ABSTRACT
Infectious complications of finger-joints in association with hand burns are common and dominated by osteoarthritis. However, this issue has hardly ever been addressed in the literature. This ailment can either be identified while patients with extensive burns are undergoing intensive care, or during patient rehabilitation. In the former instance, it is difficult to recognize because patient sedation means the clinical signs are not obvious. In the latter phase, however, the pain, swelling (tumefaction), stiffness and radiological signs are clear. These infections should be diagnosed as soon as possible in order to preserve the function of the hand.
ABSTRACT
Spontaneous external auditory canal (EAC) cholesteatoma is a rare disease. The symptoms are nonspecific. It is diagnosed by clinical examination and radiological investigation. The clinical examination alone is often insufficient for accurately assessing spread of the cholesteatoma into the temporal bone, meaning cross-sectional imaging modalities are required, and specifically computed tomography. We report three cases of spontaneous cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal. All of our patients underwent surgery. In two cases, the cholesteatoma was restricted to the external auditory canal, while in one case, it was complicated by a fistula with the lateral semicircular canal. Good anatomical and functional results were obtained in all three cases, with the external auditory canal patent and a good calibre on completion.
