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. 2023 Jun 10;85(7):3403-3408.
doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000000952. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Clinical spectrum of ear, nose and throat foreign bodies at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study

Zephania Saitabau Abraham  1 , Aveline Aloyce Kahinga  2 , Khamis Omar Khamis  3 , Edwin Liyombo  4
Affiliations

Clinical spectrum of ear, nose and throat foreign bodies at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study

Zephania Saitabau Abraham et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). .

Abstract

Presence of foreign bodies (FBs) in the ears and upper aerodigestive tract is a common encounter in children unlike adults in otorhinolaryngology practice. FBs form a major part of emergencies in otorhinolaryngology. Studies on ear, nose and throat FBs in Tanzania are scarce.

Objective: To determine the clinical spectrum of ear, nose and throat FBs at the largest tertiary hospital.

Methods: A descriptive hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted where 95 patients were recruited at the Hospital from December 2019 to May 2020. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSSs) version 24.

Results: In this study, there were more females, 56 (58.9%) than males, 39 (41.1%) with female to male ratio being 1.4:1. Children aged younger than 10 years predominated in this study, 69 (72.6%). The nose, 36 (37.9%) and ear, 29 (30.5%) were the commonest sites where FBs lodged followed by the pharynx, 22 (23.2%) and oesophagus, 10 (8.4%). Regarding types of FBs, inorganic types, 49 (51.6%) predominated and were mostly coins, 17 (17.9%). Majority of FBs were removed in less than 24 h (53.7%) and complications were found in 29 (30.5%) patients and being more pronounced with nasal FBs. Majority of those with complications presented to the hospital 24-72 h post lodging of FBs.

Conclusion: FBs were encountered more commonly in children aged younger than 10 years. The nose was the commonly affected anatomical site followed by the ear, pharynx and oesophagus. The commonest FB was a coin. The inorganic FB type predominated and the most common inorganic type was a coin while the commonest organic type was a seed. Complications were encountered in those who presented between 24 and 72 h post FB lodgment.

Keywords: Foreign bodies; ear; nose; otorhinolaryngology; tanzania; throat.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of anatomical location of the various foreign bodies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of the duration from lodging of foreign bodies to their removal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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