Frequency of COVID-19 Infection in Patients with Sudden Loss of Smell

Background: The novel human corona virus disease (COVID-19) is the fifth documented pandemic in history since the 1918 flu pandemic. Along with other clinical features, loss of smell has been reported as a prime symptom in COVID-19 positive patients. The aim is to determine the frequency of COVID-19 infection in patients who came with a history of the sudden development of loss of smell. Materials & Methods: This study was done in Uttara Crescent Hospital, a private hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital records in between 01 April 2020 and 30 November 2020, total 48 patients were included in this series. All the patients came with history of fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell and altered taste, proper history were taken and examined. The patient with suspected COVID-19 infection was sent for RT-PCR testing. About 24 patients were included in the study with the history of loss of smell with or without other symptoms from the recorded data. Results: Among the 48 patients male were 34 and female 14. The age of the patients was in between 13 and 64 years. COVID-19 infection was confirmed in 34 patients (70.83%) in RTPCR testing. Conclusion: Loss of smell is a significant symptom of COVID-19 infection, along with other symptoms. In the current study, the prevalence of COVID-19 infection is 70.83% in patients with history of sudden loss of smell. It does not reflect the country’s actual picture because of a minimal number of study populations. Further study is needed find out prevalence in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 152-158

Study of Antibiotic Sensitivity of Aural Swab and Aetiological Factors of Chronic Otitis Media-Active Mucosal Type

Background: Chronic otitis media (COM) refers to chronic inflammation of mucoperiosteal lining of middle ear cleft resulting in aural discharge and deafness. The objective of this study is to evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity and aetiological factors of COM. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2017 to June 2018 for duration of one year among the patients who attended with COM- active mucosal disease at Department of ENT & Head Neck Surgry, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Chattogram. Total 50 cases were isolated and among them 5 cases had been suffering from bilateral COM. Aural swab was taken from 55 ears and a predesigned data collection sheet was duly filled up with the information of socioeconomic status of the patient. The laboratory records of every case was systematically organized. The data were analyzed with simple manual analysis using percentage and frequency. Results: About 24% patients were in 31-40 years age group. Out of 50 patients 62% were male. 44% patient lived in barrack. Ear cleaning habit shows, 32% has got the cleaning habit with cloth and stick. Out of 50 patients 5 had bilateral COM. So out of 55 ears, Culture & sensitivity test viewed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most predominant organism - 41.8% followed by S. aureus- 30.9% Antibiotic sensitivity profile shows, 80% cases showing sensitivity to Amikacin then gentamycin-73.3% Resistant 5 cases showed 100% sensitivity to Tazobactum. Again out of 19 cases of Gram positive organism 78.9% were sensitive to Amoxyclav. 3 resistant cases showed 100% sensitivity to Meropenem. Conclusion: By studying this topic we hope to able to make an idea about the aetiological and predisposing factors and antibiotic sensitivity of COM-active mucosal variety. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 111-116

Outcomes of Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy following Type III Tympanoplasty

Objectives: To see the hearing outcomes following Type III tympanoplasty with stapes columella grafting after canal wall down mastoidectomy and find out the recurrence rates in patients undergoing this procedure. Methods: This prospective observational study includes 120 cases undergoing Type III tympanoplasty with stapes columella grafting following canal wall down mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma at a tertiary care center from 2018 to 2020. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, diagnosis, and operative details. Patients were included in statistical analysis if they were found to have undergone the aforementioned procedure. Evaluation of hearing improvement was made by comparing preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) and ABG at follow-up at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were included for this study. Erosion of the otic capsule, posterior fossa plate, or tegmen was noted in 20% of cases, highlighting disease severity. One hundred and two (85%) had undergone prior otologic surgery. Mean time to short-term follow-up was 6 ± 3 months. The average short-term ABG was 25 ± 12 dB HL; 36% achieved an ABG <20 dB and thirteen had follow-up at least 1 year postoperatively (mean = 33 ± 16 months). At longer-term follow-up, mean ABG was 24 ± 11 dB HL. Hearing remained stable over time (P = .26). Conclusion: In some patients undergoing canal wall down mastoidectomy for advanced or recurrent cholesteatoma, Type III tympanoplasty with stapes columella grafting yields marginal hearing benefit. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 145-151

Comparison of Reinforcement Cartilage Graft and Temporalis Fascia Graft in Type 1 Tympanoplasty

