COMPARISON OF ISOCONAZOLE NITRATE VERSUS NYSTATIN FOR TREATMENT OF OTOMYCOSIS

Objective: To compare isoconazole nitrate versus nystatin for treatment of otomycosis. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Bahawalpur and Combined Military Hospital Mardan, from Jan to Dec 2018. Methodology: Total 204 cases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected from outpatient department of Combined Military Hospital Bahawalpur and Mardan. They were divided into 2 groups of 102 each using random number tables. Group A cases were given Isocona-zole nitrate for application in external auditory meatus and group B cases were given Nystatin. All the cases were examined two weeks later and outcome was compared in terms of clinical improvement and symptoms resolution. Results: Out of 204, 125 patients were females and rest 79 were males. Age range was from 12-87 years with mean age 31 ± 2.4. Both groups were identical in terms of gender. In group A patients, 74 (72.5%) showed marked improvement after two week, 15 (14.7%) showed moderate improvement and 13 (12.7%) showed minor improvement. However, in group B, 55 (53.9%) showed marked improvement after two week, 23 (22.5%) showed moderate improvement and 24 (23.5%) showed minor improvement. Group A treatment was found significantly better than group B treatment (p=0.021). Conclusion: Isoconazole nitrate ointment was found significantly more effective for treating otomycosis than nystatin.

Microvascular decompression for a unique case of glossopharyngeal neuralgia with provokable symptomatic bradycardia: 2-Dimensional operative video

Background: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare neurovascular compression syndrome that can lead to paroxysmal craniofacial pain and sometimes cardiovascular symptoms.[1,2] The characteristic pathology involves a vessel (commonly a branch/loop of PICA) compressing the nerve at the root entry/exit zone at the brainstem.[1] Microvascular decompression is a commonly used treatment approach for patients that have failed conservative measures.[2] Case Description: A 72-year-old male presented to the ED following four episodes of syncope. The patient had a multi-year history of right-sided burning/stabbing pain involving the submandibular area and posterior throat. His syncope was related to symptomatic bradycardia that would occur during episodes of pain. His pain was exacerbated by speaking and swallowing and could be triggered by placing his finger in the right external auditory meatus. Interestingly, this maneuver would also trigger his bradycardia. The patient had failed previous pharmacotherapy, and a pacemaker had been placed to protect him from periods of hypotension. MRI/MRA of the brain and cervical spine were unremarkable. Due to his profoundly symptomatic status, the patient was offered a right retrosigmoid craniotomy for microvascular decompression of the right glossopharyngeal nerve. The patient had complete resolution of his pain and bradycardia immediately post-operatively. He was discharged on the second postoperative day and his pacemaker was ultimately removed. The patient continues to be pain free and off medication. Conclusion: Here we present a video case report of microvascular decompression with favorable outcome for an interesting presentation of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording.

Screening on Collect Students: Postural Risk Factors of Spinal Musculoskeletal Problems and Scoliosis

Background: Overuse of electronic products and decrease in levels of physical activity may lead to an increased incidence of spinal health problems in college students. This study aims to 1) identify the incidence of spinal health problems in college students, 2) to explore the key postural factors in development of spinal musculoskeletal dysfunction and scoliosis, and 3) to clarify new strategies for early identification and prevention of scoliosis. Methods: A cross-sectional screening by static posture assessment, selective functional movement assessment (SFMA) and Adam's Forward Bend Test, was conducted to 306 college students from October to December 2019. Descriptive analysis, Spearman correlation analysis and binomial logistic regression analysis were performed on the collected data.Results: Static postural assessment was completed among 306 college students, 53% of students’ external auditory meatus and acromioclavicular joint were not in the same gravitational line, 45% had forward-head posture, 42% had uneven shoulders. When performing SFMA, we found spinal musculoskeletal dysfunctions, including abnormalities of multi-segment spine flexion (32%), cervical rotation to right (18%), cervical rotation to left (16%), etc. In Adam's Forward Bend Test, 10.78% had a positive result, which suggested structural or functional scoliosis. Correlation analysis showed that the top three postural factors related to spinal musculoskeletal dysfunctions included uneven shoulders, forward-head, position of thorax and pelvis rotated. And top three postural factors related to scoliosis were spinous processes line deviating from midline, winged scapula and head rotation off midline. Logistic regression analysis displayed that there are two high risk factors for scoliosis, including external auditory meatus and acromioclavicular joint not in the same vertical line (OR = 6.314), and deviation of spinous processes line (OR = 12.743). Conclusions: Poor posture, spinal musculoskeletal dysfunction and scoliosis affect a significant proportion of college students. While their spinal musculoskeletal dysfunction and scoliosis are closely related to poor posture.

