Background: Epistaxis, though a mere nuisance can have life-threatening consequences. This first study from Jos on epistaxis aims to determine its sociodemographic characteristics, causes, the treatment modalities and the predictors of patient outcome. Study Design: A retrospective chart review. Methods: Health records of patients that met the inclusion criteria for epistaxis at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria, between February 2011 and December 2015 were retrieved manually using standardized codes in the International Classification of Diseases 10 th revision and studied for age, gender, associated comorbidities, treatment modalities offered, and outcome of treatment. Results: We managed 154 patients. Records of 92 patients were retrievable aged between 1 and 85 years (Mean = 37.7; standard deviation ± 16.2) with male to female ratio of 2.3:1. Patients in the third decade were the largest group. The most common cause was idiopathic. Anterior nasal bleeding occurred in 51.1%, posterior nasal bleeding in 34.8%. Conservative management was effective in 84.8%. Etiological factors other than chronic liver disease and otolaryngological malignancies showed statistically significant association with good patient outcomes ( P = 0.013, P = 0.044, and P = 0.026, respectively). A mortality rate of 5.4% was recorded. Conclusion: Epistaxis of idiopathic origin occurring mostly in young males is the most common with most resolving on conservative management. Early hospital presentation, normal blood pressure at presentation and all management modalities were positive predictors of outcome in our patients.

No abstract

Introduction:This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology, treatment, and factors that determine the outcomes of head and neck cancers (HNC).Patients and Methods:Retrospective analytical review of HNC managed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital between May 2007 and April 2017 using the International Classification of Diseases version 10.Results:Of 487 head and neck neoplasms, 129 (26.5%) were malignant and 122 health records met the criteria for analysis consisting of 83 (68.0%) males and 39 (32.0%) females aged 13 years to 85 years (mean = 51 years; standard deviation = ±16.0 years). The most common presenting feature was nasal obstruction (n = 47; 38.5%). The most common tumor site was the nasopharynx (n = 34; 27.9%). Mean duration of symptoms was 13.3 months. Alcohol (P = 0.02), cigarette smoking (P = 0.01), and cooking wood smoke (P = 0.01) were associated with advanced tumor stage. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type. Posttreatment complication rate was 47.5%. Lost to follow-up rate was 55.7%. The lungs were the most common distant metastatic site. The case fatality rate was 18.0%.Conclusion:HNC constitutes almost a quarter of head and neck tumors affecting twice the number of males in their sixth decade with nasopharyngeal cancers being the most common in both genders. Several modifiable variables are noted to target appropriate future cancer education for lifestyle modification, screening for early detection and treatment.

Background:Studies from Nigeria on pediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) emergencies are rare in literature with most focusing on emergencies involving individual systems.Objective:The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of all ORL emergencies among children in our region to provide a baseline data for future health planning.Patients and Methods:This is a 1-year retrospective cross-sectional study of patients aged 16 years and below presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.Results:A total of 203 otolaryngology emergencies were attended of which 129 (63.5%) were pediatric emergencies. Records of 87 patients were retrievable with age range 2 months to 15 years (mean 3.44 years; standard deviation ± 3.35). There were 55 males and 32 females with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. The majority of cases were aged under 5 years (64; 73.6%). Acute tonsillitis accounted for 32 (36.7%) cases with 6 (6.9%) having peritonsillar abscesses. Acute pharyngitis accounted for 11 (12.6%) presentations followed closely by foreign bodies (FBs) in the ear with 10 (11.5%) presentations. FB in the throat occurred in 4 (4.6%) patients who had removal under general anesthesia. Three (3.4%) cases of maxillofacial injuries occurred as a result of insurgent terror attacks and 3.4% presented following corrosive substance ingestion. Conservative management was commenced in 76 (87.4%) patients, 23 (26.4%) had surgery with 68 (78.2%) admitted and discharged, 18 (20.7%) treated as outpatients, and 1 (1.1%) died on admission. Otolaryngologists attended most (95.4%) patients.Conclusion:Pediatric ORL emergencies are common in our region involving a wide range of pathologies. Expansion is required in the ORL training of the emergency room physician to enhance emergency services.

Background:The risk factors for head and neck cancers (HNC) vary in different parts of the world.Objectives:To identify the risk factors for HNC and the correlation between these factors and the involved anatomical sites.Methods:We retrieved and analyzed health records of patients that met the inclusion criteria for HNC managed at our facility in a 10-year period using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) version 10.Results:We studied 122 patients with a male to female ratio of 2.1:1 aged 13 years to 85 years (mean = 51 years). Alcohol (P = .02), cigarette smoking (P = .01), and cooking wood smoke (P = .01) were associated with advanced tumor stage.Conclusions:The strongest risk factors for HNC are alcohol, tobacco, HIV, agricultural chemicals, and cooking wood fumes in both sexes in their sixth and seventh decades.