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The case report describes an extremely rare finding of fish bone migration from the aerodigestive tract causing a neck fistula 2 years after its ingestion. Detailed case study and surgical treatment is presented. This case highlights the need for further assessment in presence of a high clinical suspicion of foreign body ingestion with a normal physical examination of the upper aerodigestive tract, to avoid serious and potential life-threatening complications later on.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Psychological factors in vertigo patients have been extensively studied but the role of anxiety and personality traits in the clinical course of Meniere's disease (MD) is unknown. The objectives of this study are to identify and characterize psychopathology in MD and to find risk factors for an increased rate and intensity of crisis and chronic symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a transversal study in all patients diagnosed with definite MD in our department during a 5-year period. Sample subjects were interviewed in 3 steps: first, an otorhinolaryngologist collected information about clinical and pharmacological background of MD; second, a psychiatrist screened for mood, anxiety and personality disorders; in a third stage, the patient completed the DHI (Dizziness Handicap Inventory), STAI-Y (State Trait Anxiety Inventory), NEO-PI-R (Neo Personality Inventory Reviewed) and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) for vertigo and dizziness. Statistical analysis was performed to search for risk factors for multiple and intense crisis and chronic symptoms. RESULTS Thirty-four patients completed all 3 phases of the study. A predominant dysfunctional personality trait was identified in 80% of patients (predominantly cluster C type), 35% were being treated with psychiatric medication and 34.4% had a considerable mood or anxiety disorder. All patients scored high (>7) in VAS during crisis. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between crisis rate and STAI, anxiety-subscale (N1) in NEO-PI-R, VAS and DHI scores (p

This study aimed to evaluate the experience of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients in a Southern Europe tertiary hospital. Retrospective observational study in tracheostomized patients from April 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. Data related to tracheostomy were evaluated in patients with and without COVID-19, including infections in healthcare professionals involved in patient care. Forty-two tracheostomies were performed in COVID-19 patients aged 68.4 ± 11.1 years, predominantly men (71%) and caucasians (81%). They had at least 1 comorbidity (93%), on average 3. The most frequent were heart disease (71%), age > 65 years (67%) diabetes (40%) and obesity (33%). The greater number of comorbidities was associated with the lesser probability of the patient's recovery (p = .001). Age (p = .047) and renal failure (p = .013) were associated with higher mortality. Patients were tracheostomized by prolonged endo-tracheal intubation (50%), pneumonia (33%) and extubation failure (10%). Ventilation time before the tracheostomy (22.9 ± 6.5 days) was higher than ventilation time after the tracheostomy (7.1 ± 15.1 days) (p

Objectives To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis of the studies published on the efficacy of bone conduction devices and cochlear implantation in single-sided deafness, through the evaluation of speech discrimination in noise, sound localization and tinnitus suppression. As a secondary outcome, patient satisfaction is also assessed. Design A systematic search in PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL was conducted, including all articles written in English and published in the last 10 years. The outcomes selected were speech perception in noise, sound localization, tinnitus intensity and, secondarily, quality of life assessment. Studies that met prospectively defined criteria were subjected to random effects meta-analyses. The review protocol is registered on PROSPERO with number CRD42019121444. Results Nineteen articles reporting a total of 210 patients (95 patients with bone conduction devices and 115 in the cochlear implantation group) were included. The meta-analysis identifies statistically significant benefits in cochlear implantation for sound localization, tinnitus suppression, in global quality of life assessment and in 2 of the 3 subscales of quality of life assessment (ease of communication and reverberation). Bone conduction devices are better regarding speech discrimination in noise and background noise quality of life assessment. Conclusion Cochlear implants effectively offer better results in 2 of the 3 evaluated parameters, being a very valid option. Bone conduction devices should continue to be considered in the treatment of these patients because, in addition to allowing better discrimination in noise, patient satisfaction is greater in environments with background noise.

Introdução: O questionário Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) consiste numa escala simples e de rápida aplicação para avaliar a satisfação dos indivíduos que utilizam implantes cocleares. O objetivo deste estudo foi a validação do NCIQ para o Português Europeu e avaliação da qualidade de vida em adultos utilizadores de implantes cocleares. Material e Métodos: Participaram no estudo 50 adultos utilizadores de implante coclear multicanal (uni ou bilateral), com surdez pós-lingual, no mínimo com 12 meses de uso, implantados e seguidos no serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Egas Moniz em Lisboa. Foram pedidas a autorização e as normas para a tradução do questionário aos autores da escala e realizada a tradução e retroversão do questionário, a adaptação cultural, e a avaliação da reprodutibilidade e da consistência interna.Resultados: Os participantes eram 44,0% do género masculino e 56,0% do feminino, com idades compreendidas entre os 20 e os 79 anos (55,50 ± 15,69). Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstraram um nível de satisfação global de 65,07 nos utilizadores de implantes cocleares. O nível de satisfação dos subdomínios foi de 64,40 na perceção básica do som, 71,35 na perceção avançada do som, 57,91 na produção da fala, 59,05 na autoestima, 69,75 na atividade e 68,50 nas interações sociais. A versão traduzida do questionário NCIQ apresentou uma boa consistência interna para todos os domínios existentes no questionário (α de Cronbach = 0,96). Verificou-se também uma boa reprodutibilidade inter-pesquisadores. Para a pontuação global e das subescalas do questionário, os resultados médios obtidos demonstraram não haver diferenças significativas com a escala original.Conclusão: A adaptação do Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire para Português Europeu deve ser considerada um bom instrumento para a avaliação da satisfação dos utilizadores de implantes cocleares e é, até ao momento, a única escala neste domínio validada para aplicação na população portuguesa.

