification with severity levels. Results: The mean age was of 31 years old and in 37% of the cases the origin was dental. In the locoregional evaluation in 67% the affection expanded up to level I and II. According to the severity, the patients were classified as follows: Level I (46%), II (36%), III (15%) and IV (3%). Only antibiotic therapy was used in 27% of the cases. The association with surgery occurred in 73% Conclusion: The therapeutic procedure standardization and its classification in severity is essential for the service systematization and reduction of morbimortality.