Komal Chauhan

A Comparative Study of Eustachian Tube Functions in Normal and Diseased Ears with Tympanometry and Videonasopharyngoscopy

Eustachian tube is a bony and fibrocartilagenous tube extending from the antero-inferior part of middle ear cleft to lateral wall of the nasopharynx. Its main functions are ventilation of middle ear to equalize the middle ear pressure with atmospheric pressure and mucociliary clearance. The functioning of eustachian tube has a direct impact on normal middle ear function. As a corollary, dysfunction of eustachian tube inevitably leads to retraction of the tympanic membrane initially and sterile effusion and subsequent conductive deafness later. Secretory otitis media today is the most common cause of conductive deafness in children with an intact ear drum. Evaluation of function of eustachian tube assumes paramount importance in this scenario. To evaluate eustachian tube functions in normal and diseased ears with tympanometry and videonasopharyngoscopy and to compare the tympanometric tests of eustachian tube function with videonasopharyngoscopy and to assess their reliability. The study was conducted at Army hospital (R&R) Delhi Cantt from October 2005 to April 2007. Hundred (100) ears were examined and were divided into two groups, the control group with normal tympanic membrane on otoscopy and case group with complaints of diminished hearing and intact but retracted tympanic membrane. Their eustachian tube function was evaluated by tympanometric tests and videonasopharyngoscopy. Thereafter a comparison was made between the two. The study revealed that videonasopharyngoscopy was highly accurate and reliable test for eustachian tube function as compared to tympanometry. Slow motion video analysis of eustachian tube dynamics is a useful tool for further understanding the pathophysiology of tubal dysfunction.

Role of antioxidants on the clinical outcome of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

Background Antioxidants have a preventive or therapeutic role in oxygen free radical-mediated cell and tissue damage. The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of antioxidants and intranasal steroid fluticasone furoate (FF) on the clinical outcome of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Methods Subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis (n = 61) were randomly divided into two groups, group A (n = 30) received FF and group B(n = 31) received FF with antioxidants for 6 weeks. Nasal and ocular symptoms were evaluated weekly by using a four-point categoric scale. The efficacy of the study drug was assessed based on the mean change from baseline of the total daytime nasal symptom scores, total nighttime nasal symptom scores, and the composite symptom scores. Results The combined therapy (FF with antioxidants) resulted in marked improvements (p ≤ 0.05) in the mean total daytime nasal symptom scores, total nighttime nasal symptom scores, and composite symptom scores of subjects compared with ones treated with intranasal steroid (FF) alone, which highlighted the therapeutic effect of antioxidants in allergic rhinitis. Conclusion Significant improvement in clinical outcome was observed in subjects who received antioxidants along with FF. However, because this was an open-label study, the results must be interpreted with caution, and further double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trials supplemented with different antioxidants together with intranasal steroids are suggested.

Technology development for pulse Extracts blended orange juice and its quality evaluation

Preparation of orange juice blended with green gram pulse extract was studied. The extracts of green gram were prepared by providing different processing techniques including soaking, soaking and cooking, germination and germination and cooking. Blends prepared by mixing orange juice with four different green gram extracts in a ratio of 50:50 were evaluated for organoleptic properties. The blend orange juice mixed with soaked and cooked green gram extract (OJ-SCGE) was selected best and further analyzed for nutritional quality. The blended juice was compared with the nutritional components of pure orange juice (OJ-PURE) and revealed that blended juice was superior in terms of nutritional quality.

Development and quality evaluation of protein enriched fruit juices

Preparation of apple and tomato juices fortified with green gram extract was studied. The extracts of green gram were prepared by providing different processing techniques including soaking, soaking and cooking, germination, germination and cooking. Blends prepared by mixing apple juice and tomato juice with four different green gram extracts in a ratio of 50:50 were evaluated for organoleptic properties. The blends apple juice and tomato juice mixed with soaked and cooked green gram extract (AJ-SCGE, TJ-SCGE) were selected best and further analyzed for nutritional quality. Both the blended juices possessed higher nutritional quality than the pure juices and the sample TJ-SCGE had all the nutritional components in a higher proportion than the sample AJ-SCGE.