Determine the efficacy of the lesser palatine nerve block (LPNB) in pain management during and after peritonsillar abscess (PTA) drainage. A single-center, prospective, controlled study conducted in a tertiary referral center between April 2015 and September 2017. Twenty-four patients with a PTA were selected initially for our study. Two patients were excluded due to parapharyngeal and mediastinal extension. The remaining 22 patients were divided into two groups: the first group comprised 10 patients who underwent ipsilateral LPNB before PTA drainage. The second (control) group consisted of 12 patients in which only 10% lidocaine spray was used before PTA drainage. Intraoperative and postoperative pain was evaluated using a questionnaire with a 10-point numeric scale. The mean pain score in the study group was 1.9 (50% of the patients reported no pain) and it was 8.4 in the control group. The mean postoperative pain score after surgical drainage was 0.8 (60% of patients reported no pain) in the study group and 3.3 in the control group. No complications of the procedure were reported. The LPNB is a simple, safe, and efficacious anesthetic technique to reduce pain in patients undergoing surgical drainage of a PTA.

The purpose of this study is to describe otological features of two patients with Kabuki syndrome and hearing loss not previously described in medical literature and present the surgical treatment performed and its outcomes. The methods used are report of two patients with Kabuki syndrome with hearing loss, non-consanguineous, detailing the morphological and functional description of their external and middle ears, and review of relevant literature. In both cases, the conductive component of hearing loss was explained by anatomical abnormalities, like ossicular morphological changes, not previously described as part of the syndrome and not by medical history of otitis media. Patients were treated surgically with success: stapedotomy with angular piston stapes prosthesis was performed in one case and ossiculoplasty with incudostapedial joint prosthesis in the other case. The otologic findings described in this paper can be part of the Kabuki syndrome phenotype, and in these cases, the conductive component of the hearing loss was successfully treated by surgery.

The Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) scale uses a simple and easily administered questionnaire to evaluate the adaptation of individuals to their cochlear implants. The aim of this study was to validate the NCIQ for European Portuguese, through its translation and cultural adaptation. It also presents the evaluation of reproducibility and the description of the results of this questionnaire in patients using IC.Fifty postlingually deaf adult multichannel cochlear implant users (uni- or bilateral) participated in the study. Participants used the cochlear implant for at least 12 months and were patients of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Egas Moniz Hospital in Lisbon. Permission, as well the guidelines for translation, were obtained from the authors of the scale. Translation and cultural adaptation were carried out, in addition to the evaluation of reproducibility and internal consistency.The participants were 44.0% male and 56.0% female, aged between 20 and 79 years (55.50 ± 15.69). The results of the study showed an overall level of satisfaction of 65.07 among cochlear implants users. The level of satisfaction of the subdomains was 64.40 in basic sound perception, 71.35 in advanced sound perception, 57.91 in speech production, 59.05 in self-esteem, 69.75 in activity and 68.50 in social functioning. Internal consistency (Cronbach α score = 0.96) and test-retest reliability coefficients proved to be strong. Furthermore, the questionnaire's overall and subdomains average scores did not differ significantly from the results obtained with the original scale.This adaptation of the NCIQ questionnaire for European Portuguese should be considered a good tool to evaluate the level of satisfaction of cochlear implant users and, so far, it is the only scale in this field validated for application in the Portuguese population.Introdução: O questionário Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) consiste numa escala simples e de rápida aplicação para avaliar a satisfação dos indivíduos que utilizam implantes cocleares. O objetivo deste estudo foi a validação do NCIQ para o Português Europeu e avaliação da qualidade de vida em adultos utilizadores de implantes cocleares. Material e Métodos: Participaram no estudo 50 adultos utilizadores de implante coclear multicanal (uni ou bilateral), com surdez pós-lingual, no mínimo com 12 meses de uso, implantados e seguidos no serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Egas Moniz em Lisboa. Foram pedidas a autorização e as normas para a tradução do questionário aos autores da escala e realizada a tradução e retroversão do questionário, a adaptação cultural, e a avaliação da reprodutibilidade e da consistência interna. Resultados: Os participantes eram 44,0% do género masculino e 56,0% do feminino, com idades compreendidas entre os 20 e os 79 anos (55,50 ± 15,69). Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstraram um nível de satisfação global de 65,07 nos utilizadores de implantes cocleares. O nível de satisfação dos subdomínios foi de 64,40 na perceção básica do som, 71,35 na perceção avançada do som, 57,91 na produção da fala, 59,05 na autoestima, 69,75 na atividade e 68,50 nas interações sociais. A versão traduzida do questionário NCIQ apresentou uma boa consistência interna para todos os domínios existentes no questionário (α de Cronbach = 0,96). Verificou-se também uma boa reprodutibilidade inter-pesquisadores. Para a pontuação global e das subescalas do questionário, os resultados médios obtidos demonstraram não haver diferenças significativas com a escala original. Conclusão: A adaptação do Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire para Português Europeu deve ser considerada um bom instrumento para a avaliação da satisfação dos utilizadores de implantes cocleares e é, até ao momento, a única escala neste domínio validada para aplicação na população portuguesa.

