Association of tinnitus and hearing loss in otological disorders: a decade-long epidemiological study in a South Indian population / Associação de zumbido e perda auditiva em distúrbios otológicos: estudo epidemiológico de uma década em uma população do Sul da Índia

Abstract Introduction: Tinnitus is a common disorder that occurs frequently across all strata of population and has an important health concern. Tinnitus is often associated with different forms of hearing loss of varying severity. Objective: The present study aimed to identify the association of tinnitus with hearing loss in various otological disorders of a South Indian population. Methods: A total of 3255 subjects referred to the MAA ENT Hospital, Hyderabad, from 2004 to 2014, affected with various otological diseases have been included in the present cross-sectional study. Diagnosis of the diseases was confirmed by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist using detailed medical and clinical examination. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ 2 test and binary logistic regression. Results: Tinnitus was observed in 29.3% (956) of the total study subjects that showed an increased prevalence in greater than 40 years of age. There was a significant increase in risk of tinnitus with middle (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.02-3.16) and inner (OR = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.65-5.45) inner ear diseases. It was noted that 96.9% (n = 927) of the tinnitus subjects was associated with hearing loss. Otitis media (60.9%), presbycusis (16.6%) and otosclerosis (14.3%) are the very common otological disorders leading to tinnitus. Tinnitus was significantly associated with higher degree of hearing loss in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) subjects. Conclusion: The present study could identify the most prevalent otological risk factors leading to development of tinnitus with hearing loss in a South Indian population.

Resumo Introdução: O zumbido é um distúrbio comum que ocorre com frequência em todos os estratos da população, constituindo um problema importante de saúde. O zumbido é frequentemente associado a diferentes formas de perda auditiva e sua gravidade é variada. Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar a associação entre zumbido e perda auditiva em várias doenças otológicas na população do Sul da Índia. Método: No total, 3.255 indivíduos encaminhados ao Hospital MAA ENT em Hyderabad de 2004 a 2014, com diversas doenças otológicas, foram incluídos neste estudo transversal. O diagnóstico das doenças foi confirmado pelo otorrinolaringologista por meio de exames médico e clínico detalhados. A análise estatística foi realizada com o teste do χ2 e regressão logística binária. Resultados: Zumbido foi observado em 29,3% (956) do total de participantes do estudo, com maior prevalência em indivíduos com mais de 40 anos de idade. Houve um aumento significante do risco de zumbido em doenças da orelha média (OR = 1,79, IC 95% = 1,02-3,16) e interna (OR = 3,00, IC 95% = 1,65-5,45). Observamos que em 96,9% (n = 927) dos indivíduos com zumbido houve associação com perda auditiva. Conclusão: O presente estudo pôde identificar os fatores etiológicos mais prevalentes que levam ao desenvolvimento de zumbido associado à perda auditiva em uma população do Sul da Índia. Otite média (60,9%), presbiacusia (16,6%) e otosclerose (14,3%) são doenças otológicas frequentemente associadas ao zumbido. Em indivíduos com otite média crônica supurativa (OMCS), o zumbido foi significantemente associado ao maior grau de perda auditiva.

Clasificación de los bolsillos de retracción timpánica del Hospital Barros Luco-Trudeau / Classification of Barros Luco Hospital's tympanic pockets retraction

Introducción: Los bolsillos de retracción póstero-superiores de la pars tensa (BR) pueden progresar con erosión osicular y colesteatoma. Se han descrito una serie de mecanismos fisiopatológicos que explican la mayor ocurrencia de retracciones en esta zona. En el Hospital Barros Luco se utiliza una clasificación, variación a la de Sadé, que representaría mejor la progresión de la enfermedad, junto a una propuesta de tratamiento. Objetivo: Aplicar nuestra clasificación de los BR y describir clínica y audiológica-mente cada grado junto a los tratamientos indicados. Clasificar y describir cada grado según: PTP óseo y aéreo, primera cirugía, progresión de la enfermedad, otorrea, hipoacusia, OME y erosión osicular. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 83 pacientes y 92 oídos presentados al Departamento de Oído del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Barros Luco más la revisión de su ficha clínica y del primer protocolo operatorio entre los años 2005 a 2009. Con seguimiento mínimo de 12 meses. Variables: Edad, sexo, PTP óseo y aéreo en 4 frecuencias, primer procedimiento quirúrgico, progresión de la enfermedad, otorrea, hipoacusia, OME y erosión osicular. Resultados: La hipoacusia y los PTP aéreos y óseos no presentaron diferencias entre los grados. Hubo una gradiente de disminución de OME desde el grado I al V. La presencia de otorrea fue aumentando progresivamente hasta el grado IV, disminuyendo discretamente en el V. Hubo un aumento de la presencia de erosión de la rama larga del yunque desde 0 en el grado I hasta 64,3% en el grado IV. En los tratamientos, la timpanectomía más algún tipo de tubo de ventilación con o sin adenoidectomía, representó el 43,5% en el grado III. En el grado IV el procedimiento más frecuentemente efectuado fue la aticotomía con 40%. Conclusiones: Esta clasificación reflejaría grados de gravedad de los BR en aspectos como: otorrea, erosión osicular y tratamiento propuesto. La presencia de hipoacusia y el PTP aéreo no reflejan el grado de progresión de la enfermedad. Se propone una modificación a nuestra clasificación.

