Complications of nose and paranasal sinus disease

Background: Diseases of nose and paranasal sinuses can complicate to involve the orbit and other surrounding structures because of their close proximity. These diseases are usually infective or can be neoplastic in origin. Method: All the patients presenting in ENT or Eye Departments of Ayub Teaching Hospital during the one year study period who had complicated nose or paranasal sinus disease were included in the study. A detailed history and examination followed by CT scanning and laboratory investigations to assess the type and extent of the disease, was carried out. Results: Infections were the most common cause of complicated sinus disease 11 [75%]. The rest of the 4 [25%] cases were tumours. 12 [80%] of the cases presented with proptosis. In 1 of these 12 cases, there was complete blindness. In 2 [13%] of the cases there was only orbital cellulitis. Two of these patients had facial swelling and 2 had nasal obstruction and presented as snoring. Two patients presented with history of weight loss and these patients had malignant tumour of the paranasal sinuses. One patient presented with early signs of meningitis. In 1 case subperiosteal scalp abscess [Pott's puffy tumour] was the only complication noted. Conclusion: Nose and paranasal sinus diseases can complicate to involve mostly the orbit, but sometimes brain, meninges and skull bones can also get involved

Evaluation of efficacy of management protocol in allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis represents a global health issue affecting between 10% to 25% of the world population, with increasing prevalence, resulting in a significant impact on quality of life, multiple comorbidities and the considerable socio-economic burden. Majority of the patients are younger than 30 years and it may be inherited. Symptoms typically occur as a result of exposure to dust, dander or certain seasonal pollen. Lack of standardized management protocol is one of the major factors responsible for poor control of this condition. This study was designed to evaluate the patients suffering with allergic rhinitis and manage them with a protocol based on the pathogenesis of the condition. Method: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, over a period of two years [2005-2006], to assess the efficacy of a standard protocol of treatment developed and followed in the department. 1167 patients, clinically diagnosed as suffering with allergic rhinitis, were evaluated and managed. Age ranged from 08 months to 64 years. All the patients were prescribed medical treatment, divided into initial phase of 10 days to two weeks duration followed by a maintenance phase, and a regular follow-up schedule was maintained upto two years. 634 [54.32%] patients were male and 533 [45.67%] were female. Age ranged from 08 months to 64 years, 85% being between 05 and 45 years. 91% of patients had symptom duration of 06 months to 03 years. 96% of the patients were getting treated on as required basis, whereas 98% had no educational sessions with the treating doctor, especially regarding preventive measures. Typical presentation in most of the patients was nasal obstruction, runny and itchy nose, post nasal drip and bouts of sneezing. 90.57% patients reported improvement in symptoms. 53.21% patients had a relapse of symptoms at some stage during the study period. 37.53% patients had surgery done for associated pathologies, mostly a DNS. Compliance regarding medication was more than 90% in the initial phase of treatment that dropped to 50% in the maintenance phase. 93% of the patients tolerated the treatment well. Allergic rhinitis is a growing problem worldwide. Optimal treatment protocol is still lacking especially in the developing countries. Patient's education on avoidance of allergens must be stressed. Associated problems that may need surgical treatment. Regular follow-up must be ensured to monitor the progress of treatment as well as to identify patients who might be candidates for immunotherapy. Newer modalities of treatment need to be further explored. A team approach is mandatory in the presence of symptoms related to lower respiratory tract

Significance and cost effectiveness of pre-operative routine laboratory investigations in young healthy patients undergoing elective ear, nose and throat surgery

Pre-operative preparation is an important component of surgical workup. Adequate clinical assessment to determine fitness for anaesthesia and surgery and to outrule possibilities of existing disease or risk factors against the procedure would suffice in elective surgery on healthy young patients. Still routine investigations are carried out following a protocol, that does not offer added benefit and is not cost effective. We evaluated one hundred and fifty young healthy patients planned for elective surgery, to compare adequate clinical assessment with results of routine investigations in such patients, in terms of significance and cost effectiveness. Significant co-relation was demonstrated between clinical assessment and routine investigations. Only 03 abnormal results were reported following 600 laboratory investigations on 150 patients. Thorough clinical assessment is mandatory for successful outcome of surgery. There is significant co-relation with routine investigations in elective Ear, Nose and Throat [ENT] surgery. Investigations should be restricted to where indicated by clinical assessment. Such policy will significantly reduce the costs and workload, thereby improving quality of health care system

Management outcome of secretory otitis media

Secretory otitis media is a common otological manifestation, that most of the time is left undiagnosed on account of unawareness and negligence in seeking early medical attention for trivial ailments. Untreated, it might end up in serious consequences in the form of poor speech and intellectual development and permanent anatomical disabilities within middle ear cleft, The objectives of the study were to determine most affected age group, the common etiological factors, to access the efficacy of medical and surgical treatment and finally to find out the complication associated with the surgical procedures. This study was conducted in the ENT, Head and Neck Surgery department of the Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from January 2001 to December 2003.Only the diagnosed cases of SOM were included in the study. After detailed history, clinical examination, routine investigations and special investigations such as pure tone audiogram and tympanometry were carried out to confirm the diagnosis of SOM. All patients were initially treated by medical therapy. In cases of failure, underwent myringotomy with or without ventilation tube insertion and where indication present adenotonsillectomy and antral lavage was done. Follow up of cases was carried out from 18-24 months. It included 87 patients, 58 were males [66.6%] and 29 females [33.3%]. Majority of the patients were between 5-8 years [62%]. The most common aetiological factor was rhinosinusitis [36.7%] followed by hypertrophic adenoids [34.5%]. All patients were initially given medical treatment. Out of 87 patients,30 patients [34.4%] improved and 57 patients [65.5%] had no response and underwent surgery. Surgical procedures included myringotomy with and without ventilation tube insertion, adenotonsillectomy and antral lavage. It is concluded from this study that conservative treatment has a definite role and should be tried before any surgical step is taken however surgery is the treatment of choice in more resistant cases