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OBJECTIVES To study the presence of biofilms in patients of chronic otitis media (COM)-active squamosal disease and to evaluate the microflora and clinical impact of biofilms. METHODS A total of 35 patients suffering from COM - active squamosal disease was studied. Cholesteatoma sample was collected at the time of mastoid surgery and the same was used to image for biofilms by scanning electron microscope. The said sample was also analyzed microbiologically. RESULTS Biofilms were present in 25 (72%) patients including 6 cases of fungal biofilms (24%). Biofilms were detected irrespective of the micro-organism growth. No statistically significant relationship was observed between biofilms and discharging ear and complications of COM. Though univariate analysis of our data found some correlation between duration of disease, the extent of cholesteatoma and ossicular necrosis but multivariate analysis revealed no such associations, thereby implying a doubtful association between these factors and biofilm. CONCLUSIONS Biofilms are an integral part of cholesteatoma ear disease and sometimes harbors fungal isolates.

Purpose: This study explores the changes in hearing thresholds in pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A prospective hospital-based observational study was performed with a total of 69 patients in the age-group of 18 to 40 years. Patients underwent hearing assessment twice during the study period. Conventional pure tone audiometry and impedance audiometry were performed, first during the antepartum period (28-32 weeks of gestational age) and second time during the postpartum period (6 weeks postpartum). Results: Significant difference was seen between the average of air conduction threshold values at speech frequencies when antepartum values were compared with postpartum values. Conclusion: The alterations in hearing sensitivity in pregnant females which improved during the postpartum period can be attributed to pregnancy.

Aims & objectives To define a predictive role of Lund Mackay CT scan [LM] score in treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis [CRS] by functional endoscopic sinus surgery [FESS]. Materials & methods A prospective study was done on the cited subject in a sample size of 30 patients suffering from CRS failing maximal medical treatment. All the patients underwent FESS under general anaesthesia. CT scan with Lund Mackey scoring was done preoperatively and postoperatively. The symptomatic improvement was analysed using SNOT-22 score over a time period of one year. The SNOT-22 scores were statistically analysed with pre-op Lund Mackey scores to draw judicious conclusions. Results A mean Lund Mackey pre-operative score [LM] of 13.1 was recorded in the patients undergoing FESS for CRS. Further, the patients were divided into two groups: one with LM score less than 13.1 [Group-A] and the other with LM score of more than 13.1 [Group B]. A statistically significant improvement in symptoms with good long-term prognosis was recorded in Group-B only. In addition, a direct correlation between Lund Mackay score and extent of surgery was also seen, greater the score more extensive the FESS. Conclusion There is a predictive value of LM score in prognosis of FESS. We believe that a minimum LM score of 13.1 gives good clinical outcomes in patients with CRS who undergo FESS and thus can be used as a threshold for recruiting CRS patients for FESS.

Objective To evaluate the role of Circumferential Subannular Tympanoplasty [CST] in cases of Revision tympanoplasty. Methods A retrospective statistical analysis of data of 81 patients who underwent revision tympanoplasty with CST technique [essentially Type I tympanoplasty] was done. An intact graft at the end of 6 months was regarded as a surgical success. Results Overall, we recorded a surgical success rate of 97.5% [79 out of 81 cases] with a 100% surgical success for anterior perforations. There was no impact of size or site of perforation on the outcomes of revision tympanoplasty by this technique. In addition, a statistically significant hearing improvement was recorded in the study. The mean pre-operative and post-operative ABG were 33.85 dB and 18.87 dB respectively. The mean ABG closure was 14.89 dB. The value of “p” by Chi square test was found to Conclusion CST is an excellent technique for revision tympanoplasty and seems to address the shortcomings of conventional onlay and inlay techniques.

Background: This study aims to check if gestational diabetes mellitus leads to changes in hearing.Methods: A prospective hospital based observational study was performed with total 60 subjects in age group of 18-40 years in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi between November 2016 to March 2018. Subjects were divided in two groups. The first group included 30 pregnant women with diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus and the second group had 30 pregnant women not having gestational diabetes mellitus. Pure-tone audiometry and impedance audiometry was performed twice in all the subjects, first during the antepartum period and second time during the postpartum period. Results: Significant difference was seen between the average of air conduction threshold values at speech frequencies between the two groups during both antepartum and postpartum period.Conclusions: The alterations in hearing sensitivity in air conduction between the two groups can be attributed to gestational diabetes mellitus.