Introduction: Pockets of posterior-superior retraction of the pars tensa (BR) can progress with ossicular erosion and cholesteatoma. Has been described a series of pathophysiological mechanisms that explain the higher occurrence of retraction in this area. In the Barros Luco Hospital we use a classification, a modification of Sadé, that would represent best the progression of the disease together to a treatment proposed. Aim: Applying our classification of BR and describe clinical and audiologically each grade with the indicated treatments. Classify and describe each grade by: PTP bone and air, first surgery, disease progression, otorrhea, hearing loss, ossicular erosion and OME Material and method: Retrospective and descriptive analysis of 83 patients and 92 earssubmitted to the Department of Ear of Otolaryngology Service's Hospital Barros Luco, plus review of the clinical record and the first surgical protocol between the years 2005 to 2009. Minimum follow-up of 12 months. Variables: age, sex, and air bone PTP in 4 frequencies, first surgical procedure, disease progression, otorrhea, hearing loss, ossicular erosion and OME. Conclusion: This classification would reflect degrees of severity of BR in aspects such as otorrhea, ossicular erosion and proposed treatment. The presence of hearing loss and air PTP does not reflect the degree of disease progression. An amendment to our classification is proposed.

Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de pacientes presentados al Comité de Oído del Servicio de ORL del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre los años 2004 y 2011 / Descriptive epidemiological study of patients presented at Ear committee of the ORL Department of the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile between the years 2004 and 2011

Introducción: En el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, existe una instancia de revisión semanal de los casos que generan más discusión diagnóstica en patología de oído y del sistema vestibular, que denominamos Comité de Oído. Objetivos: En este trabajo se pretende describir las características epidemiológicas de los pacientes evaluados en este comité. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio de tipo retrospectivo donde se revisaron los registros del libro del Comité de Oído entre los años 2004 y 2011. Resultados: Se obtuvo un total de 1.081 diagnósticos realizados en el Comité de Oído. El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 39,9 años, siendo el 57% de sexo femenino. La patología de oído medio fue la más frecuente representando el 71%% del total de las consultas. El diagnóstico individual más frecuente fue la otitis media crónica colesteatomatosa en el 19,3% de los casos. Conclusión: Estos resultados nos permiten conocer las características de los pacientes con patologías de oído y sistema vestibular que generan más controversia en nuestro servicio.

Introduction: At the Otolaryngology Department of the Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de Chile, there is a committee of weekly meeting that reviews cases that generate the most controversy in ear and vestibular system pathology. Aim: This paper aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients evaluated at this committee. Material and method: We performed a retrospective study that reviewed the records of the ear committee between the years 2004 and 2011. Results: A total of 1081 diagnostics were made at the committee. The average age was 39.9 years, and 57% were female patients. Middle ear pathology was the most frequent, accounting for 71%% of all diagnostics. The most frequent individual diagnostic was cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media in 19.3(0)% of cases. Conclusion: These results allow us to know epidemiological characteristics of patients with ear and vestibular system diseases, and those cases that generate the most controversy in our service.

