OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between e-cigarette vaping, voice quality and vocal cord integrity among patients aged 19 years old and above at the Quezon City General Hospital based on the Filipino Voice Handicap Index (VHI), laryngoscopy, and GRBAS scale.

METHODS

Design: Cross-Sectional Study

Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital

Participants: Ninety-eight (98) participants aged 19 years old and above with no previously known laryngeal illness who use e-cigarettes, completed the Filipino VHI, laryngoscopic evaluation, and GRBAS evaluation were recruited in the study.

RESULTS

Out of 98 participants, 65.3% (64/98) and 34.7% (34/98) were current and past e-cigarette users, respectively, of which 30% (29/98) had abnormal laryngeal findings. Abnormal laryngeal findings were observed in 34.4% (22/64) and 20.6% (7/34) of current and past e-cigarette users, respectively, (p=.172) which include erythema, edema or swelling, vascularity, and mucus in the vocal folds. Asthma (OR=145.1, 95%CI=2.6-79.2, p=.015) and current smoking (OR=13.9, 95%CI=1.6-17.1, p=.016) were significantly associated with abnormal laryngeal findings, while current smoking was significantly associated with higher GRBAS scores (β=0.5, 95%CI=0.06-1.0, p=.025). Years vaping, pods and drops used, and nicotine content level were not significantly associated with abnormal laryngeal findings, GRBAS scores and VHI scores (p > .05).

CONCLUSION

In this study, the prevalence of abnormal laryngeal findings was 30% among e-cigarette users which was higher among current e-cigarette users than past users. Concurrent cigarette smoking was a significant predictor of abnormal endoscopic findings and voice quality. Further research is recommended to substantiate the association of e-cigarette vaping with voice quality and laryngeal integrity.

Human ; Voice Quality ; Vocal Cords ; Larynx ; Smoking ; Vaping

Objective: To report a case of chronic suppurative otitis media with complications of lateral sinus thrombosis and otitic hydrocephalus and to discuss its clinical manifestations, clinical course, ancillary procedures and management. Methods: Study Design: Case Report. Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital. Patient: One. Results: A 35-year-old man was admitted due to intermittent right otorrhea for 20 years and headache for a month. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 12, and mastoidectomy performed on the second hospital day showed cholesteatoma with erosion of the bony covering of the sigmoid sinus with scanty purulent discharge. The GCS improved to 15 few hours post- operatively, however, 24 hours post-operatively, GCS decreased from 15 to 10 and a CT scan showed dilatation of cerebral ventricles and lateral sinus thrombosis which persisted on subsequent imaging studies. His condition deteriorated irreversibly despite a ventriculostomy, and he eventually expired after 3 weeks in the ward. Conclusion Otitic hydrocephalus due to lateral sinus thrombosis is a serious complication of chronic suppurative otitis media seldom encountered nowadays. In this case, otitic hydrocephalus developed and progressed despite broad spectrum antibiotics, mastoidectomy and a ventricular shunt. This case report underscores the importance of early recognition of warning signs of intracranial complications to institute prompt management.
Lateral Sinus Thrombosis ; Mastoidectomy ; Ventriculostomy