Figure _______ A 5-year-old boy with chronic otitis media.
Recurrent or chronic upper respiratory tract infections (otitis media, otorrhoea,
sinusitis, tonsillitis ). With repeated episodes of acute otitis media, with or without
sinusitis, persistent or recurrent ear discharge is common. Tympanic membrane
perforation is one of the common suppurative complications found in these children.
1: Am J Otolaryngol. 2006 May-Jun;27(3):179-85.
HIV manifestations in otolaryngology.
Prasad HK, Bhojwani KM, Shenoy V, Prasad SC.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College,
Mangalore, Karnataka State, India. kishorecprasad@yahoo.com
PURPOSE: AIDS is a fatal illness, which breaks down the body's immunity and
leaves the victim vulnerable to life-threatening opportunistic infections,
neurological disorders, or unusual malignancies. About 80% of patients with HIV
infections present with otolaryngological symptoms. Often, the otolaryngologist
is the primary physician who diagnoses the HIV infection. He should be aware and
vigilant for its symptoms and unusual presentations. The aim of our study was to
determine the incidence of otolaryngological manifestations, the clinical
presentations, relevant diagnostic tools, management, and survival rates.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 968 patients who were diagnosed to
have HIV
infection at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India, from January 1996 to
December 2004. The incidence of otolaryngological manifestations was noted.
Patients with opportunistic infections were treated by specific and symptomatic
measures. Of 968 patients studied, 419 were followed up for a 5-year period.
RESULTS: In our study, otolaryngological findings were noted in 79% of
individuals. Oropharyngeal findings, which were the commonest, were seen in 59%,
followed by cervical lymphadenopathy in 42% of patients. Oral candidiasis was
the commonest oropharyngeal finding, seen in 39% of patients. Among nasal
complaints, rhinosinusitis was the commonest, found in 17% of patients.
Otological manifestations were seen in 20%, of which chronic suppurative otitis
media was the commonest, seen in 13% of patients. Routine investigations were
found to suffice for diagnosis. Of 419 patients who were followed up, the 5-year
survival rate was 73%. CONCLUSION: With the increase in the number of AIDS
cases, it is important for otolaryngologists to be aware of otolaryngological
manifestations. Early diagnosis and timely intervention along with appropriate
antiretroviral therapy improve survival rates.