The current standard of care for surgical management of Otosclerosis is small fenestra stapedotomy, which can be done by CO Laser assisted as well as conventional techniques. Vertigo is the commonest complication after stapes surgery. The use of CO Laser has been rising recently owing to its no touch principle, high precision and possibly lower risk of vertigo post operatively. To compare the post-operative vestibular deficit in patients of Otosclerosis having undergone small fenestra stapedotomy by conventional versus CO Laser assisted technique. 80 clinically diagnosed Otosclerosis patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. They underwent small fenestra stapedotomy by either conventional or CO Laser assisted technique. Vestibular function was assessed objectively by measuring sway velocity using modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance by static posturography. Subjective measurement of balance was done using Vestibular balance subscore of Vertigo Symptom Score (VSS-sf-V). The outcome measures were compared pre-operatively and at first and fourth week post-operatively. All patients had vestibular deficit 1 week post-operatively in the form of increased sway velocity and symptom scores, which reduced by 4 weeks after Stapedotomy. The vestibular deficit in the two groups was similar at 1 week after surgery. 4 weeks after surgery, the sway velocity in conventional group was significantly greater than Laser group though there was no significant difference in the symptom scores. The use of CO Laser for Stapedotomy results in lesser post-operative vestibular deficit as compared to conventional method.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Diabetes is prevalent endocrine disorder associated with many complications. However, the link between auditory dysfunctions and diabetes is still vague.  The current study aims to correlate auditory dysfunction caused by DM, measured by distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) &amp; brainstem evoked otoacoustic emissions (BERA). </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">This is a descriptive (comparative) study in which auditory functions of 100 diabetics and 100 matched non-diabetics were assessed by distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) &amp; brainstem evoked otoacoustic emissions (BERA). The data for diabetic and non- diabetic group was compared and analysed. Effects of age of individual on auditory functions were also analysed separately using suitable statistical tests.<strong> </strong>The data collected was analysed with suitable statistical tests were performed with </span><span lang="EN-GB">a significance level of ɑ=0.1 </span><span lang="EN-IN">using SPSS 2.0 software.  </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">The demographical variable was comparable in both the groups. The results showed decline in free field hearing, which are further adversely affected by duration of diabetes and patient’s age. The pure tone thresholds were not significantly higher in diabetics; however the thresholds were significantly higher in diabetics in older age groups. The hearing loss appear at early age in diabetics but gradually become indistinguishable from age related hearing loss. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Although the auditory dysfunction can be linked to diabetes, but are usually not detectable at earliest stages with routine clinical and audiological tests. The DPOAE and BERA have role to play in monitoring of the auditory dysfunction.</span></p>

Parotid mass causing facial nerve palsy is rare, and is associated with malignant tumours. Acute infection or abscess leading to facial nerve palsy is an extremely rare complication. A literature review revealed only 16 cases of facial nerve palsy associated with suppurative parotitis or parotid abscess. We present a case of deep parotid abscess which is complicated by facial nerve dysfunction.

BACKGROUNDSpasmodic dysphonia is a neurological disorder, which can give the voice a strained quality. There is currently no cure for spasmodic dysphonia. The most common treatment for spasmodic dysphonia is the injection of botulinum toxin.

BACKGROUNDA large number of Indian population stays in the desert area. The nature of nasal problems faced by them is mainly in the form of obstructive nasal symptoms, sicca syndrome, recurrent epistaxis and allergic features. The aim was to study the changes in nasal mucosa in individuals exposed to the extreme hot and dry weather conditions in the Desert Sector. It was felt that the personnel of the Paramilitary and Military Forces not exposed to these conditions were the ideal subjects to study such effects of the hot and dry weather conditions.