The impact of using intranasal splints on morbidity and prevalence of adhesions.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of using intranasal splints for prevention of adhesions and to assess the morbidity associated with their use. METHODS: A retrospective study based on 2 tertiary hospitals from 1988-1995. One hundred and fourteen patients were divided into 2 groups. Group one with splints and group 2 without. The splints were used for 10 days and nasal toilet was carried out twice. Score of adhesions, perforation, bleeding, pain, crusting, and septum position were recorded. RESULTS: Adhesions in both groups were almost the same as well as septum medialization and perforation scores. Pain and crusting were more common in the splinted group (p-value <0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of intranasal splints should be individualized. Nasal irrigation is of importance to prevent crusting. The morbidity associated with intranasal splints should be considered before use.

Otolaryngological manifestation of Gorlin Goltz syndrome.

A 46-year-old Jordanian man was seen in ENT clinic complaining of progressive left nasal obstruction and hearing loss for the last five years with a history of multiple surgical removal of dental cysts. Clinical and radiological investigation revealed a cystic mass occupying the left maxillary sinus protruding to the nasal cavity, calcification of the falx cerebri and bifid ribs. On these findings Gorlin-Goltz syndrome was confirmed. The case is presented and the literature reviewed.

The impact of social and environmental changes on allergic rhinitis among Saudi children. A clinical and allergological study.

Eighty four children with allergic rhinitis out of 316 consecutive cases were investigated, treated and followed-up for 2 years. Diagnostic skin testing were done with identified common allergens found in Saudi environment (2). Cat fur, Bermuda grass and mesquite were the most common allergens found. Symptoms of recurrent rhinosinusitis, otitis media with effusion, tonsils and adenoids infection were commonly noticed among them. The rapid change of environment in Saudi Arabia in the form of agricultural and other factors seem to play part in the increasing incidence of allergic manifestation in paediatric population. With antiallergic treatment and control of infection, most of these children responded well and only four children required surgery. The treatment of allergic disease saves a lot of children from unnecessary surgical procedures usually carried out on them.

Prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss due to rubella in Saudi children.

We found positive IgM antibody against rubella virus in the blood of 23 out 1,054 (2.2%) children (age ranged between 12 months and 14 years). Fifteen 23 infected children were found to have bilateral sensorineural hearing loss children of the at-risk group and 11 of 19 from the not-at-risk group). Hearing impairment was bilateral in all cases, profound in 1, moderate to severe in and mild in 5. The serological results of the examined children are discuss and compared with other reported results. The prevalence rate of rubella infection is low. This is attributed to the universal childhood vaccination programme compulsory for all Saudi children.

Congenital nasopharyngeal teratoma in newborn: case report and review of literature.

A rare case of nasopharyngeal teratoma (epignathus) is described in a newborn female, presenting with life threatening respiratory embarrassment. Complete excision was achieved. The management and differential diagnosis are discussed, accompanied by a review of the literature.

Tonsillitis and respiratory infections of viral aetiology in a developing country.

Among 75 clinically diagnosed cases of tonsillitis, 55 (73.3%) were found to be of viral aetiology. Serological and virological investigations identified adenovirus as the main causative agent in children as well as in adults. In only two instances, both in children, was an association with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in tonsillitis detected, an extremely rare finding. A cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study of respiratory infections caused by adenovirus, RSV, influenza (A,B) and para-influenza (types 1,2,3) viruses was carried out in 289 Saudi children (newborn to 15 years of age) and 86 adults (healthy male blood donors and pregnant women) using a single serological technique. In children as well as in adults, adenoviruses were the most predominant respiratory pathogens, with no marked variation in age-specific antibody prevalence rates.