Hearing and clinical otologic profile of Filipinos living in Southern Tagalog Region IV-A (CALABARZON), Philippines: The Southern Tagalog ENT Hearing Specialists (STENTS) Survey 2012-2017

@#<p><strong>Objective:</strong> To determine the prevalence of hearing loss and otologic diseases among Filipinos living in the Southern Tagalog Region IV-A: CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Philippines.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong></p><p><strong>               Design:</strong> Retrospective Review of Community Survey Data</p><p><strong>               Setting:</strong> Communities in Region IV-A provinces, Philippines</p><p><strong>               Participants:</strong> 3267 residents of the five provinces aged 0 months and above</p><p> <strong>Results:</strong> About 71.29% and 74.60% had at least mild hearing loss, in right and left ears, respectively. For disabling hearing impairment, overall prevalence was 26.33%, distributed into 11.87% among 4 to 18-year-olds; 8.97% for 19 to 64-year-olds; and 3.17% for 65-year-olds and above. Absence of prevalent and hearing loss-associated diseases: serous otitis media [OR 0.362, 95% CI 0.167 to 0.782, p = .010], CSOM [OR 0.407, 95% CI 0.236 to 0.703, p = .001] COM [OR 0.229, 95% CI 0.106 to 0.494, p < .001] can decrease the risk for hearing loss development in the region. Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss or delay in the manifestation of presbycusis can reduce the risk of having hearing loss by as much as 75% [OR 0.253, 95% CI (0.180 to 0.355), p < .001]. All pure tone audiometry measurements were obtained with surrounding median ambient noise of 55dB (IQR 46 to 60dB).</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The prevalence of hearing loss among surveyed residents of the Southern Tagalog Region IV-A provinces was high compared to the previous nationwide study but low compared to other low- and middle-income countries. The top otologic conditions of this population (ear occlusion with ear wax, chronic suppurative otitis media, chronic otitis media, presbycusis, noise-induced hearing loss) were associated with hearing loss and their absence decreased the risks for hearing impairment.</p>

A new extraoral closed reduction technique for temporomandibular joint dislocation: A preliminary case series

Objective@#This study aims to describe a new extraoral technique for reducing bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocations.@*Methods@# Design: Retrospective Preliminary Case Series Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Participants: Ten (10) adults with bilateral TMJ dislocation@*Results@#Ten patients, 7 males and 3 females with median age of 35.50 (IQR:21.25 [23.50, 44.75]) years old were included in our series. Seven had more than one previous episode of TMJ dislocation, and the dislocation spontaneously occurred while yawning or eating in six patients. Our new technique resulted in complete bilateral reduction in three patients who had first-episode TMJ dislocations but only in four out of seven with previous dislocation. The three others (two partial, unilateral failure of reduction and one complete failure of reduction) needed conventional extraoral reduction (Hippocratic technique). @*Conclusion@#This new extraoral technique may show promising preliminary results in the management of temporomandibular joint dislocation, but a larger trial in comparison with other techniques is needed.

Effects of dexamethasone versus saline-impregnated nasal packing on the postoperative outcome of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps after endoscopic sinus surgery: A randomized controlled trial

@#<p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To evaluate the effects of Dexamethasone-impregnated absorbable nasal pack versus saline-impregnated nasal packing on postoperative outcome of nasal cavities after endoscopic sinus surgery using the Perioperative Sinus Evaluation Scoring System (POSE) and Lund and Kennedy Endoscopic Scoring System. </p> <p><strong>METHODS:</strong></p> <p><strong>Design:</strong> Prospective, randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial</p> <p><strong>Setting:</strong> Single Center Tertiary Government Hospital</p> <p><strong>Participants:</strong> Nineteen (19) patients aged 15 years old and above, diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis, with nasal polyposis grade 3, who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery from January 2015 to August 2015 </p> <p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Nasal cavities that received postoperative dexamethasone-impregnated nasal packs showed significantly lower POSE scores than placebo on post-op Days 14 (p value 0.0022; 95% CI: -2.113 to -0.5116) as well as lower Lund-Kennedy Scores on post-op day 14 (p value of 0.0180; 95% CI: -2.493 to - 0.2571) and day 28 (p value of 0.007; 95% CI: -1.56275 to -0.2832) </p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Dexamethasone-impregnated absorbable nasal packing affords better postoperative outcomes: less edema, crusting, secretions, and synechiae, than saline-impregnated absorbable packing in later postoperative days.</p>

Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis in a patient presenting with upper airway obstruction

Objective: To report a rare case of upper airway obstruction from multiple pharyngeal masses due to nasopharyngeal tuberculosis in a 22-year-old male. Methods: Design: Case Report Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital Patient: One Result: A 22-year-old Filipino male with upper airway obstruction from multiple pharyngeal masses was diagnosed to have nasopharyngeal tuberculosis by histopathology. He improved after six months of anti-tuberculosis medications. Conclusion: Tuberculosis should not be overlooked in the differential diagnoses of nasopharyngeal masses because of the difference in its management, and swift and adequate cure, compared to other nasopharyngeal pathologies.