Introduction The most common emergencies in otolaryngology are infectious and traumatologic diagnoses.
All emergency diagnoses are influenced by multiple external circumstances. In our
study, the aim was to analyze seasonal risk factors and correlations among emergencies.
Material and Methods A retrospective analysis of all patients treated at the ENT University Hospital Ulm
for cerumen, otitis externa, acute otitis media, acute tonsillitis, peritonsillar
abscess, epistaxis nasi, acute sinusitis or nasal pyramidal fracture was performed
over a period of six years (2013-2018). Descriptive and statistical analysis was performed.
Results A total of 32 968 cases were evaluated. Most emergency patients presented in calendar
week 52. Epistaxis nasi represented the most frequent acute diagnosis in our analysis
with 8082 cases. Otitis externa occurred significantly more frequently during the
weeks of summer vacation (p<0.01). The diagnoses epistaxis nasi, acute rhinosinusitis
and acute otitis media showed a significant association with the cold half of the
year. (Otitis media p=0.0022, acute rhinosinusitis p=0.005, epistaxis nasi p=0.0043).
The occurrence of acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess did not correlate with
each other. Similarly, no significant correlation was found between the occurrence
of nasal pyramidal fracture and public holidays.
Conclusion Significant correlations of emergency diagnoses with external situational factors
allows conclusions to be drawn about prophylactic approaches. These include early
use of decongestant nasal spray for otogenic or sinugenic symptoms during the cold
season.
