Objective:To determine the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the STOP BANG questionnaire in diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in adults admitted for polysomnography at the Rizal Medical Center from January 2019 to June 2024

Methods:
Design:Review of Records
Setting:Tertiary Government Training Hospital
Participants:166 adult patients

Results:A total of 166 patient records were included with an average age of 35.6 ± 12 years, BMI of 29.3 ± 6.44 and 67% were male. The STOP-BANG questionnaire had a sensitivity of 77% to screen for all (AHI ≥ 5), mild (AHI = 5-14.9), moderate (AHI = 15-19.9), and severe OSA (AHI > 30), respectively. The specificity was 62% and the area under the curve was 0.717 for all, mild, moderate and severe OSA

Conclusion:A STOP-BANG score of 3/8 can predict the presence of OSA with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 62% with AUC of 0.717. The increase in score does not predict the severity. Further research can be done to identify other co-morbidities associated with OSA.

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.

Objective: To determine the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and use of the Reflexive Behavioral “Baah” Test and NHSRC Level 1 and Level 2 Questionnaires in detecting hearing impairment in rural health communities. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at the rural health unit of five municipalities. Infants less than six months old were screened for hearing impairments using the OAE device (standard), the Reflexive Behavioral “Baah” test, and the NHSRC Level 1 and Level 2 Questionnaires. The “Baah” test and the filling out of the NHSRC Level 1 and 2 Questionnaires were done by trained health workers while OAE was done by an audiologist. Results: A total of 103 babies, with a mean age of 41.9 days at the time of testing and a male to female ratio of 1.02:1 (52 males and 51 females) were tested. A hearing impairment prevalence of 4.9% (5 out of 103) was noted. The “Baah” test showed to have a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 97.96% and an accuracy rate of 96.12%. The NHSRC Level 1 and Level 2 Questionnaires showed sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rate of 40%, 67.35% and 66.02%, respectively for the former and 40%, 85.71% and 83.50%, respectively for the latter. Analysis of the complimentary use of the NHSRC Level 1 and Level 2 Questionnaires with the “Baah” test also showed no significant improvement to using the “Baah” test as a stand-alone screening tool with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 60%, 67.35% and 66.99%, respectively for the “Baah” test and Level 1 Questionnaire, and 60%, 83.67% and 82.52%, respectively for the “Baah” test and Level 2 Questionnaire. Conclusion The Reflexive Behavioral “Baah” test is a potentially accurate, sensitive, specific, and acceptable standalone hearing screening test to identify infants with higher risk of hearing impairment in the rural health community setting. On the other hand, the use of the NHSRC Questionnaires as a stand-alone or complementary tool for “Baah” is unnecessary as it results to more false positive and false negative results.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Infant, Newborn ; Audiometry ; Behavior Rating Scale

Objective: To assess the usage of the “Baah” Test compared to the AABR (Automated Auditory Brainstem Response) in detecting hearing loss of neonates in the community setting. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. The targeted sample population are infants less than a month old who underwent screening at a testing facility in Malolos, Bulacan spanning the years 2011 and 2012. Results: A total of 201 infants were included in the study, with a mean age of 10.77 days with a standard deviation of 7.79. The ratio of males to females was almost equal at 1:1.01. For infants who passed hearing screening on at least one ear, 96% (193 infants) correlated with the results of “Baah” testing. For those with bilateral refer results on AABR, 4 out of the 6 correlated with the “Baah” Test. Conclusion There is potential in using the “Baah” Test as a tool for hearing loss assessment of infants in situations wherein the usual hearing screening tests are inaccessible. It makes use of little resources, and though it does have its limitations in assessing for unilateral hearing loss (as the test cannot test ears in isolation), it would be able to identify infants likely to have bilateral hearing loss.
Audiometry, Evoked Response ; Infant, Newborn

Objective: To determine the prevalence of sinonasal anatomic variations seen on paranasal sinus (PNS) CT scans of a sample of Filipino adults with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Participants: The PNS CT scans of 51 Filipino patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyposis diagnosed at our outpatien Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery between October 2015 to December 2020 were reviewed for the presence of sinonasal anatomic variants. The prevalence of the identified variants was calculated. Results: The CT scans of 51 patients, 41 (80.4%) men and 10 (19.6%) women, were included. The median age was 48 years (Q25: 35, Q75: 56, IQR:21). The median Lund Mackay Score (LMS) was 15 (Q25: 12, Q75: 20, IQR:8). Majority (94%) had an LMS of ≥5. The most common anatomic variant in the study population was agger nasi (n=46/51, 90.2% present bilaterally) followed by uncinate process attachment to the lamina papyracea (n=90/102, 88.24%). The third to sixth most common findings were Keros type II classification (n=76/102, 74.51%), nasal septal deviation (n=35/51, 68.62%), optic nerve canal type 1 (n=67/102, 65.69%) and anterior ethmoid artery grade 1 (n=46/102, 45.1%), respectively. Less common variants were Onodi cell (n=13/51, 25.49% unilateral and n=10/51, 19.61% bilateral), Haller cell (n=8/51, 15.69% unilateral and n=1/51, 1.96% bilateral), supraorbital cell (n=4/51, 7.84% unilateral and n=4/51, 7.84% bilateral), middle turbinate concha bullosa (n=3/51, 5.88% unilateral and n=6/51, 11.76% bilateral), superior turbinate concha bullosa (n=2/51, 3.92% unilateral and n=1/51, 1.96% bilateral), pneumatized crista galli (n=2/51, 3.92%) and optic nerve dehiscence (n=1/51, 1.96% bilateral). Conclusion In the adult Filipino population with CRS sampled in this study, the six most common sinonasal anatomic variants were agger nasi, superior attachment of the uncinate process to the lamina papyracea, Keros type II classification, septal deviation, optic nerve canal type 1 and anterior ethmoid artery grade 1. Pre-operatively, the PNS CT scan of every patient must be meticulously evaluated for the sinonasal anatomic variants to avoid surgical complications.

