Vestibular dysfunction amongst adolescents: what do we know? A review.

BACKGROUND: Vestibular dysfunction in children is a debilitating condition that results in countless pernicious effects, such as motor development delay, poor academic performance and psychosocial impairment. Yet, research pertaining to vestibular and balance disorders amongst adolescents is still lacking and remains an enigma. METHODS: This paper outlines novel emerging aetiological factors contributing to vestibular dysfunction amongst adolescents by appraising published articles through a narrative review. RESULTS: Underlying aetiological factors of vestibular dysfunction can be identified among adolescents with thorough evaluation. Proper diagnostic evaluation of vestibular dysfunction is imperative in providing optimal care and guiding appropriate treatment strategies. The available literature demonstrated multifactorial aetiological factors that contribute to vestibular dysfunction in adolescents. CONCLUSION: Outlining the underlying aetiological factors of vestibular dysfunction is vital to ensure that patients receive appropriate care and treatment.

Correlation between subjective and objective voice analysis pre- and post-shift among teleoperators in a tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Teachers and singers have been extensively studied and are shown to have a greater tendency to voice disorders. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between subjective and objective voice analysis pre- and post-shift among teleoperators in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. Each patient underwent pre- and post-shift voice analysis. RESULTS: Among 42 teleoperators, 28 patients (66.7 per cent) completed all the tests. Female predominance (62 per cent) was noted, with a mean age of 40 years. Voice changes during working were reported by 48.1 per cent. Pre- and post-shift maximum phonation time (p < 0.018) and Voice Handicap Index-10 (p < 0.011) showed significant results with no correlation noted between subjective and objective assessment. CONCLUSION: Maximum phonation time and Voice Handicap Index-10 are good voice assessment tools. The quality of evidence is inadequate to recommend 'gold standard' voice assessment until a better-quality study has been completed.

Congenital inferior turbinate hypertrophy: an overlooked entity in newborns and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal nasal obstruction may result in respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, sleep apnoea and failure to thrive; hence, it requires thorough evaluation and prompt intervention. Congenital inferior turbinate hypertrophy is relatively uncommon, and its presentation can mimic other congenital nasal anomalies. RELEVANCE: This paper reports two cases of congenital inferior turbinate hypertrophy in neonates that resulted in significant respiratory distress, feeding difficulties and sleep disturbance. Both patients were successfully treated surgically by endoscopic nasal dilatation and stenting. A literature search was performed to identify articles on congenital inferior turbinate hypertrophy in neonates and its management. CONCLUSION: Albeit rare, congenital inferior turbinate hypertrophy should be considered a differential diagnosis in newborns presenting with respiratory distress at birth.

The rate and pattern of otic epithelial migration: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial migration has been associated with the self-cleansing mechanism of the ear. The rate and pattern of epithelial migration in healthy and pathological ears are reviewed. METHODS: Two authors independently screened articles over one month using the following search terms: epithelial migration, epithelial, tympanic membrane, external auditory canal and mastoidectomy cavity. RESULTS: Ten studies were included. The fastest rate of epithelial migration was observed in the external auditory canal, with a mean of 144.75 µm per day, whereas the slowest epithelial migration was seen in post-mastoidectomy cavities, with a rate of 20 µm per day. Epithelial migration was present in both studies involving post-mastoidectomy cavities. CONCLUSION: Epithelial migration is faster in healthy tympanic membrane than in pathological tympanic membrane. The rate of epithelial migration in the external auditory canal was higher in the pathological group than in the healthy group. Epithelial migration is present in post-mastoidectomy cavities.

Olfactory dysfunction amongst children and adolescents with laboratory confirmed coronavirus disease 2019: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Despite the rapidly emerging reports of olfactory dysfunction amongst adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019, cases involving children and adolescents are scarcely reported. The literature was reviewed to elucidate olfactory dysfunction amongst children and adolescents with coronavirus disease 2019. METHODS: A search of the literature published from 1 December 2019 to 30 April 2021 was conducted using four databases, based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The search was performed over one month (May 2021). RESULTS: Only 9 articles were identified, with a total of 316 laboratory confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 positive children and adolescents, of whom 156 reported olfactory dysfunction. Four studies reported olfactory dysfunction based on subjective tests; four studies carried out objective assessment. Most studies reported on olfaction recovery. CONCLUSION: The literature review revealed an olfactory dysfunction rate of 49 per cent amongst children and adolescents with coronavirus disease 2019. Persistence of olfactory dysfunction was reported in 7.1 per cent of the patients. Further studies involving objective measures need to be carried out in children and adolescents with coronavirus disease 2019.

Impact of olfactory dysfunction on quality of life in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To outline the impact on quality of life in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with olfactory dysfunction. METHODS: Five databases were searched for articles referring to the impact on quality of life in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with olfactory dysfunction. The search was conducted for the period from November 2019 to April 2021. The search was conducted over one month (May 2021). RESULTS: Four studies that met the objective were included. Altogether, there were 1045 patients. Various questionnaires were used to assess quality of life. Overall, the quality of life deficit affected 67.7 per cent of patients. Quality of life domains investigated include overall quality of life (four studies), food and taste dysfunction (two studies), mental health (two studies), cognitive function (one study), functional outcome (one study) and safety domains (one study). CONCLUSION: Quality of life deficit was reported to be 67.7 per cent among coronavirus disease 2019 patients with olfactory dysfunction. The high prevalence of persistent olfactory dysfunction prompts more serious research, as the long-standing consequences of olfactory dysfunction are detrimental.