ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We performed an epidemiological survey to ascertain the clinical features of brucellosis in Lebanon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1994 and 1998, 63 patients were seen at the Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital in Beirut Lebanon. Diagnostic criteria were brucellar agglutinins at a titer > or = 1/160 with symptoms suggestive of brucellosis in the absence of another diagnosis. We also conducted a survey in 1138 cases registered by the Ministry of Health during the same period. RESULTS: Among the 1137 cases, 40% of the patients were over 60 and only 16% were under 14. The overall male to female ratio was 1.01 and 69% of the patients were seen in spring and summer. Among the 63 patients, 10 were pediatric cases. The disease was acute in 41 (65%), subacute in 21 (33%) and chronic in 1. The main presenting symptoms were fever, sweating, easy fatigability and joint pain. Osteoarticular involvement was the most prevalent complication (25%), predominantly spondylitis. Among the blood tests, relative lymphocytosis was significantly more frequent in children than adults (80% versus 13%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Brucellosis is still an endemic disease in Lebanon and should be considered notably in patients presenting with prolonged fever, and articular and neurological manifestations.
Subject(s)
Brucellosis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Brucellosis/complications , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Lebanon/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Otosclerosis is one of the common causes of hearing loss. The incidence varies between 0.1% and 2%. In Lebanon otosclerosis is a common entity that has not been well evaluated. To the best of our knowledge there is no epidemiologic analysis of the incidence or outcomes of otosclerosis in Lebanon. We collected the number of stapedectomies performed for otosclerosis in different hospitals between Jan. 1994 and Dec. 1995. We also retrospectively reviewed the charts of 71 cases who underwent stapedectomy at Hôtel-Dieu de France-St Joseph University Hospital Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Between 1992 and 1996 the incidence of otosclerosis in Lebanon as revealed through stapedectomy is 5/100,000. We report also on the pathology, technique, complications and outcomes of stapedectomy surgery for otosclerosis in Hôtel-Dieu Hospital. Further epidemiologic studies and screening is required to reveal the exact incidence of this common entity that could be underdiagnosed or untreated in our country.
Subject(s)
Otosclerosis/surgery , Adult , Age Distribution , Female , Humans , Incidence , Lebanon/epidemiology , Male , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Otosclerosis/epidemiology , Otosclerosis/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Stapes Surgery/methods , Stapes Surgery/statistics & numerical data , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a common disease especially in developing countries. In Lebanon, CSOM is a frequent complaint. This retrospective study is an objective evaluation of the cases we operated in HDF. METHODS: One hundred and forty cases of CSOM were collected between 1993 and 1997: 88/140 cases were simple CSOM and the others 52/140 cases had cholesteatomas. RESULTS: There were no immediate postoperative complications reported (< 6 weeks). Beyond 6 weeks, with a mean follow-up of 20 months, 15% of the patients were lost for follow-up and we had 93.4% of success rate in CSOM and 88% in cholesteatomas. The recurrence rate of cholesteatoma was 14%. Children's cholesteatoma (below 15 years of age) were more aggressive than adult's cholesteatomas. In CSOM without cholesteatoma, the hearing gain was 5 dB. In CSOM with cholesteatoma the mean hearing gain was 4 dB. In conclusion the study revealed the importance of this pathology in our country with the relative high incidence of cholesteatoma compared to simple CSOM, this could be explained by the chronicity of the disease and the lack of preventive measures.
Subject(s)
Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/surgery , Otitis Media, Suppurative/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/complications , Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/diagnosis , Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/epidemiology , Chronic Disease , Female , Hearing Disorders/etiology , Humans , Incidence , Lebanon/epidemiology , Male , Mastoid/surgery , Otitis Media, Suppurative/complications , Otitis Media, Suppurative/diagnosis , Otitis Media, Suppurative/epidemiology , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The prevalence of profound sensorineural deafness in childhood is about 1/1000. 274 children attending seven specialized Lebanese institutions were examined. The aim of this study is to evaluate the distribution of the different etiologies of this type of deafness in Lebanon: 51.82% are of genetic causes (25.2% due to consanguinity); 32.84% of acquired causes, the most frequent etiologies were rubella and perinatal meningitis; 15.32% of unknown etiologies. The new acquisitions in term of genetic counseling are discussed.
