HIV testing and ART initiation in people who inject drugs and are placed on methadone in Kachin State, Myanmar.

SETTING: People who inject drugs (PWID) enrolled for methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) and never previously tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Myitkyina Drug Dependency Treatment Hospital, Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar. OBJECTIVES: To compare before (2016) and after (2018) adoption of 'Test and Treat' guidelines for antiretroviral therapy (ART): 1) the demographic profile of PWID, 2) HIV testing uptake and ART initiation in those diagnosed HIV-positive, and 3) time taken for events. DESIGN: This was a cohort study using secondary programme data. RESULTS: In 2016 and 2018, there were respectively 141 and 146 PWID: all were male except for one female and age distribution between the 2 years was similar. In 2018, significantly more PWID were HIV-tested than in 2016 (85% vs. 45%; P ≤ 0.001). Among those tested, the proportions who were HIV-positive were similar (37% in 2016 and 38% in 2018). In 2018, significantly fewer HIV-positive PWID were started on ART than in 2016 (19% vs. 48%; P = 0.01). Median times between enrolment on MMT and HIV testing (2 vs. 1 day) and between being diagnosed HIV-positive and started on ART (31 vs. 17 days) for 2016 and 2018 were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: ART uptake decreased in 2018 compared with 2016, and ways to rectify this are urgently needed.

HIV, HBV and HCV in people who inject drugs and are placed on methadone maintenance therapy, Yangon, Myanmar.

Setting: Two drug treatment centres (DTCs) for people who inject drugs (PWID) and are enrolled in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), Yangon, Myanmar. Objectives: To determine, in PWID enrolled for MMT from 2015 to 2017, 1) testing uptake and results for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV); 2) risk factors for infection; and 3) retention in care and risk factors for loss to follow-up (LTFU). Design: Cohort study using secondary data. Results: Of 642 PWID, 578 (90.0%) were tested for HIV, HBV and/or HCV. Overall, 404 (69.9%) were infected: 316 (78.2%) had one infection and the remainder had dual/triple infections. Testing uptake was generally better in 2015 and 2016 than in 2017. Prevalence of HIV infection was 15-17%, for HBV it was 4-7%, and for HCV it was 68-76%. Age >30 years, being single and duration of drug use were independent risk factors for infection. Retention in MMT at 6 months was 76% and declined thereafter. Experimental use of drugs and needle sharing were independent risk factors for LTFU. Conclusion: PWID enrolled in MMT in Yangon had high rates of HIV, HBV and HCV, and retention in care declined with time. Ways to improve individual tracing, programmatic retention and linkage to care are needed.

Contexte : Deux centres de traitement de l'addiction (DTC) pour les utilisateurs de drogues injectables (PWID) qui sont enrôlés dans un traitement d'entretien à la méthadone (MMT), Yangon, Myanmar.Objectif : Déterminer parmi les PWID enrôlés en MMT de 2015 à 2017 1) la couverture et les résultats des tests de virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH), de l'hépatite B (HBV) et de l'hépatite C (HCV) ; 2) les facteurs de risque d'infection ; et 3) la rétention en soins et les facteurs de risque de pertes de vue (LTFU).Schéma : Etude de cohorte basée sur des données secondaires.Résultats : Il y a eu 642 PWID, dont 578 (90,0%) ont été testés pour le VIH, le HBV et/ou le VHC. Au total, 404 (69,9%) étaient infectés ; 316 (78,2%) avaient une seule infection et le reste avait deux ou trois infections. La couverture des tests a généralement été meilleure en 2015 et 2016 qu'en 2017. La prévalence de l'infection a été de 15­17% pour le VIH, de 4­7% pour le HBV et de 68­76% pour le HCV. Un âge > 30 ans, le fait d'être célibataire et la durée de la consommation de drogues ont été des facteurs de risque indépendants d'infection. La rétention en MMT à 6 mois a été de 76% et a décliné ensuite. L'usage expérimental de drogues et le partage d'aiguilles ont été des facteurs de risque indépendants de LTFU.Conclusion : Les PWID enrôlés en MMT à Yangon ont eu des taux élevés de VIH, d'HBV et d'HCV et la rétention en soins a décliné avec le temps. Il faut trouver des stratégies visant à améliorer le suivi individuel, la rétention dans le programme et les liens avec la prise en charge.

