International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology
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Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. · Nov 1999
Otoacoustic emissions--an approach for monitoring aminoglycoside induced ototoxicity in children.
The early detection of hearing impairment caused by ototoxic drugs, such as aminoglycosides, has been the aim of research world-wide. Histopathological studies have shown that the outer hair cells are the most susceptible cochlear components to injury from ototoxic drugs like aminoglycosides. Otoacoustic emissions reflect the functional status of the outer hair cells and constitute the only non-invasive means of objective cochlear investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of otoacoustic emissions in early identification of aminoglycoside-induced cochlear dysfunction. In addition, a comparison with pure-tone audiometry or auditory brainstem responses was performed in order to determine if this test might provide a more reliable method of monitoring early ototoxic insults to the cochlea. ⋯ The findings suggest that transient evoked otoacoustic emissions are an extremely sensitive measure of the early effects of aminoglycoside-induced injury to the peripheral auditory system. Therefore, their use is recommended for regular monitoring of cochlear function, in the presence of potentially toxic factors, aiming at prevention of permanent damage.
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To determine the types of hearing losses identified by mass hearing screenings in the public school system. ⋯ Mass hearing screening in the school system (1) is useful for detecting transient conductive hearing losses, (2) detects a significant number of sensorineural hearing losses and (3) has a very poor follow-through by the families of those students identified with hearing loss through the screening program.
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Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. · Aug 1999
Case ReportsVon Willebrand disease as cause of unanticipated bleeding following adeno-tonsillectomy.
Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a frequent autosomal bleeding disorder. We report two unsuspected patients over 6 years of age with this disease operated by tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) at our Department. ⋯ In both cases, profuse bleeding was noted in the immediate postoperative period. The therapeutic measures in these situations are discussed and a review of the current literature concerning preoperative hematologic evaluation of T&A is included.
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The removal of foreign bodies in children is very common in the otolaryngologist's daily routine. We present a prospective series of 187 cases of ear and nose foreign bodies removed from children aged 0-12 years old in a 6-month period--95 females (50.8%) and 92 males (49.2%); 78 children (41.71%) aged from 1 to 2 years, 66 (35.29%) from 3 to 5 years. There were 93 cases (49.73%) of ear foreign bodies, in which a bean was the most common (24.73%), and 94 cases (50.27%) of nose foreign bodies, in which sponge fragments predominated (36.17%). ⋯ Thirteen cases with complications (external ear canal lacerations, tympanic membrane perforation) were observed in patients in whom these previous attempts had been made, but there were no sequelae. This corresponds to one of the largest reports of ear and nose foreign body removal in children in the literature; we conclude that younger children are more prone to insert foreign bodies, which are objects usually found at home. Complications may occur as a result of attempts to remove the foreign body without the help of specialised personnel or proper conditions.
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Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. · Nov 1998
Case ReportsSubdural empyema and blindness due to cavernous sinus thrombosis in acute frontal sinusitis.
In this era of antibiotics, the complications of acute sinusitis are much less frequently encountered. Although orbital complications are most common, intracranial complications carry a high rate of mortality and morbidity. We describe a case of acute frontal sinusitis with subdural empyema and blindness due to cavernous sinus thrombosis and carotid artery thrombosis with a discussion of treatment of these complications and the etiology of blindness in sinusitis.