A preliminary review of Nephelomys albigularis (Tomes, 1860) (Rodentia: Cricetidae), with the description of a new species from the Peruvian montane forests

Nephelomys albigularis is a sigmodontine rodent of the tribe Oryzomyini distributed in the Andean forests from central Ecuador to central Peru. Although several studies recognize this species as monotypic, significant morphological variation has been reported in Peruvian populations that were not properly assessed by direct comparisons with the type series from central Ecuador. We present a preliminary review of N. albigularis with an integrative approach and emphasis on Peruvian populations. We analyzed specimens using morphological and morphometric methods, complemented with phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation using sequence data from the cytochrome-b gene. Our results reveal that N. albigularis (sensu lato) comprises two taxa: N. albigularis s.s., from the montane forests in central and southern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, and Nephelomys sp. nov. from montane forest east of the Marañón River. These taxa are morphologically distinct and are separated by a genetic distance of 5.90 ± 1.01%. Nephelomys sp. nov. differs from N. albigularis s.s. by longer rump hairs, narrow hypothenar pads, faintly bicolor tail; absent interorbital ridges, low zygomatic plates, smoothly squared posterior margin of the hard palate or with a small median postpalatal process, smoothly edged ventral margin of the external auditory meatus, and slightly angular mandibular sigmoid notches. In this work, we present a diagnosis and description of the new species of Nephelomys and discuss the role of the Marañón River as a potential driver for speciation in the genus Nephelomys.

Anomalous Facial Nerve in a Case of Atticoantral Chronic Otitis Media with Mastoid Abscess

An 18 years old female patient came to emergency medicine department on 3rd July 2020 in the evening hours with massive swelling extending in front, above and behind left ear. Associated with severe, throbbing, intermittent headache since past 4 days patient also had high grade fever. Patient also had a history of left ear foul smelling discharge, scanty in amount, non-blood tinged, not aggravated or relieved with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), not relieved with medications and not associated with giddiness. Clinical examination revealed a swelling in left preauricular region extending to temporoparietal region displacing left pinna downwards and outwards. Bilateral periorbital swelling was present (Figure 2, 3). Mastoid tenderness was conspicuous. Whitish foul smelling, non-blood-tinged discharge was present in left external auditory meatus. Further ear examination was not possible due to oedema, swelling and thick discharge in external auditory canal (EAC). In view of extensive swelling with its epicenter in mastoid region, left unsafe chronic otitis media (COM) with complication was suspected and was admitted to ENT ward. General investigations were normal except leucocytosis. While patient was put on antibiotics, neurosurgical opinion was sought and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain with contrast was planned to map the abscess. MRI (Figure 1) which was suggestive of left squamosal COM and mastoiditis with intracranial extradural abscess in left temporoparietal region. MRI also uncovered large subgaleal abscess in the left temporo-occipito-parietal region along the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle with thrombosis of left transverse and sigmoid sinus. Neurosurgeons found no need for intervention from their side.

EXTERNAL AUDITORY MEATUS: LANDMARK FOR V OSETOTOMIES IN SQUARE FACE CORRECTION: A TECHNICAL NOTE

The authors present a new technique for planning of V-osteotomies in correction of square face. A static bony landmark: External acoustic meatus (EAM) is used for planning the osteotomy cuts on stereolithographic model which provides accurate replication of planned osteotomy cuts on table.