Subject(s)
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/epidemiology , Meningitis/complications , Rubella/complications , Child , Female , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/etiology , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/physiopathology , Humans , Lebanon/epidemiology , Male , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Foreign body inhalation is a universal problem, most common cause of death from domestic accident in children aged five years and less. Over 15 years, one hundred children aged less than six years were evaluated in Hotel Dieu de France; findings are comparable to previous data, with one avoidable death; boys are chiefly concerned (64%); mean age is 22.5 months; circumstances are often hazy (65%); vegetables are prominently responsible (90%) especially peanuts and pistachios (48%); foreign bodies are seldom radiopaque (1%); autumnal predominance is noted. Inhalation is not reported in 25% of cases; immediate risk is subglottic impaction; the child survives if the foreign body is expelled one way or another. The most frequent site is the bronchial system (87%) with a slight right predominance (49%); symptoms include: dyspnea, persistent cough, and, in case of bronchial obstruction: wheezing and asymmetry of breath sounds; 15% of children are free of symptoms. Delay before hospital care is long (21.5 days), mostly because diagnosis is misread particularly in case of bronchial foreign body; pulmonary distension is a frequent finding (45%). In case of asphyxia, first aid resuscitation is performed immediately: in fact it is rarely useful, sometimes harmful. Extraction is mandatory with the stiff bronchoscope; otherwise, bronchopulmonary infection and destruction is the usual outcome ... (25%). Management is revisited, and prevention is recalled.
Subject(s)
Foreign Bodies , Respiratory System , Age Factors , Bronchi , Bronchoscopy , Child , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Foreign Bodies/diagnosis , Foreign Bodies/therapy , Humans , Infant , Inhalation , Male , Radiography, Thoracic , Retrospective Studies , SeasonsABSTRACT
Una encuesta realizada en las aldeas venezolanas próximas a un foco de oncocercosis (ceguera de los ríos), al otro lado de la frontera con Brasil, ha revelado una elevada prevalencia de la enfermedad. Los asentamientos humanos futuros en esta zona pudieran muy bien depender del control de la enfermedad (AU)
Subject(s)
Onchocerciasis/epidemiology , Venezuela/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Este informe define la zona afectada de oncocercosis, describe un nuevo foco descubierto en dicha zona, analiza la naturaleza de la infección en todos los focos conocidos y trata de determinar la posible amenaza que la presencia de la enfermedad representa para la salud pública (AU)
Subject(s)
Onchocerciasis/epidemiology , Brazil/epidemiology , Brazil/ethnology , Indians, South AmericanABSTRACT
Este informe define la zona afectada de oncocercosis, describe un nuevo foco descubierto en dicha zona, analiza la naturaleza de la infección en todos los focos conocidos y trata de determinar la posible amenaza que la presencia de la enfermedad representa para la salud pública (AU)
Subject(s)
Onchocerciasis , Indians, South American , BrazilABSTRACT
En artículos anteriores se ha descrito un foco recién descubierto de oncocercosis en el extremo septentrional del Brasil. En el presente informe se atribuye la transmisión de la enfermedad a la especie Simulium amazonicum en parte de esa región (AU)
Subject(s)
Onchocerciasis/etiology , Simuliidae/isolation & purification , Latin America/epidemiologyABSTRACT
En artículos anteriores se ha descrito un foco recién descubierto de oncocercosis en el extremo septentrional del Brasil. En el presente informe se atribuye la transmisión de la enfermedad a la especie Simulium amazonicum en parte de esa región (AU)
Subject(s)
Onchocerciasis , Simuliidae , Latin AmericaABSTRACT
Una encuesta realizada en las aldeas venezolanas próximas a un foco de oncocercosis (ceguera de los ríos), al otro lado de la frontera con Brasil, ha revelado una elevada prevalencia de la enfermedad. Los asentamientos humanos futuros en esta zona pudieran muy bien depender del control de la enfermedad (AU)
