Nevin Manimala

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 Mar 2:S2213-2198(22)00219-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.02.018. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Skin diseases associated with blood or tissue eosinophilia are common. As their clinical manifestations are various, making the correct diagnosis can be challenging. So far, dermatological patients with concomitant blood eosinophilia have not been characterized.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at investigating patterns of dermatological patients with concomitant blood eosinophilia in order to obtain information helpful for optimizing disease management.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, demographic and clinical data and diagnostic test results of all patients presenting with dermatoses associated with blood eosinophilia (DABE) referred to a university center from 2014 to 2018 were extracted from the electronic patient charts and evaluated using descriptive and semantic map analyses.

RESULTS: A total of 453 patients (51.4% females; mean age 58.4 ±21.7 years) were included and grouped according to blood absolute eosinophil counts: severe, ≥1.5 G/L (n=87; 19.2%), moderate, 1.0 – 1.49 G/L (n=73; 16.1%), and mild eosinophilia, 0.5 – 0.99 G/L (n=293; 64.7%). Most patients presented with chronic (64.6%), generalized skin lesions (75.9%), and pruritus (88.1%). Statistical analyses revealed three distinct patterns: 1. mild eosinophilia associated with localized skin disease, age <50 years, history of atopy, diagnosis of eczema or infectious disease, 2. moderate eosinophilia linked to generalized skin lesions, pruritus, age > 70 years, and autoimmune bullous disease, and 3. severe eosinophilia associated with diagnosis of hypereosinophilic syndromes, drug hypersensitivity or malignant disesase.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the pattern analysis of patients with DABE, a diagnostic workup has been developed aiming at setting the correct differential diagnosis in a feasible and effective manner.

PMID:35247633 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaip.2022.02.018

World Neurosurg. 2022 Mar 2:S1878-8750(22)00265-0. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.118. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative embolization for intracranial meningiomas can cause tumor necrosis, reduce intraoperative blood loss, and facilitate surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tumor embolization using Embosphere® microspheres for skull base meningiomas and analyze post-embolization plain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to identify findings that could potentially predict treatment response.

METHODS: Between April 2014 and April 2020, 80 patients with skull base meningiomas presenting at our medical center underwent embolization with Embosphere® microspheres. The effects of tumor embolization were evaluated through a comparison of post-embolization plain CT and contrast-enhanced MRI.

RESULTS: A total of 143 vessels (102/108 external carotid artery branches; 41/65 internal carotid artery branches) from 80 skull base meningiomas were embolized with Embosphere® microspheres. Microspheres 100-300 μm in size were used in two cases, microspheres 300-500 μm in size were used in 12 cases, and microspheres 500-700 μm in size were used in 66 cases. Post-embolization contrast-enhanced MRI showed reductions in enhancing lesions within the tumor in 55/80 cases. Post-embolization plain CT scans showed high-density lesions within the tumor in 41/55 cases. Thus, reductions in enhancing lesions on post-embolization contrast-enhanced MRI were statistically significantly associated with the presence of high-density lesions on post-embolization plain CT (P<0.001). Embolization-related neurological complications occurred in three cases.

CONCLUSIONS: Embosphere® microspheres are user friendly and effective embolic materials for the embolization of skull base meningiomas. Post-embolization contrast-enhanced MRI and plain CT findings may be useful for evaluating the effects of tumor embolization.

PMID:35247619 | DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.118

World Neurosurg. 2022 Mar 2:S1878-8750(22)00260-1. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.113. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The National Inpatient Sample – the largest all-payer inpatient database in the United States – is an important instrument for big data analysis of neurosurgical inquiries. However, earlier research has determined that many NIS studies are limited by common methodological pitfalls. In this study, we provide the first primer of NIS methodological procedures in the setting of neurosurgical research and review all published neurosurgical studies utilizing the NIS.

