Emergenci es are common in our Otorhinolaringology specialty. However, the clinical and epidemiological features are not very well known. Objectives:To evaluate the clinical and epidemiological profiles of otorhinolaryngological disorders in an emergency unit of a tertiary hospital, and to determine the appropriateness of the level of health care for a tertiary hospital. Materials and methods:An analytical study using data records of an otorhinolaryngological emergency unit at a tertiary hospital in the Federal District for a year, full time, and no screening. The age, sex, arrival time and clinical diagnosis were evaluated. The entities were separated into cases of pharingolaryngoesthomatology, otology, rhinology, and head and neck surgery. These were evaluated according to the urgency level, the required care, and the arrival time.Results: 26,584 data records were selected, of which 2,001 were excluded. The group comprised 54.48% women, and 45.51% men. Otological complaints (62.27%) prevailed. 61.26% of cases were considered emergencies. Only 9.7% of those required medium or high complex resources for resolution. Conclusion:The study showed that 61.26% of the otorhinolaryngological cases are emergencies, and only 9.7% required medium or high complexity resources. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;77(4):426-31. ORIGINAL ARTICLE BJORL

Ot orhinolaryngology residents' quality of life must be investigated during medical residency.Work-related factors impacting their lives, such as depression, sleep deprivation and excessive work load may impact the well-being of these individuals.Objective: To assess and discuss the quality of life of Otorhinolaryngology Resident Physicians in Distrito Federal (Reuni-ORL). Materials and Methods:Cross-sectional study, the quality of life of each individual was assessed by means of a questionnaire specifically designed for this purpose -Whoqol-bref, proposed by the WHO.Results: Males had better psychological scores when compared to females (p= 0.013). Mean scores comparison among the years in residency were statistically significant only in the psychological domain when comparing the first and second years (p=0.046), in which 2nd-year residents had the higher scores. Conclusion:Despite constant changes to the ENT program (Reuni-ORL) in the Distrito Federal, aiming at improving work and training conditions for residents, there still is a psychological burden in their first year of residency. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;77(4):466-72. ORIGINAL ARTICLE

No abstract

Knowl edge on the anatomy of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) and its branches is fundamental for the success of the endoscopic treatment of posterior epistaxis. However, the complex anatomical variations seen in the irrigation of the nasal cavity poses a significant surgical challenge.Objective: This paper aims to describe the endoscopic anatomy of the SPA in human cadavers. Materials and Methods:This is a contemporary cross-sectional cohort study carried out between April 2010 and August 2011. The presence of the ethmoidal crest on the lamina perpendicular to the palatine bone and the location of the principal sphenopalatine foramen (PSF) and the accessory sphenopalatine foramen (ASF) were analyzed in 28 cadavers, and the branches emerging from the foramens were counted.Results: Fifty-six nasal fossae were analyzed. The ethmoidal crest was present in 96% of the cases and was located anteriorly to the PSF in most cases. The PSF was located in the transition area between the middle and the superior meatus in all cases. The ASF was seen in 12 cases. Most nasal fossae (n = 12) presented a single bilateral arterial trunk emerging from the PSF. In other cases, three (n = 8) or two (n = 5) arterial trunks emerged bilaterally from the PSF. In most cases, the SPA emerged as a single trunk from the ASP. Conclusions:The anatomy of the SPA is highly variable. The success of the treatment for severe epistaxis relies heavily on adequate knowledge of the possible anatomical variations of the sphenopalatine artery.