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Introduction Multiple repositioning maneuvers have been described to treat lateral semi-circular canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (LC-BPPV) patients. In this study, we compare efficacy of four therapeutic repositioning maneuvers for LC-BPPV patients and aim to identify clinical variables associated with persistent disease. Material and methods A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary center, between January 2017 and September 2019. Patients diagnosed with LC-BPPV were randomly treated with Gufoni or barbecue-roll maneuvers (for the geotropic variant) and Gufoni-Appiani, barbecue-roll or Zuma-e-Maia maneuvers (for the apogeotropic form). Efficacy was compared and statistical analysis was performed to find clinical factors associated with no response. Results Forty-eight patients and 82 maneuvers were included. Female patients and right side were more commonly affected. The mean age was 67 years. Seven cases (14.6%) resulted from a canal-switch. One single maneuver resolved 23 cases (47.9%) and the success rate rose to 75% at the end of the first visit (after up to 4 maneuvers) and to 93.8% after a-week of follow-up. Success rates were significantly better with Gufoni (68%) than with barbecue roll (34.8%; p = 0.021) in geotropic LC-BPPV and better with Gufoni-Appiani (71.4%) than barbecue roll and Zuma-e-Maia maneuvers (33.3%; p = 0.239) in apogeotropic LC-BPPV. Higher rates of persistent disease after first visit were found with older patients, left side and apogeotropic LC-BPPV and with longer latency and duration diagnostic nystagmus. Conclusion Our study suggests that Gufoni and Gufoni-Appiani maneuvers may be the most efficacious treatment for geotropic and apogeotropic LC-BPPV, respectively, compared to barbecue-roll and Zuma-e-Maia maneuvers.

Epistaxis is the most common rhinological emergency seen in the emergency department. The purpose of this study was to evaluate epidemiological data of epistaxis in a southern European tertiary care hospital.A retrospective study was conducted during the period between January 2009 and December 2015. We analyzed the distribution by cross-referencing the demographic variables, destination after medical discharge, inpatient characteristics (major comorbid diseases, medication, bleeding localization and treatment) and health-care costs with the disease.Epistaxis accounted for approximately 1 in 30 visits to the ED and 77 out of a population of 100,000 was served by that ED. Overall, 71,624 patients were treated and 2371 patients presented with epistaxis (3.31%). One-thousand three-hundred and twenty-seven cases were male and 1044 female (p.001). The mean age was 56 years (±26). Age distribution was bimodal, with peaks among those10 years and70 (p.001). Epistaxis was more common in the winter months (p0.001). The main referral destinations (6.8%) included outpatient (2.9%) and inpatient (1.9%) services. Hospitalization was more frequent between the ages of 60 and 80 years (p =.029), and the major comorbidity was hypertension (47.8%). Medication interfering with haemostasis was documented in 30.4%. Most inpatient epistaxis was managed in a non-interventional manner and only. 5% of patients needed surgery. The mean total health-care cost was 69.8 € per episode.Emergency epistaxis was more frequent in men, the elderly, patients with underlying comorbidities, during the winter months, and showed a higher risk of referral and hospitalization with increasing age (as a result of an aging population in western countries). The main hospital expenses for epistaxis are related to hospitalization and health care costs.

