No abstract

The present study focused on the comparison of mental health and quality of life (QoL) between chronic otitis media (COM) patients and the hearing population. The patients with chronic otitis media and healthy control group were enrolled in the study. The duration and severity of the auditory impairment were recorded. In addition to hearing loss (HL), the findings of each patient's other ear disorders (ear discharge and tinnitus) were also recorded. In both the groups, psychological symptom profile and health-related QoL were evaluated and compared using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Symptom Check List 90-Revised Form (SCL-90-R), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). According to SCL-90-R, somatization (p < 0.001), interpersonal sensitivity (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), phobic anxiety (p < 0.001), and other subscores, and also global severity index score (p < 0.001) were significantly high in patient group when compared to the control group. The patients with COM reported significantly lower levels of QoL in terms of physical role difficulty (p < 0.001), general health perception (p < 0.004), social functioning (p < 0.001), and mental health (p < 0.017) than those of control subjects. Our results indicated that COM patients with mild or moderate HL have poorer life quality and higher psychological problems. Psychological well being should be also considered in assessment of COM patients in addition to the clinical evaluation and audiological tests.

The most common reason of orbital infections is sinusitis. Orbital complications of sinusitis are mostly seen in children. Loss of vision and intracranial infections are among the complications of sinusitis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is very important in the management of orbital complications. The orbital complication can be in the form of cellulitis or abscess. A retrospective review of 26 pediatric patients with orbital complications due to sinusitis was presented in this study. Of 26 patients, there were 13 cases of preseptal cellulitis, 2 cases of orbital cellulitis, and 11 cases of subperiosteal abscess. We grouped the preseptal and orbital cellulites in one category and the subperiosteal abscess in the other. All patients in the cellulitis group recovered by medical treatment. All the patients were treated by surgical drainage. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment method are vital for the treatment of orbital complications secondary to sinusitis.

Measurable pepsinogen was present in all MEEs from patients, with levels higher than the serum values. The difference between the levels of pepsinogen measured in MEE and serum was statistically significant (p < 0.01), but albumin levels were higher in serum than in MEE and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01).

Congenital choanal atresia (CCA) is defined as a congenital failure in the development of communication between the nasal cavity and nasopharynx in newborns. It is the most common congenital anomaly of nose. Most of the patients presented with unilateral CCA. Neonates with bilateral CCA have severe respiratory distress after birth. Airway control with orotracheal intubation should be done immediately to save the life of neonate with bilateral CCA. After airway control, surgery should be performed as soon as possible. The aim of surgery is to create a patent nasal passage and to prevent restenosis with minimal morbidity. Transnasal endoscopic surgery of CCA has become the most popular treatment method. The retrospective review of 33 patients with CCA was presented in this study. The patients who were diagnosed at the neonate period and operated on in 6 months after birth were grouped as I (neonate). The patients who were diagnosed 6 months after birth were grouped as II (child-young adult). All patients were treated by transnasal endoscopic surgery. Stent were put in all patients to prevent restenosis. Although the restenosis rate was higher in group I (53.8%) than in group II (23.1%), it did not cause a statistically significant difference. Overall success rate of our surgical approach was 61.5%. Despite the surgical developments and many treatment modalities, restenosis is still the most challenging problem in CCA.