Estudo da prevalência e fatores determinantes da deficiência auditiva no município de Itajaí, SC / Study of the prevalence of impaired hearing and its determinants in the city of Itajaí, Santa Catarina State, Brazil

O número de pessoas com deficiência auditiva vem aumentando e o conhecimento de sua magnitude é fundamental no planejamento das gestões públicas em saúde. OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência e os determinantes da deficiência auditiva no Município de Itajaí/SC. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi de amostragem populacional, seguindo protocolo da Organização Mundial de Saúde. A pesquisa de campo foi realizada entre julho de 2008 e 2011. Procedimentos realizados nos domicílios: questionário, medição do ruído, otoscopia, limiares auditivos em 1000, 2000 e 4000 Hertz, timpanometria e reflexos acústicos: indivíduos acima de 4 anos; crianças até 4 anos: emissões otoacústicas evocadas (OEA), reflexo cócleo-palpebral (RCP), timpanometria e reflexos acústicos. Nos idosos, aplicou-se questionário de percepção da perda auditiva. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi constituída por 379 indivíduos; 45,38% do sexo masculino e 54,62% feminino. Quanto às faixas-etárias: 11,34% até 10 anos; 64,39% 10 a 60 anos e 24,27% acima de 60 anos. Avaliando-se a audição da melhor orelha, os moradores apresentaram: 74,1% audição normal, 18,9% deficiência auditiva leve, 5,1% moderada, 1,9% grave. As deficiências auditivas incapacitantes foram detectadas em 26 indivíduos: uma criança (otite média); quatro adultos (um otite média, um induzido por ruído, dois idiopáticas); 21 idosos (presbiacusia). Das oito crianças menores de 4 anos avaliadas, todas apresentaram RCP presente, três exames normais, duas OEA ausentes bilateralmente, uma OEA ausentes à direita e uma ausentes à esquerda. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de deficiência auditiva incapacitante em Itajaí foi de 7%, com predominância acima dos 50 anos e tendo como principal causa a presbiacusia.

The number of people with impaired hearing is increasing; knowing its magnitude is essential for public health. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and determinants of impaired hearing in Itajaí/SC. METHODS: A population-based survey based on a World Health Organization protocol. Field research was carried out from July 2008 to 2011. Procedures for evaluating hearing in households: questionnaire, measurement of noise, otoscopy, pure tone audiometry at 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes: individuals above 4 years; children under 4 years: evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAE), cocleo-palpebral reflex(CPR), tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes. In the elderly population a questionnaire of perception of hearing loss was applied. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 379 individuals - 45.38% were males and 54.62% were females. Age-range: 11.34% up to 10 years; 64.39% 10 to 60 years, 24.27% over 60 years. Evaluation of the best hearing ear showed that 74.1% of residents had normal hearing, 18.9% had mild hearing loss, 5.1% had moderate hearing loss, 1.9% had severe hearing loss. Disabling impaired hearing was detected in 26 subjects: one child (otitis media); four adults (one otitis, one noise-induced, two idiopathic); 21 elderlies (presbyacusis). Of eight children under 4 years all presented CPR, three were normal examinations, two had absent OAE bilaterally, one had absent OAE in the right ear and one in the left ear. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of disabling impaired hearing in Itajaí was 7%; the highest prevalence was in the 50-year and above age group - the main cause was presbyacusis.

Middle ear and hearing disorders of schoolchildren aged 7-10 years in South Sinai, Egypt

Hearing loss among schoolchildren in developing countries is reported to be a significant health problem. Data on child hearing loss in South Sinai, a remote governorate of Egypt, are lacking. Middle ear diseases and hearing impairment were assessed among 453 primary-school children aged 7-10 years in South Sinai [906 ears]. Otoscopic examination, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry [PTA] were done. Ear disease was found in 27.5% of the ears examined. The commonest cause was secretory otitis media [10.8%], followed by occluded earwax [9.5%]. Mild and moderate hearing loss affected 8.5% of the sample, while sensorineural hearing loss affected 2.4%; only 0.4% had moderate and severe hearing loss. Hearing impairment affects 19.3% of this age group in South Sinai. None of the children with hearing impairment had been previously diagnosed or was receiving treatment and support. Hearing and middle ear screening at schools is recommended for early detection and management of middle ear and hearing problems

DATASUS as a instrument for developing otologic public health policies / DATASUS como instrumento na elaboração de políticas públicas otológicas

Ear diseases are illnesses which represent a relevant group of morbidity. Otitis media, for instance, still is a public health problem today. OBJECTIVE: To correlate hospital morbidity of ear diseases according to data from the Information Technology Department of the Public Health Care System -SUS (DATASUS), through the Hospital Information System (SIH) with the Human Development Index (IDH) from each unit of the federation. To assess the use of this official data in the creation of otologic public health care policies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brazilian states were classified according to their respective IDH values. The percentage population from each state was calculated in relation to the entire population of the country, as well as the percentage of hospital admission caused by ear diseases (SIH) for each state in relation to their total number. The hospital admissions from each state were correlated with their respective IDH values. RESULTS: The state of São Paulo, the third largest IDH was responsible for 38.82 percent of hospital admissions caused by ear diseases, although its population represents 21.64 percent of the national population. States with lower IDH had lower hospital admission rates for ear diseases. CONCLUSION: SIH, a DATASUS tool, even with limitations, can be an instrument used to create public policies concerning ear diseases.