The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies in which hearing outcomes after primary stapes surgery have been reported. After the surgical procedure, the effectiveness of stapes surgery using nickel titanium (Nitinol) or other prostheses were systematically compared and evaluated using a meta-analytic method. A systematic search for articles before January 2017 in Embase, Medline and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Only articles in English were included. Inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis consisted of a population of otosclerosis patients, intervention with primary stapes surgery using the Nitinol heat-crimping prosthesis compared with other type of stapes stapedotomy prostheses, and hearing outcome. Inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis consisted of application of audiometry guidelines of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium for evaluation of conductive hearing loss. A postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) ≤ 10 dB was considered effective. A bias assessment tool was developed according to Cochrane guidelines. To evaluate the mean age of the samples we used the chi-square test. Of the 4926 papers identified through the electronic database search (3695 in Pubmed/Cochrane and 1231 in Embase), 540 studies matched the selection criteria (436 in Pubmed/Cochrane and 104 in Embase) after application of filters and elimination of duplicate articles. After analysis of the title and abstract, 459 were excluded (396 in Pubmed/Cochrane and 63 in Embase). Of the remaining 81 papers, 74 were excluded according to the study selection criteria. A total of seven eligible studies with 1385 subjects, consisting of 637 in the Nitinol group and 748 in the non-Nitinol group, were included in our study. There were statistically significant differences in the effectiveness of stapes surgery between the Nitinol and non-Nitinol prostheses; the data showed a combined odds ratio (OR) of 2.56 (95% CI 1.38-4.76, p = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean pre-operative age between Nitinol and non-Nitinol prostheses (p = 0.931). Our results suggest that the effectiveness of Nitinol was higher than non-Nitinol prostheses, with superiority of the number of patients with ABG ≤ 10 dB.

Introducao: A qualidade de vida e uma medida importante de avaliacao de resultados em saude. Embora a otite media seja uma das doencas mais comuns na infância, o seu impacto na qualidade de vida das criancas portuguesas nao e conhecido. O objetivo deste estudo e determinar a qualidade de vida das criancas portuguesas com otite media cronica com efusao e/ou otite media aguda recorrente e o impacto a curto-prazo da colocacao de tubos de ventilacao transtimpânicos, utilizando a versao portuguesa do questionario OM-6, um instrumento valido, confiavel e sensivel para avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada com saude em criancas com otite media. Material e Metodos: Este estudo foi realizado num hospital de nivel terciario, para onde as criancas sao referenciadas a partir dos cuidados de saude primarios e da consulta de pediatria hospitalar. O questionario OM-6 foi administrado em criancas com otite media cronica com efusao e/ou otite media aguda recorrente. O instrumento foi readministrado aos dois meses de pos-operatorio a um grupo de criancas submetidas a colocacao de tubos de ventilacao transtimpânicos, para avaliar a alteracao da qualidade de vida com o procedimento cirurgico. Resultados: O estudo envolveu uma amostra de 169 criancas, com idades entre os 6 meses e os 12 anos (media: 4,20 ± 2,05 anos). A pontuacao media no questionario foi de 3,3 ± 1,47, num maximo de 7 (pior qualidade de vida). Os dominios ‘preocupacoes do cuidador’, ‘perda auditiva’ e ‘sofrimento fisico’ apresentaram as pontuacoes mais elevadas. O dominio ‘perda auditiva’ correlacionou-se com o dominio ‘alteracoes da fala’ (rs = 0,41; p < 0,001) e o dominio ‘sofrimento fisico’ correlacionou-se com o dominio ‘limitacao da atividade’ (rs = 0,47; p < 0,001). Observou-se correlacao entre a pontuacao no dominio ‘perda auditiva’ e a presenca de hipoacusia de conducao (χ2 (6) = 24,662; p = 0,022). Criancas com otite media cronica com efusao apresentaram pontuacao mais baixa no dominio ‘sofrimento fisico’, ao passo que criancas com otite media aguda recorrente apresentaram pontuacao mais baixa no dominio ‘perda auditiva’ e pontuacao mais alta no dominio ‘sofrimento emocional’. Registou-se uma melhoria da qualidade vida em todas as dimensoes estudadas pelo questionario apos o procedimento cirurgico. A melhoria foi considerada grande em 55%, moderada em 15% e pequena em 10% dos casos. A presenca de otorreia no pos-operatorio nao mostrou comprometer a melhoria da qualidade de vida obtida com o procedimento cirurgico. Conclusao: A otite media tem um impacto negativo na qualidade de vida das criancas portuguesas. A colocacao de tubos de ventilacao transtimpânicos melhora a qualidade de vida na maioria das criancas. A aplicacao de questionarios validados doenca-especificos permite uma melhor compreensao do impacto que a otite media apresenta na qualidade de vida das criancas portuguesas e do sucesso do tratamento.

This is invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis on the face of a woman in her 50s (fig 1). Fig 1 She presented to her doctor with a history of nasal obstruction and right facial tenderness, with a background of uncontrolled diabetes, and …

This study aimed to identify relevant topics for the development of an efficient eHealth service for elderly people with balance disorders and risk of falling, based on input from physicians providing healthcare to this patient group. In the quantitative part of the study, an open multiple-choice questionnaire was made available on the website of the Portuguese General Medical Council to assess the satisfaction with electronic medical records regarding clinical data available, the time needed to retrieve data and the usefulness of the data. Of the 118 participants, 55% were dissatisfied/very dissatisfied with data availability and 61% with the time spent to access and update data related to the focused patient group. Despite this negative experience, 76% considered future e-Health solutions as pertinent/very pertinent. Subsequently, these findings were further explored with eight semi-structured interviews. The physicians confirmed the reported dissatisfactions and pointed out the lack of comprehensive data and system interoperability as serious problems, causing inefficient health services with an overlap of emergency visits and uncoordinated diagnostics and treatment. In addition, they discussed the importance of camera and audio monitoring to add significant value. Our results indicate considerable potential for e-Health solutions, but substantial improvements are crucial to achieving such future solutions.

