Otological emergencies among the northern Nigerian children

Background: Swift recognition and prompt institution of management is very crucial to successful outcome of otologic emergencies. The aim and objective of the study was to determine the spectrum of pediatric otologic emergencies in northern Nigeria.Methods: A retrospective study to review of 1497 paediatric otologic emergencies aged one month to 14 years seen at National ear care centre, Kaduna between 2002 and 2006 inclusive was done. The records of all these patients were retrieved, studied and information collected analyzed. The data extracted for analysis included – biodata, clinical presentation diagnosis and treatment outcome.Results: There were 943 male and 554 female with M: F ratio of 1.7:1. Their ages ranged from 1month to 14 years with a mean age of 4.95years (SD=4.15). A total of 928 (62%) were infants and preschool age groups (under fives). Acute suppurative otitis media was found in 573 (38.3%), was the commonest otological condition diagnosed followed by acute otitis media in 22.6% and foreign body in the ear in 222(14.8%).The least frequent were CSF otorrhea, and ramsay hunt disease which constituted 0.07%.Conclusion: Acute suppurative otitis media, acute otitis media and foreign body insertion into the ear still constitute the common otological emergencies in Northern Nigeria. These are all preventable emergencies through community health education, training of community health worker to recognize the symptom and signs of ear disease with early referral

Otological Emergencies among the Northern Nigerian children

Background: Swift recognition and prompt institution of management is very crucial to successful outcome of otologic emergencies. The aim and objective of the study was to determine the spectrum of pediatric otologic emergencies in northern Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective study to review of 1497 paediatric otologic emergencies aged one month to 14 years seen at National ear care centre, Kaduna between 2002 and 2006 inclusive was done. The records of all these patients were retrieved, studied and information collected analyzed. The data extracted for analysis included – biodata, clinical presentation diagnosis and treatment outcome. Results: There were 943 male and 554 female with M: F ratio of 1.7:1. Their ages ranged from 1month to 14 years with a mean age of 4.95years (SD=4.15). A total of 928 (62%) were infants and preschool age groups (under fives). Acute suppurative otitis media was found in 573 (38.3%), was the commonest otological condition diagnosed followed by acute otitis media in 22.6% and foreign body in the ear in 222(14.8%).The least frequent were CSF otorrhea, and ramsay hunt disease which constituted 0.07%. Conclusion: Acute suppurative otitis media, acute otitis media and foreign body insertion into the ear still constitute the common otological emergencies in Northern Nigeria. These are all preventable emergencies through community health education, training of community health worker to recognize the symptom and signs of ear disease with early referral

Tracheostomy in Northern Nigeria- A Multicentre Review

Background: Conventional surgical tracheostomy is an old technique of bypassing the upper airway that remains relevant even in the 21st century. Although many airway problems have been addressed in recent years via endotracheal intubation and endoscopically guided percutaneous tracheostomy, conventional surgical tracheostomy still remain the routine in our country for all airways that require surgical intervention. This study highlights the common indications and pattern of complications of tracheostomy in northern Nigeria. Methods: A 5 year retrospective review of tracheostomy in three tertiary hospitals in the north east, north central and north west zones of Northern Nigeria. Results: A total of 111 cases was analyzed, 79 (71.2%) males and 32 (28.8%) females with a m:f ratio of 2.5:1, age ranged between 2 months to 75 years, mean age of 29.4 and a std. deviation of 22.7. The commonest indication was head and neck tumors (37.8%) followed by airway foreign body (22.5%) and head and neck trauma (18.9%). Complication rate was 6.3% and mortality of 0.9%. Conclusion: Tracheostomy is a life surgical procedure that is not devoid of complications, however most of the complications can be avoided with meticulous technique, adequate and appropriate post operative care