Audiometric Outcomes of Ventilation Drainage Treatment for Otitis Media with Effusion in Children: Implications for Speech Development and Hearing Loss.

BACKGROUND Otitis media with effusion is the most commonly recognized condition in childhood. Chronic otitis media with accompanying hearing loss is particularly unfavorable in the first years of the child's life because it can not only permanently damage the structure of the middle ear, but also adversely affect speech development and intellectual abilities in the child. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study, from a single center in Poland, included 201 children (372 ears) requiring surgical treatment due to otitis media with effusion. The condition was diagnosed by an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and each patient had a hearing test performed. The control group consisted of 21 patients (42 ears) with negative outcomes following an audiological interview. RESULTS Among all of the patients enrolled in the study, a normal tympanometry result was found in 60.6% of ears, and otoemission occurred in 63.3% of ears. The average hearing threshold in the study group was 22.01 Hz in the 500 Hz frequency range, while they were 16.76 Hz, 12.72 kHz, and 14.78 kHz for the corresponding 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz ranges, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Ventilation drainage is an effective treatment for otitis media with effusion. The presence of genetic disease has the greatest impact on the course of otitis media. These patients most often require reinsertion of a ventilation tube.

The Molecular Epidemiology of Pneumococcal Strains Isolated from the Nasopharynx of Preschool Children 3 Years after the Introduction of the PCV Vaccination Program in Poland.

The genetic mechanisms of resistance, clonal composition, and the occurrence of pili were analyzed in 39 pneumococcal strains isolated from healthy children in the southeastern region of Poland. Strains with resistance to combinations of erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline were found in clonal groups (CGs) related to Tennessee 23F-4 and Taiwan 19F-14 clones. Capsular switching possibly occurred in the Spain 9V-3 clone and its variants to serotypes 35B and 6A, as well as DLVs of Tennessee 23F-4 to serotype 23A. The double-locus variants of Colombia 23F-26 presented serotype 23B. The major transposons carrying the erythromycin and tetracycline resistance genes were Tn6002 (66.6%), followed by Tn916 (22.2%) and Tn2009 (11.1%). The macrolide efflux genetic assembly (MEGA) element was found in 41.7% of all erythromycin-resistant isolates. The majority of the isolates carrying the PI-1 gene belonged to the CGs related to the Spain 9V-3 clone expressing serotypes 35B and 6A, and the presence of both PI-1 and PI-2 was identified in CG4 consisting of the isolates related to the Taiwan 19F-14 clone expressing serotypes 19F and 19A. Importantly, in the nearest future, the piliated strains of serogroups 23B, 23A, and 35B may be of concern, being a possible origin of the emerging clones of piliated non-vaccine pneumococcal serotypes in Poland. This study reveals that nasopharyngeal carriage in children is an important reservoir for the selection and spreading of new drug-resistant pneumococcal clones in the community after the elimination of vaccine serotypes.

Physical and Psychosocial Concept Domains Related to Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) in 50 Girls and 52 Boys Between 5 and 18 Years Old in Poland Using the Parent-Reported 50-Item Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50).

BACKGROUND We used the parent-reported 50-item Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50) to evaluate parental by-proxy responses regarding 102 healthy Polish children and adolescents, aged 5 to 18 years, in 13 physical and psychosocial concept domains linked to health-related quality of life (HRQL) to determine which domains pose the greatest limitations to health. MATERIAL AND METHODS Participants were 50 healthy female and 52 healthy male school children (nursery, primary, junior-high, and high), selected randomly and found eligible from 585 participants originally recruited; participants with diseases/ailments and incomplete questionnaires were excluded. The CHQ-PF50 has 50 questions divided into 13 domains that represent physical and mental well-being; parents gave their retrospective responses from memory. Scores were expressed numerically using a standard algorithm and ranged from 0 to 100; higher scores represented more favorable HRQL outcomes. Summary statistics were performed, and age and sex effects were assessed. RESULTS Mean HRQL domain scores never attained 100 (maximum value). They were lowest (P<0.004) for domains of Family Cohesion (66.57), Parental Emotional (77.21), and General Health Perceptions (75.41), while highest (but still significantly <100, P<0.047) in Physical Functioning (97.11), Role/Social Emotional-Behavioral (96.51), and Role/Social-Physical (96.24). Neither age nor sex significantly affected domain scores. Outcomes were comparable to European and US studies but differed from a previous small-scale Polish study. CONCLUSIONS None of the CHQ-PF50 domain mean values reached the maximum in apparently healthy Polish children. HRQL was lowest in Family Cohesion, Parental Emotional, and General Health Perceptions. Outcomes are considered a useful control baseline in Polish studies on disease.

