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Care of the ear canal and mastoid.

Zinc sulfate has been used for therapy of granulations of the trachea and ear that have not responded to usual treatment. This paper will report on current indications for zinc sulfate and the resulting success in managing granulomata of the ear canal and mastoid bowl. Some mastoid bowls have been large and hard to clean, especially in the posterior and lateral parts. A method of cleaning using indirect otoscopy and curved aspirators in conjunction with adequate lubrication will be described. Treatment of otalgia in both the ear canal and mastoid bowl due to otitis externa sicca and results of proper lubrication and avoidance of patient instrumentation to restore the normal wax will also be discussed.

Cerumen↗

Aural pain resulting from acoustic reflex.

We present an unusual case of physical discomfort, as opposed to objective or subjective tinnitus, caused by a unilateral acoustic reflex. The cause of the discomfort was identified audiologically by the use of acoustic impedance audiometry. The dull pain that was elicited upon contraction and relaxation of the stapedius muscle was eliminated with sectioning of the stapedial tendon. No explanation of the mechanism for the pain is suggested at present.

Adult↗

Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as mastoiditis.

Wegener's granulomatosis is an uncommon autoimmune disease. It has a peak incidence in the fifth decade of life, with a slight male predominance. Nasal problems are the predominant presentation, with rare otological manifestations. We report 2 cases of Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as mastoiditis in 2 young female patients. We conclude that young patients presenting with mastoiditis unresponsive to conventional medical and surgical therapy should be investigated for Wegener's granulomatosis.

Adolescent↗

Otalgia and aversive symptoms in temporomandibular disorders.

The term Costen's syndrome has been used in the dentomedical literature to describe a constellation of craniofacial symptoms. Since some of the same complaints have been reported in patients with "generalized" psychological distress, symptoms associated with the syndrome may not be useful in differential diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders. The present study investigated whether some somatic complaints, particularly tinnitus and dizziness, were pathognomonic in patients with chronic temporomandibular pain. Illness behavior and personality factors were studied for possible interrelationships with these symptoms. Factor analysis revealed that tinnitus and dizziness loaded on separate factors. Tinnitus loaded with nasal stuffiness, tearing, and itching of the eyelids and nose, while dizziness loaded with complaints of altered taste and smell and blurred vision. Neither was consistently related to measures of pain or to indices of illness behavior or somatic focus.

Adult↗

Presentation of Wegener's granulomatosis in young patients.

We have reviewed 50 cases of Wegener's granulomatosis, seen at the New England Medical Center Hospital between 1970 and 1984, and were impressed that 10 (20%) of these patients were under 25 years of age, with ages ranging from 13 to 23 years. Closer examination of this younger group revealed striking differences in their presenting symptoms and organ involvement when compared to the older group of patients. The presentation of these young patients was varied, with no single predominant symptom. Patients presented with otalgia and otitis media or hearing loss, fulminant sinusitis, arthralgias, and even corneal ulcers. Only one patient had "typical" rhinitis and nasal congestion. This group also had a disproportionate number of patients with involvement of the oral cavity, skin, and trachea. Biopsy of these sites frequently demonstrated necrotizing vasculitis. Three of our 50 patients had intracranial involvement, leading to transient hemiplegia in the first, permanent hemiplegia in the second, and a seizure disorder in the third. Two of these patients were in the younger age group. The proportion of patients with limited and generalized Wegener's granulomatosis was the same in both the younger and older age groups. All the younger patients, however, had manifestations of the disease in the head and neck, while four of the older patients had no symptoms in the upper respiratory tract. The number of young patients in our study emphasizes the fact that Wegener's granulomatosis, indeed, occurs in the younger patient and with a greater frequency than previously supposed. This study suggests that in the teenager and young adult, with an unusual constellation of symptoms of the head and neck and accompanying systemic problems, a diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis should be seriously considered.

Adolescent↗

Middle ear adenoma and adenocarcinoma.