METHODS: We designed a protocol for neurosurgical big data research using the NIS, based on the authors’ subject matter expertise, NIS documentation, and input and verification from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. We subsequently used a comprehensive search strategy to identify all neurosurgical studies utilizing the NIS in the PubMed and MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to August 2021. Studies underwent qualitative categorization (years of the NIS studied, neurosurgical subspecialty, age group, and thematic focus of study objective) and analysis of longitudinal trends.

RESULTS: We identified a canonical, four-step protocol for NIS analysis: study population selection, defining additional clinical variables, identification and coding of outcomes, and statistical analysis. Methodological nuances discussed include identifying neurosurgery-specific admissions, addressing missing data, calculating additional severity and hospital-specific metrics, coding perioperative complications, and applying survey weights to make nationwide estimates. Inherent database limitations and common pitfalls of NIS studies discussed include lack of disease process-specific variables and data following the index admission, inability to calculate certain hospital-specific variables after 2011, performing state-level analyses, conflating hospitalization charges and costs, and not following proper statistical methodology for performing survey-weighted regression. In a systematic review, we identified 647 neurosurgical studies utilizing the NIS. While almost 60% of studies were published after 2015, <10% of studies analyzed NIS data after 2015. The average sample size of studies was 507,352 patients (standard deviation=2,739,900). Most studies analyzed cranial procedures (58.1%) and adults (68.1%). The most prevalent topic areas analyzed were surgical outcome trends (35.7%) and health policy and economics (17.8%), while patient disparities (9.4%) and surgeon or hospital volume (6.6%) were the least studied.

CONCLUSIONS: We present a standardized methodology to analyze the NIS, systematically review the state of the NIS neurosurgical literature, suggest potential future directions for neurosurgical big data inquiries, and outline recommendations to improve the design of future neurosurgical data instruments.

PMID:35247618 | DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.113

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2022;89(1):68-74.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Exploring the therapeutic potential of pathological fractures treatment of the proximal femur in childhood with LCP paediatric hip plate system according to the principles of AO. MATERIAL AND METHODS Six children with pathological fractures of the proximal femur and with an unicameral bone cyst have undergone surgery in our institution, in the period between June 2018 up until December 2020. All patients were young boys with a mean age of 11.83 ± 3.43 years. According to the classification of Delbet-Colonna, three of the fractures were Type IV – intertrochanteric fractures and three were Type III – basocervical fractures. ccording to the AO Trauma classification, one of the fractures was complete transtrochanteric multifragmentary (31-M/3.2.III), two were complete transtrochanteric simple (31-M/3.1.III), one was Complete basocervical multifragmentary (31-M/3.2.II) and two were complete basicervical simple (31-M/3.1.II). All patients have undergone open reposition and osteosynthesis with a 130° LCP pediatric hip plate system (DePuy Synthes Pediatric LCP Plate System). In four of the patients, one or two of the proximal locking screws pass through the growth plate, to ensure more stability. The anatomical correction of the proximal femur has been measured through the cervico-diaphyseal angle, consolidation of the fracture, the spontaneous reparation of the cyst according to the Capanna classification and cystic index, presence of avascular necrosis of the epiphysis, shortening of the extremity, and functional grading by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) staging system. The Mann-Whitney (Wilcoxon W) test was used for data processing. RESULTS The mean timing of the follow-up after the surgery was 22 months (range 6-32). A radiographically supported consolidation of the fracture has occurred at an average timing of 4.8 months (range 3-6) in all patients. There is no clinical or radiological evidence of postoperative avascular necrosis in any of the patients. According to the classification of Capanna, in five of the six patients a spontaneous reparation of the cyst has occurred. In one of the cases, the reparation is classified as grade II with a pathological cystic index of 2.27. A postoperative correction of the varus fracture deformity of the proximal femur has been achieved in all children. The cervical-diaphysary angle of 112.50° preoperatively has been corrected to 137.17° (p=0.002). The achieved correction is lasting and the average value of the CDS at the final follow-up is 138.17° (p=0.794). Intraoperative correction, statistically equal to the CDA of the healthy side (p=0.942) is achieved with this operative technique. Data from the MSTS show functional correction on the third postoperative month with 38.33% of the norm (p=0.002) and 85% on the final follow-up (p=0.002). A contralateral distal femoral surgical epiphysiodesis by the method of Métaizeau has been used for the correction of the difference in the length of the extremities (with an average of 2.9 cm). CONCLUSIONS Osteosynthesis with an LCP paediatric hip plate system gives the opportunity for anatomical correction of the proximal femur with a low risk of avascular necrosis and achieving optimal functional results in pathological basocervical and intertrochanteric fractures in childhood. The use of 5mm plates and penetration of the proximal screw through the growth plate holds an increased risk of growth disruption. Key words: LCP paediatric hip plate system, pathological fracture, unicameral bone cysts, proximal femur.

