Objective:To describe the radiologic dimensions of the Eustachian tube (pre-tympanic diameter, tubo-tympanic angle, and Eustachian tube angle) among normal ears, ears with chronic otitis media (COM) with and without cholesteatoma, in a sample of Filipino adults with COM; and to compare the dimensions of the three variables.

Methods:
Design:Retrospective Review of Records
Setting:Tertiary Government Training Hospital
Participants:The study included 69 CT scans of adults with COM, with images of 23 ears for each variable (normal ears, COM with and without cholesteatoma formation).

Results:In normal ears, the average pre-tympanic diameter was 3.976 ± 0.78 mm, the average tubo-tympanic angle was 41.529 ± 5.85 degrees, and the average Eustachian tube Angle (Reid Plane) was 27.077 ± 4.62 degrees. In patients with COM without cholesteatoma, the mean pre tympanic diameter was 4.002 ± 1.13 mm, the mean tubo-tympanic angle was 141.994 ± 6.30 degrees, and the mean measurement of the Reid plane was 24.649 ± 3.10 degrees. In ears with COM with cholesteatoma, the mean pre-tympanic diameter was 4.1993 ± 0.50mm, the mean tubo-tympanic angle was 138.789 ± 7.13 degrees, and the mean Reid plane was 26.483 ± 3.86 degrees. P-values for the pre-tympanic diameter, tubo-tympanic angle, and ET angle were .617, .198, and .098 respectively, indicating that there were no statistically significant differences in the ET dimensions of the ears with COM with cholesteatoma, without cholesteatoma and normal ears.

Conclusion:In our investigation, we found no statistically significant differences in Eustachian tube dimensions among individuals with normal ears and COM with or without cholesteatoma. This suggests that the Eustachian tube dimensions may not serve as a primary etiological factor for COM among our patients.

Human ; Cholesteatoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the interval from pathological diagnosis to treatment is significantly delayed, and the presence or absence of disease progression occurring in those with, and without treatment delay, among head and neck cancer patients in our institution.
METHODS:
Design: Retrospective Chart Review
Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital
Participants: Medical records of 70 patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer who underwent primary surgery from January 2011 to December 2015 were retrieved and available data were extracted.
RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were included in this study. Majority of the cancers were in the larynx (42.9%) and oral cavity (42.9%). The mean diagnostic-to-treatment interval (DTI) was 54 days but 5 (17.8%) out of the 28 had a DTI of more than 60 days. Four (80%) with a DTI more than 60 days had an upstage during surgery while 4 (17.4%) patients with DTI less than or equal to 60 days also had an upstage. 2 (60%) patients with treatment delay had tumor progression compared to 5 (21.7%) of those without treatment delay. Only 1 (20%) out of the 5 patients with treatment delay had increased nodal metastasis in contrast to 8 (34.8%) of those who did not have treatment delay.
CONCLUSION: A number of patients undergoing surgery in our institution experienced delay to initiate treatment of more than 60 days and majority of these patients were noted to have disease progression. However, even patients with treatment prior to 60 days had increases in tumor stage, which may suggest that the interval aimed for should be shorter than 60 days.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Head And Neck Neoplasms ; Neoplastic Processes ; Mouth ; Larynx ; Disease Progression ; Medical Records ; Government