Frontal Sinus Mucocele Formation as a Late Complication of External Dacrocystorhinostomy.

Two cases of frontal sinus mucocele post external approach dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery are reported. The possible anatomical causes of this condition are discussed and in particular, attention is drawn to the consideration of frontal sinus mucocele in patients presenting with frontal sinus symptoms post-DCR surgery.

Nasolacrimal tuberculosis: case report highlighting the need for imaging in identifying and managing it effectively.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of nasolacrimal tuberculosis, conduct a literature review, and to suggest an optimal management plan. METHODS: A 39-year old Zimbabwean female presented with a 3-year history of left epiphora, haemolacria and medial canthal mass. On ophthalmic examination there was no lateral displacement of the left globe. The initial management was external dacryocystorhinostomy. Histology of the biopsy was inconclusive and her symptoms did not improve. This prompted a referral to otolaryngology. Nasal examination revealed a friable mass of the middle turbinate. CT scan showed paranasal sinus and lacrimal sac destruction and lateral displacement of the globe. Endoscopic sinus surgery confirmed the CT findings, allowed a biopsy taken, and the histology showed prominent caseating granulomatous inflammation. Microbiological cultures confirmed nasolacrimal tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: We report a case of primary tuberculosis affecting the nasolacrimal apparatus presenting with a medial canthal mass. This report highlights the need for high index of suspicion, and initial CT imaging in order to avoid invasive procedures such as external dacryocystorhinostomy, which may cause extra surgical morbidity and delay diagnosis and treatment.

Lymphocyte-white blood cell count ratio: a quickly available screening tool to differentiate acute purulent tonsillitis from glandular fever.

OBJECTIVE: To find a quickly available screening tool for the differentiation of patients with glandular fever from those with acute purulent tonsillitis. The null hypothesis was that there was no difference between the lymphocyte-white blood cell count (L/WCC) ratio between the 2 patient groups. DESIGN: Retrospective pilot study based on laboratory tests for lymphocyte counts, white blood cell counts, and the mononucleosis spot test. SETTING: Ear, Nose, and Throat Department, St George's Hospital, London, England. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty patients with glandular fever and 100 patients with bacterial tonsillitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results from the mononucleosis spot test in conjunction with the clinical picture and the L/WCC ratio were analyzed. Significant differences were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney test and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The L/WCC ratio was significantly different in the 2 groups (P<.001). The mean L/WCC ratio in the glandular fever group was 0.54 and the mean L/WCC ratio in the bacterial tonsillitis group was 0.10. A ratio higher than 0.35 had a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 90% for the detection of glandular fever. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that the L/WCC ratio should be used as an indicator to decide whether mononucleosis spot tests should be requested. A ratio higher than 0.35 had a high specificity in our study group.

Does hydrogen peroxide mouthwash improve the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy bleed? A 10-year review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) mouthwash influences the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children. STUDY DESIGN: Ten-year retrospective study of all children with secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. SETTING: Tertiary otolaryngology center. RESULTS: Of the 156 patients, 59 received H(2)O(2) and 97 did not. All patients received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. The average rehospitalization duration due to hemorrhage was 1.7 days (H(2)O(2) group) and 1.6 days (control group). In the H(2)O(2) group, 8.5% required surgery, compared with 10.3% in the control group. Further hemorrhage episodes requiring readmission occurred in 3.4% of the H(2)O(2) group and 3.1% of controls. There was no difference between the 2 groups in rehospitalization duration (P = 0.49), rate of surgical intervention (P = 0.85), and rate of readmission with further hemorrhage (P = 0.92). CONCLUSION: Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash does not improve the outcome of secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in pediatric patients. SIGNIFICANCE: This study does not support the common practice of treating post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage with H(2)O(2).

Silent sinus syndrome.

Silent sinus syndrome is defined as a spontaneous and progressive enophthalmos and hypoglobus with hypoplasia of the maxillary sinus and resorption of the orbital floor. It is caused by atelectasis of the maxillary sinus in the presence of ipsilateral chronic hypoventilation of the sinus. The problem may be idiopathic, but the term is now also used to describe cases that follow operation or trauma. We describe three cases, each with a different aetiology, and discuss the clinical and radiographic evaluation of the condition, theories regarding its pathophysiology, and surgical correction.