Marco de referencia: Dos centros de tratamiento de la drogadicción destinados a las personas que consumen drogas inyectables, inscritas en el tratamiento de mantenimiento con metadona de Yangon, en Birmania.Objetivos: Determinar en las personas que consumen drogas inyectables inscritas en el programa de mantenimiento con metadona del 2015 al 2017 las siguientes características: 1) la utilización de las pruebas diagnósticas de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), el virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) y de la hepatitis C (VHC) y sus resultados; 2) los factores de riesgo de contraer la infección; y 3) la proporción de retención en la atención y los factores de riesgo de pérdida durante el seguimiento.Método: Estudio de cohortes a partir de datos secundarios.Resultados: Se inscribieron en los centros 642 consumidores de drogas inyectables, de los cuales 578 (90,0%) recibieron las pruebas diagnósticas del VIH, el VHB o el VHC. En general, 404 personas estaban infectadas (69,9%), de las cuales 316 padecían una monoinfección (78,2%) y el resto una infección doble o triple. En general, la utilización de las pruebas fue mayor en el 2015 y el 2016 que en el 2017. La prevalencia de infección por el VIH fue de 15% a 17%, por el VHB fue de 4% a 7% y por el VHC de 68% a 76%. Los factores de riesgo independientes de padecer una infección fueron la edad superior a los 30 años, el hecho de no tener pareja y la duración del consumo de drogas. La retención en el tratamiento de mantenimiento con metadona a los 6 meses fue 76% y en adelante disminuyó. Los factores de riesgo independientes de pérdida durante el seguimiento fueron el consumo experimental de drogas y el uso compartido de agujas.Conclusión: Las personas que consumen drogas inyectables que se inscriben en el programa de mantenimiento con metadona en Yangon exhibieron tasas altas de infección por el VIH, el VHB y el VHC y su retención en la atención disminuyó con el transcurso del tiempo. Se precisan estrategias que mejoren el seguimiento individual, la retención en los programas y la vinculación con la atención.

Prospective audit of a dedicated ear, nose and throat emergency department and 24-year comparison.

BACKGROUND: The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital provides a specialised ear, nose and throat (ENT) Emergency department (ED) service open to patients from the entire country, operating from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays. Recently, this has been under threat of closure. AIMS: We analyse and determine the role of this ED in the current context and compare results to a previous study from June 1990. METHODS: A prospective study over a 1-month period (March 2014) was conducted. A questionnaire was used, adapted from the study in 1990. RESULTS: Comparative figures from June 1990 are in parentheses. During the study period, there were 945 (1167) consultations from 887 (779) patients. 57 % (45 %) were new patients and 43 % (55 %) were return patients. Repeat attendances were necessary in 54 (325) patients during this month. 56 % (35 %) were referred by their General Practitioner (GP), 38 % (52 %) self-referred, 2 % (8 %) by other hospitals and 4 % (5 %) from other sources. Diagnoses included otitis externa in 24 % (21 %), cerumen in 20 % (15 %), epistaxis in 6 % (9 %), Eustachian tube dysfunction in 12 %, foreign body removal in 4 % (5 %) and four new cases of head and neck cancer. Attendance numbers vary during the year but demand has risen over time. CONCLUSIONS: A dedicated ED provides an important role for ENT in Ireland and offers valuable experience for trainees. The loss of such a department may lead to an overwhelming burden on services in other hospitals.

Triple manifestation of extramedullary plasmacytoma in the upper airway: an unusual clinical entity.

OBJECTIVE: We report an extremely rare case of extramedullary plasmacytoma. METHOD: Case report and review of the English-literature concerning extramedullary plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma. RESULT: We present an unusual case of multiple extramedullary plasmacytomas, which, over a protracted course of 30 years, presented on different occasions at three separate sites in the head and neck. The patient was managed surgically on all occasions, and was disease-free at the time of writing. CONCLUSION: Following review of the literature, we believe this to be the only case with this extremely unusual presentation. This case is noteworthy, not only because of the rarity of extramedullary plasmacytoma, but also because it highlights a number of important clinical issues. The diagnosis and management of extramedullary plasmacytoma require close cooperation between multiple disciplines.

Tinnitus as an unusual presentation of Schneiderian papillomatosis.

INTRODUCTION: Primary Schneiderian papillomatosis of the middle ear and mastoid cavity is extremely rare. It is frequently associated with intermittent unilateral otorrhoea and mass in the middle ear and mastoid cavity. METHODS: Case presentation, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, management and literature review are discussed. CONCLUSION: Schneiderian papillomatosis is an important differential diagnosis of mass in the middle ear and mastoid cavity, and tinnitus as a presenting symptom has not been reported before. Primary radical treatment is essential in preventing tumour recurrence.

Congenital subglotic haemingiomas.