Adenomas and adenocarcinomas originating from the middle ear are few in number and have met with significant controversy in the literature. Our experience with 11 previously described patients is updated and five new cases are added. These tumors were seen in persons whose ages ranged from 7 to 77 years. The most common initial symptom was decreased hearing (11 cases), followed by otorrhea (4 cases), and otalgia (4 cases). At the time of diagnosis, facial nerve weakness was present in several patients (seven), and this was a poor prognostic sign. These glandular tumors engender controversy regarding histologic origin and the pathologic demarcation between adenoma and adenocarcinoma. In this review, we show that otorrhea, bone erosion, facial nerve involvement, and aggressive clinical behavior can be the result of lesions that appear microscopically benign. Furthermore, we present evidence of the similarity of these glandular lesions to paragangliomas and carcinoid tumors. Finally, pathologic data are presented to develop the previously unreported theory that the origin for this group of tumors is paraganglionic tissue.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Choking, sore throat with referred otalgia and dysphagia in a patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH).

A patient with a progressively increasing immobilisation of the cervical spine, severe impaired swallowing (choking), sore throat with referred right-sided otalgia, mild voice disorder and dysphagia due to extrinsic bone compression of the posterior hypopharyngeal wall and oesophagus is presented. Radiographic investigation demonstrated the underlying condition to be a diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis with prominent and bumpy alteration of the anterior longitudinal ligament impinging the hypopharynx. Via an anterolateral approach towards the cervical spine the anterior irregular part of the ossification was removed and the surface of the spine flattened. The postoperative evolution was uneventful.

Aged↗

Early diagnosis and stage-adapted treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis.

A case of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) presenting with hearing loss and right facial nerve palsy is reported. The definitive diagnosis was based upon clinical data and serum cANCA and AECA detection. Early assessment of WG prevented surgical facial nerve decompression to treat a chronic otitis media complication. Immunosuppressive therapy with steroids, cyclophosphamide and methotrexate was required for relief of clinical symptoms and cANCA negativity as an expression of disease remission. The effectiveness of co-trimoxazole for preventing relapses of WG is discussed.

Adult↗

Disaster avoided: otalgia warns of potential electrode extrusion.

Cochlear implantation is usually a safe procedure but, as in most surgical interventions, it can carry some risk of complications. These can be divided into major and minor that, in turn, in turn can present early or late. This case report highlights a potential late, major complication of cochlear implantation namely extrusion, which was averted by prompt intervention. The patient presented with a three months' history of otalgia some six years after successful implantation. The posterior half of the tympanic membrane was found to be retracted on the electrode, which appeared to be on the point of extruding through the drum. A tragal cartilage myringoplasty was performed to separate the electrode from the medial surface of the tympanic membrane. There was immediate and lasting relief of the otalgia, the electrode was well protected and performance with the device was unchanged. The authors recommend reinforcing an atrophic tympanic membrane at the time of the cochlear implantation by a cartilage graft to avoid this potentially serious complication. The case also highlights the need for regular otoscopy for all implanted patients.

Child↗

Morbidity in pediatric tonsillectomy.

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations performed in the pediatric age group. Previous literature on morbidity in tonsillectomy has dealt predominantly with postoperative hemorrhage. Children undergoing tonsillectomy were divided in a prospective and random fashion into eight study groups to evaluate postoperative morbidity as it relates to the surgical technique used (electrocautery, dissection, KTP laser), methods of hemostasis (electrocautery, suture ligature), and the use of postoperative antibiotics. A total of 80 children were evaluated. Using the parameters of morbidity as defined in this study, blunt dissection tonsillectomy using suture ligatures for hemostasis, without postoperative antibiotics was found to result in the least morbidity in the pediatric age group.

