An education model for otitis media care field-tested in Latin America.

The World Health Organization has designated the teaching of otitis media management skills a "priority" status. Effective treatment of ear disease requires that the physician be both informationally educated as well as physically trained to use otoscopy. Little is known about how well this education can be provided in a short time and in a foreign country. To more objectively assess teaching effect, results of an education session for rural Mexican pediatric primary-care providers who were given an intensive otitis media lecture and otoscopy skills workshop in 1990 were evaluated. To test immediate cognitive impact, an anonymous written examination was given both before and after the teaching session. Average test scores after the educational sessions improved 24% (p < 0.001) over baseline scores before the sessions. To evaluate long-term impact on clinical practice, a follow-up telephone survey 2 years later was conducted. The use of an otoscope to diagnose otitis media had increased from 40% to 93% of respondents. We conclude that pediatric primary-care providers in rural Mexico possess a baseline level of knowledge about otitis media that can be significantly enhanced with one educational session. Further, this teaching effort produces an impact on practice pattern that lasts at least 2 years.

Assessment of otoscopists' accuracy regarding middle-ear effusion. Otoscopic validation.

Validation of otoscopic diagnostic accuracy is an important aspect of medical education and is necessary to substantiate clinical research observations. In addition, otoscopic accuracy is a prerequisite to optimal patient care. We describe an otoscopic validation program at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (Pa) in which 27 physicians and three nurse practitioners participated from December 1980 to March 1990. The lowest acceptable limits for sensitivity and specificity regarding the diagnosis of middle-ear effusion were arbitrarily set at 80% and 70%, respectively. The 30 participating clinicians examined a total of 4147 ears. Mean sensitivity and mean specificity for the group as a whole were 87% and 74%, respectively. The chief benefit of the program was an improvement in diagnostic skills for some individuals. The chief limitation was the large amount of time required. We conclude that a formal validation program can document achievement of a reasonable standard of otoscopic diagnostic accuracy.

[Educational and research program on diagnosis and treatment of otitis media in Latin America]. / Programa educacional y de investigación sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento de otitis media en latinoamérica.

Otitis media in Latin America is an important cause of hearing impairment and infectious complications which can be prevented without an inordinate effort or investment of resources. The Latin American Otitis Media Research and Training Program is a multidisciplinary, international project designed to improve the detection an treatment of otitis media in Latin America. Over 200 health care providers have already participated in pilot seminars presented in Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico. These sessions were highlighted by audiovisual presentations emphasizing pneumatic otoscopy. We conclude that this focused program of medical education can significantly contribute to improve primary health care in the region.

Otolaryngologic findings in whistling face syndrome.

Craniocarpotarsal dysplasia or whistling face syndrome is rare with only 60 cases having been reported in the literature. More than 60 anatomic anomalies of the head, hands, and feet, in addition to the face, have been noted. Although the literature contains numerous case reports describing in detail the various features and abnormalities of the syndrome, the otolaryngologic findings in these patients have yet to be summarized. We present two additional cases in a mother and daughter with an extended follow-up period of 30 and 17 years, respectively, and summarize the otolaryngologic findings in all previously reported cases of this rare syndrome. Also, the principal clinical features and associated features are described.

Malignant external otitis in children.

Malignant external otitis in the pediatric population is primarily a disease of children with chronic illness or immunosuppression. The presence of severe, unrelenting otalgia, otorrhea with isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and evidence of bone destruction on computed tomography scan should alert the clinician to the diagnosis. Unlike adults, children have a higher incidence of seventh nerve paralysis earlier in the course of the infection. They also manifest more frequent involvement of the middle ear with tympanic membrane destruction. The short interval between the onset of symptoms and facial nerve dysfunction highlights the necessity of prompt diagnosis and institution of anti-Pseudomonas therapy. Our review suggests that this destructive bacterial infection is an emerging clinical entity in children; 73% of the cases have been reported since 1980. Pediatricians should therefore be familiar with the clinical presentation of this treatable infection. Substantial morbidity could be alleviated by prompt diagnosis and early antibiotic treatment.