Tympanic Membrane Retractions in patients with Williams Syndrome: A Controlled Study.

Introduction The role of elastin in tympanic retractions and chronic otitis media is not well established. Williams Syndrome (WS), a pathology related to a mutation in the elastin gene, could generate tympanic retractions. Objective To compare the prevalence of tympanic retractions among patients with WS and controls. Methods WS patients ( n = 43 ears) and controls ( n = 130 ears) were evaluated by digital otoscopic examination and the degree of tympanic membrane retraction was classified by 2 blinded experienced otolaryngologists. Results The agreement rate between the evaluators was 71.1% for pars tensa and 65% for pars flaccida retraction ( p < 0.001). The pars tensa and pars flaccida retractions are present in patients with WS after an adjusted residue of respectively - 2.8 and - 2.6 ( p = 0.011 and p = 0.022) compared with controls. Conclusions Tympanic membrane retractions are not more common in the WS group when compared with controls.

Tympanic Membrane Retractions in patients with Williams Syndrome: A Controlled Study

Abstract Introduction The role of elastin in tympanic retractions and chronic otitis media is not well established. Williams Syndrome (WS), a pathology related to a mutation in the elastin gene, could generate tympanic retractions. Objective To compare the prevalence of tympanic retractions among patients with WS and controls. Methods WS patients (n= 43 ears) and controls (n= 130 ears) were evaluated by digital otoscopic examination and the degree of tympanic membrane retraction was classified by 2 blinded experienced otolaryngologists. Results The agreement rate between the evaluators was 71.1% for pars tensa and 65% for pars flaccida retraction (p< 0.001). The pars tensa and pars flaccida retractions are present in patients with WS after an adjusted residue of respectively - 2.8 and - 2.6 (p= 0.011 and p= 0.022) compared with controls. Conclusions Tympanic membrane retractions are not more common in the WS group when compared with controls.

The prevalence of neurosensorial hearing loss among cystic fibrosis patients from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.

UNLABELLED: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is considered one of the most prevalent lethal genetic disorders. The life expectancy of those patients has been rising. Besides the well-known prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis, neurosensory hearing loss (NSHL) due to the large use of ototoxic antibiotics may be another problem that should receive special attention in otolaryngology (ENT). OBJECTIVES: Define retrospectively the prevalence of NSHL among patients with CF from the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) and based on this data discuss the need for a specific out patient ENT-CF clinic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Files from CF HCPA patients were reviewed for age at diagnosis, the current age, types of antibiotics used, number of treatments, percentage with audiologic evaluation and its respective results. RESULTS: One hundred and seven files were reviewed. The mean age at diagnosis was 1.33 years old (SD 1.97, range 0-12). The mean age of the sample was 7.87 (SD 4.49, range 1-22). Audiologic evaluation was performed in 39.3% (42) of the patients. 28.56% (12) had some degree of NSHL, while 36.3% did not present acoustic reflex. From 667 treatments with antibiotics, 49.5% were with tobramycin, 43.4% with amycacin and 7% with gentamicin. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NSHL among CF patients supports the need for a specific ENT-CF outpatient clinic. This clinic would help on the prevention and treatment of NSHL due to the use of ototoxic antibiotics and on the better understanding/control of rhinosinusal disorders.

Retrospective study of the survival of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and evolutive characteristics of patients admitted in an intensive care unit after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, identifying prognostic survival factors. METHODS: A retrospective study of 136 patients admitted between 1995 and 1999 to an intensive care unit, evaluating clinical conditions, mechanisms and causes of cardiopulmonary arrest, and their relation to hospital mortality. RESULTS: A 76% mortality rate independent of age and sex was observed. Asystole was the most frequent mechanism of death, and seen in isolation pulmonary arrest was the least frequent. Cardiac failure, need for mechanical ventilation, cirrhosis and previous stroke were clinically significant (p < 0.01) death factors. CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors supplement the doctor's decision as to whether or not a patient will benefit from cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Estudo retrospectivo de sobrevida de pacientes submetidos à reanimaçäo cardiorrespiratória em unidade de tratamento intensivo / Retrospective study of the survival of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and evolutive characteristics of patients admitted in an intensive care unit after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, identifying prognostic survival factors.METHODS: A retrospective study of 136 patients admitted between 1995 and 1999 to an intensive care unit, evaluating clinical conditions, mechanisms and causes of cardiopulmonary arrest, and their relation to hospital mortality.RESULTS: A 76 percent mortality rate independent of age and sex was observed. Asystole was the most frequent mechanism of death, and seen in isolation pulmonary arrest was the least frequent. Cardiac failure, need for mechanical ventilation, cirrhosis and previous stroke were clinically significant (p<0.01) death factors.CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors supplement the doctor's decision as to whether or not a patient will benefit from cardiopulmonary resuscitation