Prospective Evaluation of the Efficacy of Isolated Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty: Short- and Medium-term Follow-up Results Based on Tubomanometry, ETDQ-7, Tympanometry, and Valsalva Maneuver.

Introduction Balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) allows the treatment of the main etiology of eustachian tube disfunction (ETD). Objective To evaluate the efficacy of isolated BET, through objective and subjective results, in the short and medium term, in patients with chronic obstructive ETD. Methods Adult patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive ETD who underwent BET between January 2018 and December 2020 were enrolled in the study. We performed a prospective observational study of BET efficacy, by comparing subjective data, based on the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7), and objective data, obtained by tympanometry, objective Valsalva maneuver and tubomanometry, prior to BET with these outcome tools on postprocedure follow-up. Results In total, 30 BETs were performed and analyzed. There were no complications with the procedure. Analysis of BET efficacy was performed in the short-term (average of 7.5 weeks) and in the medium-term (average of 8 months). There was a significant reduction ( p < 0.0001) in the total ETDQ-7 score from baseline to both follow-up periods. A normalization of the ETDQ-7 score was observed in 60 and 83.3% of the performed procedures, in the short- and medium-term, respectively. In tubomanometry, we verified a significant improvement ( p < 0.0001) at all pressures, with a normalization of tubomanometry values in 53.3% and 43.3% of cases in the short- and medium-term, respectively. Tympanogram normalization occurred in 71.4% of patients with abnormal preoperative assessments. Conclusion As an isolated procedure, BET results in significant improvements in symptomatology and objective metric results. This, associated with its safety profile, currently makes BET the most indicated therapeutic option in refractory obstructive ETD.

Tinnitus and Otosclerosis: An Exploratory Study about the Prevalence, Features and Impact in Daily Life

Abstract Introduction Tinnitus is experienced by a significant part of the patients suffering from otosclerosis. Objective To assess the prevalence of tinnitus in otosclerosis, its main features, and the impact on the daily life. Methods Patients diagnosed with otosclerosis in 2019 in a tertiary hospital were enrolled in the study. Demographic data were retrieved and, besides a regular audiometric evaluation, the patients underwent acuphenometry to assess the psychoacoustic measurements (pitch and loudness), and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Results In total, 66 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with a female predominance (63.6%; n = 42), and a mean age of 48.7 years. The mean air-bone gap was of 26.3 dB. A total of 72.7% complained of tinnitus; it was mostly unilateral, identified in the low frequencies, namely 500 Hz, with median loudness of 7.5 dB. The median score on the THI score was of 37; most patients had a mild handicap (33.3%, n = 16), followed by those with a severe handicap (22.9%; n = 11). The female gender had a statistically significant association with the presence of tinnitus. The THI scores were higher in middle-aged patients (age groups: 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 years), which was statistically significant. No correlation was found between audiometry results and the prevalence of tinnitus or score on the THI. On the other hand, high-pitched tinnitus, compared to low pitched-tinnitus, was associated with larger air-bone gaps. Conclusion The prevalence of tinnitus in our population was in line with the prevalences reported in the literature. It caused a catastrophic handicap in 22.9% of the patients. High-pitched tinnitus was associated with higher handicap. Nonetheless, the existence of tinnitus and its severity were not associated with the degree of hearing loss.

Tinnitus and Otosclerosis: An Exploratory Study about the Prevalence, Features and Impact in Daily Life.

