Pattern of Otorhinolaryngological Admissions via Emergency Unit in a Suburban Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: Patients with ORL lesions sometimes present to the general emergency room. This study reviews the common ENT admissions via emergency room in a sub-urban town in Nigeria. METHODS: A retrospective study spanning five years from January 2009 to December 2013. RESULTS: A total of 211 cases consisting of 131 (62.1%) males with male: female ratio 1.6: 1 and a mean age of 32.8 ± 22.4 years. About a quarter of the patients were children, the peak age was 21-40 years (in 37%). The common indications for emergency otorhinolaryngological admissions were Epistaxis (16.1%), Nasal/facial trauma (14.7%), pharyngo-esophageal foreign bodies (13.3%) and upper airway obstruction (8.1%). Majority 16 (57.1%) of the Pharyngo-esophageal FBs occurred in children. Most of the airway obstructions in children were due to juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis while laryngeal cancer was the major cause among the adult. Sixty percent had surgical procedures, 86.7% had satisfactory outcome and mortalities were recorded in 1.4%. CONCLUSION: Majority of causes for ORL admissions via emergency unit are of pharyngo-esophageal origin. There is apparent reversal of the otological origin trend in ENT admissions via A&E unit.

OTOLOGIC FOREIGN BODY: AN UNDECLARED AND UNUSUAL IMPACTION.

BACKGROUND: This study reports two cases of undeclared and unusual foreign body (FB) impaction in the ears of Nigerian adult patients that were accidentally discovered and successfully managed. AIM: The report aims to create awareness, and encourage Otorhinolaryngologist to have proper otoscopy done for all patients with suspected ear FB and double check again following FBs removal. CONCLUSION It has recommended a need for an increased public enlightenment to raise awareness about the danger of cleaning the ears with cotton swab or other sharp materials.

Management challenges of congenital & early onset childhood hearing loss in a sub-Saharan African country.

BACKGROUND: Hearing impairment is a hidden human disability with potentially catastrophic and age long consequences. This study highlighted the challenges associated with the management of congenital and early onset childhood hearing loss in a sub-Saharan African country. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of children seen between January 2008 and December 2013 RESULT: A total of 223 children consisting of 124 (55.6%) males with (M:F) of 1.3:1. Age ranged 1-15 years (mean±SD; 6.39±4.37 years) and age group 1-5 years constituted the largest proportion (56.5%). Congenital causes, febrile illness and hypoxia were the leading causes of HI. Over 93% had moderately severe to profound hearing loss and 64.6% had delayed speech development. Majority (99.3%) with congenital/perinatal onset of HL had significantly delayed speech development and 99.3% of HL due to ototoxicity and infective causes had peri/post lingual speech impairment. Larger percentage of patients presented late; 16.6% of patients with congenital/perinatal onset of HL presented within the first year, >41% presented after the fifth year. Less than 5% had hearing aid fitted and patients with profound hearing impairment were referred for cochlear implant CONCLUSION: The burden of congenital and early onset hearing impairment is high and management outcomes are unsatisfactory in our locality, Challenges associated with managing such children were discussed, and suggestions/strategies for better management and outcome were made.

Denture impaction in the oesophagus experience of a young ENT practice in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of dental loss and associated desire to restore its function and aesthesis has led to an increase in the number of people wearing dentures. This study therefore reviews the cases of impacted acrylic dentures in the oesophagus. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients that were managed for oesophageal denture impaction at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, over an eight year period from 2005 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients (M:F 2.5:1). The age ranged from 32-75 years. Majority 64.3%) were 51 years and above. Over 70% presented early. Major presenting symptoms were throat pain (100%), odynophageal (92.9%) and dysphageal (78.6%). The radiographic findings were air entrapment (64.3%) and increase in prevertebral soft tissue shadow (78.6%). Majority (87.5%) were impacted at the upper (cervical) oesophagus. Over 78% had successful extraction with rigid oesophagoscopy. Two (14.3%) had spontaneous expulsion of the denture and 1 (7.1%) discharged himself against medical advice. Complications were mucosa tear (28.6%), laryngeal spasm/ airway obstruction (14.3%), mucosa oedema/ erythema (57.1%), neck abscess (7.1%). CONCLUSION: Impaction of esophageal dentures is relatively common in our locality; most patients present early for medical attention and associated with successful rigid oesophagoscopies and denture extraction under GA, and generally good outcome. Education of the wearers of dentures was emphasized as a way of preventing dentures impaction.