Congenital subglottic haemingomas are rare however they are important treatable cause of infantile stridor and can be fatal unless treated. They present in a range of ways most noticeably with stridor in infancy period and as they enlarge they can threaten the airway. Thus they require urgent assessment and treatment. We present three cases of subglottic haemingiomas all of which represented different clinical management strategies. We review this interesting topic with discussion on presentation, treatment options and outcome.

An unusual complication of tonsillectomy.

We report the case of a 30-year-old man who experienced a potentially fatal haemorrhage on the tenth post-operative day after the development of a pseudoaneurysm of the muscular branch of the lingual artery. Due to the nature of the development of these pseudoaneurysms they are difficult to detect until such time that they present with a massive haemorrhage or a rapidly expanding parapharyngeal swelling. There are only several reported cases in the literature to date.

Parotid masses in patients with previous ear surgery.

This paper describes three cases of patients presenting with lumps in their parotid gland, the origin of which was difficult to define. In each case the past medical history revealed that the patients had undergone previous ipsilateral middle ear surgery. We highlight the fact that where there has been previous incisions in the skin about the ear, there is a risk of epidermal inclusion cysts in the parotid gland. These cysts can occur many years after the initial surgery and therefore may not be identified as an obvious origin to lumps in the parotid gland. Rarely as this series highlights there may also be extension of a cholesteatoma (a collection of keratin which arises from the eardrum and extends into the middle ear space) from the mastoid bone to the parotid gland. We recommend formal ear examination where there is a history of previous ear surgery and an ipsilateral parotid gland lump is present.

Tonsillar size is an important indicator of recurrent acute tonsillitis.

This prospective study was designed to identify important clinical features in patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis. A total of 195 consecutive children aged from 1 to 16 years were examined and a history of recurrent acute tonsillitis recorded. Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea or recent acute tonsillitis were excluded. Tonsil size was measured on the Brodsky scale [Brodsky L. (1989) Paediatr Clin N Am 36, 1551], tonsil symmetry, cervical lymphadenopathy, and hyperaemia of the anterior pillars was recorded. Patients with a history of recurrent tonsillitis had larger tonsils than those without tonsillitis (P < 0.001). Tonsil asymmetry and cervical lymphadenopathy were more common in patients with recurrent tonsillitis (P < 0.001). Anterior pillar hyperaemia was also more frequent in recurrent tonsillitis (P < 0.01). In addition to the frequency and severity of tonsillitis it is suggested that the size and symmetry of the tonsils, plus cervical lymphadenopathy and anterior pillar hyperaemia should be taken into account when deciding which patients would benefit from tonsillectomy.

Genetic screening for hearing loss.

The recent discovery that mutations in GJB2, the gene that encodes connexin 26 (Cx26), are responsible for up to half the cases of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss and a significant proportion of sporadic hearing loss has had immense implications for medical evaluation and genetic screening. It is now possible to couple mutational analysis of GJB2 with universal screening and provide an unequivocal diagnosis of inherited hearing loss in up to 50% of babies with severe to profound non-syndromic hearing loss. Currently, other genetic tests should be performed on the basis of specific clinical features. Current potential candidates for screening include SLC26A4, in the presence of specific temporal bone anomalies, and WFS1, in the presence of a low-frequency hearing loss.

Co-phenylcaine as an alternative to Brompton's solution in rigid nasendoscopy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Rigid nasendoscopy is a diagnostic aid that is frequently used in otorhinolaryngology clinics. Topical local anaesthetic and vasoconstriction is advised prior to the procedure. Options include both Brompton's solution and co-phenylcaine. Brompton's solution contains 10% cocaine, a controlled drug that has potentially serious side-effects. Even deaths have been reported as a consequence of its use as a nasal preparatory agent. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of cocaine in the form of Brompton's solution versus co-phenylcaine as both a vasoconstrictor and a local anaesthetic in out-patient diagnostic rigid nasendoscopy. METHOD: Thirty-three patients awaiting diagnostic rigid nasendoscopy were recruited to the study. Each patient served as his own control. Co-phenylcaine was delivered as a metered dose of two sprays to one nasal passage and Brompton's solution was delivered on a cotton wool pledget placed in the other nasal passage with the aid of Tilly's forceps. An endoscopist who was unaware of which nasal passage was treated with which agent scored the vasoconstricion at endoscopy 10 min after drug application using a scoring sheet. The patients gave a numerical assessment of how painful the procedure was for each nasal passage. Mean scores were compared using Student's t-test. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two agents with regard to nasal analgesia and vasoconstriction during rigid nasal endoscopy.

Parotid gland surgery: a retrospective review of 108 cases.