Introduction Tinnitus is experienced by a significant part of the patients suffering from otosclerosis. Objective To assess the prevalence of tinnitus in otosclerosis, its main features, and the impact on the daily life. Methods Patients diagnosed with otosclerosis in 2019 in a tertiary hospital were enrolled in the study. Demographic data were retrieved and, besides a regular audiometric evaluation, the patients underwent acuphenometry to assess the psychoacoustic measurements (pitch and loudness), and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Results In total, 66 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with a female predominance (63.6%; n = 42), and a mean age of 48.7 years. The mean air-bone gap was of 26.3 dB. A total of 72.7% complained of tinnitus; it was mostly unilateral, identified in the low frequencies, namely 500 Hz, with median loudness of 7.5 dB. The median score on the THI score was of 37; most patients had a mild handicap (33.3%, n = 16), followed by those with a severe handicap (22.9%; n = 11). The female gender had a statistically significant association with the presence of tinnitus. The THI scores were higher in middle-aged patients (age groups: 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 years), which was statistically significant. No correlation was found between audiometry results and the prevalence of tinnitus or score on the THI. On the other hand, high-pitched tinnitus, compared to low pitched-tinnitus, was associated with larger air-bone gaps. Conclusion The prevalence of tinnitus in our population was in line with the prevalences reported in the literature. It caused a catastrophic handicap in 22.9% of the patients. High-pitched tinnitus was associated with higher handicap. Nonetheless, the existence of tinnitus and its severity were not associated with the degree of hearing loss.

[Vestibular Disorders in the Pediatric Age: Retrospective Analysis and Review of the Literature]. / Patologia Vestibular em Idade Pediátrica: Análise Retrospetiva e Revisão da Literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Vestibular disorders in pediatric patients is still a controversial subject but has gained relevance over the years. In recent studies, its prevalence varied between 0.7% and 15%. Nevertheless, the true prevalence can be underestimated given that its clinical presentation is expressed compared to adults; it can present as rotatory vertigo, but It can also cause vision complaints, headaches, motor delay, and learning disability. Although middle ear effusion is considered the main cause of vestibular dysfunction in this age group, other diagnoses should be considered. The aim of this study was to describe clinical features of the pediatric population referred to a subspecialist Otorhinolaryngology vertigo clinic in a tertiary hospital between 2013 and 2017. We also aimed to compare the results and carry out a literature about the most common causes, diagnostic features and treatment approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical records of patients referred to a subspecialist Otorhinolaryngology vertigo clinic with suspicion of vestibular dysfunction aged between 0 and 18 years old were reviewed. Patients with middle ear effusion were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria. From these, 59% were female, with a mean age of 10.9 years old during the first consultation. The most common reason for referral was rotatory vertigo. Nausea and headache were also frequent complaints in our population. All patients performed audiometry; videonistagmography was performed in 41% of the cases; imaging studies were done in 59% of patients. The most common causes of vestibular dysfunction were vestibular migraine and benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (both in 27% of the cases), followed by vestibular neuritis (in 22% of the cases). DISCUSSION: Although our findings partially concur with the literature, compared with other specialist centers, the range of reasons for referral and of conditions is not as diverse, which may suggest that there is underdiagnosis of vestibular dysfunction in this age group. CONCLUSION: Vestibular dysfunction in the pediatric age can have several causes; pediatricians, neurologists, physiatrists, family doctors and otorhinolaryngologists must be aware of the different forms of presentation. Referral and evaluation protocols addressing pediatric patients should be created.

