Fallopian Canal Meningocele Causing Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhoea.

Fallopian canal meningocele is an extremely rare cause of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea. Also, due to complex anatomical relations and a lack of experience, its management remains a challenge. Here we report a case focusing on its clinical course, radiological features, and management.

Evolución de la incidencia de las enfermedades infecciosas del área ORL en edad pediátrica durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Evolution in the incidence of infectious diseases in the pediatric ENT area during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducción: La infección por SARS-COV-2 es una enfermedad emergente que se ha convertido en pandemia mundial desde inicios del año 2020. Para disminuir el contagio se han impuesto medidas por parte de los gobiernos como son el confinamiento domiciliario, el uso de mascarillas, el distanciamiento social o la promoción de la higiene de manos. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar si las medidas adoptadas para frenar la pandemia COVID-19 han producido una disminución de la incidencia de enfermedades infecciosas y sus complicaciones en el área ORL en nuestro medio. Material y métodos Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en un hospital terciario de pacientes con edades comprendidas entre 0 y 15 años que precisaron ingreso por presentar infecciones cervicales profundas, complicaciones derivadas de otitis media aguda (mastoiditis o parálisis facial) o sinusitis aguda complicada. Resultados Existe una disminución reseñable en el número de ingresos globales en el periodo COVID (9) respecto a la media de los cinco años previos (20,1). Asimismo, existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el número de ingresos de infecciones cervicales (p = 0,027) y de complicaciones derivadas de otitis media aguda (p = 0,029). Discusión/conclusión Se ha observado una disminución del número de ingresos provocados por complicaciones de infecciones del área ORL en pacientes pediátricos tras el inicio de la pandemia COVID-19 en nuestro medio, este hecho podría explicarse por una disminución global del número de infecciones de vía respiratoria superior debido a las medidas higiénicas tomadas por la pandemia COVID-19. (AU)

Introduction: SARS COV-2 infection is an emerging disease that has become a global pandemic since the beginning of 2020. To reduce transmission, measures have been imposed by governments such as home confinement, the use of masks, social distancing or promotion of hand hygiene. The aim of this study is to determine if the measures adopted to reduce the COVID-19 pandemic have produced a decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases and their complications in the ENT area in our center. Material and methods A retrospective descriptive study was carried out in a tertiary hospital of patients aged between 0 and 15 years who required admission due to deep cervical infections, complications derived from acute otitis media (mastoiditis or facial paralysis) or complicated acute sinusitis. Results There is a notable decrease in the number of global admissions in the COVID period (9) compared to the average of the previous 5 years (20.1). Likewise, there are statistically significant differences in the number of admissions for cervical infections (P = .027) and complications derived from acute otitis media (P = .029). Discussion/conclusion A decrease in the number of admissions caused by complications of infections in the ENT area in paediatric patients has been observed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in our environment, this fact could be explained by a global decrease in the number of infections of the upper respiratory tract due to the hygienic measures taken by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AU)

Dizziness Evaluation and Characterisation of Patients with Posterior Circulation Stroke in the Emergency Department; a Case Series Study.

Introduction: Dizziness is a common scenario in the Emergency Departments (EDs). Among dizziness underlying causes, the posterior circulation stroke is especially relevant due to its mobimortality and concerning misdiagnosis rates. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess dizziness evaluation and baseline characteristics of patients with PS in the ED. Methods: We conducted a 3-year retrospective observational study on PS cases confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Concretely, we analysed the demographic profile of these patients, the initial PS clinical presentation, and diagnostic workup (with emphasis on dizziness evaluation) performed at the ED. Results: During the study period, 85 cases were registered. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease were present in 85.5% and previous visits to the ED due to dizziness were recorded in 16.5%. The main clinical presentation was dizziness, concretely as an acute vestibular syndrome (38.8%) with additional neurological signs or symptoms (80%). Evaluation by the otolaryngologist on call was requested in less than 10% of the cases and included the HINTS protocol use with a sensitivity of 100% for central nervous system underlying causality. A brain CT study was always performed with a sensitivity of 27%. However, 96.47% of patients were primarily admitted to the Neurology hospitalization ward and MRI was always performed in a mean time of 3.21 days confirming the diagnosis. Conclusions: Dizziness is the most frequent symptom of PS. Patients usually present an AVS (associated with additional N-SS or not) and HINTS bedside examination is the most adequate protocol to differentiate a PS from other AVS causes until the diagnostic confirmation via MRI. Interestingly, mainly otolaryngologists seem to use HINTS. However, the use of CT is widespread despite its poor value.

