Ear, Nose, Throat, and Craniofacial Disease Screening in Primary School: Khon Kaen University 2017 Initiative
Patorn Piromchai MD, MSc, PhD, FRCOT, FICS1, Supawan Laohasiriwong MD, FRCOT1, Patchareeporn Saesiew MD, FRCOT1, Watchareeporn Teeramaswanitch MD, FRCOT1, Wisoot Reechaipichitkul MD, FRCOT1
Affiliation : 1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : In 2017, Khon Kaen University was asked by the local community of Tambon Lao, Amphoe Kosum Phisai, Maha
Sarakham Province to arrange a health project that could benefit the community. As this is a non-profit, community service, the
request was fulfilled by the university. The Department of Otolaryngology-H&N Surgery volunteered and was selected as the
primary project leader.
Materials and Methods: The first meeting with the local community leaders was held and it was agreed that screening of ear, nose,
throat and craniofacial diseases be conducted as a pilot project in a primary school. The physical examination by the otolaryngologists
included (a) a general appearance examination, (b) an ear examination using otoscopy, (c) a throat and neck examination, and (d)
a nasal examination using rhinoscopy.
Results : From the 373 students who were enrolled in the study, 365 were screened for ear, nose, throat, and craniofacial disorder
(97.9%). One student had a craniofacial anomaly (1.4%). The ear examination revealed pathologies in around 10 to 35% of
subjects. The throat examination revealed problems in less than 10 to 20% of participants. Significant lymphadenopathy was
found <5% of students. No significant nasal diseases were found among the students.
Conclusion : A pilot project was organized with the cooperation of local leaders and the community to conduct screening for ear,
nose, throat, and craniofacial diseases among primary school students.
Keywords : Otolaryngology, Craniofacial anomaly, Screening
