A Study on Morphometric Changes of the Pinna Following Ear Surgery.

Morphometry of pinna may change following ear surgeries. This study gives information about postoperative changes following ear surgeries. This study aims to measure the variation of ear morphology following surgery and to correlate the type of surgery with post-operative variations. Eighty patients with Chronic Otitis Media(COM) undergoing surgery by post aural approach were grouped into Modified Radical Mastoidectomy (MRM), Cortical Mastoidectomy + Tympanoplasty (CM + TM) and Tympanoplasty groups(TM). The MRM, CM + TM and TM groups had 14, 46 and 20 participants respectively. Various morphometric measurements were taken pre and post operatively. In all groups, the mean Concho-Mastoid Angle (CMA) was increased post operatively, with increase of 11.1 degrees in MRM (p value-0.002), 8.9 degrees in CM + TM (p value-0.000) and 4.8 degrees (p value- 0.657) in TM group. Similarly, the Cepahlo-auricular distances (D1 and D2) showed statistically significant changes in MRM and CM + TM groups (p value < 0.05). Mean CMA of MRM group compared with other groups did not show any statistically significant difference. However, when the CMA of CM + TM group was compared with TM group showed significant difference of 14.53 degree (p value 0.002). Similarly, the D1 and D2 showed statistically significant changes between the CM + TM and TM groups (p value 0.005 and 0.000 respectively). Prominence of pinna following ear surgery is a not a myth. It happens mostly in cases requiring drilling of the mastoid, rather than Tympanoplasty alone. This needs to be explained to the patient beforehand to prevent any confusion post operatively.

Association of Serum Calcium and Vitamin D with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract Introduction Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the common disorders of the peripheral vestibular system. The prevalence of BPPV is found to be higher among middle-aged women. Objectives To estimate the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D in patients with BPPV, and to study their association. Methods The present is a hospital-based prospective case-control study. Venous blood samples of the 49 patients with BPPV and an equal number of age- and gender-matched individuals were recruited and submitted to an analysis of the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D. Results Among the cases, 67.3% were found to be females, and 32.7% were males. Most of the 30 cases (61.3%) were aged >40 years. The mean age of the cases was 44.39 years. The mean serum level of vitamin D in the cases was of 21.26 ng/ml compared with 17.59 ng/ml in the controls. The mean serum level of calcium was of 9.33 mg/dl in the cases, compared with 8.95 mg/dl in the controls. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of vitamin D and calcium between cases and controls. Conclusion We could not establish any correlation between the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D with BPPV. However, a negative relationship was found between the serum levels of vitamin D and the number of episodes of BPPV (p = 0.012).

The Role of Video Head Impulse Test (Vhit) in Diagnosing Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common clinical disorder characterized by brief recurrent spells of vertigo often brought about by certain head position changes. General treatment for BPPV is by clinical examination by Dix-Hallpike maneuver, Video head impulse test (VHIT) is a novel test that enhances diagnostic opportunities and enables a clinician to precisely localize the site of vestibular disorders. This interested us to investigate its potential in diagnosis of BPPV.The aim of the present study is to assess the role of Video head impulse test (VHIT) in confirming the clinically diagnosed case of BPPV.All patients above the age of 18 years who were clinically diagnosed with BPPV underwent VHIT and results were correlated with clinical findings. Total 60 patients were studied in the period of 2016-2018.Among the 60 patients clinically diagnosed with BPPV, 41 were males and 19 were females. Majority of patients were in the age group of 51-60 years. Posterior canal is most commonly affected (97%) than anterior and lateral canals in BPPV. In unilateral posterior canal BPPV and bilateral posterior canal BPPV VOR (Vestibulo- ocular reflex) gains was reduced but were not statistically significant. Saccades were present only in 17 cases. There is no relationship between the presence of saccades, the canal involved and the side of the lesion.From the present study we conclude that the currently available equipment for VHIT is not useful in diagnosing BPPV. Also, strongly recommends advanced research on this to record minute changes in VOR gain.

