Rise in the number of smartphone users have led to an increased development of smartphone applications. Advent of technology and increased awareness has led to an increased use of healthcare apps by both the physicians and patients. This study aims to provide an up to date review on applications related to Otolaryngology, head and neck surgery (Oto-HNS). The smartphone applications were reviewed in May 2020 in Google play store and apple app store using relevant search words. We included apps relevant for physicians, students as well as patients. Apps providing alternative therapies and home remedies were excluded. A total of 619 apps were included with 352 apps from play store and 267 apps from apple store. Number of apps have remarkably increased in the last 2 years till May 2020, 63 apps were developed and last year 141 Oto-HNS apps were developed. Maximum number of apps were available in hearing aid category with 144 (23.2%) mobile hearing aids and 138 (22.2%) hearing aid control apps. 445 apps were available free of cost. Use of smartphone apps have increased dramatically in the last few years. However, their authenticity is still uncertain. Actual involvement of Otolaryngologist in app development is still rare. We recommend formation of scientific committees to regulate the apps development, to access apps quality and effectiveness before incorporated in clinical practice, medical education and patients use.

BACKGROUND Chronic suppurative otitis media has been traditionally defined as a chronic inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid, usually associated with perforation of the tympanic membrane and otorrhoea. Understanding the pathology and pathogenesis of chronic suppurative otitis media is important in predicting the management, prognosis and sequelae of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted to evaluate the clinical, intraoperative and histopathological changes in the middle ear cleft. 50 patients diagnosed with CSOM, who underwent surgery were taken. The mucosa and granulation tissue were removed along with ossicles wherever indicated and sent for histopathological examination. RESULTS Incidence of CSOM is highest in 3 rd decade of age with more prevalence in lower socioeconomic group. Females were involved more than males. Unilateral involvement was seen in 64% cases. Otorrhoea and diminished hearing was a constant feature among all cases followed by earache (26%), itching (22%), tinnitus (16%), vertigo (10%) and mass in the ear (6%). On otoscopic examination perforation was seen in 42 cases (84%), while retraction pockets were seen in 8 cases (16%), 7 cases had plastered TM (14%), tympanosclerosis was also found in 6 cases (12%), granulations in 2 cases (4%) and polyp was found in 3 cases (6%). On pure tone audiometry testing, 44 patients (88%) had conductive hearing loss and 6 patients (12%) had mixed hearing loss. CONCLUSION Main conclusion drawn from this study is that on clinical examination 38 cases were found to be of tubotympanic type and 12 cases of atticoantral variety. However, intraoperatively, of the tubotympanic cases, 4 were found to be of unsafe type, which was also proven histologically.

Button batteries usage in electrical devices like toys, watches, calculators etc has significantly increased in recent times and due to their easy availability and small size, these batteries can be very easily inserted by small children in the nose. A nasal button battery is an otorhinolaryngological emergency as it can lead to severe damage, necrosis, and perforation of the nasal septum, intranasal synechiae , and nasal deformity [1]. Button batteries should ideally be removed in a controlled setting under general anesthesia if they cannot be removed in the outpatient department. We hereby report this case to advocate that button battery in the nasal cavity is a serious condition and can lead to grave complications like nasal synechiae, granulations , septal perforation further causing saddle nose deformity.