As doenças do ouvido são enfermidades que representam um grupo relevante de morbidade. A otite média, por exemplo, ainda hoje, é um problema de saúde pública. OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a morbidade hospitalar das doenças otológicas segundo dados disponibilizados pelo Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), pelo do Sistema de Informação Hospitalar(SIH) com o Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) de cada unidade federativa. Avaliar a utilização destes dados oficiais na elaboração de políticas públicas otológicas. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Os Estados brasileiros foram classificados de acordo com os respectivos valores de IDH. Foi calculado o percentual da população de cada Estado em relação à população total do país, bem como o percentual de internações hospitalares por doenças otológicas(SIH) para cada Estado em relação ao número total das mesmas. Correlacionaram-se internações hospitalares de cada unidade federativa com seus respectivos valores de IDH. RESULTADOS: O Estado de São Paulo, terceiro maior IDH, foi responsável por 38,82 por cento das internações hospitalares de causa otológica, apesar de sua população representar 21,64 por cento da população nacional. Estados com menor IDH apresentaram menores taxas de internação hospitalar por doenças otológicas. CONCLUSÃO: O SIH, instrumento do DATASUS, mesmo com limitações, pode ser instrumento na elaboração de políticas públicas otológicas.

Dehiscencia del canal semicircular superior: estudio de la incidencia anatómica / Dehiscence in the superior semicircular canal: anatomic incidence study

Introducción: La presencia de dehiscencia de canal semicircular superior presenta una notable diferencia entre la incidencia radiológica (del 1 por ciento al 19 por ciento) y la anatómica (entre 0,4 por ciento y 0,6 por ciento). Objetivo: El objetivo del trabajo es determinar la incidencia anatómica de la dehiscencia del canal semicircular superior y compararla con la incidencia radiológica. Material y método: Se estudia la incidencia de dehiscencia de canal semicircular superior en 80 cráneos (160 temporales). Resultados: Hemos observado la presencia de una dehiscencia del canal semicircular superior en un cráneo de los 80 estudiados, lo que representó una incidencia del 0,6 por ciento. Se discute las posibles causas porque la prevalencia de los estudios radiológicos es marcadamente superior a la de los estudios anatómicos. Conclusión: Es evidente que se realiza un "sobrediagnóstico" de dehiscencias del canal semicircular superior ya que los hallazgos anatómicos están muy lejos de los resultados obtenidos con técnicas de imagen.

Introduction: The presence of dehiscence in the superior semicircular canal shows a remarkable difference between radiological (from 1 percent to 19 percent) and anatomical incidence (between 0,4 percent and 0,6 percent) Aim: To determine the incidence anatomical superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Material and method: The incidence of dehiscence in superior semicircular canal in 80 skulls (160 temporal bones) is studied. Results: We have observed the presence of one dehiscence in the superior semicircular canal in one skull from the 80 studied, representing an incidence of 0.6 percent. The possible causes are discussed because of the prevalence of the radiological studies is highly superior to anatomical studies. Conclusion: It is obvious the over-diagnosis performed about the dehiscences in the superior semicircular canal since anatomical finds are quite different from the results obtained by means of image technics.

Frequency of ear problems associated with diving and their prevention in Pakistan navy

To determine the frequency of different ear problems among divers of Pakistan Navy and the factors contributing to them. A cross sectional descriptive study. This study was conducted in three major units of Pakistan Navy where active diving is going on all the times from March 2007 to July 2007. 100 divers were selected by consecutive sampling. They were examined and interviewed following a pre-designed questionnaire by the investigator. The overall frequency of ear problems was 54% including infection, barotraumas and deafness. Frequency of ear problems was more in those having more service as divers. It was about 8% in divers with diving experience 1-8 years, 32% in 9-16 years and about 66% in those with diving experience of more than 16 years [p< 0.001]. There is an association between years of diving and sensorineural hearing loss. Frequency of ear problems was more in smokers [58%] as compared to non smokers [26%] and it was found statistically significant [p<0.004]. Major factors contributing to the ear problems included Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and diving after long intervals. Comprehensive medical examination should be done before selection of the divers for Prevention and early diagnosis