Background: Chronic otitis media (COM) is the long-standing infection of a part or whole of middle ear cleft characterized by ear discharge and perforation. It is the commonest ear problem in adult and children. Most common presenting symptoms are ear discharge, mild to severe hearing loss, sometimes tinnitus even vertigo. Treatment of COM is mainly operative. Inactive mucosal variety of COM presents with the perforation in tympanic membrane with non-inflamed middle ear mucosa. The treatment of inactive mucosal variety of COM is Type 1tympanoplasty. It can be done by conventional temporalis fascia or cartilage graft. Both have some merits and demerits. Objective: To compare the the outcomes between reinforcement cartilage graft and temporalis fascia graft in type -1 tympanoplasty. Methods: 86 (43 patients in each group) patients with COM (inactive mucosal) who were admitted in the department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from January 2018 to June 2019, and had fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected for the study. History, examinations, investigations were done. All patients underwent type 1 tympanoplasty. Prior to surgery relevant investigations were done and informed written consent was taken from all patients. In Group-A reinforcement cartilage tympanoplasty cases and in Group-B temporalis fascia tympanoplasty cases were placed. Post-operative graft uptake rate and hearing gain were compared in two groups Results: The surgical outcomes between reinforcement cartilage tympanoplasty in comparison with temporalis fascia tympanoplasty showed no significant difference of graft uptake rate and hearing gain. Conclusion: Cartilage tympanoplasty has been practised for reconstruction of perforated tympanic membrane in COM since long with variable results. Graft uptake rate in cartilage reinforcement is comparatively better than temporalis fascia graft. So, reinforcement cartilage graft can be adopted as an alternative to temporalis fascia graft in type- I tympanoplasty. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 104-110

Nasolabial Flap and Simultaneous Cartilage Graft for Nasal Alar Reconstruction- A Case Report

A case of full thickness defect involving left ala of nose reconstructed with nasolabial flap for the coverage of skin and mucosal lining, along with simultaneous insertion of septal cartilage, which completes the reconstruction. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 184-187

Comparison of Uncomfortable Loudness Level in Stapedotomy with or without Stapedial Tendon Preservation

Background: Otosclerosis is one of the commonest diseases of the ear mostly involves the otic capsule. Most often otosclerotic foci appear in stapes region leading to stapes fixation, predominantly affect the adolescence female. The most common presenting symptom of clinical otosclerosis is conductive deafness. The mainstay of treatment for otosclerosis is surgery. Surgical options include stapedectomy, stapedotomy with or without stapedial tendon preservation. The latter being is the procedure of choice. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the outcome of uncomfortable loudness level in stapedotomy with or without stapedial tendon preservation. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka for 18 months in patients with otosclerosis. Total 30 subjects were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients were assessed pre-operatively by clinical examination, otoscopy and microscopic examination. Hearing was assessed by pure tone audiometry. Uncomfortable level and stapedial reflex threshold were tested in all cases. The selected cases were placed into two groups. Stapedial tendon resection in Group-I and stapedial tendon preservation in Group-II. Post-operative follow up was done at 3 months and 6 months. Hearing and uncomfortable loudness level were evaluated with PTA during follow up by calculating the average of 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000HZ. The data were calculated manually. The statistical significance was set to P< 0.05. Results of the study were expressed as mean, standard deviation (± SD), frequency and percentages. Means and standard deviations were reported for continuous variables. Frequencies and percentages were reported for categorical variables. Unpaired Student’s t test was done to compare the continuous variables and Chi Square test was done to compare the categorical variables. Results: In this study preoperative average ABG for group I and group II were 35 ± 4.57 dB and 34 ± 4.17 dB respectively. In group I, post operative average ABG after 3 months and 6 months were 14 ± 3.7 dB and 13±3.3 dB respectively. Post operative average ABG after 3 months was 13 ± 5.7 dB and was 12 ± 4.4 dB for group II. But the hearing improvement between two groups was not statistically significant. In case of preoperative mean UCL was 95 ± 1.8 dB and 96 ± 2.5 dB for group I and group II respectively. Postoperative mean UCL after 3 months was 96 ± 3.57 dB and after 6 months was 99 ± 6.28 dB in group I. For group II, postoperative mean UCL after 3 months and 6 months was 107±4.2 dB and 113 ± 3.2 dB respectively. Here mean UCL was on average 11 dB higher for group II in 3 months and additional 6 dB improvement noted after 6 months, but show minimal change in group I. This finding was statistically significant. Conclusion: Preservation of the stapedial tendon is the choice in the surgical treatment of otosclerosis which helps to improve functional outcomes as well as to provide the more physiologic protection of middle ear. Postoperative discomfort threshold levels were increased in patients who had their stapedial tendon restored. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 117-123

