Otological Injuries Observed in Head and Neck Trauma in a Second-Line Hospital

Abstract

Otological injuries are common during cervicofacial trauma. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological characteristics and to map otological injuries during head and neck trauma. This was an observational, descriptive, prospective study conducted at the ENT unit of the Referral Health Center Hospital in Mali from January 2017 to September 2018. Patients with middle and/or inner ear injuries due to trauma were included. The prevalence of otologic injuries was 34.54% of cases. The mean age was 25 years and the sex ratio was 1.11. Students accounted for 42.10%. The mechanism of occurrence was an intentional assault in 68.42% of the cases followed by road traffic accidents (15.79%). The most common functional signs were hearing loss (68.42%), tinnitus (57.89%), and facial paralysis in 5.26%. Otoscopy showed tympanic perforation (47.83%), otorrhagia (21.05%) and otoliquorrhea (5.26%). Rock fractures with osteodural breach (10.53%) and pneumencephaly were found on a CT scan of the rock. The evolution was marked by the regression of the facial paralysis and the healing of the tympanum in 45.45% of the cases. Sequelae persisted in the form of sensorineural deafness (17%). The otological lesions observed during cervicofacial trauma are varied. The challenges in our context are felt at three levels: the improvement of the technical platform, the long-term follow-up of patients, and the cost of care in terms of equipment. These lesions are responsible for disabling deafness, a source of difficulty in social and school integration.