Prescribing antibiotics for sore throat: adherence to guidelines in patients admitted to hospital.

Aim: We prospectively studied patients referred to secondary care with acute tonsillitis, peritonsillar cellulitis and quinsy (peritonsillar abscess) to see if recommended treatment guidelines were being followed and whether antibiotic resistance was contributing to admission.

Study Design: Prospective observational study in a university teaching hospital of 90 consecutive patients admitted to secondary care over an 18 month period with acute tonsillitis, peritonsillar cellulitis or quinsy were studied. The geographical distribution by postcode, pre-admission history and treatment of each patient was recorded.

Prevalence of facial pain in 108 consecutive patients with paranasal mucopurulent discharge at endoscopy.

We undertook a prospective observational study of 108 consecutive patients with endoscopic paranasal mucopurulent secretions. Only 31 patients (29 per cent) had facial pain. In 20 (65 per cent), the endoscopic site of purulent secretions corresponded to the site of pain.

A study of intranasal distribution of azelastine hydrochloride aqueous nasal spray with different spray techniques.

Topical aqueous nasal sprays are widely used in treating patients with a variety of nasal diseases. Previous studies have suggested that drug delivery to the ciliated mucosa is generally suboptimal. Little is known about the effects of nasal spray delivery technique on intranasal distribution and efficacy of topical nasal drugs.

An evaluation of the best head position for instillation of steroid nose drops.

Steroid nose drops are used frequently to treat rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis. The middle meatal area is of key importance in the pathophysiology of these conditions. This study assesses which of three head positions commonly used to instil nose drops resulted in the highest coverage of this area.

Ear deformity in children following high ear-piercing: current practice, consent issues and legislation.

In this presentation we examine the practice of high ear-piercing in children, the issue of informed consent and current legislation. We sampled current practice and consent policy by visiting nine establishments in Sheffield providing this service. There were two high street department stores, two fashion accessory outlets and five body-piercing studios.