ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Necrotising otitis externa is an aggressive infection of the external ear, which extends to the surrounding bone and soft tissue. In recent years, there has been an apparent increase in the number of patients admitted to our hospital with this condition. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients admitted to our hospital with necrotising otitis externa between July 2012 and June 2020. RESULTS: Among 39 patients included, only 9 were diagnosed in the first four years, and 30 were diagnosed in the last four years. There were 27 males and 12 females, and the mean age was 78.7 years. There were six non-diabetic immunocompetent patients. Cranial nerve palsies developed in 50 per cent of the patients. Disease-related mortality was 7.7 per cent. A favourable outcome was recorded in 66.7 per cent of the patients. CONCLUSION: Necrotising otitis externa is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The incidence of the disease is rising in our local geographical area.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study is the first to evaluate scar satisfaction and body image in thyroidectomy patients using validated assessment tools. METHODS: A total of 123 thyroidectomy patients were recruited over 8 months. Both patients and clinicians completed assessment tools that included: the Manchester Scar Scale (to measure scar perception), Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (to assess body image), Body Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (to screen for body dysmorphic disorder) and EQ-5D (to measure life quality). A separate image panel comprising experts and non-experts assessed 15 scar photographs. The results were analysed using non-parametric descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Poor body image was associated with poor scar perception (ρ = 0.178, p = 0.05). Poor life quality correlated with poor scar perception (ρ = -0.292, p = 0.001). Scar length did not affect scar perception. Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among patients was found to be 8.94 per cent, which is higher than general population rates. CONCLUSION: Negative body image and life quality impact negatively upon scar perception.
Subject(s)
Body Image/psychology , Cicatrix/psychology , Patient Satisfaction , Postoperative Complications/psychology , Tertiary Care Centers , Thyroidectomy , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Samter's triad is a well described condition manifesting as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, asthma and aspirin intolerance in a non-atopic individual. The underlying mechanism is still to be fully elucidated. However, aural disease has not been widely reported in these patients. In the few reported cases, most patients underwent major surgery with varying degrees of success. CASE REPORT: We report two Samter's triad patients with aural involvement. Both were successfully managed by conservative treatment, thus avoiding the need for major surgery. It appears that more Samter's triad patients may have aural disease than previously thought. CONCLUSION: We report good outcomes with conservative treatment, which is relevant because aural disease tends to reoccur in these patients.