Paranasal sinus disease could be a reason for unsuccessful immunotherapy of inhalant allergy in children.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of paranasal sinuses condition assessed in computed tomography on inhalant allergen desensitization effects. MATERIALS & METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of children undergoing allergen immunotherapy in outpatient otolaryngology clinic of University Children Hospital in Lublin was performed. Control group consisted of children who underwent allergen immunotherapy and obtained satisfying effects; study group consisted of children who did not experience significant improvement after desensitization therapy. RESULTS: Computed tomography of nose cavity and paranasal sinuses exposed numerous pathologic changes affecting both, control and study group. Blockage of ostiomeatal complex was twice more common in children who did not respond adequately to desensitization therapy. In our study group, radiological findings suggesting rhinosinusitis were found in 73% of patients, while retention cysts in maxillary sinuses were discovered in 27% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological findings in paranasal sinuses in computed tomography may arise from uncontrolled allergic rhinitis. If chirurgical management is indicated, allergen immunotherapy should be postponed until total recovery from operational procedure and repeated.

Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains in children with acute otitis media- high risk of persistent colonization after treatment.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the development of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood infection, caused mainly by Streptococcus pneumoniae. It has been suggested that persistence of pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage is a risk factor for subsequent recurrent infections. METHODS: In this study we evaluate the relationship between 55 pneumococcal strains obtained from nasopharynx/oropharynx (NP/OP) and middle ear fluid (MEF) of 62 children, aged between 1 and 16 years, during AOM (including recurrent/treatment failure AOM, and post-treatment visits), based on their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics performed by analyses of serotype, antibiotic susceptibility patterns and multilocus sequence typing. RESULTS: S.pneumoniae was isolated from 27.4% of MEF samples; it constituted 43.6% of all positive bacterial samples from MEF samples. There was statistically significant concordance between isolation from the MEF sample and NP/OP colonization by S. pneumoniae (p < 0.0001). During post-treatment visits S.pneumoniae was isolated from 20.8% of children; 91% of them were positive in pneumococcal NP/OP culture during AOM. The serotypes belonging to 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccines constituted 84% and 92% of the strains, respectively. Multidrug resistance was found in 84% of the strains. According to multivariate analysis, pneumococcal colonization after antibiotic therapy was significantly associated with shorter length of therapy in children with bilateral AOM. CONCLUSIONS: High persistent prevalence of antibiotic-resistant S.pneumoniae strains in children with AOM after unsuccessful bacterial eradication may presumably be regarded as a predisposing factor of infection recurrence.

[Maxillary sinus myxoma]. / Sluzak zatoki szczekowej.

Myxoma is a slow growing, benign neoplasm, which pathogenesis still remains disputed. The lesion has well-defined borders but a true capsule is absent. Because of that myxoma can be locally invasive causing bone destruction. A change is mainly observed among persons between 20-30 years of age and is very uncommon in the pediatric population. Most myxomas are observed in myocardium, but rarely may also manifest in the head and neck region. In the paper we describe an unusual case of myxoma of maxillary sinus in a female infant. Diagnostic challenges, treatment, outcome, post-operative follow-up are discussed as well as a review of the literature in order to present many features of this rare pathology.

Effects of Probiotic Supplementation during Chronic Rhinosinusitis on the Microbiome.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that induce health benefits to the host. The consumption of probiotics can result in both prophylactic and therapeutic effects. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory condition that has a significant health and economic impact worldwide. Despite its great burden on the health-care system and patients' quality of life, the variety of therapy options for CRS is currently limited. Inflammation, mucociliary dysfunction and changes in the microbial environment are thought to be the main factors causing the disease. Probiotics are a relatively new intervention, with a focus on the probiotic qualities and adaptive elements required for a bacterial strain to have a positive impact on CRS. The aim of this review was to review studies evaluating the potential beneficial effects of probiotics in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Future prospects and difficulties for probiotics in CRS are also highlighted.

