Background: Hearing impairment and tinnitus are common otological manifestations found in the outpatient Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Hearing loss and tinnitus have been documented among coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, these clinical manifestations were rarely investigated among pediatric patients with COVID-19 infections. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of hearing impairment and tinnitus among children with COVID-19 infection at a teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective and descriptive study where 192 children with COVID-19 infections were evaluated for hearing loss and tinnitus. There were 44 (22.91%) children with COVID-19 infections presenting with hearing loss and tinnitus. All of the children were confirmed as COVID-19 infection with the help of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal swab. Detailed history taking and clinical examination of the ear were done for the assessment of hearing loss and tinnitus and its outcome was analyzed. Results: Out of 44 children, 20 (45.45%) were presented with tinnitus, 16 (36.36%) were presented with hearing loss, and 8 (18.18%) were presented with both hearing loss and tinnitus. Out of 44 pediatric patients with hearing loss and/or tinnitus, 26 (59.09%) were males and 18 (40.90%) were females with a male child to female child ratio of 1.44:1. The mean age of the participants was 9.16 years with an age range from 5 to 18 years. The sporadic type of tinnitus is more common than any other type. Conclusion: This study showed that the presence of subjective neurological features like hearing loss and tinnitus can be found in children with COVID-19 infection. More studies are required to confirm the exact pathophysiology mechanism underlying this subjective symptom in pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection.

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An infarct at the brain stem or cerebellum is rarely associated with vertigo without any other localizing clinical features. Stroke at the posterior circulation of the brain may cause spontaneous vertigo and imbalance. In some cases, isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery infraction presents isolated vertigo and nystagmus. The diagnosis of the brain stem vertigo can be done easily when associated with other neurological symptoms along with vertigo, whereas, when the vertigo occurs in isolation, it may be difficult to differentiate it from the other benign disorders affecting the inner ear. A head impulse test may differentiate the acute isolated vertigo with cerebellar stroke from more benign disorders associated with labyrinth. Appropriate evaluation of the patient is better than imaging for diagnosis of the brain stem vertigo. Here, we are presenting a case of isolated acute onset of the vertigo due to brain stem infarct which mimics to the peripheral vestibular pathology.

Flying kite is a popular sport among children although many adults also fly kites in festive seasons. People frequently fly kites to celebrate the arrival of spring. These kite festivals feature a sport called kite fighting, in which competitors attempt to sever the string of a rival kite with their own kite. The majority of injuries are sustained at the time of flying kites due to falls, cuts, neck injuries, or even death. Injury to the head-and neck region by kite string is often fatal. These injuries can range from a superficial laceration to profound muscle, tendon, artery, or nerve injury. Flying kite is associated with simple injury to grievous trauma. The severity of the injury is determined by the abrasive materials used on the kite's string to improve its cutting capabilities. Injuries caused by flying kites are usually avoidable. Because the neck is frequently exposed while riding a motorcycle, this is likely the source of the high number of injuries in this area. Injuries caused by kite string can be avoided. The preventive methods include choosing a safe site and improving knowledge of the kite string's potential threats. There are not many research articles concerning kite string injury in head-and-neck area. This review article seeks to provide a complete overview of head-and-neck kite string injuries.