Effects of External Auditory Meatus Occlusion on Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials Induced by Bone Conducted Sound

To facilitate more reliable recordings of the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMP) induced by bone-conducted sound using the B81 bone conduction transducer, we preliminarily studied the effects of external auditory meatus occlusion using an earplug on such oVEMP. Eight healthy volunteers (four males and four females, 26–48 years of age, mean age: 34. 5 years) and 14 patients with vestibular disease (2 males and 12 females, 18–59 years of age, mean age: 41.5 years) were enrolled. oVEMP testing was performed using a B81 placed on the temple. Tone bursts (500 Hz, rise/fall time: 2 ms, plateau time: 2 ms, and 70 dB nHL) were presented at a rate of 5.1 Hz. N1-P1 amplitudes were measured and analyzed. Occlusion resulted in significantly larger N1-P1 amplitudes [mean ± SE (SD): 12.3 ± 1.67 (6.71) μV vs. 9.55 ± 1.55 (6.21) μV; p = 0.020, paired t-test]. While four patients did not exhibit any response on either side in the absence of occlusion, all of them showed unilateral or bilateral responses when occlusion was employed. In any patient occlusion did not result in loss of oVEMP responses. External auditory meatus occlusion using an earplug could allow more reliable recordings of bone conduction transducer-induced oVEMP.

637 Free Abdominal Tissue Transfer and Utilization of the Umbilical Stalk for “Tubular” Reconstruction in Ear, Nose and Throat Defects: A Case Series

Introduction Head and neck defects, whether from burns or cancer resections, are complex and often require free flap reconstruction. Radial forearm and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are commonly used due to their thin and versatile nature. However, abdominal based free tissue transfer is one valuable alternative that can cover large defects and may become a more appropriate option on the reconstructive ladder when the defect includes reconstruction of a tubular structure, such as the external auditory canal, a neck tracheostomy/stoma site or an external nasal opening. We present a novel utilization of abdominal free tissue transfer for coverage of large ear and scalp burn defects as well as neck and midface defects with usage of the umbilical stalk for tubed reconstruction. Methods Four patients presented for reconstruction: two patients had sustained large ear and scalp burns resulting in complete ear loss; one had a large neck defect resulting from recurrent cancer resection which necessitated a laryngectomy and stoma creation; and one patient had a large central face defect post-cancer resection. All four patients underwent an abdominal based free tissue transfer with reconstruction of the external auditory canal in the ear and scalp burns, stoma creation in the neck defect, and the external nasal opening in the central face defect, all utilizing the vascularized umbilical stalk for the tubed reconstruction. Results All patients recovered post-operatively without any reported complications such as tubular stenosis or contracture while maintaining umbilical stalk tubular patency. Conclusions Reconstruction of a tubed structure in head and neck defects, whether the external auditory meatus, an external nasal opening or a neck stoma post burn or cancer resection, can be a difficult and challenging operation fraught with potential complications. We present a novel method of reconstruction of large defects employing the use of the uniquely thin and vascularized umbilical stalk for tubular reconstruction.

Cystic Adenoid Carcinomas in Ear, Nose and Throat: Unusual Localizations and a Literature Review

Introduction: adenoid cystic carcinoma account 1% for all cancers of the ear nose and throat. Despite slow growth, their recurrence is frequent. This study concerns 5 cases of cystic adenoid carcinoma with atypical ear nose and throat locations (outside the main salivary glands). Materials and methods: Our work is a study of 5 cases of cylindromes with atypical localizations collected at the ear nose throat and cervico-facial surgery department of Mohamed IV university hospital of Marrakesh: 1 case located at the external auditory meatus, 1 case at the infratemporal fossa, 1 case on the inside of the cheek, 1 case in the soft palate and one laryngotracheal case. Results and discussion: The management of adenoid cystic carcinoma remains delicate because of their insidious growth, their neurological tropism and their metastatic potential. These associated elements delay the diagnosis that is often made while those tumors are locally advanced, which can make surgery difficult, and be responsible of a lot of late recurrences. The treatment of these tumors has long relied on exclusive surgery. Cystic adenoid carcinomas were considered radio resistant. Retrospective studies have shown the benefit of treatment combining surgery and radiotherapy, in terms of local control and disease-free survival, compared to surgery or radiotherapy alone. Conclusion: The essential problem of adenoid cystic carcinoma remains the long-term control of the disease. Our results confirm that the gold-standard treatment should be both surgery and radiotherapy.