Complications of Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis in Contemporary Practice: Lessons Learnt and the Way Ahead.

There are variable presentations of complications of rhinosinusitis, which may be subtle especially due to use of antibiotics. Thus the classical picture as described by Chandler is rarely seen and threshold for diagnosing and treating a complication should be low. To identify possible risk factors for development of complications in acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) and suggest a new method of reporting/classifying the complications. We conducted a retrospective study and observed the clinical presentation and risk factors of 9 patients who presented with complications of ABRS in our OPD during a period of 6 years, and then tried to formulate a reporting method based on the risk factors. We identified certain risk factors which include age, gender, sinus involved, extension beyond sinus, history of trauma, anatomical variations, and duration of symptoms. There are possible risk factors for development of complications. These factors can be studied in further details to ascertain their causal relationship in causing these complications. We also suggest a new method of reporting the complications. Such a reporting system would help in accurately identifying the exact severity of the disease, prognosticating the disease and guide treatment.

Identifying entrustable professional activities for post-graduation in ENT: What should an ENT specialist be able to do?

BACKGROUND: Though regulatory bodies of medical education in India mandate post graduate medical education to be competency based, the implementation of the same has not kept pace. The present study aims to develop and propose a set of entrustable professional activities for a masters degree in the discipline of ENT. It also attempts to present it in the form of a portfolio. METHODS: Experts in the subject went through a series of activities including brainstorming, discussions and internal peer review to shortlist and enumerate EPAs. RESULTS: 335 EPAs were identified and are presented. They were further classified as per need and expected expertise. CONCLUSION: The EPAs may serve as a guideline to medical colleges/institutions aiming to adopt competency based medical education in the post graduate curriculum in the subject of ENT.