Risk Factors for Chronic and Recurrent Otitis Media in Children: A Review Article.

Otitis media is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear, which includes mastoid air cells, the middle ear cavity, the Eustachian tube, and the mastoid antrum. Otitis media can be either acute, less than six weeks, or chronic, which lasts for more than six weeks. Recurrent otitis media refers to three episodes of the disease occurring within six months or four episodes within one year. There are many risk factors for otitis media among children; however, some of such factors may vary based on the type of otitis media. To highlight the risk factors of chronic and recurrent otitis media in pediatrics. Scientific databases were used to search for articles related to our objective. Various terms were used for the search process. The types of articles included in our review were original articles, review articles, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews written in the English language and concerned with our subject. The topic was discussed under four main titles; the first overviewed the prevalence and risk factors of otitis media, the second title discussed chronic otitis media and its risk factors, the third title discussed recurrent otitis media and its risk factors, and the last title discussed the risk factors of both chronic and recurrent otitis media. There are various risk factors for chronic and recurrent otitis media, and they include allergy, passive smoking, male gender, and snoring. Also, genetics may have a common role, but this needs further investigation.

Impact of Preoperative Steroids Administration on Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Systematic Review of Literature, and a Survey in Saudi Arabia.

There is limited knowledge in the literature and lack of clear protocols among practitioners regarding preoperative steroids administration for patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This study aimed to identify the practice patterns of rhinologists in Saudi Arabia as well as systematically review all health-related evidence regarding the use of preoperative steroids for ESS. A previously used questionnaire was modified and distributed in Saudi Arabia among rhinologists who finished their residency training. It entailed questions about their qualifications and preoperative steroids use, preferred regimen, and possible benefits. Also, a systematic literature review using four major databases was conducted to build a scoping view of the current evidence. A total of 94 subjects responded to the mailed survey. Of them, 72(76.6%) used preoperative steroids; 40 subjects believed that there is a strong supporting evidence while 32 reported that there is no solid evidence. The commonest indication was chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp followed by allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. More than half of subjects (54.2%) preferred medium-dose prednisone (30-40 mg/day). A considerable number believed that steroids decreased surgical bleeding (n = 57, 79.2%), improved surgical field visualization (77.8%), decreased surgical time (77.8%), and decreased mucosal inflammation (61.1%). Thirteen studies including 1028 patients were eligible for the systematic review. Only three studies reported a statistically significant effect of steroids in reducing intraoperative hemorrhage, while only two studies revealed that steroids significantly improved surgical field quality. In two studies, steroids showed a significant effect in reducing eosinophil infiltration. There is a major number of rhinology experts using preoperative steroids for patients undergoing ESS but there is a wide variation among their practice patterns. The current potential advantages of steroids need to be supported by further large randomized clinical trials to establish clear guidelines.

Frequency of the frontal sinus aplasia among Saudi Arabian population. A single-center retrospective case review.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency of frontal sinus aplasia using computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinus among Saudi Arabian population. METHODS: A retrospective case review of medical records from January 2019 to December 2019 in the Otorhinolaryngology Department, King Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: A total of 449 cases were reviewed. The incidence of bilateral frontal sinus aplasia was 3.3%. The incidence of right sinus agenesis was 5.12% and left was 1.33%. The mean age of reviewed patients was 39.15 years. CONCLUSION: The frequency of frontal sinus aplasia is low; however, this must be considered before surgical operations related to the sinuses.

Clinical and Pathological Features of Angiomatous Nasal Polyps: A Report of Four Cases and Review of Literature.

Inflammatory or allergic sinonasal polyps are characterized by extensive vascular growth and ectasia with deposition of pseudoamyloid in 5% of cases. Angiomatous nasal polyp (ANP) is a relatively rare benign lesion, which may be misdiagnosed as a benign or malignant tumor. The characteristic pathological features of ANP are expanded angiogenesis, accumulation of extracellular amorphous eosinophilic substance, and atypical stromal cells. This report aimed to outline the histological differential diagnosis of ANP. Through a full histopathological examination, we studied biopsies and resected specimens from five patients who were diagnosed with ANPs, including one with facial deformity. Gross findings showed that tumors were firm in consistency, lobulated on the surface, and lined by partially ulcerated mucous membrane. Light microscopy showed clusters of widened, thin-walled blood vessels among congo red-negative eosinophilic substance with an area of necrosis and irregular stromal spindle cells. Presence of endothelial cell myofibroblasts were confirmed by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. This is a report of four cases which showed extreme examples of ANPs that was completely resected by endoscopic sinus surgery for all patients. A full histopathological examination is recommended to confirm the possible differential diagnoses for a better management plan.

Assessment of International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification among senior residents through inter- and intra-rater reliability.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification (IFAC) reliability among Saudi board otorhinolaryngology senior residents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between April 2019 and December 2019, included 32 senior residents. Questionnaires with 4 computed tomography images showing the different frontal cell types were used in this survey. All scans included 3 planes (axial, sagittal, coronal) and the tested cell was marked with arrows. Residents chose the answer from multiple choices according to the IFAC system. All residents filled the same questionnaire twice with 2 weeks interval. RESULTS: Approximately 68.8% of residents agreed that the classification was applicable clinically. The resident's attitude toward the importance of understanding IFAC was 65.6%. Residents' correct classification of the marked cells increased significantly for most of the questions from baseline to 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: The frontal sinus is not easy to treat surgically, and its inadequate treatment causes the failure of drainage, as in the case of chronic rhinosinusitis. Therefore, surgeons must fully understand the IFAC system to avoid major and minor complications.