Otorhinological Manifestation in Patients with Thalassemia Major

Aim: This study was designed and intended to reveal the incidence of certain otorhinological presentations in patients with thalassemia major and the relation of desferrioxamine with it. Patients and Methods: In our cross-sectional study we blindly select 100 patient complaining of thalassemia major whom attending Baquba teaching hospital for blood transfusion as part of their regular treatment. Data collection was done in the otolaryngology outpatient clinic of the hospital. In those patients, thalassemia major was documented by hemoglobin electrophoresis. History and examination in those patients were concentrated on nasal problems like nasal airway obstruction, temporomandibular joint complaints like pain in TMJ region, ear problems like deafness, tinnitus and morphological abnormalities like saddle nose. Clinical examination and pure tone audiometry were done. Results: The relative frequency of certain otorhinological manifestations is high in patients with thalassemia major. Conclusion: Thalassemia major may be associated with certain otorhinological problems which can be early diagnosed and treated.