Serotypes and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae from adenoids in preschool children with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections.

We investigated children aged 2-5, who had gone adenoidectomy for recurrent and/or persistent symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections for prevalence of pneumococci in adenoid tissue. Serotypes and antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolated pneumococci were determined and also risk factors of pneumococcal colonization were defined. S. pneumoniae colonization in adenoids was found in 62 (60.2%) children. Serotypes belonged to 10-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccines (PCVs) constituted 56.1% and 68.2% of the isolates, respectively. Decreased susceptibility to penicillin was found in 45.5% of isolates; pneumococci were resistant to cotrimoxazole (62.1%), tetracycline (43.9%), erythromycin (54.5%), clindamycin (54.5%) and chloramphenicol (31.8%). Multidrug resistant S. pneumoniae comprised 57.6% of the isolates. Antibiotic resistant pneumococci were mostly distributed among serotypes belonged to 10-valent and 13-valent PCVs. Good vaccine coverage among the isolated pneumococci confirmed that the introduction of PCVs in the national immunization programme may reduce the pool of resistant and multidrug resistant pneumococci in a community.

Adenoid hypertrophy in children: a narrative review of pathogenesis and clinical relevance.

Adenoids (nasopharyngeal tonsils), being part of Waldeyer's ring, are masses of lymphoid tissues located at the junction of the roof and the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. Adenoids play an important role in the development of the immune system and serve as a defence against infections, being the first organs that come into contact with respiratory and digestive antigens. The causes of adenoid hypertrophy are not fully known. They are most likely associated with aberrant immune reactions, infections, environmental exposures and hormonal or genetic factors. The aim of this review is to summarise the current knowledge of adenoid hypertrophy in children and associated diseases. Adenoid hypertrophy has many clinical manifestations that are frequent in the paediatric population and is accompanied by various comorbidities.

Esophageal foreign bodies in pediatric patients: a thirteen-year retrospective study.

We discuss clinical symptoms and radiological findings of variable esophageal foreign bodies as well as therapeutic procedures in Caucasian pediatric patients. A retrospective study of 192 cases of suspected esophageal foreign bodies between 1998 and 2010 was conducted. Data were statistically analyzed by chi-square test. A foreign body was removed from a digestive tract of 163 children aged 6 months to 15 years (mean age 4.9). Most objects were located within cricopharyngeal sphincter. Dysphagia occurred in 43%, followed by vomiting (29%) and drooling (28%). The most common objects were coins. Plain chest X-rays demonstrated aberrations in 132 cases, and in doubtful situations an esophagram test was ordered. In the group of thirty-seven patients whose radiograms were normal, esophagoscopy revealed fifteen more objects, which were eventually successfully removed. No major complications occurred. Esophagram should be a second X-ray examination if an object is not detected in plain chest X-ray. We recommend a rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia in doubtful cases as a safe treatment for pediatric patients.

Acute Rhinosinusitis in Children with Inhalant Allergies.

Rhinosinusitis is an essential medical problem in pediatric populations. Due to a lack of studies considering allergy impact on pediatric rhinosinusitis, it seems legitimate to investigate this subject. The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of inhalant allergy on acute rhinosinusitis in children. The study involved 100 pediatric patients aged between 3 and 17 years who were admitted to the Chair and Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology of the Medical University of Lublin due to acute rhinosinusitis. The control group consisted of 50 children without allergy, and the study group consisted of 50 children suffering from inhalant allergy. The methodology employed in this study involved medical history and laryngological examination, as well as laboratory and radiological testing. Dust mite allergy was the most common allergy among patients in the study group. Patients with allergies presented at the hospital later than patients without allergy, and their hospitalization lasted longer due to more severe sinus disease, higher inflammatory parameters, multiple sinus involvement, more frequent fever or rhinosinusitis complications, especially orbital occurrence. Most children in the control group required only pharmacological treatment. Inhalant allergy, especially dust mite allergy, contributes to more severe acute rhinosinusitis in children.

Impact of Pneumococcal Vaccination on Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Microbiota Profiles in Preschool Children in South East Poland.

