Patterns of Otolaryngologic Sequelae of Suicide Attempts Seen in Nigerian Tertiary Hospitals

Olajuyin, OA and Olajide, TG and Oluwole, LO and Lawal, MA and Ali, A and Olajuyin, AB and Olajuyin, AA (2019) Patterns of Otolaryngologic Sequelae of Suicide Attempts Seen in Nigerian Tertiary Hospitals. American Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 2 (7). pp. 1-6.

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Abstract

Background: Otolaryngologic sequelae of suicide attempts are rarely reported as an entity. In this report, we describe the patterns otolaryngologic sequelae of suicide attempts seen in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. Objective: To improve among clinicians, knowledge of the patterns of otolaryngologic sequelae of suicide attempts with a view to promote their management at the three tiers of health care delivery. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of clinical records of survivors of suicide attempts seen in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. Results: In all, 52 patients were seen. Of this, 34 were cases of otolaryngologic sequelae. Majority, (56.0%) of the sequelae were corrosive oesophagitis. Other sequelae were: corrosive oropharyngoesophagitis (14.7%), corrosive oropharyngitis (8.8%), and corrosive laryngitis (5.9%), hypertrophy scar on the neck (5.9%), laryngeal stenosis (2.9%), pharyngocutaneous fistula (2.9%) and sudden hearing loss (2.9%). The sudden hearing loss was caused by overdose of diazepam. There was discordance in the prevalence of isolated corrosive oesophagitis and oropharyngitis as noted by the 56.0% vs. 8.8% respectively in a pathologic continuum. Conclusion: Corrosive oesophagitis is the most common otolaryngologic sequelae of suicide attempts accounting for 56.0% of cases in this study. There was discordance in the patterns of corrosive injuries of the oesophagus and oropharynx as noted by the 56.0% and 8.8% prevalence respectively, in a pathologic continuum. This stresses the need to avoid using the clinical state of the oropharynx to gauge the condition of the oesophagus. It also emphasizes the importance of diagnostic endoscopy in all symptomatic cases of corrosive ingestion. The occurrence of sudden hearing loss post-ingestion of diazepam remains enigmatic. We therefore suggest empirical studies on this unique finding using laboratory animals.

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