One hundred and eight parotidectomies performed by a single consultant were reviewed. Eighty-five patients had primary parotid disease, 23 patients had extra-parotid primaries. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common histological diagnosis. In patients with primary parotid disease, a post-operative temporary facial nerve palsy was noted in 15 patients, with a further four developing a permanent palsy. Patients with metastatic disease to the parotid had a poor prognosis.

Junior hospital doctors: a weighty issue.

We designed a study to ascertain the weight and type of items carried by junior hospital doctors in their white coats. Sixty consecutive doctors entering the hospital residence were invited to participate, 54 agreed. White coat contents were itemised and weighed. Mean weight carried was 1.63 Kg. Interns and SHOs carried significantly more than registrars (P<0.01) & (P<0.05). Medical specialties carried significantly more than surgical specialties (P<0.05). There were no statistical difference between males and females. 33% carried cigarettes. Junior hospital doctors carry the equivalent of almost two 1Kg bags of sugar with them in their white coats, this added weight may contribute to increased fatigue during long hours on duty. As doctors become more senior they carry less.

Is reflux noted at diagnostic rigid oesophagoscopy clinically significant?

This study assessed the ability of otolaryngologists to diagnose and grade reflux disease at rigid endoscopy. Twenty-one out of 25 senior otolaryngologists who were questioned by means of a telephone survey said that if they find evidence of reflux disease at rigid endoscopy of the oesophagus and larynx, their practice is to place the patient on a proton pump inhibitor for six weeks without requesting pH and manometry studies, and without referral to a gastroenterologist. Over a two year period, 21 patients were diagnosed as having reflux disease at rigid endoscopy. This was based on the finding of fluid and erythema in the aerodigestive tract and upper oesophagus. Subsequent oesophageal pH and manometry was performed. Nine out of 21 patients were confirmed as refluxers. This demonstrated an accuracy of less than 50 per cent when using these findings to diagnose gastro-oesophageal reflux at rigid endoscopy.

Sigmoid sinus thrombosis: an old foe revisited.

Sigmoid sinus thrombosis (SST) has become increasingly uncommon. In the pre-antibiotic era this condition had a mortality rate of over 90%.1 A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis. We present a rare case of sigmoid sinus thrombosis secondary to mastoiditis, which illustrates the problems of delayed diagnosis. This report highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis and early surgical intervention. We emphasis the need for scanning and otolaryngology referral in all cases of middle ear disease associated with pain or vertigo which does not resolve rapidly on appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Blood splash and tonsillectomy: an underestimated hazard to the otolaryngologist.

Mucocutaneous exposure is an important route of transmission of hepatitis viruses and HIV in healthcare workers. Few data exist in the literature on the risk of transconjunctival exposure during many surgical procedures. We investigated the use of eye protection during tonsillectomy and measured the incidence of potential eye splash. No otolaryngologist surveyed routinely used eye protection during tonsillectomy. Splash events occurred in 23 out of 103 tonsillectomies. In all cases the surgeon was unaware of the splash. Splash events were significantly more likely to occur during adult tonsillectomy (p < 0.05). We strongly advise the routine use of eye protection during tonsillectomy.

A pin in the neck.

We report a unique case of a 40 year old female who presented with recurrent open safety pin aspiration. She had a long history of personality disorder and self-inflicted injury. On two occasions the open pin was removed with the aid of rigid bronchoscopy. However on one occasion a tracheostomy was required for removal of the safety pin.

Surgical landmarks of the spinal accessory nerve in modified radical neck dissection.

We designed a study to identify useful landmarks for the preservation of the spinal accessory nerve during modified radical neck dissection (MRND). Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing 23 MRNDs were enrolled in the study. The distance of the accessory nerve from the greater auricular nerve, where it crosses the posterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (greater auricular point), was noted. The vertical distance between the point of entrance of the accessory nerve into the trapezius muscle and the clavicle was also measured. The mean distance between the greater auricular point and the accessory nerve was 10.7 mm, SD +/- 6.3. In all cases the accessory nerve was above the greater auricular point. The mean distance between the point of entrance of the nerve into the trapezius and the clavicle was 51.3 mm, SD +/- 17. The greater auricular point is a reliable landmark for the identification of the accessory nerve during modified radical neck dissection. Distance above the clavicle was less helpful.

Genetics of hearing impairment.

Our understanding of the genetics of hearing impairment (HI) has advanced rapidly during the last decade. In this review, we focus on HI due to single gene abnormalities, highlighting some of the more common causes of syndromic HI. We also outline the current state of knowledge of the genetics of non-syndromic HI. The most significant clinical advance has been the finding that mutations in GJB2 cause half of moderate-to-profound congenital hereditary deafness in many world populations. The implications of this finding for screening and genetic counseling are discussed.