In 2017, Poland introduced the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into its national immunization schedule. This prospective study was conducted between March and June 2020 to determine the impact of vaccination on prevalence of the nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae in 176 healthy children and to determine how conjugate vaccines indirectly affect colonization of nasopharyngeal microbiota. Pneumococcal isolates were analyzed by serotyping and antimicrobial resistance tests. Nasopharyngeal microbiota were detected and identified using the culture method and real-time PCR amplification primers and hydrolysis-probe detection with the 16S rRNA gene as the target. In the vaccinated group of children, colonization was in 24.2% of children, compared to 21.4% in the unvaccinated group. Serotypes 23A and 23B constituted 41.5% of the isolates. Serotypes belonging to PCV10 and PCV13 constituted 4.9% and 17.1% of the isolates, respectively. S. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to penicillin (34.1%), erythromycin (31.7%), and co-trimoxazole (26.8%). Microbial DNA qPCR array correlated to increased amounts of Streptococcus mitis and S. sanguinis in vaccinated children, with reduced amounts of C. pseudodiphtericum, S. aureus, and M. catarrhalis. Introduction of PCV for routine infant immunization was associated with significant reductions in nasopharyngeal carriage of PCV serotypes and resistant strains amongst vaccine serotypes, yet carriage of non-PCV serotypes increased modestly, particularly serotype 23B.

A review of health-related quality of life issues in children suffering from certain key otolaryngological illnesses.

Background: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) concept is nowadays increasingly and more broadly used for helping evaluate the effectiveness of medical treatment, superseding the earlier "quality of life" approach. The HRQoL concept likewise applies to otolaryngology and this narrative review study is focused on HRQoL outcomes in four key childhood otolaryngological diseases as reported in the literature. Study aim: To retrospectively evaluate the literature on measuring HRQoL in children suffering from selected otolaryngological illnesses, during treatment. Materials and Methods: Published studies/case reports were searched for in Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ORCID on the quality of life based on paediatric patient questionnaires, whether completed by subjects themselves or by their parents (by proxy). The following key words were used: health quality of life, otolaryngology/ENT, pediatrics/paediatrics. Studies before 1999 were omitted because hitherto, the "quality of life" had been imprecisely defined thus rendering any subsequent comparisions problematic. Results: HRQoL scores and well-being were found to significantly deteriorate in child patients suffering from four important otolaryngological disorders: chronic sinusitis, nasal septum deviation, adenoid hypertrophy and hearing disease. The main problems found were infection, inflammation, disruption to family life and child-parental interaction, fitness-related issues, reduced ENT patencies and apnea. Conclusions: The HRQoL appears to significantly deteriorate in children suffering from otolaryngological diseases. Further such studies are needed for other ENT diseases.

Rigid Bronchoscopy in Foreign Body Aspiration Diagnosis and Treatment in Children.

Foreign body aspiration in children is a common condition and can bring about serious undesired results. Fast and accurate diagnosis and foreign body extraction from airways are essential. We performed a retrospective study on rigid bronchoscopy outcomes due to suspected foreign body aspiration. A total of 66 children were admitted to the Chair and Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Medical University of Lublin between 2015 and 2020 and underwent rigid bronchoscopy in general anesthesia due to suspected foreign body aspiration. We analyzed the data, including patients age and sex, reported complaints, and bronchoscopy findings. Analyzed children were aged from 8 months to 17 years old; 74.24% of them were under 3 years old during the procedure, and most of the operated patients were males. In 36.36% cases, no foreign body was identified, and 57.14% foreign bodies were located in right main bronchus. A total of 80.95% of foreign bodies extracted from airways were organic, mostly nuts. Diagnosis and treatment of suspected foreign body aspiration requires consistent cooperation between pediatricians, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, and otolaryngologists.

Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed in Children with Chronic Rhinitis and Sinusitis.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life (QoL) can be simply defined as an area of human life that directly affects people which they consider to be important. This can be defined in greater detail as 'an individual perception of an individual's life position within a cultural context, value system and in relation to their tasks, expectations and standards determined by environmental conditions'. The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) more specifically focuses on how the QoL affects health (including both medical and non-medical issues). Limitations in well-being will, by association, also occur in those children suffering with sinus diseases. STUDY AIM: To compare the quality of life in children-adolescents suffering from some of the most commonly occurring childhood diseases of chronic rhinitis and sinusitis on a group of healthy children-adolescents. Test materials and methods: Subjects were children-adolescents with at least one of the aforementioned conditions afflicting the upper respiratory tract. Admission criteria were: ages 5 to 18 years in the presence of a chronic disease such as chronic rhinitis and paranasal sinusitis. The Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50 CHQ-PF-50 (CHQ-PF50) was used, which is a general-purpose research instrument based on psychometric testing designed for assessing physical and mental well-being in children-adolescents aged 5 to 18 years. RESULTS: Wellbeing significantly deteriorated in sick children within the following areas: current health status of the child (STAND), physical fitness (PF), social functioning resulting from behaviour or emotional state (REB), the impact of physical health on limitations in social functioning (RP), pain and discomfort (BP), behaviour (BE), mental health (MH), self-esteem (SE), general health perception (GH), influence of the child's health condition on parental emotions (PE), limitations on parental leisure time due to the child's health (PT) and restrictions on joint family activities (FA). CONCLUSIONS: The greatest impairment to well-being in children with chronic rhinitis and paranasal sinusitis was on the impact of the child's health status on parents' emotions, pain and discomfort and general perception of health. This study confirms that parents of healthy children attach great importance to their health and health-related quality of life.

Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed in Children with Adenoid Hypertrophy.

INTRODUCTION: The quality of life issue began to be earnestly studied in the second half of the 20th century. It had originally been used as a criterion for measuring levels of human development in the USA and Western Europe. At first, only objective parameters were assessed, such as material goods; however, later, subjective and non-material parameters were added, such as health, freedom, and happiness. Over time, more and more attention has been paid to the subjective parameters regarding any quality of life assessment. Adenoids are physiological clusters of lymphoid tissue included in Waldeyer's ring, which play an important role in shaping and directing the child's local and systemic lines of defence. Adenoid hypertrophy occurs due to a variety of factors, such as recurring or chronic infections of the upper respiratory tract. STUDY AIM: To assess health status in children with adenoid system hypertrophy compared with a group of healthy children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of children suffering from adenoid hypertrophy, this being the most common chronic disease of the upper respiratory tract. The control group was composed of children attending nursery school (kindergarten), primary school, middle school, and high school. The study was performed by using the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50 CHQ-PF-50 (CHQ-PF50), which is a general purpose research tool based on psychometric testing when assessing physical and mental well-being in children aged 5 to 18 years. RESULTS: There were 101 filled out questionnaires for the test group (54 girls and 47 boys), mean age 8.62 years (ranging 5-17), whilst 102 questionnaires for the controls (50 girls and 52 boys), mean age 10.58 years (ranging 5-18). Insignificant differences were found between social functioning resulting from behaviour or emotional state (REB), pain and discomfort (BP), and family cohesion (FC). CONCLUSIONS: Children suffering from adenoid hypertrophy demonstrate the largest decreases in wellbeing in the following areas: behaviour, general perception of health, and mental health.

[Choanal atresia an institutional review]. / Zarosniecie nozdrzy tylnych w materiale kliniki.

UNLABELLED: Choanal atresia is a rare congenital disease, it occurs in 1/8000 live newborns. AIM OF THE STUDY: retrospective review of patients with choanal atresia treated at the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology of Medical University in Lublin. Twenty-two children were evaluated, 16 females, 6 males, age range from 6th day to 11th year of life, operated between 2004 and 2009. We analized: age of the parents, mothers diseases during pregnancy, place of live, type of atresia, associated abnormalities, age of children at time of surgery, results of treatment. The age of parents didn't differ significantly from the mean age of parents of children without abnormality. Choanal atresia was bilateral in 10 patients (45%), unilateral in 12 cases (55%)--right-sided in 75% and left-sided in 3 children. The membranous barrier was stated in 60.7%, bone in 25%, and mixed in 14.7%. Choanal atresia was an isolated disease in 12 patients, and in 10 it was associated with other abnormalities. The most common were: central nervous system abnormalities (5 children), heart defect (5), facial dysmorphy (4), hearing loss only in 2 cases. All patients were operated with transnasal technique with stents placement for 6-8 weeks period. The necessity of repleacing the stents occurred in 4 patients because of tendency of the granulation. These problems were absent in patients who were operated during the newborn period. Undoubtedly, the transnasal technique is a procedure by choice, decision, to place a stent or not, depend on the experience of the surgeon and his/her own results.

