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.

Virtual Reality Vestibular Rehabilitation in 20 Patients with Vertigo Due to Peripheral Vestibular Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND Vestibular compensation is disrupted in patients with chronic vestibular syndrome. Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise therapy that optimizes the process of vestibular compensation. This study aimed to evaluate virtual reality (VR) vestibular rehabilitation in 20 patients with vertigo due to peripheral vestibular dysfunction at a single center.Our study aim was to initially assess the impact of using virtual reality technology in vestibular rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The subjects were 20 patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH), as confirmed by videonystagmography. These were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 underwent vestibular rehabilitation using virtual reality and Group 2 was treated by conventional therapy. A VSS-SF questionnaire and the VAS scale were used to assess the effects and levels of patient satisfaction with therapy. RESULTS Both groups demonstrated significantly (P.

Chronic rhinosinusitis in children--bacteriological analysis in terms of cytological examination.

INTRODUCTION: The mechanisms of inflammatory response occurring in chronic rhinosinusitis in children are multifactorial. Besides the history and a physical examination, amongst diagnostic tools there are cytological and bacteriological examinations. OBJECTIVES: 1 Determining the nature of the bacterial flora present in the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses in children with chronic rhinosinusitis amongst patients of The Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology,Warsaw Medical University. 2 Determining the relation between bacterial strains and cytological examination of nasal mucosa in children with chronic rhinosinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group included 64 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps. The control group included 30 randomly chosen children. Diagnostic tests performed in both groups were: middle meatal culture and cytological examination from the inferior nasal concha and middle meatus. Statistical analysis was accomplished with Statistica 8.0. CONCLUSIONS: Damage to the respiratory epithelial surface is understood as damage to the innate immune barrier, and repeated antibiotic therapy with the subsequent repopulation of the epithelium accidentally by various bacteria can become responsible for the pathogenic effect of bacteria in chronic rhinosinusitis.

An unusual oesophageal foreign body in neonate - case report.

BACKGROUND: Foreign bodies in the esophagus in children are usually swallowed accidentally during play. An oesophageal foreign body in neonate is rare and thus the diagnostic work-up may be difficult. CASE REPORT: We present a case of an 8-day-old baby with symptoms of oesophageal obstruction. An unusual foreign body was found. CONCLUSIONS: Foreign bodies in neonate's esophagus are rare; non-accidental action should be suspected. Atypical clinical and radiological symptoms may cause diagnostic difficulties.

The history of pediatric otorhinolaryngology in Poland.

The past few decades have been a time of rapid and constantly-accelerating development in every field of medicine, including pediatrics and laryngology. The first pediatric laryngology unit set up in Poland was in the Warsaw Kopernik Hospital in 1908, and consisted of seven beds in the surgical ward. The actual development of the specialty in Poland began in the nineteen-forties. The first modern department of Pediatric Laryngology was set up in the Mother and Child Institut in 1947, and next in Warsaw University Hospital in 1956. These two were both set up and headed by Associate Professor Jan Danielewicz who is considered to be the father of pediatric otolaryngology in Poland, and one of its co-founders in Europe. The first conference of Polish Pediatric ENT was the result of the efforts of Associate Professor Danielewicz in Zakopane, in 1958. Professors Kossowska and Danielewicz were the joint organisers of the First European Congress of Pediatric Laryngologists in Warsaw, in 1979. At present in Poland exist five Clinic of Pedatric ENT and about 25 ward of this speciality. Pediatric ENT is independent medical specialization.