Audiological characteristics of the contralateral ear in patients with unilateral physical non-explosive ear trauma

Objectives:To document the frequency of occurrence and types of symptoms experienced in the contralateral ear in patients with unilateral physical non-explosive(UPN)ear trauma and to compare the audio metric and tympano metric parameters between asymptomatic and symptomatic contralateral ears.Design:Prospective analytical clinical study Setting:Specialized(Ear,Nose,and Throat)clinic of a tertiary health institution.Participants:Patients with UPN ear trauma who presented within the first week of the incident.Main outcome measures:Otologic symptoms in the contralateral ear in UPN ear trauma Results:Eighteen out of 53 patients(34.0%)experienced symptoms in the contralateral ear.The symptoms were tinnitus in 77.8%(14/18),hearing loss in 66.7%(12/18),and ear blockage in 27.8%(5/18).There was hearing loss in 38/53(71.7%)of contralateral ears.Hearing loss type and PTAv at the low frequencies were not significantly different(p=0.142),but other audiometric parameters were significantly different between asymptomatic and symptomatic contralateral ears(p<0.05 in all).Type C tympanogram was more prominent in the symptomatic contralateral ear.There was a statistically-significant difference in the type of tympanogram between the two categories of patients(p=0.018).There was no difference in acoustic reflex between the two categories of patients(p=0.095).Conclusions:The contralateral ear may be affected in up to one-third of patients with UPN ear trauma,and experience otologic symptoms similar to those of the traumatized ears.Audiologic and audiometric parameters were abnormal in most of the contralateral ears.The two ears must be assessed thoroughly in cases of UPN ear trauma.

A review of potential biomarkers for assessing physical and psychological trauma in paediatric burns

Biological markers that evaluate physical healing as well as psychological impact of a burn are essential for effective treatment of paediatric burns.The objective of this review is to summarize the evidence supporting the use of biomarkers in children with burns.An extensive review of the literature was performed using PubMed.A total of 59 biomarkers were identified relating to burn presence,specifically relating to processes involved in inflammation,wound healing,growth and metabolism.In addition,biomarkers involved in the stress response cascade following a burn trauma were also identified.Although many biomarkers have been identified that are potentially associated with burn-related physical and psychological trauma,an understanding of burn biology is still lacking in children.We propose that future research in the field of children’s burns should be conducted using broad screening methods for identifying potential biomarkers,examine the biological interactions of different biomarkers,utilize child-appropriate biological fluids such as urine or saliva,and include a range of different severity burns.Through further research,the biological response to burn injury may be fully realized and clinically relevant diagnostic tests and treatment therapies utilizing these biomarkers could be developed,for the improvement of healing outcomes in paediatric burn patients.