A Retrograde Study of Myiasis in a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Myiasis in head and neck region is a rare occurrence and is usually found in tropical countries like India. Poor hygiene, unsanitary living conditions, mental retardation, neglected wounds, diabetes mellitus and old age along with a warm and humid climate lay down a conducive environment for the larva of dipterous fly to infest humans. Maggots due to their tissue destructive properties can affect many regions in otolaryngorhinology like nasal cavity, ears, oral cavity, tracheostomy site ostoma, PNS, the skin and ulcerative lesions of head and neck. The burden of the disease lies in the fact that the complications range from minor tissue destruction, perforation of either the tympanic membrane, palate or septum, vertigo, angioedema to severe neurological manifestations, intracranial extension or rarely even death. Objective: To assess the commonly affected age group and gender infested by myiasis, it’s seasonal trend, socioeconomic status of the affected patients and the relationship of myiasis infestation with various predisposing factors. Methodology: Retrograde study was conducted on 95 patients of department of otorhinolaryngology. The study was done from January 2015 to October 2018 by collecting data of 3 years 10 months time interval and results tabulated. Ethical clearance was sort and patients consent obtained. Result: The most commonly affected age group was found to be elderly, in the 7th decade of life (56.84%). Females were more commonly affected than males consisting of 55 out of 95 cases (57.89%), with a male female ratio of 1:1.4. Majority of cases presented in the months of October-January, with a peak in November (32/95). Nasal myiasis was found to be more common (69 cases) in comparison to aural and oral cavity myiasis. The most common predisposing factor was found to be Atrophic Rhinitis in 66.7% cases. Conclusion : With awareness and improved personal hygiene a devastating disease like myiasis is easily preventable and curable.