Objective: To report a case of thyroglossal duct carcinoma with concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma Methods: Design: Case Report. Setting: Tertiary National University Hospital. Patient: One. Results: A 46-year-old woman was diagnosed with thyroglossal duct carcinoma after undergoing a Sistrunk procedure. Due to presence of thyroid nodules, the patient underwent second stage thyroidectomy with central neck dissection which revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma. Conclusion Thyroglossal duct carcinomas are rare entities and there is no current consensus regarding their management. Difficulties arise in the diagnosis of these tumors as they present similarly to benign thyroglossal duct cysts. Most cases are diagnosed postoperatively. Proper preoperative assessment including head and neck examination, biopsy, and radiologic imaging is necessary to recognize patients who could benefit from more aggressive management.
Thyroglossal Cyst ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the quality of Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers as training model for endoscopic sinus surgery in terms of color and consistency of the tissues and similarity of performing the surgical steps to live surgery.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Six Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers from the University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy were used as training models. The Thiel-preserved cadavers utilized the soft embalming protocol being employed at the Virginia State Anatomical Program in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Ten otorhinolaryngologists were recruited to evaluate the cadavers using a questionnaire with three parts. The first two parts utilize a 10-point Likert scale with 1 as the least similar to live patient while 10 as simulating the live patient. The third part is an open-ended question regarding the suitability of Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers in the training for endoscopic sinus surgery.

RESULTS: Endoscopic sinus surgery was successfully performed in all cadavers. The Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver closely replicates the color and consistency of the anatomic structures important in endoscopic sinus surgery. All the surgical steps were performed with ease simulating live surgery.

CONCLUSION: Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver is a suitable model for training in endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to describe the pattern of nodal metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) among Filipinos and to determine the possible clinicopathologic factors associated with level V involvement.
METHODS: This study included patients >18 years old with PTC with clinically positive neck node (cN1b) who underwent total thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection (levels II-IV) or posterolateral neck dissection (II-V) from 2011-2016 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Philippine General Hospital. Histopathology reports were reviewed for the presence of nodal metastasis per level, tumor size, tumor location, gross extrathyroidal involvement and subtype. Univariate analysis utilized Pearson Chi-square test or the Fischer exact test. Multivariate analysis utilized logistic regression.
RESULTS: Lymph node involvement in the lateral neck was highest in level III (87.04%), followed by level IV (81.48%), IIa (66.67%), V (60.00%) and IIb (42.59%). No clinicopathologic factor was found to be associated with level V involvement.
CONCLUSION: The pattern of lymph node metastasis among Filipinos is similar but higher than that reported in the literature. Level V involvement is high and thus, this study suggests including level II-V in the neck dissection among Filipinos with cN1b papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of thyroid gland involvement in advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to identify factors associated with its development.
METHOD: Records of 118 patients who underwent laryngectomy with thyroidectomy for advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in a tertiary government hospital from January 2010 to August 2015 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical and histopathology data were obtained. The relationship of the laterality of primary tumor bulk and lobe involvement was analyzed using Fischer's exact test. The association between thyroid gland invasion and other factors was analyzed using logistic regression.
RESULTS: Thyroid gland involvement was found in 11% of the patients via direct spread in 92.3%. Single lobe involvement accounted for 61.5% of cases. There is a tendency for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma to invade the thyroid lobe ipsilateral to the primary tumor bulk. Extralaryngeal spread, tracheostomal involvement, and tracheal extension were associated with thyroid gland involvement.
CONCLUSION: Thyroid gland involvement in advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma is rare; hence, indications for performing thyroidectomy in relation to the presence of thyroid gland involvement should be established to avoid unnecessary surgeries.

Co-existence of multiple pathologies affecting a patient poses a challenge in the diagnosis and management. A rare combination of early tongue cancer, maxillary fungal rhinosinusitis, calcified thyroid nodule and primary hyperparathyroidism in a 70-year-old female is described. The evidences used for disease probabilities based on diagnostic results and effectivess of treatment modalities are presented. The decision-making process to come up with an individualized management is discussed.