Epidemiology of ENT emergencies.

OBJECTIVE

To give an overview of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) pathologies encountered in the emergency room (ER).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 1296 files of patients visiting the ER between January 2008 and December 2012. Diagnosis, treatment, hospitalisation, referral, and demographic parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

Epistaxis is the most frequent ENT condition seen in the ER. One third of epistaxis patients are on anticoagulant therapy. The second most frequent conditions observed were infections of the pharynx and tonsils. Nasal fractures and vertigo were also frequently observed.

CONCLUSION

Epistaxis and its treatment were the most frequent ENT diagnosis and therapy seen in the ER. Infections are the main cause of hospitalisation. Referral to other disciplines and revisits seldom occurred.