Management of iodine contrast induced salivary gland swelling (sialadenitis): experiences from an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Iodine contrast-induced sialadenitis (CIS) is an uncommon adverse effect to iodine-containing contrast exposition. There is scarce literature about its clinical course and demography. OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine the clinical course and management of CIS. (2) To understand if CIS might be as rare as reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 2-month prospective observational study was conducted in the emergency room of a tertiary institution. ENT physicians on call received clinical formation about CIS while emergency physicians did not. During the study period, patients admitted at the emergency room matching the clinical and radiological features of CIS, were included. Information about demographics, iodine exposure, diagnostic workup, clinical course, and management was analyzed. RESULTS: ENT physicians on call detected 4 cases, however, emergency physicians did not. Patients were aged 68-76 years and presented a bilateral submandibular gland swelling debuting 12 to 72 h after an exposure to iodinated contrast. Characteristic ultrasonographic findings supported the diagnosis and the clinical course was self-limited after 60 to 150 h. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Physicians' familiarity with CIS allows its detection and avoids costly and potentially harmful therapeutic/diagnostic efforts. The incidence is probably underestimated; however, further incidence studies are needed.

Evolution in the incidence of infectious diseases in the pediatric ENT area during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: SARS COV-2 infection is an emerging disease that has become a global pandemic since the beginning of 2020. To reduce transmission, measures have been imposed by governments such as home confinement, the use of masks, social distancing or promotion of hand hygiene. The aim of this study is to determine if the measures adopted to reduce the COVID-19 pandemic have produced a decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases and their complications in the ENT area in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out in a tertiary hospital of patients aged between 0 and 15 years who required admission due to deep cervical infections, complications derived from acute otitis media (mastoiditis or facial paralysis) or complicated acute sinusitis. RESULTS: There is a notable decrease in the number of global admissions in the COVID period (9) compared to the average of the previous 5 years (20.1). Likewise, there are statistically significant differences in the number of admissions for cervical infections (p value=0.027) and complications derived from acute otitis media (p value=0.029). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: A decrease in the number of admissions caused by complications of infections in the ENT area in paediatric patients has been observed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in our environment, this fact could be explained by a global decrease in the number of infections of the upper respiratory tract due to the hygienic measures taken by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Evolution in the incidence of infectious diseases in the pediatric ENT area during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Evolución de la incidencia de las enfermedades infecciosas del área ORL en edad pediátrica durante la pandemia COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: SARS COV-2 infection is an emerging disease that has become a global pandemic since the beginning of 2020. To reduce transmission, measures have been imposed by governments such as home confinement, the use of masks, social distancing or promotion of hand hygiene. The aim of this study is to determine if the measures adopted to reduce the COVID-19 pandemic have produced a decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases and their complications in the ENT area in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out in a tertiary hospital of patients aged between 0 and 15 years who required admission due to deep cervical infections, complications derived from acute otitis media (mastoiditis or facial paralysis) or complicated acute sinusitis. RESULTS: There is a notable decrease in the number of global admissions in the COVID period (9) compared to the average of the previous 5 years (20.1). Likewise, there are statistically significant differences in the number of admissions for cervical infections (p value= 0.027) and complications derived from acute otitis media (p value= 0.029). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: A decrease in the number of admissions caused by complications of infections in the ENT area in paediatric patients has been observed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in our environment, this fact could be explained by a global decrease in the number of infections of the upper respiratory tract due to the hygienic measures taken by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective tinnitus secondary to palatal tremor: Two case reports and brief literature review.

