OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence rate of follow-up among infants who had a "refer" result on initial newborn hearing screening and to identify reasons for default by parents or guardians.
METHODS:
Design: Cross-Sectional Study
Setting: Tertiary National University Hospital
Participants: 79 parents or guardians whose newborns obtained a "refer" result on initial hearing screening were interviewed over the phone.
RESULTS: Among those babies who had a "refer" result on initial hearing screening, 51% followed up for repeat testing. The most common reasons for non-follow up by parents or guardians include being busy, distance from the hospital and baby's health condition.
CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up rate in this study is higher compared to previous figures (27%), but is still below target. The reasons for non-follow-up obtained suggest problems may exist on all levels of the healthcare system. Appropriate solutions to address these problems should be explored.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Infant Newborn ; Hospitals, University ; Prevalence ; Hearing Tests ; Hearing ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Parents

Introduction: Schwannomas are benign biochemically non-secretory neoplasms that originate from the myelin sheaths of nerves. Functioning schwannomas, especially that of the head and neck, are exceedingly rare with only a few published in the literature. This case aims to report the uncommon presentation of a patient with a neck schwannoma in an adult female with elevated urine metanephrines Case: A 33-year-old Filipino female, non-hypertensive, was admitted for a two-year history of progressively enlarging non-tender pulsatile right lateral neck mass, without any symptoms. The patient underwent aspiration biopsy revealing no malignant cells. Contrast-enhanced CT Scan demonstrated well-defined heterogeneously enhancing soft tissue mass in the right paracervical area, with an initial impression of paraganglioma or nerve sheath tumor. To discriminate further, urine metanephrine was ordered and demonstrated high results (3.997 mg, 5.018 mg; Reference: 0-1.00 mg/24hr) on two occasions. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI showed the 6.3x3.9x4 cm mass as isointense on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI. Despite normotension, terazosin was administered for pre-operative alpha blockade. She underwent excision of the tumor without post-operative complications. On follow-up, the histopathology and immunohistomorphologic features confirmed the mass as a Schwannoma. Four weeks later, the patient remained normotensive and repeat urine metanephrines yielded normal results (0.670 mg, 0.192 mg) Conclusion Surgery, which remains to be the cornerstone of treatment, heralded the biochemical remission of the urine metanephrines in the patient. Although there were no identified neuroendocrine elements in the histopathology, the decrease in urine metanephrines after tumor removal likely points to a secretory schwannoma

OBJECTIVE: To present an unusual cause of pulsatile tinnitus, presenting in a young adult suffering from chronic recurrent foul-smelling discharge from the same ear.
METHODS:
Design: Case Report
Setting: Tertiary National University Hospital
Patient: One
RESULTS: A 24 year-old woman presented with pulsatile tinnitus on a background of chronic recurrent foul-smelling discharge. Clinico-radiologic findings seemed consistent with a glomus tympanicum coexisting with chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma. She underwent tympanomastoidectomy with excision of the mass. Histopathologic evaluation revealed the mass to be granulation tissue.
CONCLUSION: Pulsatile tinnitus is rarely associated with chronic middle ear infection. Granulation tissue arising at the promontory may mimic glomus tumors when accompanied with this symptom. Despite this revelation, it would still be prudent to prepare for a possible glomus tumor intraoperatively so that profuse bleeding and complications may be avoided.

Human ; Female ; Young Adult ; Earache ; Headache ; Vertigo ; Glomus Tumor ; Cholesteatoma

OBJECTIVE: To describe a surgical technique in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations of the mandible

METHODS:

       Design:    Case Report

       Setting:    Tertiary National University Hospital

       Participant:        One

RESULT: A 16-year-old boy underwent resection, extracorporeal curettage, and immediate replantation of the hemimandible for intraosseous arteriovenous malformation. Postoperative follow up and imaging at one- and six-months showed no signs of recurrence, new bone formation and consolidation of the replanted right mandible with good symmetry and function.

CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal curettage followed by immediate replantation of the resected mandible seems to have yielded good early results in our case and may be a viable alternative especially when access to highly specialized microvascular surgical services is limited.

 

Human ; Mandible

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of a selected population of patients on herbal dietary supplements (HDS).
METHOD: Methodological triangulation was used to generate a conceptual framework on HDS KAP. A survey of 175 patients was performed to measure knowledge and attitudes regarding HDS and SPSS was used for data analysis. Inverviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to further explore the attitudes and practices, and constant comparison method was used for analysis of responses.
RESULTS: Respondents were generally aware of HDS. Majority of survey respondents believed that HDS are different from conventional drugs (52.0%, p<0.05). However, knowledge on the role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regulating HDS and understanding of "No Approved Therapeutic Claims" were poor.
The attitude toward HDS was generally positive. Majority (64.0%, p<0.05) were positive toward their perceived health benefits as claimed for the prevention of diseases, while a smaller percentage (46.9%, p<0.05) believed in their benefit for the treatment of diseases. A favorable attitude regardings HDS safety was observed due to the idea of their being "herbal" and "natural".
Among the survey respondents, only 22% were HDS users. Family was shown to promote use while cost deterred their use.
CONCLUSION: Individual knowledge and attitudes on HDS exert significant influence toward HDS practices. Factors that promote use are poor knowledge and positive attitudes toward HDS. Good knowledge seems to lead to judicious use or non-use.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Focus Groups ; United States Food And Drug Administration ; Awareness ; Perception ; Safety ; Attitude ; Dietary Supplements

Introduction: The demanding nature of medical school causes students to experience stress, anxiety, and depressive episodes that may cause students to gain or lose weight. This study aimed to determine the association of weight changes and stress levels among a private medical school students. Methods: Data were collected two times with an interval of 30 days through on-site measurement of the students’ anthropometrics using a stadiometer and utilization of online survey questionnaires accessed via QR code. Demographics and disease states were identified in the first round of data collection while the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and identification of stressors was integrated in the second round of data collection. Results: Among the 212 individuals, 69.8% were categorized into having perceived moderate stress levels, 22.2% with high stress, and 8% with low stress. Of the 212 cases, 86 gained weight, 91 lost weight, and 35 had no change in weight. Fear of failure, poor motivation, and difficulty understanding lectures are among the top overall stressors. The study noted that there is a moderate association between stress and weight changes but it is not enough to reach statistical significance (0.161), as the sample size was not reached. The study revealed that the prevailing diseases were Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Hypothyroidism, and Hypertension, which have varying degrees of impact on weight change. Conclusion There is an association between weight changes and stress levels among first to fourth year medical students of a private medical school from A.Y. 2023-2024.
Weight Gain ; Weight Loss ; Students, Medical