Birth injury to the cervical spine as a cause of acute ethmoiditis in children

Abstract

Aim. Improvement of the efficacy of diagnosis of spondylogenic ethmoiditis in children. 
 Methods. The study sample included 82 children aged 3 to 10 years: 39 (47.6) boys and 43 (52.4) girls. Patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 included 20 patients with acute ethmoiditis; group 2 included 31 patients with other diseases of ENT-organs; group 3 included 31 relatively healthy children. Apart from physical examination performed by an otorhinolaryngologist, pediatrician, neurologist and other specialists, and X-ray of paranasal sinuses including contrast radiography, the investigation plan included facial electromyography in ethmoid sinus projection area. 
 Results. Electromyographic parameters in relatively healthy children corresponded to the reference while in patients with acute ethmoiditis muscle tone in ethmoid sinus projection area was increased and amplitude of contractions was decreased, which was caused by muscle spasm. Increased latency of M response was revealed compared to the norm on both sides. In the group of patients with other diseases of ENT organs the following results were obtained: muscle tone in ethmoid sinus projection area was increased as well as in group 2, contraction amplitude was decreased that is a result of spasm and muscle tension. M response latency exceeded normal value only on one side where the most severe inflammatory process was observed. 
 Conclusion. To confirm the relationship between congenital pathology of the cervical spine and inflammatory process in nasal cavity and cells of ethmoid labyrinth, electromyography is warranted.