Bacterial aetiology of chronic otitis media with effusion in children - risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) may occur spontaneously because of poor Eustachian tube function or as an inflammatory response following AOM. Bacterial involvement in OME has been widely reported, with various available methods to identify pathogens from middle ear effusion, including traditional culture methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological profile of middle ear effusion in OME. Risk factors of the bacterial OME aetiology were also identified. METHODS: Middle ear effusions (MEF) from 50 children, aged 2-8 years, diagnosed by ENT and undergoing routine tympanostomy tube placement were collected. MEF samples were streaked on standard microbiological media. Next, DNA was isolated from MEF samples and analysed with multiplex PCR for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Alloiococcus otitidis. RESULTS: In multiplex PCR assay 37 (74%) of 50 children were positive for at least one of the four microorganisms. In 27.0% positive children multiple bacterial pathogens were identified. A. otitidis was the most frequently identified in positive MEF children (59.5%). By multiplex PCR, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis were detected in 24, 18 and 8% of OME patients, respectively. There was significant association between bilateral infection and H. influenzae aetiology of OME. CONCLUSIONS: Overall we found OME predominantly a single otopathogen infection caused mainly by A. otitidis, which is difficult in identification using standard culture method, ahead to S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. However, one third of MEF samples had multiple bacterial pathogens.

Caustic Agents Ingestion in Children: A 51-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Children experience serious gastrointestinal tract injuries due to consumption of caustic agents more often than adults. The aim of the study was to analyze diagnostic methods and treatment of children with esophageal burns according to the degree of the injury. METHODS: Our one-center population-based retrospective cohort study included 150 children admitted between 1967 and 2018 to Clinic of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology of University Children's Hospital in Lublin, Poland, due to the chemical burn of the mouth, throat, larynx, and esophagus. Each patient underwent a thorough laryngological examination and endoscopy to assess the place and degree of injury. RESULTS: Of 150 patients, 65.3% were male and 34.7% female. The median age was 4 years and 3 months. Salivation, dysphagia, burning sensation, edema, and whitish coating on the oral mucosa, palate, and throat were the most common clinical symptoms. In addition, dyspnea and chest pain were observed in 30% of patients. Esophagus endoscopy results were: Zargar grade I burn (84.7%), grade IIA (8%), grade IIB (2.6%), grade III (0%), and grade 0 (4.7%). Treatment included antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, analgesics, and intravenous fluid therapy. Late sequelae (scarred esophageal strictures) developed in 20 (13.3%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Accidental intake of caustic agents is observed in young children, especially younger than the age of 5. Early esophagus endoscopy should be performed in all patients to assess the grade of injury, plan initial treatment, and predict the risk of developing complications. Early diagnosis and immediate pharmacological treatment reduce the number of late sequelae.

Asymptomatic radiological changes in computer tomography in children with head trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography is an important imaging technique in Emergency Units. Thanks to its popularity, radiological changes are found in healthy children more commonly. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the incidence of maxillary sinus radiological changes in children with head trauma who admitted to the Emergency Unit of the University Children Hospital in Lublin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of computed tomography scans of children suffering from head trauma admitted to the Emergency Unit of the University Children Hospital in Lublin was carried out. A group of 425 patients was analyzed. RESULTS: Maxillary findings were present in 81 cases (19.06%); in 38 patients (8.94%) the changes were unilateral, while in 43 (10.12%) they were bilateral. Maxillary mucosal thickening was the most common radiological abnormality, present in almost 12% of the investigated cases (approximately 62% of all revealed changes). Maxillary total opacification as an isolated finding was found in younger children only. Retention cysts and maxillary polyps were found with a similar low frequency as maxillary opacification but in elder children only. DISCUSSION: Asymptomatic radiological changes in computed tomography scans are common. Maxillary mucosal thickening is the most frequent asymptomatic abnormality. Maxillary polyps and pseudocysts are rare in the paediatric population. Maxillary opacification suggests other more significant pathologies and requires further diagnostics. Physicians should avoid diagnosing patients with sinusitis without proper examination and based on radiological abnormalities only. Paediatric patients with revealed maxillary changes should remain under regular laryngological control.