[Oto-rhino-laryngological and cervico-maxillofacial pathologies among hospitalized older patients: epidemiological, diagnostical and therapeutical aspects in Lomé, Togo].

Introduction: In developing countries, 10% of the population is over 60 years old and this proportion is increasing rapidly. The general objective of this study was to describe the profile and management of the elderly subject aged 60 and over, hospitalized in the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and Head/Neck surgery department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé, from 2012 to 2021.

Method: Retrospective descriptive study. After reviewing the files, selection of patients aged 60 and over, regardless of sex, and hospitalized for an ENT pathology from January 2012 to December 2021. Not included in our study were files of elderly subjects hospitalized but whose age was imprecise, or empty or very incomplete files.

Results: A total of 296 cases were included, representing 6.7% of the department's activities. The mean age of the patients was 72 ± 7.3 years with extremes of 60 and 95 years. The age group 6069 years represented 59.5%. The sex ratio M/F was 0.92. Infectious/inflammatory lesions were found in 138 patients (46.6%) including 38.9% of acute cellulitis of dental origin, and tumors were found in 135 patients (45.6%). Tumors were malignant in 59 patients (43.7%) and benign in 76 patients (56.3%). Thyroid was the site of 46 (60.5%) benign lesions and larynx of 29 (49.2%) malignant lesions. Poor oral hygiene, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diabetes and the combination of smoking and alcohol were the factors favoring the occurrence of acute cellulitis of dental origin in 89.6%, 80.9%, 20.0% and 2.6% of cases respectively (p<0.001). The combination of smoking and alcohol was a factor favoring the occurrence of malignancy in 39% (p<0.001). Surgical treatment was performed in 234 patients (79.1%). With a case lethality rate of 21%, acute cellulitis of dental origin was the leading cause of death (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The most frequent pathologies of the ENT sphere in the elderly in our tropical context were infectious and tumoral, largely dominated by acute cellulitis of dental origin, thyroid adenoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Despite the tendency to balance infectious and tumoral pathologies, the proportion of acute cellulitis of dental origin remains twice as high as that of malignant tumors. It contrasts with data from other sub-Saharan series where tumoral pathology remains predominant in the elderly. It is important to provide dental care assistance to the elderly and to advocate for the development of geriatrics and access to universal health coverage for the elderly in Togo.