No abstract

A retrospective study for myringoplasty operations at ENT department, Alain hospital, Alain city-UAE for the last 5 years (2004-2009) done. Total 64 patients with central tympanic membrane perforation were operated by one surgeon using Temporalis fascia graft for repair and using underlay technique. In 56 cases (87%) graft were taken completely while in 8 (13%) cases graft, were partially taken and patients had smaller residual perforation. 39 ears (60%) had normal hearing or improved hearing up to 15 dB air-bone gape. The average time for follow up was 37 months (2-72 months).

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adenoid is a prevalent condition among children. Adenoidectomy has been done based on clinical symptoms. The purpose of this study is to determine the agreement between clinical features of adenoid enlargement, X-ray and adenoid size.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Hundred symptomatic children were enrolled into this study at ENT. Department of Al-Bin Sina teaching hospital in Mosul city of Iraq. History was taken, clinical examination for adenoid enlargement and skull X-ray (lateral view) were performed for all children with assessment of adenoid size 1 day before operation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The respondent composed of 5% male children and 46% females with average age of 6 years. Adenoid facies were the most frequent presentation followed by snoring then nasal obstruction. Around 64% had positive otoscopic findings and another 58% had hearing impairment and only 22% had ear discharge. All of the clinical findings showed (100%) sensitivity and specificity vary from (64%) to (90%). The accuracy rate for clinical   features ranged from 92% to 98%. X-ray findings show a low accuracy rate (92%) in comparison to others.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clinical findings could be used to select children for adenoidectomy, especially when endoscopic examination is not available or cannot be performed.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

An ear infection (EI) is one of the most common pediatric illnesses. This study aimed to assess parental knowledge, care-seeking practices, and factors associated with them. A cross-sectional study involved a sample of parents attending hospitals in three selected cities in Iraq. Data were collected with a questionnaire composed of three parts: i) Sociodemographic characteristics, ii) Questions related to knowledge of symptoms, risk factors, and complications of an EI, and iii) Questions related to care-seeking practices. The mean age of respondents was 34.99 (±9.85) years. Females made up 58.90% of the sample. More than half reported holding tertiary education. Most participants showed satisfactory knowledge of EI symptoms (88.10%) and proper practices of seeking medical attention from a doctor or other medic (95.80%). Respondents with tertiary education had higher odds of having satisfactory knowledge (OR 4.63, 95% CI 1.18-18.19) and proper care-seeking practices (OR 14.96, 95% CI 1.12-28.80) than those with primary education and below. Current smokers had higher odds of having unsatisfactory knowledge (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.70) than non-smokers. In conclusion, respondents had sufficient knowledge and care-seeking practices. Educational level was associated with adequate knowledge and care-seeking practices, and former smoking status was associated with unsatisfactory knowledge.