Objective tinnitus is defined as a type of tinnitus perceived by both the patient and external observer. This paper presents two cases of objective tinnitus related to palatal tremor, along with a literature review. Palatal tremor is a condition characterized by soft palate involuntary contractions. Two types of palatal tremor have been described: symptomatic palatal tremor and essential palatal tremor, with different clinical manifestations. Diagnostic workup is based on medical history and physical examination, including direct oropharynx exploration and cavum visualization through nasopharyngoscopy. Brain MRI is mandatory in all cases. If a secondary origin is suspected, additional lab tests should be performed based on clinical suspicion. First-line treatment is botulinum toxin injection into the levator veli palatini and tensor veli palatini muscles, with velopharyngeal insufficiency being its main adverse effect. Other medications have not been shown to be effective.

Is Skull Vibration-Induced Nystagmus Useful in Vestibular Neuritis Follow Up?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and the saccade regrouping pattern PR score of the Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) and its relationship with the slow-phase velocity (SPV) of skull vibration-induced nystagmus (SVIN) in recovery after a unilateral vestibular loss (UVL). A total of 36 patients suffering from vestibular neuritis (VN) were recruited and followed up for twelve months. In every visit, horizontal vHIT and an SVIN were performed, as well as VOR gain; PR score and the SPV of SVIN were measured. We observed a positive association between the VOR gain difference and the SPV of SVIN over time (probability greater than 0.86). Additionally, we obtained a positive association between the SPV of SVIN and the PR score in successive visits (odds ratio (OR) = -0.048; CI [0.898, 1.01]), with a probability of 0.95. Our results confirm that SPV of SVIN; VOR gain difference; and PR score decrease over time after a UVL. Both tests are useful in the follow-up of VN, as they could reflect its clinical compensation or partial recovery.

A Predictive Model of Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Meniere Disease Using Clinical Data.

OBJECTIVES: Meniere disease (MD) is defined by a clinical syndrome of recurrent attacks of spontaneous vertigo associated with tinnitus, aural fullness, and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Most patients have unilateral SNHL, but some of them will develop contralateral SNHL during the course of the disease. Several studies have reported a frequency of 2 to 73% SNHL in the second ear, according to the duration of disease and the period of follow-up. We hypothesize that unilateral and bilateral MD are different conditions, the first would initially involve the apical turn of the cochlea, while bilateral MD would affect the entire length of the cochlea. The aim of the study is to search for clinical predictors of bilateral SNHL in MD to build a predictive model of bilateral involvement. DESIGN: A retrospective, longitudinal study including two cohorts with a total of 400 patients with definite MD was carried out. The inception cohort consisted of 150 patients with MD and the validation cohort included 250 cases. All of the cases were diagnosed of unilateral MD according to their hearing loss thresholds. The following variables were assessed as predictors of bilateral SNHL for the two cohorts: sex, age of onset, familiar history of MD, migraine and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL, defined if hearing threshold >20 dB in two or more consecutive frequencies from 2 to 8 KHz). A descriptive analysis was carried out according to the presence of HFHL in the first audiogram for the main variables. By using multiple logistic regression, we built-up several predictive models for the inception cohort and validated it with the replication cohort and merged dataset. RESULTS: Twenty-three (19.3%) and 78 (41%) of patients with HFHL developed contralateral SNHL during the follow-up, in the inception and validation cohorts, respectively. In the inception cohort, the best predictive model included HFHL in the first audiogram (OR = 6.985, p = 0.063) and the absence of migraine (OR = 0.215, p = 0.144) as clinical predictors for bilateral SNHL [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.641, p = 0.002]. The model was validated in the second cohort (AUC = 0.621, p < 0.001). Finally, we merged both datasets to improve the precision of the model including HFHL in the first audiogram (OR = 3.168, p = 0.001), migraine (OR = 0.482, p = 0.036) and age of onset >35 years old (OR = 2.422, p = 0.006) as clinical predictors (AUC = 0.639, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A predictive model including the age of onset, HFHL in the first audiogram and migraine can help to assess the risk of bilateral SNHL in MD. This model may have significant implications for clinical management of patients with MD.