Association of Serum Calcium and Vitamin D with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Introduction Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the common disorders of the peripheral vestibular system. The prevalence of BPPV is found to be higher among middle-aged women. Objectives To estimate the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D in patients with BPPV, and to study their association. Methods The present is a hospital-based prospective case-control study. Venous blood samples of the 49 patients with BPPV and an equal number of age- and gender-matched individuals were recruited and submitted to an analysis of the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D. Results Among the cases, 67.3% were found to be females, and 32.7% were males. Most of the 30 cases (61.3%) were aged > 40 years. The mean age of the cases was 44.39 years. The mean serum level of vitamin D in the cases was of 21.26 ng/ml compared with 17.59 ng/ml in the controls. The mean serum level of calcium was of 9.33 mg/dl in the cases, compared with 8.95 mg/dl in the controls. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of vitamin D and calcium between cases and controls. Conclusion We could not establish any correlation between the serum levels of calcium and vitamin D with BPPV. However, a negative relationship was found between the serum levels of vitamin D and the number of episodes of BPPV ( p = 0.012).

Association of asymptomatic otitis media with effusion in patients with adenoid hypertrophy.

Objective Clinical symptoms of otitis media with effusion are rarely brought forward to the guardians of young children who the disease is most prevalent in. This often leads to poor scholastic performances and difficult social interactions. The objective of this study was to identify asymptomatic cases of otitis media with effusion present in individuals with adenoid hypertrophy. Material and Methods In a cross sectional study advocated in Justice K.S.Hegde Hospital, Karnataka India we evaluated one hundred patients above the age of three from August 2016 to December 2017. Candidates who presented with an adenoid nasopharyngeal ratio of more than 0.5 were selected for the study. Individuals who complained of otological symptoms were not considered for the study. Patients cleared of other pathological otological conditions were underwent audiological evaluation with pure tone audiometry and tympanometry for evaluating the middle ear status and hearing loss. Results The study showed a total of 36% of patients evaluated presented with asymptomatic otitis media with effusion. In candidates who presented with a bilateral B tympanogram, 40% had significant conductive hearing loss of more than 25dB. Conclusion An objective test such as impedance audiometry in all patients with adenoid hypertrophy would aid in the diagnosis of fluid in the middle ear, so that timely intervention can be done and possible complications be averted.

A retrospective review of 14 cases of malignant otitis externa.

BACKGROUND: Malignant otitis externa is an inflammatory condition of the external ear which has the propensity to spread to the skull base. It can be a difficult entity to treat as clinical presentation varies and response to treatment differs between patients. We reviewed cases of malignant otitis externa in our setup to document the epidemiology and outcome of management. METHODS: This is a retrospective case review observational study from January 2013-December 2017. Fourteen patients diagnosed with malignant otitis externa in our tertiary referral centre were included in the study. Based on hospital protocol, empiric treatment was started. After discharge, the patients follow up visits to the hospital were also documented. RESULTS: Otalgia was the most common symptom. Edema and congestion of the external auditory canal were observed in most cases. Diabetes was present in all patients. Three cases had associated facial palsy, and one patient had involvement of 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th cranial nerve. Two patients with facial palsy recovered. Pseudomonas aeuroginosa was the most common organism isolated (50%). CONCLUSIONS: In our series, malignant otitis externa invariably presented with severe otalgia. Lower cranial palsies were also seen. Methods to evaluate complete eradication of disease should be centered on clinical symptoms and signs, but the measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate or radiological imaging may be used as a useful adjunct when there is uncertainty.

Does dyslipidemia worsen the hearing level in diabetics?

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of dyslipidemia on auditory function detected by Pure Tone Audiometry. To check if dyslipidemia worsens the hearing level in diabetics. DESIGN: This was a comparative study where 120 subjects between the age group of 20 and 50 years underwent pure tone audiometry, lipid profile and blood sugars. Group 1 consisted of 30 subjects with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia; Group 2 had 30 subjects with isolated diabetes; Group 3 had 30 with isolated dyslipidemia and Group 4 included 30 normal subjects as control. RESULTS: Significant hearing loss was seen only in the group with isolated diabetes (63%). The most common type of hearing loss was high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. When comparison was made between the combinations of different lipid profiles, no association was found to the level of hearing. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetics are more prone to high frequency hearing loss. Altered lipid profile has no role in causing hearing loss.