PMID:35247247

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2022;89(1):48-52.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Hemoglobin (Hb) levels tend to decrease in patients after hip fractures. There are several factors that is responsible for this decrease in Hb levels. The primary aim in this study was to evaluate the risk factors of blood loss in patients with IFF and to determine the limits that may require allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), and the secondary aim was to prevent unnecessary blood crossing outside these limits. MATERIAL AND METHODS 119 patients with intertrochanteric femur fracture (IFF) were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the use of ABT in the postoperative period. Age, gender, fracture side, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) score, preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level, platelet (Plt) number, International Normalized Ratio (INR), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values, comorbid diseases, history of drug use, whether ABT was applied in the preoperative period or not, and the postoperative 1st day Hb levels were evaluated from the medical records. A p value below than 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS Advanced age [odds ratio (OR) 1.069, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.372-3.202], unstable fracture type [OR 0.258, 95% CI 0.496-6.632], and hemoglobin level <11 g / dL [OR 5.574, 95% GA 0.312-65.278 was found to be an independent predictive risk factor for allogeneic blood transfusion requirement in the postoperative period. DISCUSSION There are several factors that is responsible for decrease in Hb levels in patients after hip fractures. The most important and most likely cause of these is the fracture itself. Other reasons are stated as type of fracture, time elapsed until the surgical treatment, preferred implants for treatment, advanced age, mean preoperative Hb value and anticoagulant drug usage in literature. Although the preoperative blood loss due to trauma is inevitable, unnecessary aggressive and/or inadequate treatments can be avoided if patients with higher bleeding risk and complication rate can be detected. CONCLUSIONS Advanced age, unstable fracture pattern and low preoperative Hb values should be considered as risk factors for the postoperative ABT requirements for patients with IFF. Key words: intertrochanteric femur fracture, allogenic blood transfusion, blood loss hemoglobin level.

