Patterns, Presentations and Prognosis of Nasal Polyps

Few studies have documented the characteristic features of nasal polyps in the developing countries. In this study, we described the patterns, presentations and prognosis of nasal polyps seen in clinical setting, with a view to improve our understanding of its clinical and epidemiological characteristics. The study was a 10-year retrospective analysis of histologically-confirmed nasal polyps seen between January 2006 and December 2015. Records of patients with intranasal masses were retrieved from our hospital’s records department, clinics, wards and theatre suites. Those with nasal polyps were recruited into the study. The results were descriptively analyzed using SPSS statistical soft ware package version 10. There were 84 patients with intranasal masses seen within the reviewed period. Of this, 52 (61.9%) were histologically-confirmed nasal polyps. There were 22 males and 30 females. Their age ranges from 16 to 69 years. The most frequent symptom is nasal obstruction occurring in 76.9% of the cases. None of the patients had epistaxis. Thirty-one (59.6%) were associated with various complications either singly or multiple (Table 1). All (100%) were treated with conventional forceps excision. Eleven (21.2%) of them had recurrence between 3 and 5 years after surgery. None of the polyps or their recurrence exhibited malignant transformation. Nasal polyp is the most common intranasal mass seen in clinical practice. Its rarity in children and propensity for recurrence are reaffirmed. Although, recurrence is a major prognostic challenge, nasal polyp does not exhibit malignant transformation

VERTIGO PRESENTATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRY, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT AIM: This study aimed at determine clinical and epidemiological features of vertigo in Ado Ekiti, south western part of Nigeria. MATERIAL AND METHOD: It is a hospital based prospective study. All patients with complaint of vertigo that presented in our department from January to December, 2012.A total of 178 out 4385 that presented to the department were recruited for this study. RESULTS: Prevalence of vertigo in this study was 4.1%. There was bimodal age distribution of 41-50 and 71-80 years. Vertigo patient presented every month of the year with peak of 20.8% in February. Most patients, 93.3% presented in our clinic with least presentation in emergency ward. Most of the referral were from general medical practitioner. High percentage, 70.8% recurrent cases was recorded. Vertigo attack duration of minutes or more were commoner and responsible for 60.1% of the studied cases. Associated symptoms were 21.3% nausea, 5.1% vomiting, and 12.8% fall

Otorhinolaryngological Manifestation of Allergy in South Western Nigerian Children

Background: Allergy is a systemic, chronic and recurrent disorder of otorhinolaryngological importance. This disorder is often neglected with late presentation in paediatric age group. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, sociodemographic features, trigger factors, clinical features, complications, quality of life, associated comorbid illnesses and treatment outcome among children. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective hospital based study of children with allergy in our center. The study was carried out over a period of one year from May 2017 to April 2018. Data were obtained by using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data obtained were documented, collated and analyzed by using SPSS version 18.0 Results: Prevalence of allergy in this study was 8.6%. There were 60.2% male with male to female ratio of 1.5:1. There was positive family history of allergy in 55.9% patients. Perennial allergy was the commonest in 68.3% of the children. Major forms of allergens were 71.5% inhalant and 9.7% ingestant. The common self-reported trigger factors were dust, cold weather and smoke in 58.1%, 41.9% and 22.0% respectively. Major associated comorbid illnesses in this study were 43.5% adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Commonest allergic symptoms were runny nose in 38.7%. The commonest affected organ was nose in 46.8%. Commonly affected quality of life was 22.6% irritability, 20.4% absenteeism, 19.9% sleep disruption and 12.9% impaired social life. Common complications were 48.9% secondary infection, 46.2% otitis media/externa, 44.1% injury, 42.5% foreign body impaction and 40.3% pharyngitis. Treatment of allergy leads to improvement and recovery from the clinical features in 52.2%. No significant improvement in 47.8%. Conclusion: Allergy is a systemic disease affecting ear, nose and throat. It affects all paediatric age group with associated comorbid illnesses, complications and affectation of quality of life at presentation in majority of the patients

VERTIGO PRESENTATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRY, NIGERIA

AIM: This study aimed at determine clinical and epidemiological features of vertigo in Ado Ekiti, south western part of Nigeria. MATERIAL AND METHOD: It is a hospital based prospective study. All patients with complaint of vertigo that presented in our department from January to December, 2012.A total of 178 out 4385 that presented to the department were recruited for this study. RESULTS: Prevalence of vertigo in this study was 4.1%. There was bimodal age distribution of 41-50 and 71-80 years. Vertigo patient presented every month of the year with peak of 20.8% in February. Most patients, 93.3% presented in our clinic with least presentation in emergency ward. Most of the referral were from general medical practitioner. High percentage, 70.8% recurrent cases was recorded. Vertigo attack duration of minutes or more were commoner and responsible for 60.1% of the studied cases. Associated symptoms were 21.3% nausea, 5.1% vomiting, and 12.8% fall. CONCLUSION: Vertigo is a common presenting complaint with high prevalence in our centre. It is usually associated with disabilities and high recurrent cases. Vertigo is usually associated with other clinical features and it is caused by various vestibular and non vestibular pathology

Field-testing of a rapid survey method to assess the prevalence and causes of hearing loss in Gao'an, Jiangxi province, China.

BACKGROUND: The Rapid Assessment of Hearing Loss (RAHL) survey protocol aims to measure the prevalence and causes of hearing loss in a low cost and rapid manner, to inform planning of ear and hearing services. This paper reports on the first field-test of the RAHL in Gao'an County, Jiangxi Province, China. This study aimed to 1) To report on the feasibility of RAHL; 2) report on the estimated prevalence and causes of hearing loss in Gao'an. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted in September-October 2018. Forty-seven clusters in Gao'an County were selected using probability-proportionate-to-size sampling. Within clusters, compact segment sampling was conducted to select 30 people aged 50+. A questionnaire was completed covering sociodemographics, hearing health, and risk factors. Automated pure-tone audiometry was completed for all participants, using smartphone-based audiometry (hearTest), at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz (kHz). All participants had their ears examined by an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor, using otoscopy, and probable causes of hearing loss assigned. Prevalence estimates were age and sex standardised to the Jiangxi population. Feasibility of a cluster size of 30 was examined by assessing the response rate, and the proportion of clusters completed in 1 day. RESULTS: 1344 of 1421 eligible participants completed the survey (94.6%). 100% of clusters were completed in 1 day. The survey was completed in 4.5 weeks. The prevalence of moderate or greater hearing loss (pure-tone average of 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz of > = 41dBHL in the better ear) was 16.3% (95% CI = 14.3, 18.5) and for any level of hearing loss (pure-tone average of > = 26dBHL in the better ear) the prevalence was 53.2% (95% CI = 49.2, 57.1). The majority of hearing loss was due to acquired sensorineural causes (91.7% left; 92.1% right). Overall 54.0% of the population aged 50+ (108,000 people) are in need of diagnostic audiology services, 3.4% were in need of wax removal (7000 people), and 4.8% were in need of surgical services (9500 people). Hearing aid coverage was 0.4%. CONCLUSION: The RAHL survey protocol is feasible, demonstrated through the number of people examined per day, and the high response rate. The survey was completed in a much shorter period than previous all-age surveys in China. Some remaining challenges included assignment of causes of probable sensorineural loss. The data obtained from this survey can be used to scale-up hearing services in Gao'an