Introducao: O questionario Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (Satisfacao com a Amplificacao no Dia-a-Dia) consiste numa escala simples e de rapida aplicacao para avaliar a adaptacao dos individuos que utilizam proteses auditivas. O objetivo deste estudo e a validacao para o portugues de Portugal desta escala, atraves da sua traducao e adaptacao cultural. Apresenta-se tambem a avaliacao da reprodutibilidade e a descricao dos resultados da aplicacao deste questionario em doentes adaptados com protese auditiva. Material e Metodos: Participaram no estudo 147 individuos adaptados com protese auditiva (uni ou bilateral), no minimo com seis semanas de uso, seguidos no Servico de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Egas Moniz (Lisboa). Foi pedida a autorizacao e normas para a traducao do questionario a autora da escala e realizada a traducao e retroversao do questionario, adaptacao cultural, avaliacao da reprodutibilidade e da consistencia interna. Resultados: Do grupo observado, 54% dos individuos eram do genero masculino e 46% do feminino, com idades compreendidas entre os 16 e 93 anos (66,09 ± 17,41 anos). Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstram um nivel de satisfacao global de 5,34 nos utilizadores de proteses auditivas. O nivel de satisfacao das subescalas foi de 5,88 nos efeitos positivos, 5,25 em servicos e custo, 4,24 nos fatores negativos e 5,57 na imagem pessoal. O valor 0,75 do α de Cronbach demonstra existir uma boa consistencia interna da escala. Para a pontuacao global e das subescalas do questionario, os resultados medios obtidos demonstram nao haver diferencas significativas com a escala americana. Verifica-se ainda haver uma boa reprodutibilidade inter-pesquisadores. Discussao: Este estudo apresenta resultados confiaveis da escala para o portugues de Portugal e valores de consistencia interna adequados, numa amostra de grande variabilidade etaria. Conclusao: A adaptacao do Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life para portugues de Portugal deve ser considerada um bom instrumento para a avaliacao da satisfacao dos utilizadores de proteses auditivas e e, ate ao momento, a unica escala neste dominio validada para aplicacao na populacao portuguesa.

The scale Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life uses a simple and easily administered questionnaire to evaluate the adaptation of individuals to their hearing aids. The objective of this study is to validate the scale for European Portuguese speakers, by means of translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire. The study includes an evaluation of reproducibility and a description of the results of the administration of the questionnaire to patients fitted with hearing aids.We invited 147 individuals fitted with hearing aids (uni- or bilateral) to participate in the study. Participants had used a hearing aid for at least six weeks and were patients of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Egas Moniz Hospital (Lisbon). The consent as well the guidelines for translation from and into the English language were obtained from the author of the scale, and the translation from and into, and cultural adaptation were carried out, along with an evaluation of reproducibility and internal consistency.The participants were 54% male and 46% female, aged between 16 and 93 (66.09 ± 17.41 years). The results of the study showed an overall level of satisfaction of 5.4 among hearing aids users. The sub-scale satisfaction levels were: positive effects 5.88, service and cost 5.25, negative effects 4.24, and self-image 5.57. The Cronbach α score was 0.75 which indicates good internal consistency. Furthermore, the questionnaire's overall and sub-scale average scores did not differ significantly from the results obtained under the American scale. The inter-examiner reproducibility was also good.This study provides reliable results of the scale for the Portuguese of Portugal and adequate internal consistency, with significant age variability in the sample.This adaptation of the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life questionnaire for European Portuguese speakers should be considered a good tool for evaluation of the level of satisfaction of hearing aid users, and until now, is the only available scale for speakers of European Portuguese.Introdução: O questionário Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (Satisfação com a Amplificação no Dia-a-Dia) consiste numa escala simples e de rápida aplicação para avaliar a adaptação dos indivíduos que utilizam próteses auditivas. O objetivo deste estudo é a validação para o português de Portugal desta escala, através da sua tradução e adaptação cultural. Apresenta-se também a avaliação da reprodutibilidade e a descrição dos resultados da aplicação deste questionário em doentes adaptados com prótese auditiva.Material e Métodos: Participaram no estudo 147 indivíduos adaptados com prótese auditiva (uni ou bilateral), no mínimo com seis semanas de uso, seguidos no Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Egas Moniz (Lisboa). Foi pedida a autorização e normas para a tradução do questionário à autora da escala e realizada a tradução e retroversão do questionário, adaptação cultural, avaliação da reprodutibilidade e da consistência interna.Resultados: Do grupo observado, 54% dos indivíduos eram do género masculino e 46% do feminino, com idades compreendidas entre os 16 e 93 anos (66,09 ± 17,41 anos). Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstram um nível de satisfação global de 5,34 nos utilizadores de próteses auditivas. O nível de satisfação das subescalas foi de 5,88 nos efeitos positivos, 5,25 em serviços e custo, 4,24 nos fatores negativos e 5,57 na imagem pessoal. O valor 0,75 do α de Cronbach demonstra existir uma boa consistência interna da escala. Para a pontuação global e das subescalas do questionário, os resultados médios obtidos demonstram não haver diferenças significativas com a escala americana. Verifica-se ainda haver uma boa reprodutibilidade inter-pesquisadores.Discussão: Este estudo apresenta resultados confiáveis da escala para o português de Portugal e valores de consistência interna adequados, numa amostra de grande variabilidade etária.Conclusão: A adaptação do Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life para português de Portugal deve ser considerada um bom instrumento para a avaliação da satisfação dos utilizadores de próteses auditivas e é, até ao momento, a única escala neste domínio validada para aplicação na população portuguesa.