PMID:35247244

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2022;89(1):43-47.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the subjective evaluation of treatment by patients with respect to their return to work and recreational sport following the fracture of clavicle diaphysis with posttraumatic shortening of 1.5 cm, or more, treated non-operatively and surgically. MATERIAL AND METHODS Our group of patients consisted of 51 patients (14 females, 37 males) aged between 18 and 89 years (average age 46 years). We concentrated on the parameters of sex, age, side of injury, extent of posttraumatic shortening, method of treatment, return to work or recreational sport, DASH score at one year post non-operative or surgical treatment. Patients who sustained a pathological fracture, fractures of the clavicle combined with an injury of the acromioclavicular joint or simultaneous fracture of the humerus or the ribs were excluded from the study. Patients with open fractures or re-fractures were excluded as well. The indication for treatment selection was based on pre-operative discussion of the doctor with the patient and the Informed Consent was signed. The patient was informed about different treatment options. A shorter period of fixation of the arm and post-operative physiotherapy was mentioned in connection with surgical treatment as well as potential surgical complications. A statistical analysis comparing the data in both groups was conducted using the Fisher exact test. The p-value of 0.05 or less was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS The right side was affected 26 times, the left side 25 times. The shortening ranged from 1.5 to 3.7 cm. 24 patients (8 females, 16 males) aged 21 to 89 years (average 54 years) were treated non-operatively. 27 patients (6 females, 21 males) aged 18 to 74 years (average 38 years) underwent surgery. The difference in sex distribution in both groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.5311). According to the Robinson classification, there were 17 patients with type 2A2 fractures, of whom 8 underwent surgery and 9 were treated non-operatively, 19 patients with type 2B1 fractures, of whom 9 underwent surgery and 10 were treated non-operatively, and 15 patients with type 2B2, of whom 10 underwent surgery and 5 were treated non-operatively. The surgically treated patients prevailed in type 2B2 only, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.2350). In the non-operatively treated group, 23 out of 24 patients returned to pre-injury activities in 3 months on average. Ten patients (48%) reported reaching the same function as on the other side. In the DASH score evaluation, 11 patients reached the value of 0-3.3, five patients 3.4-10, six patients 10.1-30.0 and two reached the score of more than 30. In the evaluation of capacity to work, 15 out of 24 patients were able to work, 11 of them without any restrictions or difficulties. In the evaluation of the sport and playing musical instrument module, 9 out of 24 patients did not engage in sports activities or do not play any musical instruments. In the surgically treated group, 26 out of 27 patients returned to pre-injury activities within 6 weeks. 19 (70%) patients reported reaching the same function as on the other side. In the DASH score evaluation, 19 patients reached the value of 0-3.3, two patients 3.4-10, 5 patients 10.1-30.0 and one patient with nonunion 72.5. Comparison of the average values of the DASH score demonstrated slightly better results achieved by surgical treatment (9.03 vs 6.77). When assessing the work module, 24 out of 27 patients returned to work, 20 of them without any restrictions or difficulties. Out of 27 patients, 4 patients were no longer able to engage in sports activities or to play a musical instrument. Of the 23 remaining patients, 18 did not have any problems, 5 suffered from minimal problems. The group of patients treated non-operatively included one case of non-union and the same applies to the surgically treated group. In 3 patients the removal of hardware was performed, 3 patients underwent revision of the surgical wound because of infection. DISCUSSION The recommendation of the weight-bearing of the upper extremity was similar in both groups, 12 weeks post injury/surgery on average. It is clear that sooner return to work or sports activities in the surgically treated group was preferred by younger patients who expected quicker recovery. Younger patients were less patient and more eager to return to work and sports, while the older patients, on the other hand, were more cautious about possible complications of surgery. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study did not identify any correlation between the clavicle shortening and the indication for surgical treatment. Surgical treatment was preferred by younger patients, more frequently by males. The rationale was supported by the perspective of sooner return to work and favourite sports activities. Their decision was not affected by the known risks of surgical treatment. Evaluation of the DASH score at one year after injury/surgery showed similar results. A higher incidence of complications in the surgically treated group did not lead to negative evaluation of the selected treatment modality by the highly motivated group of patients either. Key words: fractures of the clavicle diaphysis, non-operative treatment, surgical treatment, return to work, return to sports activities, functional results at 1 year.

