Otological Emergencies among the Northern Nigerian children

Background: Swift recognition and prompt institution of management is very crucial to successful outcome of otologic emergencies. The aim and objective of the study was to determine the spectrum of pediatric otologic emergencies in northern Nigeria.
Methods: A retrospective study to review of 1497 paediatric otologic emergencies aged one month to 14 years seen at National ear care centre, Kaduna between 2002 and 2006 inclusive was done. The records of all these patients were retrieved, studied and information collected analyzed. The data extracted for analysis included – biodata, clinical presentation diagnosis and treatment outcome.
Results: There were 943 male and 554 female with M: F ratio of 1.7:1. Their ages ranged from 1month to 14 years with a mean age of 4.95years (SD=4.15). A total of 928 (62%) were infants and preschool age groups (under fives). Acute suppurative otitis media was found in 573 (38.3%), was the commonest otological condition diagnosed followed by acute otitis media in 22.6% and foreign body in the ear in 222(14.8%).The least frequent were CSF otorrhea, and ramsay hunt disease which constituted 0.07%.
Conclusion: Acute suppurative otitis media, acute otitis media and foreign body insertion into the ear still constitute the common otological emergencies in Northern Nigeria. These are all preventable emergencies through community health education, training of community health worker to recognize the symptom and signs of ear disease with early referral.