RESUMEN
To find prevalence of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) among auto drivers in central Bangalore using a structured questionnaire and audiometric evaluation. To establish a relation between age and duration of work to the presence of noise induced hearing loss among the autorickshaw drivers. To assess the validity of the questionnaire as a screening tool.A cross sectional study conducted in VV Puram, Bangalore from April-August 2019. 100 autorickshaw drivers were subjected to Pure tone audiometry (PTA) evaluation and were asked to answer a self-structured questionnaire comprising of 9 questions. Each question was scored from 0 to 3, making 27 the maximum score a person could obtain. Based on the score they were categorised as mild (6-10), moderate (10-20) and severe (> 20) hearing loss. Any dip found in the bone conduction in the audiometry at higher frequencies was labelled as presence of NIHL. Age and duration of working hours were noted in order to establish the relation of the two with the presence of noise induced hearing loss.The prevalence of NIHL among the study samples was found to be 40% based on the questionnaire and audiometry test combined. The questionnaire showed a sensitivity of 80% reflecting that it is an efficient tool for screening NIHL among the auto drivers. Prevelance of NIHL was found to be higher among older and study groups with longer working hours. Though majority of the auto drivers did not complain of a hearing loss, a structured questionnaire combined with a pure tone audiometric evaluation helped in identification of early changes of NIHL.
RESUMEN
A patient with diffuse axonal injury, with compound type 2 fracture of left tibia and fat embolism, post road traffic accident, was taken up for tracheostomy. He was diagnosed to have developed bilateral pneumothorax following the procedure, which according to literature has been of rare incidence. The causes of the pneumothorax following the procedure could be attributed to a tear or trauma in the posterior tracheal wall while inserting the tube or due to the rupture of alveolar bullae or bleb.
RESUMEN
To identify patients of vocal cord paresis and palsy and to establish an etiological diagnosis based on a study performed in a tertiary centre. Study was done prospectively in the Department of ENT in KIMS Hospital, Bangalore, for 1 year, from June 2016 to June 2017. 100 patients with vocal cord paresis and palsy were identified and examined by using various tests and investigations to establish the etiology. Most of the patients presented with complaints of change in voice (92%). Some of the other common presenting complaints included noisy breathing and difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in voice production and vocal fatigue and cough. Unilateral paralysis (82%) was found to be more common than bilateral paralysis (18%), of which left (52%) was more commonly affected than right (48%) vocal cord. The most common age group affected was 51-60 years (24%) followed by 61-70 years (19%). Males (60%) were affected more than females (40%) in a ratio of 3:2 and among the affected males 73% were known smokers. The most common cause of vocal cord paresis and palsy was found to be idiopathic (38%), followed by primary laryngeal growths (27%). Other causes included carcinomas of lung, thyroid and oesophagus, traumatic, inflammatory, systemic diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis, Hypertension leading to stroke. Identifying the exact etiopathogenesis of vocal cord paresis and palsy in patients has been difficult and is very important in order to establish a proper diagnostic and treatment protocol for these patients.
RESUMEN
Schwannoma is a solitary, benign tumour arising from the neural sheath Schwann cells of the peripheral, cranial or autonomic nerves. In the head and neck region, it occurs most commonly in association with the acoustic nerve within the skull and is rarely found in oral structures. When it is found in oral structures, the tongue is reported to be the favoured site. Schwannoma of the tonsil is extremely rare, with only two cases reported in the literature. We report what is, to our knowledge, the third case of schwannoma of the tonsil, diagnosed by histopathology.