PMID:35247243

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2022;89(1):37-42.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The study analyses a cohort of patients with surgically treated ankle fractures who developed complete distal tibiofibular synostoses. It focuses on their occurrence and association with the extent of tibiotalar dislocation of the ankle joint on the trauma X-ray and its relation to the choice of surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS The cohort of a total of 824 patients with type B and C fractures according to Weber classification was followed up for 9 years. The cohort consisted of 403 (48.9%) men and 421 (51.1%) women. The exclusion criteria included associated talus fractures, calcaneus fractures and fractures of the other bones of the foot. The studied data were obtained retrospectively from medical documentation and by evaluation of trauma X-rays and X-rays obtained during the postoperative checks. The ankle fractures were classified based on the Weber classification and the basic epidemiologic data (age and gender), type of fracture and extent of tibiotalar dislocation of ankle fractures on the trauma X-ray were evaluated. Posttraumatic ankle dislocation was divided into tibiotalar dislocation > 10 mm, tibiotalar dislocation < 10 mm and the group with regular ankle joint. When evaluating the treatment method, the cohort was divided into three groups: Group 1 with one-stage osteosynthesis, Group 2 with temporary K-wire transfixation or external fixation and subsequent secondary conversion to internal osteosynthesis, and Group 3 with definitive transfixation or external fixation of the ankle. The results were statistically evaluated using the Pearson s chi-square test, or the Fisher s exact test for low frequencies. A multivariant logistic regression model was created to identify statistically significant factors contributing to the development of synostosis. The results with the p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS In the whole cohort, the synostosis of distal tibiofibular joint was observed in a total of 131 (15.9%) patients. In men it was in 85 (21.1%) cases and in women in 46 (10.9%) cases, which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0020) between the mean age in the group of patients with synostosis (54.4 years) and the mean age in the group of patients without synostosis (49.1 years). Complete distal tibiofibular synostoses were found in 78 (12.7%) fractures classified as type B according to the Weber classification and in 53 (25.5%) type C fractures. When taking into account the gender, synostoses occurred more frequently in men in both types of fractures classified based on the Weber classification, only in type C fractures no statistical significance was established (p = 0.3026). Various size of posttraumatic tibiotalar dislocation was present in both types of fractures. The group with less severe type B ankle fractures showed a statistically significant dominance of synostosis development in cases with large tibiotalar dislocation of more than 10 mm (p<0.0001). In the group with type C fractures different results were obtained. The highest frequency of cases with synostosis was reported in the group with dislocation smaller than 10 mm (p = 0.0698). In the entire cohort, 615 (74.6%) one-stage osteosyntheses were performed and synostoses developed in 77 (12.5%) cases. In 165 (20.0%) patients, transfixation with K-wires or external fixation with subsequent conversion to secondary osteosynthesis were used and synostoses were identified in 50 (30.3%) cases (p < 0.0001). The open fractures showed an insignificantly smaller number of synostoses than the closed fractures (p = 0.5902). DISCUSSION Posttraumatic distal tibiofibular synostoses have varied morphology. A number of studies confirmed that they do not affect much the functional status of the ankle, even despite their extensive finding in the area of syndesmosis is evident on the Xray. Etiologically, a certain role in their development is reported to be played by posttraumatic hematoma in case of damage to deep soft and bony structures of the ankle. CONCLUSIONS A higher occurrence of synostoses was observed in male population, older age patients and also in type C fractures according to the Weber classification. Larger tibiotalar dislocation showed statistical significance in the development of synostoses in type B fractures according to the Weber classification, whereas in type C fractures it was not the main factor contributing to the development of synostosis. In cases where one-staged osteosynthesis was performed, the occurrence of synostoses was statistically significantly lower than in secondary osteosynthesis after temporary stabilisation. Key words: ankle fracture, distal tibiofibular synostosis, ankle joint dislocation, Weber classification, acute surgery, delayed surgery.

PMID:35247242

Ther Apher Dial. 2022 Mar 5. doi: 10.1111/1744-9987.13829. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Systemic vascular syndromes (SV) include a variety of, and numerous diseases. In 2012, the International CHAPEL HILL Consensus Conference (CHCC2012) led to a major reorganization of the classification of vasculitis, and this is still in wide use today. Although the results of plasmapheresis for individual diseases have been sometimes shown, there are few systematic reviews that discuss the effects along with vasculitis classification. Therefore, we will discuss the efficacy and the latest evidence for each vasculitis according to the CHCC 2012 classification in this review. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the estimation of plasmapheresis in each of the vasculitides, with a particular focus on small vasculitides, which have recently discussed frequently. For some time now, plasma exchange therapy (PEX) has been frequently used and is expected to be effective in some diseases, most of which are included in small vessel vasculitides. In particular, data showing efficacy have been accumulated for immune complex vasculitis, and the recommendation seems to be high. For instance, anti-GBM nephritis, concomitant use of PEX is essential and strongly recommended. On the other hand, for ANCA-related vasculitis among small vessel vasculitis, RCTs have recently shown negative results. In particular, the PEXIVAS trial statistically showed that PEX has no potential to reduce the mortality and renal death in AAV, but the ASFA, ACR, and KDIGO guidelines following this trial all regard PEX as salvage therapy or selective treatment for severe cases. As plasmapheresis is often performed in combination with other therapies, it is difficult to evaluate to clarify its efficacy on its own, and this predisposition may be pronounced in vasculitis, a rare disease. Although statistically significant differences are not apparent, the diseases that show a trend toward efficacy may possibly include treatment-sensitive subgroups. Further analysis is expected in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35247230 | DOI:10.1111/1744-9987.13829

