Gentamicin and its ototoxicity

Introduction. The use of gentamicin in the neonatal period is categorized as a risk factor for hearing loss. Gentamicin belongs to a group of aminoglycoside antibiotics that mainly act on Gram-negative bacteria. Due to its high efficacy, low drug resistance, and low production and treatment costs, aminoglycosides are widely used, especially in developing countries. This drug damages both the cochlear and vestibular parts of the inner ear. Hearing damage after gentamicin administration is irreversible. Aim. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate gentamicin ototoxicity in children based on comprehensive hearing tests. Material and methods. Between January 2019 and June 2020, 33 children were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology at UCK WUM who were treated with gentamicin in the perinatal period. All children underwent comprehensive audiological diagnostics: acoustic otoemission, tympanometry and auditory brainstem evoked response (BERA).

Assessment of the utility of ultrasonography and microbiology in the treatment of peritonsillar abscess in children

Introduction. Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep neck and head space infection. It mostly occurs in young adults and teenagers, usually during the infectious season; at the turn of November and December as well as April and May. The peak incidence coincides with the highest incidence of streptococcal pharyngitis. Aim. A clinical analysis was performed in patients with peritonsillar abscess symptoms to determine the role of ultrasound imaging as a diagnostic tool confirming this condition. Material and methods. A retrospective, non-randomised study conducted in a group of 20 patients aged between 1 and 17 years, who were hospitalised due to peritonsillar abscess or infiltration in the Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology. Ultrasonography of the neck was performed in all patients in the study group to assess the presence of a fluid reservoir on the symptomatic side. Results. Ultrasound imaging revealed the presence of fluid indicative of abscess in 12 cases. Incision and puncture were performed in all these patients. Purulent content was obtained in 11 cases. Conclusions. Ultrasound was found useful in detecting the presence of an abscess and differentiating between peritonsillar infiltration and abscess.

Self-induced pneumoparotitis – a rare case report

Pneumoparotitis (pneumoparotiditis, pneumosialoadenitis) is a rare and frequently misdiagnosed condition. Signs of subcutaneous emphysema in parotid gland, the neck or the mediastinum are alarming symptoms that should be promptly addressed. Computed tomography, which is the gold diagnostic standard, may be successfully replaced with ultrasonography in the paediatric population. Sialography has a complementary role in the imaging of the gland, and allows for parotid duct irrigation to remove deposits and prevent recurrent inflammation. The paper presents a case of a 12-year-old boy who deliberately inflated his both parotid glands for about 6 months, and thus developed parotid pneumatocele with a diameter of about 25 mm. Diagnostic imaging was extended to include autoimmune diseases. Detailed family history was obtained. Conservative treatment, including dexamethasone irrigation of the Stensen’s duct, was used and the symptoms fully resolved. A 3-month follow-up showed no increase in the size of pneumatocele or episodes of parotiditis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis in children--bacteriological analysis in terms of cytological examination

INTRODUCTION

The mechanisms of inflammatory response occurring in chronic rhinosinusitis in children are multifactorial. Besides the history and a physical examination, amongst diagnostic tools there are cytological and bacteriological examinations.

OBJECTIVES

1 Determining the nature of the bacterial flora present in the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses in children with chronic rhinosinusitis amongst patients of The Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology,Warsaw Medical University. 2 Determining the relation between bacterial strains and cytological examination of nasal mucosa in children with chronic rhinosinusitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group included 64 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps. The control group included 30 randomly chosen children. Diagnostic tests performed in both groups were: middle meatal culture and cytological examination from the inferior nasal concha and middle meatus. Statistical analysis was accomplished with Statistica 8.0.

CONCLUSIONS

Damage to the respiratory epithelial surface is understood as damage to the innate immune barrier, and repeated antibiotic therapy with the subsequent repopulation of the epithelium accidentally by various bacteria can become responsible for the pathogenic effect of bacteria in chronic rhinosinusitis.