Transoral Laryngeal Microsurgery

not available Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 100-103

Outcome of Total Laryngectomy in Regional Hospitals of Bangladesh

Objectives: To analyze post operative complications, local recurrence, functional outcome of speech & swallowing and survival rate following total laryngectomy. Methods: This prospective observational study was done in four major tertiary care medical college hospitals of Bangladesh from July 2000 to December 2019. All operations were done by a single surgeon, one of the authors of this study based on the personal experience. 45 patients were selected who underwent total laryngectomy for biopsy proven advanced (T3 and T4) laryngeal cancer as primary case & recurrent cases following radiotherapy. Patients were followed up monthly for three months and then six monthly for two years and yearly for rest of their life. Results: Age of the patients ranged from 42 to 80 years with mean age 56.7 years. In postoperative period 03 (6.6%) patients developed wound infection, 03 (6.6%) stomal stenosis, 03 (6.6%) stomal recurrence, 02 (4.4%) seroma, 02 (4.4%) pharyngo-cutaneous fistula and 01 (2.2%) case developed pharyngeal stenosis. In post laryngectomy voice rehabilitation 33 (73.3%) cases used esophageal voice, 07 (15.5%) cases used electrolarynx and 05 (11.1%) cases used bloom singer valve. Out of oesophageal speech, 2 patients had poor speech, Regarding swallowing all patients had very good swallowing except one patient who got pharyngeal stenosis, needed dilation. 3 patients died in subsequent 2 years follow-up and overall survival was 93.3%. Conclusion: Outcome of total laryngectomy depends on site and size of tumour, nodal metastases, recurrent cases and co-existing co-morbidities. Total laryngectomy with or without radiotherapy offers significantly higher local control and survival benefit with advanced laryngeal cancer, compared to radiotherapy only. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 139-144

Role of Selective Neck Dissection in Primary T1, T2, N0 Neck Oral Tongue Carcinoma

Background: Oral tongue is one of the common site for carcinoma. 22% to 39% of oral cancer develops at this site. The high incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis, occult cervical metastasis, Provide a logical basis for treatment of the neck. The aim of this is study was to find out the importance of selective neck dissection in primary T1, T2, N0 Neck Oral Tongue Carcinoma. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka Medical College Hospital and National Institute of ENT, Dhaka. Thirty cases of primary T1, T2, N0 Neck Oral Tongue Carcinoma with inclusion criteria was enrolled as a study sample. Patients were evaluated by a complete clinical head and neck examination as well as Imaging (MRI) of the primary tumor and neck. All the data were compiled and sorted properly and the numerical data were analyzed statistically. The results were expressed as percentage and mean ± SD. Chi-square (x2) test or Fisher’s Exact test was done for comparison of data presented in categorical value and p value <0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Among the patients 23(76.7%) were T1 lesion and remaining 7(23.33%) were T2 lesion. Extended Supraomohyoid Selective Neck Dissection (SOSD) (I-IV) was done in all patients. Following histopathological examination, 8(26.67%) patients of N0 neck became positive for nodal metastasis. Results: The study showed that most commonly (50%) involved group of occult metastasis was upper deep cervical lymph node in submandibular area (level-I). Occult nodal metastasis was significantly common 87.5% among male patients than females (p=0.039) and also common 87.5% among <50 years age group (p=0.023). Neck node positive was significantly more 62.5% in T2 lesion (p=0.002) of oral tongue carcinoma. Conclusion: In this study, we found that a number of patients had been histopathologicallly detected micro-metastases in regional neck nodes in clinically N0 patients.So, Extended Supraomohyoid Selective neck dissection (I-IV) was appropriate in T1,T2, N0 Neck Oral Tongue Carcinoma. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 130-138

Complicated Paediatric Bronchial Foreign Body: A Novel Extraction Technique

A paediatric bronchoscopy procedure for foreign body inhalation is indeed a highly challenging procedure due to multiple risk factors such as lower physiological functional residual capacity and adverse pulmonary function effects by anaesthetic agents in addition to concurrent active lungs infection. Here we elucidate a novel technique of foreign body removal located at the distal airway in a paediatric patient and in a situation where a paediatric flexible bronchoscopy with built-in working channel is not available. A 1-year 7-months-old boy presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome following a one-week history of active respiratory infection. On examination, he was tachypnoeic with audible soft inspiratory stridor and intermittent barking cough despite being supplemented with 3 liters /minute oxygen mask. Chest x-ray showed right upper lobe collapse. He was referred to the otorhinolaryngology team after a suspicious history of foreign body aspiration obtained from his mother. Bedside flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy showed granulation tissue at the junction of laryngeal surface of epiglottis and anterior commissure. He underwent emergency direct laryngoscopy, tracheoscopy, bronchoscopy, excision of granulation tissue and removal of foreign body under general anaesthesia. Herein, some of complicated bronchoscopy demand critical thinking of alternative or modified techniques to achieve a successful and safe surgery. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 177-183