Pattern and Severity of Allergic Rhinitis Correlated with Patient Characteristics: A Rural Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is rising in incidence in both developed and developing countries. Genetics and epigenetics have a potential role to play. The pattern and severity of AR have implications with regard to choice of treatment, which itself could be related to patient specific genetic and epigenetic factors. Hence, the present study was undertaken to correlate the patient characteristics with AR pattern and severity, in order to understand the pathophysiology of AR. The study also aimed to find out the allergen sensitivity pattern among patients attending a tertiary care centre of rural central India, where climatic variations make it a high prevalence zone. Prospective Observational study on 90 patients with clinically diagnosed Allergic Rhinitis confirmed by Skin Prick Tests. Patient characteristics like demographic data, data relevant to allergen exposure, occupation, family history of atopy and gender; and Disease characteristics like severity (mild, mod-severe), pattern (continuous/ intermittent), type of disease (seasonal/perennial) were noted, analysed and correlation studied. Majority of the patients with AR were in the age group of 15-40 years. Medical students (52%) suffered from moderate to severe type of Allergic Rhinitis, with Persistent disease in approximately 80%. Similarly, 70.59% of farmers had moderate to severe type of the disease, with persistent disease in 70%. In the present study, in clinically diagnosed allergic rhinitis patients, Mite was the commonest allergen found on Skin Prick Test overall and in Medical students, whereas Pollen sensitivity was more common among farmers. 56.66% of the patients had negative family history of atopy. Severity and type of AR depend on allergen exposure. In farmers and medical professionals, persistent and moderate to severe type of disease was more common, as they were persistently exposed to different type of allergens, mites in case of medical professionals and pollens in farmers. Hence, the Disease characteristics, as defined by ARIA guidelines, should not be taken in isolation and management should consider the Patient characteristics for deciding and devising protocols. In the present study, more than 50% patients were without family history of atopy. Hence, the role of various environmental factors, leading to epigenetic changes could be a major contributor in the increase in incidence of allergic rhinitis in recent times. Occurrence of perennial moderate to severe form of disease, in majority of farmers, defies the phenomenon of "Hygiene Hypothesis", focusing on the role of epigenetic changes and various outdoor allergens in the development of allergic rhinitis in them.

A Review of the Middle Ear Risk Index as a Prognostic Tool for Outcome in Middle Ear Surgery.

This review article aims to scrutinize the studies conducted to determine a relationship between preoperative Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI) factors and postoperative graft acceptance and audiological gain in patients undergoing tympanoplasty procedures in middle ear surgeries. Critical analysis is done on numerous research and types of studies that were done in this area during the past years. The clinical and technical aspects connected to disease and its care have a variety of effects on the morphological and functional outcome of tympanoplasty. A better comprehension of these characteristics aids in better disease prognostication, surgical planning, and patient counseling. At the end of this review, we can conclude that the MERI score is inversely proportional to the post-operative graft acceptance and audiological gain. The accumulated MERI is hence a good prognostic factor for the hearing outcome of surgery.

Non-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: A Rare Anatomical Entity in a Patient Undergoing Hemithyroidectomy.

A non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is a common anatomical modification with an occurrence rate ranging from 0.5% to 0.7% in surgical procedures related to thyroid pathology [1]. In this condition cervical vagus nerve reaches the larynx directly, increasing the likelihood of vocal cord palsy. Non-RLN injury can be reduced by anticipating it and identifying it early. This case report describes how a non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve was discovered intraoperatively during systemic dissection, averting intra-operative nerve injury. A 40-year-old female reported to the department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Outpatient Clinic for a nodular tumor in her neck that has been increasing for the previous five years. The colloid multi-nodular thyroid of the right lobe was confirmed by a fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The patient was lined up for a surgical procedure requiring resection of the right lobe of the thyroid. A non-recurrent right inferior laryngeal nerve was discovered during surgery. The operation and recovery went smoothly, and there was no change in his voice in subsequent follow-ups. For those who are related to this professional line, this presentation provides a summary of what a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve looks like during surgery. This is critical for anyone undergoing diagnostic and surgical procedures which demand to be invasive in the region involving the neck and upper thorax, as it lowers the risk of iatrogenic nerve injury. A solitary trauma of this nerve can induce irreversible hoarseness, whereas a multilateral lesion might result in aphonia and potentially deadly dysphonia.

Suprasternal Schwannoma: A Rare Site of Presentation.

Schwannomas are benign neurogenic tumours, arising from Schwann cells in the nerve. These tumours are a rare occurrence; 25% are reported in the head and neck region in adults, are rare in the paediatric population, and have a male preponderance. Radiologic investigations can assist in the diagnosis, and surgical excision is the treatment of choice. We report a case of suprasternal schwannoma, which is a rare site of occurrence in the neck, in a 14-year-old male child. Complete resection of the tumour was performed. The patient was free of recurrence with no symptoms at six-month follow-up.