ENT morbidity at high altitude

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

• FirstView Article
• doi: 10.1017/S0022215110002331 (About doi)
• Published online by Cambridge University Press 17 Nov 2010

B K Prasad

Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Command Hospital (Eastern Command (EC)), Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background: People suffer unique health problems in high altitude areas, due to such factors as elevation, aircraft ascent and descent, extreme cold, hypoxia, hypobaria, and low relative humidity. This study was conducted to evaluate ENT morbidity at high altitude.

Methods: Serving soldiers introduced to a high altitude environment who presented with various ENT symptoms were examined to identify ENT disease. In addition, patients undergoing hyperbaric chamber therapy, tracheostomy and treatment of cold injuries were also examined for ENT problems.

Results: The following were detected: 13 cases of otic barotrauma, 11 cases of sinus barotrauma, three cases of vertigo, six cases of pinna frostbite, three cases of barotrauma caused by hyperbaric chamber therapy, an unusually high incidence of epistaxis, and innumerable patients with high altitude pharyngitis.

Conclusion: Diseases of the ear, nose and throat contribute significantly to high altitude morbidity. In a military context, health education of troops is necessary to avoid such problems.

(Accepted June 28 2010)

Correspondence:

^c1 Address for correspondence: Lt Col (Dr) B K Prasad, Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Command Hospital (EC), Alipore Road, Kolkata 700027, West Bengal, India Email: bipin_rupa@rediffmail.com

Footnotes

Presented at the 62nd Annual Conference of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, 8 January 2010, Mumbai, India