Adolescent↗

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: effect on middle ear and eustachian tube function.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) involves intermittent inhalation of 100% oxygen under a pressure greater than 1 atm. It is an important mode of adjuvant therapy for disease processes such as decompression sickness, osteomyelitis, carbon monoxide poisoning, and poorly healing wounds. Patients undergoing this therapy often complain of ear pain and/or fullness which can be transient or long standing. This prospective study objectively measured the changes in eustachian tube function before and after HBO treatment in 33 adult patients by the 9-step inflation-deflation test described by Bluestone. The results show 15 of the 33 patients (45%) had evidence of eustachian tube dysfunction after treatment was initiated. Of these, 15 (100%) developed the sensation of fullness, 13 (87%) developed serous otitis media, and 7 (47%) required tympanostomy tubes. The overall incidence of middle ear problems was 27 patients (82%) experiencing a sensation of fullness, 17 (52%) developing serous otitis media, and 8 (24%) requiring tympanostomy tubes. The middle ear complications reported in this study are much higher than those in previous reports in the literature. Twelve of 33 patients presented with a subjective history of eustachian tube dysfunction, and all 12 (100%) developed fullness in their ears and serous otitis media during the course of the treatment. The findings reveal that patients manifesting eustachian tube dysfunction after their first HBO treatment were at significantly greater risk toward developing symptoms of fullness and serous otitis media, often requiring tympanostomy tube placement. In addition, a history of eustachian tube dysfunction accurately predicted the development of fullness and serous otitis media.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

Sucralfate in alleviating post-tonsillectomy pain.

Tonsillectomy results in severe throat pain, ear pain, and trismus until the exposed and inflamed muscle becomes covered with regenerated mucosa. Sucralfate binds with the fibrinous exudate of duodenal ulcers, forming a protective barrier that promotes healing. If a similar buffer could be created in the tonsillar bed, morbidity may be diminished. A double-blind, randomized study was completed in 34 adult patients to determine whether sucralfate, given four times daily for 10 days as a swish and swallow, would significantly reduce postoperative pain and promote healing and recovery. Sucralfate significantly lowered postoperative throat pain, otalgia, and trismus. Sucralfate is a safe and well-tolerated topical agent that offers significant pain reduction and may promote healing in tonsillectomy patients.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of artificial airway on ear complications from hyperbaric oxygen.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is associated with an increased risk of barotrauma to the tympanic membrane and middle ear. An artificial airway may compromise normal eustachian tube function and equilibration of middle ear pressures. This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the risk of middle ear complications in 267 patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy and to compare those with and without artificial airways. Charts of all patients were reviewed for middle ear and tympanic membrane complications and myringotomy tube placement. Eighteen of the 267 patients had artificial airways. Seventeen (94%) of these 18 patients developed middle ear or tympanic membrane complications, and 11 (61%) required tympanostomy tubes for pain, hemotympanum, or serous otitis. In contrast, 114 (45.8%) of the 249 patients without airways developed ear complications, and 53 (21.3%) required tympanostomy tubes. These results suggest that patients with an artificial airway who are receiving HBO therapy are at greater risk for developing tympanic membrane and middle ear complications than nonintubated patients. Similarly, patients with artificial airways receiving HBO frequently require placement of tympanostomy tubes.

Barotrauma↗

Does pacifier use cause ear infections in young children?

The aim of this review was to identify whether, in children under 2 years of age, pacifier (dummy) use results in an increased risk of ear infection (acute otitis media). The Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL and Embase databases were searched for cohort studies and randomised controlled trials that compared infants who used pacifiers with those who didn't or examined the effect of reducing pacifier use in a group of infants. One cluster randomised trial and two cohort studies met the review criteria and were available to be included in the body of the review. These studies show a clear increase in risk of ear infection to be associated with use of a pacifier that may well be causal. The risk of ear infections is up to three times higher in those who use a pacifier and there does appear to be a 'dose response' with continual users more at risk than occasional users. However, this relationship may be confounded by socio-demographic factors. Rather than advising a parent not to use a pacifier for fear of causing otitis media, advice in relation to this issue might best be restricted to pacifier users suffering from the problem in order to reduce the chances of recurrence.

Acute Disease↗

Diagnosis of acromegaly in orofacial pain: two case reports.

Acromegaly is an uncommon condition, with an annual incidence in the UK of three per million. The gradual onset of the clinical features mean that often friends and relatives are unaware of the underlying pathology. In view of the morbidity, and indeed mortality, arising from undiagnosed cases, general dental practitioners and other healthcare workers should routinely take note of systemic as well as intra-oral changes occurring in their patients when seen on review. The association of paraesthesia, anaesthesia and pain with acromegaly is well documented. However, there appear to be few reports linking acromegaly with orofacial pain or dysaesthesia. This paper describes two such cases.

