Objective: Mucositis is a debilitating complication of radiotherapy treatment in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Mucositis can lead to malnutrition due to poor oral intake, and the cancer treatment protocol might be postponed due to this condition. Until now, there is no specific treatment to prevent radiotherapy-induced mucositis in NPC patients. The usage of propolis mouthwash is believed to be one of the important remedies to reduce the severity of mucositis in the future. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of propolis mouthwash in preventing radiotherapy-induced mucositis in NPC patients.Methods: This is a double arm, prospective, randomized control trial (RCT) with intervention involving 17 patients diagnosed with NPC attending ORL-HNS clinic in Institut Perubatan & Pergigian Termaju (IPPT) Bertam. 10 patients were given propolis mouthwash and another 7 patients were given normal saline mouthwash as a placebo. The effectiveness of propolis mouthwash was assessed by repeated measures ANOVA.Result: All 17 NPC patients were randomly divided into propolis group (intervention) and normal saline group (placebo). 10 patients were given propolis mouthwash and another 7 patients were given normal saline mouthwash. Comparison of adjusted mean and 95% confidence interval of mucositis grading score between propolis mouthwash and normal saline showed at the second week was 0.10(- 0.13, 0.33) vs 1.14(0.31, 1.98), fourth week: 0.50(0.12, 0.88) vs 2.00(1.47, 2.53), and sixth week: 1.20(0.90, 1.50) vs 2.86(2.51, 3.21), respectively. Repeated measures ANOVA showed P<0.001, indicating a significant improvement of mucositis grading between propolis and normal saline group.Conclusion: Propolis mouthwash is proved to be effective in reducing the severity of radiotherapyinduced mucositis in NPC patients and it is safe to be used. Therefore, its use is recommended as an adjunct treatment during the treatment protocol of NPC.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2022 Page: S41

No abstract

Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is a rare occurrence, and primarily involves the proximal part of the Eustachian tube. Mechanical obstruction of the Eustachian tube will affect the pressure discrepancy between the middle ear and the external atmosphere, leading to aural fullness, unilateral hearing disturbance, and otitis media. These conditions can be overlooked or mistakenly diagnosed as ear pathology. We report a case of unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in a 31-year-old healthy woman that was later confirmed to be tuberculosis of the Eustachian tube. In cases with indicators suggesting a high index of suspicion, a thorough examination of the head and neck regions is especially very important. Once it has been diagnosed, Eustachian tuberculosis can be successfully treated with anti-tuberculosis medications.

Congenital bilateral dacryocystocele with concomitant congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis is a very rare case we seen in the paediatric age group. We report a case referred by the paediatric department to rule out choanal stenosis. The referring department had difficulty to insert a feeding tube to the patient. Nose and throat examination showed reduce misting on cold spatula test and unable to introduce nasoendoscope into both nostrils, which indicates obstruction. Radiological investigation revealed as congenital dacryocystocele with nasal pyriform aperture stenosis. The patient was managed surgically with good recovery.

No abstract