Labyrinthine fistula: a complication of chronic suppurative otitis media.

A labyrinthine fistula is a frequent complication of long-standing unsafe chronic suppurative otitis media. It is characterized by a slowly progressive erosion of the bony labyrinth. In this paper we present our observations regarding the diagnosis and management in 50 patients with unsafe chronic suppurative otitis media with labyrinthine fistula.

An unusual presentation of impacted foreign-body in the adult larynx.

Foreign-bodies in the aero-digestive tract are a frequent occurrence in ENT practice. The diagnosis and management are based on clinico-radiological findings. We report a case of a 50 paise coin impacted in the adult larynx where the patient came to us 3 days later with the symptom of change of voice and pain in the throat but, surprisingly no dyspnoea or stridor.

Traumatic optic neuropathy - our experience.

A great deal of controversy surrounds the physiology and management of traumatic optic neuropathy. Needless to say, it has formed the topic of much debate in the past, especially with regard to its surgical management. With the advances in sinus endoscopic procedures, and their extended applications to the orbit and optic nerve, endoscopic optic nerve decompression offers a very good chance for salvaging vision in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy. However, there is no definite protocol laid down in the world literature for this condition, owing partially to the fact that a majority of such cases are not amenable to surgery within the critical period, due to the coexisting morbidities of head injury. There is also much controversy regarding medical versus surgical management of traumatic optic neuropathy. We present here our experience with this condition, and outline the management protocol followed.

Retraction pockets in chronic suppurative otitis media- our experience.

Retractions of the tympanic membrane constitute a large proportion of ear diseases causing concern to the otologist. The clinical features in a case of retraction pocket are varied and cholesteatoma. Also, that a retraction pocket in the posterosuperior region and pars ftaccida is a precursor of cholesteatoma is now well recognized. We have studied 60 cases of retraction pockets during a period of 5 years and have attempted to find out the etiology as well as the most effective treatment in such cases. Though over the years along with a dysfunctional eustachian tube, a sclerotic mastoid has been implicated as one of the causes of Retraction Pockets, we in our study have seen a large sized mastoid antrum (beyond 2 mm vf Lateral Semicircular Canal) as a consistent feature in most of our cases. This was subjectively assessed as a surgical finding in tympanomastoidectomy and objectively assessed by a high Resolution Computed Tomography of the temporal bone. We have found that a canal wall down mastoidectomy was the most effective in preventing the recurrence of retraction pockets. In a coutry like India, canal wall down mastoidectomy offers an acceptable solution to the problem of retraction pocket as not only is the follow up of patients poor but also the "Second- Look" procedure is not always possible. The use of 1- 0 chromic catgut in the middle ear instead of the more conventionally used silastic in preventing recurrent retractions can be considered as an effective single-staged procedure.

Surgical decompression in bell's palsy - our viewpoint.

Bell's palsv or acute idiopathic lower motor neuron facial palsy is a common cause of facial palsy seen in clinical practice. The cause of this disease is not exactly known though there arc many theories regarding Ils etiology. In this article, we present the theory of "Tertiary is chacmia " in eases of pertinent Bell's palsy. Our concept of Tertiary ischaemia is further supported by histological findings of the nerve sheath biopsy taken during surgical decompression In eases of Bell' s palsy. The procedure, of performing posterior tympanotomy and improving the exposure of the middle ear structures therein is also explained.

An unusual case of impacted oesophageal foreign body.

Impacted sharp foreign bodies in the oesophagus can be very difficult to manage. When attempts are made to remove such objects inappropriately, life-threatening complications such as oesophageal perforation can occur. We hare reported a rare case of impacted denture in the oesophagus where endoscopic removal was not possible due to the perforation already caused by the denture, sinee this would have caused an oesophageal laceration, which could have proved fatal. Hence surgical removal had to be performed with repair of the oesophageal perforation.