Fibroblast growth factor-2 with or without biological material patching promotes regeneration in cases of acute and chronic tympanic membrane perforation, and is safe and efficient. However, the best dosage, application time and administration pathway of fibroblast growth factor-2 are still to be elucidated.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyse the common presentations and treatment outcomes in cases involving nasal foreign bodies.MethodsA retrospective study was carried out over three years, from January 2014 to December 2017. Patient biodata, clinical presentation, nasal foreign body type and management outcome data were obtained from the medical records and analysed.ResultsA total of 341 cases were analysed. The average patient age was 3.7 ± 1.2 years (range, 1–19 years).Of the nine cases involving button batteries, septal perforation was initially seen in four cases and three cases had subsequent septal perforation.ConclusionOnly button battery nasal foreign bodies were associated with increased septal perforation. Use of physiological seawater nasal spray was found to reduce the likelihood of septal perforation. Most nasal foreign bodies could be removed under local anaesthesia.

ObjectiveTo discuss the reasons for misdiagnosis of supernumerary nasal teeth.MethodsClinical data of four supernumerary nasal tooth patients were analysed retrospectively at visits to our otolaryngology department between 2005 and 2018.ResultsAll four patients were male and had a supernumerary nasal tooth in the right nasal cavity. Three of the four patients had previously been misdiagnosed. All the supernumerary nasal teeth were surrounded by granulation tissue or hypertrophic nasal mucosa, and were subsequently confirmed by computed tomography and endoscopy. The granulation tissue or hypertrophic nasal mucosa was removed using microwave ablation, and the supernumerary nasal teeth successfully removed by endoscopy.ConclusionSupernumerary nasal teeth are rare, and are usually misdiagnosed because such teeth are surrounded by hypertrophic nasal mucosa or granulation tissue. They can be confirmed by computed tomography and endoscopy.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the healing and hearing outcomes related to the everted or inverted edge area on slap- and fist-induced large tympanic membrane perforations.MethodsA total of 120 patients with slap- or fist-induced tympanic membrane perforations, with inverted or everted edges, affecting 50–75 per cent of the entire tympanic membrane, were randomly divided into 2 groups: an edge approximation group and a spontaneous healing group. The edge approximation group was divided into subgroups A and B based on the reversed edge area (reversed edge was more or less than 50 per cent of the total perforation, respectively). Healing outcomes and hearing improvements at six months were compared.ResultsThe data of 118 patients were analysed. The closure rate of perforations in subgroup A, subgroup B, and the spontaneous healing group was 90.9 per cent, 92.1 per cent and 84.5 per cent, respectively; the difference between the three groups was not significant (p = 0.393).ConclusionThe area of reversed edges for slap- or fist-induced tympanic membrane perforations did not seem to affect healing and hearing outcomes, regardless of edge approximation and everted or inverted edges.

ObjectiveTo determine the frequency distribution of bleeding sites in idiopathic hidden arterial epistaxis.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, 107 patients with hidden arterial epistaxis were endoscopically examined for sites of bleeding.ResultsAll sites of hidden arterial epistaxis were identified by endoscopic examination. Bleeding sites were identified at initial surgery in 103 patients and during the second surgery in 4. The bleeding sites included: the olfactory cleft region in 47 patients, the inferior meatus region in 29, the middle meatus region in 11, multiple bleeding sites (olfactory cleft and anterior septum) in 3, the anterior roof of the nasal cavity in 4, the nasal floor in 11 and the nasopharynx in 2. The bleeding points showed a white or red volcano-like bump in 75 patients, isolated prominent telangiectasia in 21 and mucosal ulceration in 11.ConclusionCommon sites of hidden arterial epistaxis include the olfactory cleft, inferior meatus and middle meatus. However, there should be awareness of some uncommon bleeding sites (including the anterior roof of the nasal cavity, the nasal floor and the nasopharynx) and of multiple bleeding sites.