Paranasal sinuses and middle ear infections: what do they have in common?

Abstract This study was conducted to find out frequency of hearing impairment in middle ear infection. The study design was a cross- sectional survey, conducted from August 2018 to January 2019 in the ENT Department of Children's Hospital Lahore. The data was collected through convenience sampling technique among 52 patients of middle ear infection. The measurements for level of hearing impairment were taken. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences, SPSS 20.0 Out of total 52, There were found 15 (28.8%) had once a month ear infection and 37 (71.2%) had off and 35 (67.3%) patients had mild hearing, 13 (25%) had moderate, 2(3.8%) severe and 2 (3.8%) had normal hearing loss. It was concluded that most of the participants having middle ear infections had hearing loss. Keywords: Hearing Impairment, Middle Ear Infection, Continuous...

Download Full-text

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear cavity presenting with Horner’s syndrome

Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/rcsann.2018.0157 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 101 (1) ◽

pp. e8-e10

Author(s):

SM Hayes ◽

TC Biggs ◽

JH Bird ◽

WP Hellier

Keyword(s):

Middle Ear ◽

Striated Muscle ◽

Proton Beam Therapy ◽

Malignant Tumour ◽

Horner’S Syndrome ◽

Horner's Syndrome ◽

Carotid Canal ◽

Ear Infections ◽

Disease Free

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare malignant tumour of striated muscle accounting for 3% of all primary soft tissue tumours of the middle ear cavity. We describe a unique case of a rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear cavity in a four-year-old boy, presenting as an otherwise asymptomatic ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome. This case involved tumour erosion through the tensor tympani semicanal, accessing the carotid canal and the sympathetic plexus running through it. This child was treated successfully with chemotherapy and proton beam therapy, and remains disease free at six years of follow-up. This case highlights the importance of investigating patients with non-resolving ear infections, polyps or granulation tissue.

Download Full-text

Risks from Breathing Elevated Oxygen

Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance ◽

10.3357/amhp.5393.2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 90 (12) ◽

pp. 1041-1049 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Barbara E. Shykoff ◽

Rees L. Lee

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Sea Level ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Paranasal Sinuses ◽

Decompression Sickness ◽

Oxygen Toxicity ◽

Pressure Control ◽

Small Airways ◽

Oxygen Fraction ◽

Inspired Oxygen

INTRODUCTION: Effects of breathing gas with elevated oxygen partial pressure (Po2) and/or elevated inspired oxygen fraction (FIo2) at sea level or higher is discussed. High FIo2 is associated with absorption problems in the lungs, middle ear, and paranasal sinuses, particularly if FIo2 > 80% and small airways, Eustachian tubes, or sinus passages are blocked. Absorption becomes faster as cabin altitude increases. Pulmonary oxygen toxicity and direct oxidative injuries, related to elevated Po2, are improbable in flight; no pulmonary oxygen toxicity has been found when Po2 < 55 kPa [418 Torr; 100% O2 higher than 15,000 ft (4570 m)]. Symptoms with Po2 of 75 kPa [520 Torr; 100% O2 at 10,000 ft (3050 m)] were reported after 24 h and the earliest signs at Po2 of 100 kPa (760 Torr, 100% O2 at sea level) occurred after 6 h. However, treatment for decompression sickness entails a risk of pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Elevated Po2 also constricts blood vessels, changes blood pressure control, and reduces the response to low blood sugar. With healthy lungs, gas transport and oxygen delivery are not improved by increasing Po2. Near zero humidity of the breathing gas in which oxygen is delivered may predispose susceptible individuals to bronchoconstriction.Shykoff BE, Lee RL. Risks from breathing elevated oxygen. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(12):1041–1049.

Download Full-text