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Congenital cholesteatoma (CC) presents as a white pearl-like lesion behind a normal tympanic membrane (TM), without a history of otorrhea, infection, perforation or previous otologic surgery. Several recent studies provided new data improving this pathology characterization. The aim of this paper is to expand the knowledge about CC and to provide new insights on its pathogenesis. The study consisted of two main research parts: (1) systematic review and meta-analysis; (2) medical literature review englobing anatomy, histology, embryology and congenital pathology of the ear. The search strategy identified a total of 636 papers. Seventy retrospective studies were included. A total of 1497 cases were studied and the mean age was 6.58 years, with a male–female ratio of 3:1, 34% were asymptomatic, 26% had hearing loss and 2% had facial dysfunction/paralysis. The overall estimate for antero-superior quadrant involvement was 0.70 [95% confident interval (CI) 0.64–0.76], in the postero-superior quadrant was 0.60 (95% CI 0.52–0.69), in the antero-inferior quadrant was 0.32 (95% CI 0.23–0.41), in the postero-inferior quadrant was 0.38 (95% CI 0.29–0.47), in the attic was 0.53 (95% CI 0.43–0.63) and in the mastoid was 0.33 (95% CI 0.26–0.41). More advanced Potsic stages were present in older patients. The most likely inclusion place seems to be between the pars flaccida and the upper quadrants of the pars tensa. During the last decades, a substantial improvement in CC diagnosis and management had been achieved. The presented mechanism seems to explain most of middle ear CC.

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effects of complete external ear canal occlusion on hearing thresholds with aging. The goal was to decide which tuning fork is more appropriate to use for the contralateral occlusion test (COT), in individuals of different ages. Methods Forty-two normal hearing subjects between 21 and 67 years were divided into three age groups (20-30 years, 40-50 years, and 60-70 years). Participants underwent sound field audiometry tests with warble tones, with and without ear canal occlusion. Each ear was tested with the standard frequencies (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz). The contralateral ear was suppressed by masking. Results Hearing thresholds showed an increase as the frequency increased from 20.85 dB (250 Hz, 20-30 years group) to 48 dB (2000 Hz, 60-70 years group). The threshold differences between occlusion and no occlusion conditions were statistically significant and increased ranging from 11.1 dB (250 Hz, 20-30 years group) to 32 dB (2000 Hz, 20-30 years group). We found statistically significant differences for the three age groups and for all evaluations except to 500 Hz difference and average difference. The mean hearing loss produced by occlusion at 500 Hz was approximately 19 dB. We found no statistically significant differences between right and left ears and gender for all measurements. Conclusion We conclude that the use of the 512 Hz tuning fork is the most suitable for COT, and its use may allow clinicians to distinguish mild from moderate unilateral conductive hearing loss. RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da oclusão completa do canal auditivo externo nos limiares auditivos, em indivíduos de idades distintas, para apurar qual o diapasão mais adequado na realização do teste de oclusão contralateral (TOC). Método 42 indivíduos normo-ouvintes (21-67 anos) foram divididos em três grupos etários (20-30, 40-50 e 60-70 anos). Os participantes foram avaliados com testes de audiometria tonal liminar em campo livre, com e sem oclusão completa do canal auditivo externo. Cada ouvido foi testado para as frequências 250, 500, 1000 e 2000 Hz. No ouvido contralateral, foi realizado mascaramento, para evitar a ocorrência de audição contralateral. Resultados Verificou-se aumento dos limiares auditivos, diretamente proporcional ao aumento da frequência (desde 20.85 até 48 dB). A diferença nos limiares auditivos entre a condição de oclusão e de não oclusão foi estatisticamente significativa em todas as frequências e aumentou de forma diretamente proporcional com a frequência (desde 11.1 até 32 dB). Foram também encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os três grupos etários, em todos os parâmetros, exceto na diferença a 500 Hz e na diferença total média. A perda auditiva média resultante da oclusão aos 500 Hz foi de 19 dB. Não se encontraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre o ouvido direito e o esquerdo, e entre o gênero. Conclusão A utilização do diapasão de 512 Hz é a mais adequada para o TOC. A sua utilização pode permitir aos clínicos, em ambiente de consulta e de forma rápida, a distinção entre perda condutiva de grau leve a moderada.

