<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aim of the study was to discern the patterns in microbial diversity and the resistogram among the patients suffering from CSOM.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total number of 100 ear swabs were investigated for the present study. Their gram staining, direct microscopy with KOH, culture sensitivity, and biochemical tests were carried out to identify the organisms and to know their sensitivity pattern. All the swabs were collected from clinically diagnosed cases of chronic suppurative otitis media visiting otolaryngology outpatient department of tertiary care hospital. The study period was one year, from January 2016 to December 2017.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Out of total 100 cases, 90 were culture<strong> </strong>positives, 6 showed no growth and 4 were<strong> </strong>skin contaminants (mirococci). Out of 90 culture positives, fungal culture was positive in 5 (5.5%) while combined bacteria and fungi obtained in 18 (20%) cases and only bacteria in 67 (74.4%) cases. Among the aerobic bacterial isolates, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common bacteria isolated from the bacterial culture (n=36; 34.95%) followed by <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>(n=28; 27.18%) and <em>Proteus</em> (n=13; 12.62%). Among the fungal isolates,<strong> </strong><em>Aspergillus niger </em>was predominant followed<strong> </strong>by Candida <em>albicans </em>&amp; <em>Aspergillus flavus.</em> Amikacin and imipenem were found to be the most effective antibiotics with low resistance rates.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The present study gave an insight into the bacteriological profile of the cases of CSOM and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. This in turn will ensure rational and judicious use of antibiotics and thus prevent emergence of resistant bugs and also the complications associated with CSOM.</p>

We report a case of superficial thrombophlebitis following air travel when inflight stockings were worn. Stockings could be an aetiological factor in superficial thrombophlebitis in varicose veins by causing vascular stasis and trauma due to a tourniquet effect at the top of the stockings.

Background: To compare efficacy of 75% silver nitrate chemical cautery as opposed to topical vasoconstrictor spray (xylometazoline 0.1%) in adult anterior epistaxis.Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was carried out at SMHS Hospital Srinagar from Jan 2019 to Dec 2019. 110 subjects that presented to ENT & HNS emergency with epistaxis and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected. Subjects were randomly distributed into two groups. Group-A individuals were treated by cauterization with 75% silver nitrate and Group-B individuals were treated with topical vasoconstrictor spray (xylometazoline 0.1%). All the subjects were reviewed at 1 month and success was determined in terms of control of epistaxis from same side of nose.Results: The mean age of the cohort was 48.5yrs (age range, 17-59). There were total 60 (54.4%) males and 50 (45.4%) females among the cases. Both the groups were comparable as regards the age, sex, duration and frequency of epistaxis. 91.2% cases in Group-A (silver nitrate cautery) and 73.5% cases in Group-B (xylometazoline spray 0.1%) had no further epistaxis at one-month follow-up (p=0.014).Conclusions: Chemical cauterization with silver nitrate is a feasible and safe technique for the treatment of adult anterior epistaxis and is more effective than topical vasoconstrictor spray.