Prevalence of Hearing Loss among Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Babies in Two Tertiary Hospitals in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate hearing loss among very low birth weight babies in two hospitals in Malaysia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 380 babies from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) were recruited in this retrospective study. All babies with birthweight less than 1500grams nursed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between January 2014 till December 2019 was included in the study. Data was analysed on demography, interval taken for hearing intervention and defaulter rate. The data of patient parameters between both hospitals were analysed and association between various factors were evaluated. RESULTS: A total 187 Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Kuala Lumpur babies and 193 VLBW Sarawak babies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, among which 10.1% and 10.9% had SNHL in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak respectively. CHL was reported among 8.6% Kuala Lumpur and 14% of Sarawak babies. When studied on the different types and degrees of hearing loss, 2.6% of Kuala Lumpur babies born less than 28 Weeks Gestation Age (WGA) had moderate SNHL and 2.0% of Sarawak babies had profound SNHL. In this study only gestational age (week) (p=0.003) and dysmorphism (p<0.001) were statistically significant to be associated with hearing loss. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hearing loss among VLBW babies in Kuala Lumpur was 20.3% and 24.8% in Sarawak. Gestational age (p=0.044) and presence of dysmorphism (p<0.001) were found to have statistically significant association with prevalence of hearing loss. The defaulter rate at Kuala Lumpur was 52.6% and 42.3% in Sarawak.

A Review of Delayed Facial Nerve Paresis as Complication Following Total Endoscopic Ear Surgery.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of delayed facial nerve paresis after total endoscopic ear surgery. This review also aims to describe the possible contributing factors and its management. This is a retrospective review of all patients who had undergone total endoscopic ear surgery for all otologic cases that required endoscopic intervention in a single otologic center from 2014 up to 2020. The delayed facial nerve paresis is defined as deterioration of facial nerve function 72 hours after total endoscopic ear surgery. A total of 56 patients were included in the study. Delayed facial nerve paresis following total endoscopic ear surgery was observed in 2 patients (3.4%). Facial weakness sets in on day 6 post operation and another one developed at day 16 after the surgery. Both patients were investigated and only one of them showed a higher titer of Varicella zoster virus antibody while another patient showed no raise of titer. Thus, explanation of postoperative edema or mechanical compression is discussed. The incidence of delayed facial nerve paresis following total endoscopic ear surgery is rare. It can occur probably several days after surgery up to 3 weeks. Our 2 cases revealed that virus reactivation may not be the only factor for delayed facial nerve palsy after surgery. The overall prognosis for incomplete delayed facial nerve paresis is very good as both patients recovered well few days after treatment with steroids.

Temporal Bone Chondroblastoma: a Rare Entity.

INTRODUCTION: Chondroblastoma is an uncommon benign, locally destructive tumor that usually arises from epiphyses of the long bones. Temporal bone chondroblastoma is an extremely rare occurrence. Chondroblastoma arise from immature cartilage cells and it may display certain malignant features by invading surrounding structures and metastasizing to adjacent sites. AIM: To present a case of extradural temporal bone chondroblastoma and discuss the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, histology and particularly the surgical management of the case. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 31-year-old man who presented with a painless left temporal swelling and left sided hearing loss for four months. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an aggressive mass involving the left preauricular region with temporal mastoid bone erosion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an extra-axial left temporal mastoid mass pushing the left temporal lobe superiorly. The patient underwent complete excision of the temporal bone tumor. The final histopathological diagnosis was in keeping with chondroblastoma. CONCLUSION: Temporal bone chondroblastoma is rare but an aggressive condition. Complete tumor resection via an appropriate approach that enables adequate exposure will lead to a favorable outcome.