La sindrome di Pendred è, in ordine di frequenza, la seconda causa di ipoacusia su base genetica autosomica recessiva. Si manifesta con un ipoacusia accompagnata dalla presenza di un gozzo tiroideo con eventuale ipotiroidismo. Tali caratteristiche si accompagnano a malformazioni dell’orecchio interno, quali l’acquedotto vestibolare largo. Nel 50% dei casi vi è una mutazione del gene SLC26A4. Riportiamo nel presente lavoro il caso di una paziente portoghese di 47 anni affetta da ipoacusia di grado severo/profondo e ipotiroidismo. La madre e la sorella della paziente, entrambe decedute, erano a loro volta affette da ipoacusia associata a gozzo tiroideo. La risonanza magnetica e la TC hanno entrambe evidenziato un allargamento dell’acquedotto vestibolare e del sacco endolinfatico. La paziente è stata sottoposta a uno studio di GJB2 e GJB6 seguiti da uno screening di tutti gli esoni di SLC26A4 e delle regioni introniche 8 e 14. È stata rilevata, per la prima volta in omozigosi, una mutazione c.918 + 2T>C nella regione intronica 7 del gene SLC26A4. Sequenziando i campioni di controllo è stata rilevata una nuova mutazione c.821C>G presente in eterozigosi nell’estone 7 del gene SLC26A4, per la quale si è ipotizzato un ruolo dannoso. Il presente studio ha condotto alla scoperta di due nuovi genotipi di SLC26A4, e alla miglior definizione degli aspetti fenotipici associati alla sindrome di Pendred.

Background: Facial paralysis remains as one of the major morbidities of surgery of cerebellopontine angle tumors. The preoperative standard Magnetic Resonance Image does not identify, with precision, the path of the facial nerve. Case description: The authors describe a case of a 56 years-old female with a cerebellopontine angle meningioma, submitted to preoperative Diffusion Tensor Tractography to identification of the course of the facial nerve, and correlate its position with the intraoperative findings. There was an accurate correlation between the path of the facial nerve revealed by preoperative DTT and the route of the nerve identified during surgery. Conclusion: The preoperative identification of the facial nerve seems to be possible by tractography in meningiomas of the cerebellopontine angle. It is possible that this technique may have utility in larger tumors, where the intraoperative identification of the facial path can be more difficult. Keywords: Cerebellopontine angle meningioma, Diffusion tensor tractography, Facial nerve, Vestibular schwannoma

The tympanic membrane (TM) belongs to the ear. Despite its place in the ear anatomy, can we give it also a different anatomic classification? The main objective is to clarify the nature of TM, tympanic bone and malleus to propose a new anatomic classification. This cadaveric study was performed in two human heads and six fresh temporal bones. A study of the temporomandibular joint, external acoustic meatus (EAM), TM and middle ear structures was conducted. A medical literature review englobing anatomy, embryology, histology and phylogeny of the ear was performed and the results were compared with the results of the dissection. The external ear is constituted by the auricle and the EAM. This last segment is made by a cartilaginous and an osseous portion. The osseous portion of the EAM is constituted mainly by tympanic bone. The external ear is separated from the middle ear by the TM. Inside the middle ear, there are three ossicles: malleus, incus and stapes, which allow the conduction of sound to the cochlea. Based on the anatomic dissection and medical literature review of the tympanic bone, malleus and TM, we propose that these structures are interconnected like a joint, and named it “Tympanicomalleal joint”. It seems that the TM can be part of a joint that evolved to improve sound transmission and middle ear protection. Thinking TM has part of a joint may help in the development of more efficient reconstructive surgical techniques.

