COVID 19 pandemic is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case was identified in December 2019, in Wuhan, China. It is an infectious disease and has led to the ongoing global pandemic. This pandemic has also started in Assam, with its first case reported on 31 March, 2020. A prospective study was conducted on 2000 laboratory confirmed coronavirus cases. Proper history were taken and clinical examinations were performed. They were also advised to do the necessary blood investigations, electrocardiogram and chest X- rays. Olfactory functions were assessed using substances like scented soap, mint toothpaste, vicks vaporub, etc. Gustatory functions were also assessed. In our study, we found that 83% (1650) patients presented with otorhinolaryngological or ENT (Ear, nose, throat) manifestations and 17% (350) did not have any otorhinolaryngological manifestations. The most common ENT symptoms with which the patients presented were sore throat (80%) and headache (76%). The other ENT symptoms were hyposmia (44%), dysgeusia (32%) and nasal congestion (28%). The most common non-ENT symptoms were fever (92%) and cough (85%). The other non-ENT symptoms with which the patient presented were malaise, generalized bodyache and abdominal symptoms (like diarrhea). This prospective study gives a view of the incidence of otorhinolaryngological manifestations in COVID 19 patients. But, no significant co-relation was seen between presence of ENT symptoms and the severity of the disease. However, further studies are required to know the pathogenesis of causing ENT symptoms properly and also for definitive treatment of these symptoms.
Aims-To study the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on patient load in a tertiary care centre and the innovations and methods used to improve the safety of the healthcare workers, to provide adequate treatment in the department of Otorhinolaryngology.Materials and methods-This study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, at a tertiary care hospital centre in North-East India. This study included data collected from the patient registers maintained in our department, and included data over a 4-month period, from April, 2020 to July, 2020. Age, gender, place of residence, clinical diagnosis and the operative procedure performed were included in the data profile for analysis. The above-mentioned registers were also reviewed to retrieve details about the rate of admission during the study period in the previous year. Data was collected and represented, in both descriptive and tabular forms, after proper statistical analysis.Results-We found out that there is a drastic reduction in number of patients attending in our department of Otorhinolaryngology during this COVID-19 pandemic. Certain innovative methods for protecting healthcare workers from viral transmission were put into our practice based on the peer reviewed articles, from June,2020 and the rate of elective procedures and in-patient admissions were thus increased.Conclusion- Knowledge of new innovative methods in Otorhinolaryngology will help overcome the difficulties faced during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Membranous tonsillitis is the infection of the palatine tonsils where the exudation from the crypts coalesce to form a membrane over the tonsillar surface. It is a stage ahead of the acute follicular tonsillitis. There are different etiologies for membrane formation over the tonsils. The commonest cause in the present scenario is still Corynebacterium diphtheriae. A one year prospective study was conducted on patients presenting with membranous tonsillitis in a tertiary referral centre in North-East India. Proper history was taken, clinical examination and all the necessary investigations were done. The patients were managed conservatively, while a few patients required tracheostomy. In our one year study, we found that majority of the patients presenting with acute membranous tonsillitis were males (65%) and 35% were females. Most of the cases were seen in 6-12 years of age and belonged to the lower socioeconomic group, and also to the lower Assam belt. Most of the cases were seen in the months of November to January. This prospective study gives a view of the different etiologies of acute membranous tonsillitis, its presentation and how its management affects the outcome of the patients and also affects the mortality and morbidity. This study also shows that diphtheria is still prevalent in the current Indian scenario and thus, proper implementation of the vaccination programs and prompt reporting of the cases should be done to prevent outbreaks.
<p><strong>Background:</strong> The objective of the study was to investigate cases of foreign bodies in the aero-digestive tract among the paediatric population.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This study was carried out under the aegis of the department of otorhinolaryngology over a one-year period, from April 2019 to March 2020. A total of 82 paediatric patients presented to the emergency department with aero-digestive foreign body, where opinion of the otorhinolaryngologist was sought. All the patients were initially stabilised and assessed clinically. Detailed history was obtained, thorough clinical evaluation done and necessary investigations including radiological tests were performed. After ascertaining the nature and location of the foreign body, prompt removal of the same was done in all the patients under general anaesthesia.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 82 children presented to the emergency with history of inhalation/ingestion of foreign body or suspicion of such, and requiring otorhinolaryngological intervention. There were 55 boys and 27 girls, with 74 cases of ingestion and 8 cases of aspiration of foreign body. The most common foreign body ingested was coin and the most common foreign body aspirated was small button battery.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Foreign bodies in the aero-digestive tract are a common problem encountered by the otorhinolaryngologist in the emergency setup. It constitutes a health hazard in all age groups, but more so among the paediatric population, requiring effective management and immediate intervention. Careful clinical and radiological evaluation followed by prompt removal of the aero-digestive foreign body is essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality. Prevention and public education are the most vital and ideal management for this serious problem.</p>
<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The otorhinolaryngological developmental anomalies are predisposed by a number of factors like genetic factors, intrauterine infection and maternal nutritional deficiencies. The otorhinolaryngological anomalies may be associated with other systemic maldevelopments.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 134 cases of congenital otorhinolaryngological childhood anomalies, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, who presented to the out-patient department were examined for a period of one year from January 2019, and were included in the study. They were thoroughly evaluated by undertaking a detailed history and clinical examination. Whenever required, additional investigations were performed. After carrying out the necessary investigations, the cases were either managed surgically or conservatively. Data was evaluated using proper statistical tools. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Out of the 134 cases, 64.9% were male and 35.1% were female. In our study, 116 cases presented in the first decade of life and 18 cases presented in the second decade of life, up to 18 years of age. The most common childhood congenital anomaly was congenital deafness, which accounted for 44% of all cases.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Encountering cases of congenital anomalies in childhood is quite common during practice of otorhinolaryngology. Parents of the suspected children should be counselled properly to investigate other systemic anomalies. Medical and surgical management of the condition should be undertaken hand in hand with adequate counselling.</p>
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.