Atresia aural congênita unilateral / Unilateral congenital aural atresia

A atresia do canal auditivo externo (ACAE) é uma disordem congênita rara. A ACAE unilateral é de 3 a 6 vezes mais comum que a atresia bilateral. Tradicionalmente, não se acreditava que a ACAE unilateral fosse limitante ao desenvolvimento da linguagem da criança. No entanto, terapias recentes para perda auditiva têm demonstrado a importância da audição bilateral para um ótimo desenvolvimento da fala e da linguagem. Além disso, a audição bilateral é importante na localização de ruídos. Por isso exige diagnóstico rápido, aconselhamento genético e avaliação precoce da audição. Deve-se aconselhar adequadamente e encaminhar essas crianças e suas famílias para que possam ser avaliadas as opções de tratamento e indicações para intervenção. Avaliação clínica, audiológica e com estudo tomográfico de alta resolução do osso temporal é essencial para obter resultados satisfatórios e prevenir complicações na seleção de candidatos adequados para a cirurgia ou para avaliação do paciente, opções de tratamento, época de tratamento cirúrgico, critérios de seleção cirúrgica, técnicas cirúrgicas, complicações, prognóstico e controvérsias atuais relacionadas à atresia aural congênita serão discutidos.

Blast injury of the ears: the experience from Yala Hospital, Southern Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To report acute and subacute consequences of blast injury to the ear from terrorists' bombings experienced from Yala Provincial Hospital, Southern Thailand STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review was done on 54 patients who suffered otologic injuries from bombing attacks in Yala Province from January to May 2005. Only 33 patients who had complete otologic and audiologic examination with a 3-month follow-up were studied. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The ear symptoms, the size of tympanic membrane perforation, degree of hearing loss at first examination within 30 days after injuries were recorded. After a 3-month follow-up, the rate of spontaneous healing, rate of operation needed and long-term complications including hearing loss were analyzed. RESULTS: The two most common initial symptoms were hearing loss (72.73%) and tinnitus (66.67%). Tympanic membrane perforations were encountered in 31 ears of 22 out of 33 patients. Spontaneous healing occurred in 23 ears (74.19%) with the highest incidence in small perforations (size < 50%). All healings occurred within 8 weeks. Tympanoplasty was done on the rest, except one patient. Eight patients (24.24%) had sensorineural hearing loss without tympanic membrane perforation. They still have sensorineural hearing loss, which is rather mild and typically affects in high tone with five of this group having normal hearing in speech range. Eleven patients from the tympanic membrane perforation group still have mixed hearing loss, which were also mostly mild. CONCLUSION: Patients with aural symptoms after a blast injury need thorough otologic and audiological examination. The spontaneous healing of tympanic membrane perforation from explosive injury was relatively high (74.19%) after an 8-week follow-up, only 8/31 ears required surgical repair. At 3-months follow-up, more than two-thirds of the patients still had residual hearing loss, which was rather mild and affected mainly in high tone.

A comparative study of common ear morbidity pattern among the primary school children of an urban slum of Kolkata and rural area of Hooghly.

A cross-sectional, clinical and epidemiological study was undertaken among 627 primary school children (rural 145, urban 482) to compare the common ear morbidity pattern between an urban slum of kolkata and a rural area of Hooghly. Middle ear pathology was found to be present in 20% and 12.6% among rural and urban students respectively. Cerumen in the external auditory canal was the commonest clinical finding in both the areas and was found to be present in 35.86% of rural and 30.70% of urban population respectively. Smoke nuisance, bathing in open ponds and overcrowding were some of the predisposing factors causing ear diseases, like chronic suppurative otitis media and serous otitis media.

Afecciones agudas del oído durante el verano. 2003 Hospital Universitario Camilo Cienfuegos de Sancti Spíritus / Acute ear affections during summer. 2003 "Camilo Cienfuegos" University Hospital of Sancti Spíritus

Se encontraron pocas referencias de estudios realizados sobre las urgencias otorrinolaringológicas atendidas en este hospital. Se recogieron los pacientes atendidos en el servicio de urgencias en el período comprendido desde junio hasta agosto del año 2003. Se tomaron como datos los síntomas referidos en el momento que acudieron al cuerpo de guardia: los diagnósticos cuando fueron atendidos y los tratamientos impuestos. Se atendieron un total de 2,309 de los cuales las patologías más frecuentes encontradas relacionadas con el verano fueron, la otitis externa aguda, otitis media aguda, tapón de cerumen, otomicosis y la otitis media crónica agudizada. Los síntomas más frecuentes: el dolor y el prurito. El tratamiento de elección utilizado, la medicina natural y tradicional .Se recomienda orientar desde la atención primaria: no usar inadecuadamente el cuerpo de guardia, recordando que los municipios y las diferentes áreas de salud son atendidas por un especialista en O.R.L.[AU]