Quality of life is an important measure for health-outcome evaluation. Although otitis media is one of the most common childhood diseases, its impact on Portuguese children's quality of life is unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the quality of life of Portuguese children with chronic otitis media with effusion and/or recurrent acute otitis media and the short-term impact of transtympanic ventilation tubes, using the Portuguese version of the OM-6 questionnaire, a valid, reliable and sensitive instrument to evaluate the health-related quality of life in children with otitis media.This study was conducted in a tertiary referral center, to where children are referred from primary care and hospital pediatric consultations. The Portuguese version of the OM-6 questionnaire was applied to children with chronic otitis media with effusion and/or recurrent acute otitis media. The instrument was re-administered at two months postoperatively to a group of children who underwent tympanostomy tube placement, to evaluate the change in quality of life with the surgical procedure.The study involved a sample of 169 children, aged between 6 months and 12 years (mean: 4.20 ± 2.05 years). The average score in the survey was 3.3 ± 1.47, of a maximum of 7 (worst quality of life). The domains 'caregiver concerns', 'hearing loss' and 'physical suffering' had the highest scores. The domain 'hearing loss' was correlated with the domain 'speech impairment' (rs = 0.41; p0.001) and the domain 'physical suffering' correlated with the domain 'activity limitation' (rs = 0.47; p0.001). There was a correlation between the score on 'hearing loss' and the presence of conduction hearing loss (χ2 (6) = 24.662; p = 0.022). Children with chronic otitis media with effusion had lower scores on the domain 'physical suffering', while children with recurrent acute otitis media had lower scores in the domain 'hearing loss' and higher scores in the domain 'emotional distress'. There was an improvement in the quality of life in all the dimensions studied by the questionnaire after surgery. The improvement was large in 55%, moderate in 15% and small in 10% of the cases. The presence of otorrhea postoperatively did not decrease the quality of life improvement achieved with surgery.Otitis media has a negative impact on Portuguese children quality of life. Tympanostomy tubes improve quality of life related to the middle ear in most children. The application of validated disease-specific questionnaires allows an enhanced understanding of the impact of otitis media on Portuguese children quality of life and of the success of therapeutic measures.Introdução: A qualidade de vida é uma medida importante de avaliação de resultados em saúde. Embora a otite média seja uma das doenças mais comuns na infância, o seu impacto na qualidade de vida das crianças portuguesas não é conhecido. O objetivo deste estudo é determinar a qualidade de vida das crianças portuguesas com otite média crónica com efusão e/ou otite média aguda recorrente e o impacto a curto-prazo da colocação de tubos de ventilação transtimpânicos, utilizando a versão portuguesa do questionário OM-6, um instrumento válido, confiável e sensível para avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada com saúde em crianças com otite média. Material e Métodos: Este estudo foi realizado num hospital de nível terciário, para onde as crianças são referenciadas a partir dos cuidados de saúde primários e da consulta de pediatria hospitalar. O questionário OM-6 foi administrado em crianças com otite média crónica com efusão e/ou otite média aguda recorrente. O instrumento foi readministrado aos dois meses de pós-operatório a um grupo de crianças submetidas a colocação de tubos de ventilação transtimpânicos, para avaliar a alteração da qualidade de vida com o procedimento cirúrgico. Resultados: O estudo envolveu uma amostra de 169 crianças, com idades entre os 6 meses e os 12 anos (média: 4,20 ± 2,05 anos). A pontuação média no questionário foi de 3,3 ± 1,47, num máximo de 7 (pior qualidade de vida). Os domínios ‘preocupações do cuidador’, ‘perda auditiva’ e ‘sofrimento físico’ apresentaram as pontuações mais elevadas. O domínio ‘perda auditiva’ correlacionou-se com o domínio ‘alterações da fala’ (rs = 0,41; p0,001) e o domínio ‘sofrimento físico’ correlacionou-se com o domínio ‘limitação da atividade’ (rs = 0,47; p0,001). Observou-se correlação entre a pontuação no domínio ‘perda auditiva’ e a presença de hipoacusia de condução (χ2 (6) = 24,662; p = 0,022). Crianças com otite média crónica com efusão apresentaram pontuação mais baixa no domínio ‘sofrimento físico’, ao passo que crianças com otite média aguda recorrente apresentaram pontuação mais baixa no domínio ‘perda auditiva’ e pontuação mais alta no domínio ‘sofrimento emocional’. Registou-se uma melhoria da qualidade vida em todas as dimensões estudadas pelo questionário após o procedimento cirúrgico. A melhoria foi considerada grande em 55%, moderada em 15% e pequena em 10% dos casos. A presença de otorreia no pós-operatório não mostrou comprometer a melhoria da qualidade de vida obtida com o procedimento cirúrgico. Conclusão: A otite média tem um impacto negativo na qualidade de vida das crianças portuguesas. A colocação de tubos de ventilação transtimpânicos melhora a qualidade de vida na maioria das crianças. A aplicação de questionários validados doença-específicos permite uma melhor compreensão do impacto que a otite média apresenta na qualidade de vida das crianças portuguesas e do sucesso do tratamento.

Introduction: Evidence regarding the effect of speechreading is lacking in age-related hearing loss (presbycusis). Thus, in individuals with presbycusis, this study determined whether speechreading would improve word intelligibility. Moreover, the study investigated the effect of speechreading on word intelligibility depending on hearing impairment severity. Materials and methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study involved two groups of individuals aged > 65 years that were enrolled by convenience sampling: 29 individuals with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss compatible with presbycusis (n=58 ears; mean age, 74.1±9.4 years) and 10 controls with at-most-mild hearing loss (n=58 ears; mean age, 73.8±8.5 years). All participants underwent a comprehensive medical and audiological evaluation, which included speech audiometry with and without observation of the audiologist’s face, i.e. speechreading. Within each group, the effect of speechreading was determined as a change in the speech reception threshold. For all statistical analyses, p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Both in individuals with presbycusis and controls, speechreading significantly improved speech discrimination (p