Hearing Improvement After Pain Related to Cochlear Implant Explantation: A Case Report.

This study aims to report a cochlear-implanted case who was explanted due to recalcitrant pain at the site of the device, despite various manage- ment trials. After explantation, this patient had an unexpected subjective and objective improvements in hearing. The patient reported improved hearing after explantation and was satisfied with using hearing aids. The audiological evaluation of the patient showed not only preserved hear- ing but also an unexpected hearing improvement. The medical records of the patient were reviewed to retrieve all the relevant data. This case illustrates how pain after cochlear implantation can be severe enough to discourage the patient from undergoing re-implantation. It also shows an unexpected hearing improvement after explantation. Although a human error in audiological evaluation can be the first and most simple possible explanation for this finding, the objective improvement of the patient is highly suggestive of a real hearing improvement. It can be hypothesized that the mechanical or electrical stimulation by the cochlear implant could have led to this hearing improvement.

Public and healthcare providers awareness of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The rapid and extensive spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of concern for both general public and healthcare profession. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze and evaluate the awareness of both the general public and healthcare providers in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted randomly in different shopping malls in Qassim region from 10th of February to 10th of March 2020. All participants have answered the designed questionnaire. The structured questionnaire recorded demographics and awareness of both public participants as well as health care providers. RESULT: A total of 130 participants have answered the designed questionnaire, out of which 67participants were males (58.5%) and 54 were females (41.5%). Overall, 129 (99%) out of the 130 participants are aware of COVID-19, and 116 (90%) have recognize it as a respiratory disease and 100% of the participants have recognized it as a contagious disease. Around 94% of the participants were able to recognize the correct incubation period of the virus. Participants of the age group 20-40 showed higher awareness level than other age groups (P value = 0.005). In addition, government employees showed higher awareness level than other profession groups (P = 0.039). Results showed significant positive correlation between the recognition of high-risk groups, reliable source of information, infection symptoms, disease prevention and available treatments. CONCLUSION: General public and health care professionals from Qassim Region showed adequate awareness of COVID-19. However, there is a strong need to implement periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices for COVID-19 across all healthcare professions.

Maxillary Pneumosinus Dilatans Presenting With Proptosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Pneumosinus dilatans (PSD) is a rare pathological paranasal sinus expansion. This condition is usually symptomatic or cosmetically apparent, requiring surgical intervention. Multiple hypotheses have been postulated as to the cause of this condition; however, the precise cause and pathogenesis remain obscure. CASE REPORT AND METHODS: An 11-year-old boy presented with right eye bulging and was subsequently found to have PSD of the maxillary sinus. A search was conducted of the PubMed electronic database, using the keywords "pneumosinus dilatans," "pneum(oco)ele," "pneum(oc)ele," "pneum(atoco)ele," and "air cyst." Articles published in English were reviewed. RESULTS: The literature review identified 29 cases of PSD involving the maxillary sinus. The mean age of presentation was 25 years old. Only the right maxillary sinus was affected in 16 cases, followed by the bilateral sinuses in 7 cases and the left sinus in 6 cases. In 5 cases, all paranasal sinuses, along with the maxillary sinus, were expanded. The most common presenting symptom was facial swelling, which was found in 55% of the cases, followed by proptosis and pain. Computed tomography is the gold standard radiological method for diagnosing PSD. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumosinus dilatans is a rare condition that is usually symptomatic and requires surgical intervention. The etiology of the disease is attributed to multiple hypotheses, but more studies are needed to explore this condition further.