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Mar 5. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28110. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Structural lesion evaluation in axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA) can improve accuracy of diagnosis. However, structural lesions (bone erosions) are difficult to be assessed using conventional MRI compared to computed tomography (CT).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrashort echo time (UTE) for detecting bone erosion in axial SpA compared to T1WI and three-dimensional double-echo steady-state (3D DESS) imaging using CT as the reference standard.

STUDY TYPE: Retrospective.

POPULATION: Fourteen patients (eight females, 57.1%) and 14 healthy controls (seven females, 50.0%) who underwent sacroiliac (SI) joint MRI and CT.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3 T; TSE T1WI, 3D DESS, 2D UTE.

ASSESSMENT: The bilateral SI joints were assessed for bone erosion. Three observers scored bone erosion for all three sequences of MRI. CT was used as the gold standard. Diagnostic confidence in axial SpA was measured based on a four-point confidence score.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Correlation of erosion scores between CT and MRI were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation test. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive-negative predictive values were calculated. Confidence scores were compared using the Wilcoxon sum rank test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: Compared with erosion scores of CT, the correlation coefficients for each MRI sequence showed significant low-to-high positive correlations (0.39-0.72). UTE imaging showed the highest correlation coefficients for all observers (0.70, 0.72, and 0.67, respectively). The specificity of UTE imaging was equal or higher than those of T1WI and 3D DESS for all observers (0.86 vs. 0.71 vs. 0.57; 0.93 vs. 0.71 vs. 0.57; 0.79 vs. 0.79 vs. 0.43). All observers had the highest confidence in interpreting UTE imaging for detecting bone erosion among the three sequences (3.5, 3.4, and 3.3 for UTE; 3.1, 3.0, and 2.6 for T1WI; and 3.2, 2.7, and 2.4 for DESS).

DATA CONCLUSION: UTE imaging can detect bone erosions in patients with axial SpA and show higher specificity than conventional T1WI and 3D DESS.

EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

PMID:35247216 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28110

Indian J Gastroenterol. 2022 Mar 5. doi: 10.1007/s12664-021-01216-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been reported in association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, SNHL as an extraintestinal manifestation of IBD is frequently underreported. In the present study, we compared the prevalence and severity of SNHL among patients with IBD-ulcerative colitis (IBD-UC) in remission with controls to find out any association between SNHL and IBD-UC in remission compared to controls.

METHODS: This single-center hospital-based prospective observational study included outdoor patients with IBD-UC in remission and healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Eligible patients and healthy participants were subjected to a battery of audiological tests (otoscopy, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry [PTN]) after thorough systemic and ear, nose and throat (ENT) examination.

RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study: 50 in IBD-UC in the remission group and 50 in the control group. None of the demographic variables (age, gender, residence and habits) were significantly different between the two groups. Otoscopy and tympanometry were normal in all patients and controls. The difference between the two groups in respect to frequency and severity of SNHL on PTA and in respect to unilateral and bilateral distribution of the hearing loss was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: There is no statistically significant difference in frequency and severity of SNHL between patients with ulcerative colitis in remission and healthy age- and sex-matched controls.

PMID:35247189 | DOI:10.1007/s12664-021-01216-1