Sintomas otoneurológicos: investigaçäo por meio de um questionário / Otoneurologic symptoms: investigation by means of a questionaire

Muitos autores ressaltam a importância da aplicaçäo de um questionário que resuma as manifestaçöes clínicas de pacientes com queixas otoneurológicas e auxilie na definiçäo da hipótese diagnóstica da doença. O objetivo do presente estudo é realizar um levantamento, utilizando uma anamnese abrangente, sobre os sinais e sintomas direta ou indiretamente relacionados com os distúrbios otoneurológicos em pacientes que seriam submetidos ao exame vestibular. Avaliamos 300 questionários contendo perguntas sobre tontura, perda auditiva, zumbido, outros sintomas associados, antecedentes pessoais e familiares. A faixa etária dos pacientes variou de 6 a 83 anos de idade; 199 neram do sexo feminino e 101 do sexo masculino. O levantamento mostrou que os sintomas com maior prevalência foram zumbido, tonturas, perda auditiva, dor de cabeça, náuseas, desiquilíbrio à marcha, instabilidade, escurecimento da visäo. A aplicaçäo de um questionário mais acurado auxiliou para estabelecer o diagnóstico sindrômico, topográfico e etiológico, dos quadros clínicos otoneurológicos.

A study of the prevalence of and risk factors for ear diseases and hearing loss in primary school children in Hat Yai, Thailand.

2,184 primary school children in Hat Yai Municipality, Southern Thailand were screened for ear diseases and hearing loss using screening audiometry, portable tympanometry and otoscopy to identify children with possible ear problems, 754 children failed the initial screen, 728 were retested and a group of 243 were referred for ENT examination and standard audiometry-tympanometry. Children with hearing loss and otitis media were thus identified. A questionnaire to identify possible risk factors was administered. The prevalence of otitis media in this population was found to be 3.25 per cent (AOM 0.69%, OME 1.14%, COM 1.74%). No risk factor identified as significant were found. Non-significant factors included sex, age, URI last month, father smoking, mother smoking and method of transport to school as an indication of social status. This study contrasts with a previous study in 1990 which showed a 3.5 per cent prevalence of COM.

Pseudocyst of the auricle.

Sixteen cases of pseudocyst of the auricle seen in Matara, Sri Lanka over a two year period are reported. These were managed with needle aspiration and contour pressure dressing for one week with almost 100% success.

Prevalencia de enfermedades del oído, nariz y garganta en Chile: defunciones y egresos en 1985 / Prevalence in otorhinolaryngologic diseases in Chile: dealth and exit in 1985

Se trata de un estudio de prevalencia de las enfermedades del oído, nariz y garganta en el universo de las defunciones y egresos hospitalarios ocurridos en Chile durante 1985. Las defunciones por estas causas alcanzaron a 464, siendo la primera causa los cuerpos extraños faríngeo y laríngeo quienes presentaron 203 muertos con una tasa de 1.7 por 100.000 y 44%del total de defunciones por el grupo de causas en estudio. El 59%de ellas ocurrieron en menores de 15 años. La segunda causa de muerte es el tumor maligno de la laringe con 121 defunciones y una tasa de 1.0 por 100.000 y 26%del total. La tercera causa es la otitis media supurativa y no especificada con 23 defunciones, una tasa de 0,2 por 100.000 y 5%del total. Las causas que ocupan los cinco lugares siguientes son los tumores malignos, todos de predominio masculino. Con respecto a los egresos hospitalarios corresponden a 34.492, 65%de los cuales ocurren en menores de 15 años. La primera causa de egreso es la enfermedad crónica de las amigdalas con 13.030 hospitalizaciones, 85%de las cuales son en menores de 15 años. La segunda causa es la otitis media supurativa y no especificada con 3.571 egresos, 40%en menores de 15 años. Es interesante conocer los escenarios determinados por las defunciones y los egresos ya que es posible prevenir un número importante de ellos mediante programas educativos aplicados a nivel de la atención primaria, mejorando los hábitos de la población