Introdução: A patologia vestibular na população pediátrica é um tema bastante controverso, mas que tem ganho cada vez mais destaque. A prevalência reportada nesta população varia entre 0,7% e 15%. No entanto, este valor pode estar subestimado, uma vez que a sua forma de expressão na população pediátrica é muito diferente da dos adultos, podendo ir desde a vertigem rotatória até queixas de alterações da visão, cefaleias, atraso motor ou dificuldades na aprendizagem. Embora na literatura a otite média com efusão seja considerada a principal causa de disfunção vestibular nesta faixa etária, existem outras que devem ser consideradas. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as características clínicas da população pediátrica encaminhada para avaliação em consulta de Otorrinolaringologia num hospital terciário, por suspeita de disfunção vestibular, desde o ano de 2013 até 2017; Também se pretendeu comparar os resultados e realizar uma revisão da literatura acerca das etiologias mais frequentes, características diagnósticas e abordagem terapêutica.Material e Métodos: Foram analisados de forma retrospetiva os processos clínicos dos doentes observados na consulta de subespecialidade de Vertigem de Otorrinolaringologia com idades entre 0 e 18 anos. Foram excluídos os doentes com diagnóstico de otite média com efusão.Resultados: Cumpriam os critérios de inclusão 37 doentes, dos quais 59% eram do sexo feminino, sendo a idade média da primeira consulta de 10,9 anos. O motivo mais frequente de referenciação foi a vertigem rotatória. As náuseas e cefaleias foram também sintomas frequentemente descritos. Todos os doentes foram submetidos a audiometria tonal; a videonistagmografia foi realizada em 41% dos casos; exames de imagem foram realizados em 59% dos doentes. No que respeita às etiologias do quadro, as mais frequentes foram a enxaqueca vestibular e a vertigem paroxística benigna da infância (ambas em 27% dos casos), seguida da neuronite vestibular (em 22% dos casos).Discussão: Embora os resultados sejam, em parte, sobreponíveis à literatura, comparativamente a outros centros de referência a diversidade de motivos de referenciação e de patologias é menor, o que pode apontar para o subdiagnóstico da disfunção vestibular nesta faixa etária.Conclusão: A disfunção vestibular em idade pediátrica pode ter uma multiplicidade de etiologias, pelo que pediatras, neurologistas, fisiatras, médicos de família e otorrinolaringologistas devem estar alerta para as diversas formas de apresentação desta entidade. Deverão ser criados protocolos de referenciação e avaliação adequados para esta população.

Extra-skeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the frontal sinus: a rare disorder in pediatric age.

Paediatric sinonasal tumours comprise numerous aetiologies. Ewing's sarcoma (ES) consists of a malignancy of neuroectodermal origin. This type of sarcoma affects mainly children and adolescents and can assume the skeletal or extra-skeletal form. Primary ES of head and neck is extremely rare, accounting for only 4%-9% of all cases. So far, as much as we know, only a few cases of sinonasal ES have been reported in literature. The authors present a case of a previous healthy 12-year-old girl who presented with a rapidly growing and expansive frontal mass and unilateral nasal obstruction. Immunohistochemical, molecular and cytogenetic analysis of the lesion showed diffuse expression of CD56 and CD99 on tumour cells and a translocation involving chromosome 22q12, confirming ES diagnosis.

Cat-scratch Disease with Parinaud's Oculoglandular Syndrome.

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is one of the most common causes of infectious cervicofacial lymphadenopathies in children, adolescents, and young adults. With this case report, we highlight the wide spectrum of atypical manifestations of CSD in an elderly patient who presented not only with cervicofacial lymphadenopathies but also parotid enlargement, and Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome which comprises granulomatous nonsuppurative conjunctivitis with adjacent ipsilateral preauricular lymphadenopathy. A high index of suspicion is needed to correctly diagnose and treat this clinical entity.

Management of pediatric peritonsillar and deep neck infections- cross- sectional retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Deep neck infections (DNI) are responsible for significant morbidity in children and healthcare expenditures. Few studies exist specifically addressing the clinical and epidemiologic characterization and management of DNI's in the pediatric population. Our goal was to analyse the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of peritonsillar and DNI in pediatric patients. METHODS: The medical records of patients, aged up to 18 years, admitted for peritonsillar and DNI at our department, from 2011 to 2016, were retrospectively reviewed and compared with the literature available. Ninety-eight patients were enrolled. RESULTS: The mean age was higher in patients with peritonsillar abscess and lower in patients with retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal infections. Admissions have significantly increased from 2011. There was a seasonal variation for DNI incidence, with a peak incidence in Summer and Spring. All patients included were treated as inpatient and received empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy and steroids regardless of drainage procedures. Incision and drainage was performed in 72 patients. The hospital length of stay was higher among patients with retropharyngeal abscess and in the group with complications. Only 2 patients developed complications during hospital stay. The most common microbiological pattern was monomicrobial and the most commonly isolated pathogens were Streptococcus Pyogenes, Streptococcus Mitis and anaerobic bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical incision and drainage followed by intravenous antibiotic and steroids proved to be successfull with low morbidity related to surgical approach. However, in selected cases, medical therapy may be an alternative to surgical management in uncomplicated infections.