Acromegaly↗

Middle ear problems after a Gow-Gates injection.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the potential adverse reactions to mandibular block anesthesia is important in the practice of dentistry. This article presents a complication in the middle ear not previously reported. CASE DESCRIPTION: Unusual middle ear symptoms immediately followed the administration of 1.8 milliliters of 3 percent mepivacaine for a Gow-Gates mandibular block injection. Over the course of 10 days, the patient had complaints of inner ear pressure, inability to equilibrate ear pressure, decreased hearing, pain and severe headache before returning to normal without further complaints and complications. CONCLUSIONS: The cause of the complications was either a hematoma, a technique problem causing trauma and inflammation, an anatomical variation or any combination of these. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Proper technique, knowledge of the anatomy of the injection area and familiarity with potential complications are important in the administration of local anesthetic.

Adult↗

Are female patients with orofacial pain medically compromised?

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain has been linked to various medical conditions. The authors assessed whether certain medical conditions are more prevalent in female patients with orofacial pain than in age-matched controls. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 87 female adult subjects from a university-based orofacial pain center (OPC) and 87 age-matched female subjects from a university-based undergraduate dental clinic (UDC). Subjects were evaluated between February 2003 and July 2003, and they completed a standardized, 78-question medical history questionnaire as part of routine clinical protocol. Using the subjects' medical histories, the authors compared 11 major medical categories and 77 individual conditions for both groups. For statistical analyses, the authors used nonparametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z tests and chi2 tests and calculated odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: The medical histories of subjects in the OPC group indicated a significantly greater number of medical conditions than did those of the subjects in the UDC group (Z = -4.411, P < .0001). Specifically, subjects in the OPC group reported having significantly more neurological (Z = -5.304, P < .0001), gastrointestinal (Z = -2.897, P = .004), pulmonary (Z = -2.298, P = .022), dermatologic (Z = -2.984, P = .003) and other conditions (Z = -2.885, P = .004) than did subjects in the UDC group. Subjects in the OPC group reported having 12 individual medical conditions significantly more often (P < .05, ORs ranged from 2.5 to 9.7) than did subjects in the UDC group. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients with orofacial pain complaints appear to have more systemic problems than do female patients seeking routine dental care. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The presence of multiple medical conditions can influence orofacial pain management options and treatment outcomes. Patients with more medically complicated orofacial pain may require treatment on a multidisciplinary basis.

Adolescent↗

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled noninferiority trial of amoxicillin for clinically diagnosed acute otitis media in children 6 months to 5 years of age.

OBJECTIVES: Debate continues with respect to a "watch and wait" approach versus immediate antibiotic treatment for the initial treatment of acute otitis media. In this double-blind noninferiority trial, we compared clinical improvement rates at 14 days for children (6 months to 5 years of age) with acute otitis media who were randomly assigned to receive amoxicillin or placebo. METHODS: We enrolled healthy children who presented to clinics or the emergency department with a new episode of acute otitis media during the fall and winter months in Ottawa (from December 1999 to the end of March 2002). The children were randomly assigned to receive amoxicillin (60 mg/kg daily) or placebo for 10 days. Telephone follow-up was performed on each of days 1, 2 and 3 and once between day 10 and day 14. The primary outcome was clinical resolution of symptoms, defined as absence of receipt of an antimicrobial (other than the amoxicillin in the treatment group) at any time during the 14-day period. Secondary outcomes were the presence of pain and fever and the activity level in the first 3 days, recurrence rates, and the presence of middle ear effusion at 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: According to clinical scoring, 415 of the 512 children who could be evaluated had moderate disease. At 14 days 84.2% of the children receiving placebo and 92.8% of those receiving amoxicillin had clinical resolution of symptoms (absolute difference -8.6%, 95% confidence interval -14.4% to -3.0%). Children who received placebo had more pain and fever in the first 2 days. There were no statistical differences in adverse events between the 2 groups, nor were there any significant differences in recurrence rates or middle ear effusion at 1 and 3 months. INTERPRETATION: Our results did not support the hypothesis that placebo was noninferior to amoxicillin (i.e., that the 14-day cure rates among children with clinically diagnosed acute otitis media would not be substantially worse in the placebo group than the treatment group). Nevertheless, delaying treatment was associated with resolution of clinical signs and symptoms in most of the children.

Acute Disease↗