Otorhinolaryngological menifestations of Visceral Leishmaniasis
Background: Leishmaniasis is vector borne disease caused by protozoa.Visceral Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem in Nepal. Different manifestations in otorhinolaryngology includes nasal bleeding, granulomatous mass mucosal ulceration in oral cavity. polypoidal growth in larynx, chronic nonhealing painless ulcer, nodule , sensorineural deafness . Methods: This is a prospective cross sectional study where eighty diagnosed cases of leishmaniasis were included from January 2007 to January 2008. Diagnosis was made by Rk-39 from peripheral smear & LD bodies from bone marrow. Before starting anti –kalaazar treatment, ENT examination and Pure tone audiometry (Amplaid 460, Italian machine) was done and finding noted. Results: Visceral leismaniasis occur from age 4 yr to 70 yr. Otolaryngological manifestations found in 47 % of cases. Among them epistaxis was observed in 19 (24%) cases. Hearing loss had 8 (10%) of cases. Laryngeal Leishmaniasis was seen in one patient. Mortality was seen in one patient. Conclusion: Otolaryngological manifestation of Visceral Leishmaniasis is not uncommon in the patients belonging to endemic area like ours. Epistaxis & hearing loss are common.