Question of the Week - February 2o23

February 8th, 2023

A 19-year-old female presents to your office for evaluation of a ‘growing mass’ on her left ear. She says she first started to notice it after she had her ears pierced last year. It has been increasing in size and causing worsening discomfort. She denies any otorrhea, hearing loss, or recent ear infections.

Which of the following chemical mediators is most likely responsible for this patient’s condition?

A.IFN-α

B. IL-8

C. IFN-γ

D. TGF-β

February 22nd, 2023

A 4-year-old girl is brought to the pediatric ED by her mother for persistent nose-bleeds. Her mother states she sees her daughter picking her nose nearly every day and while she has gotten nose-bleeds in the past, they typically resolve on their own after pinching her nose. Her mother reports she’s tried pinching the nasal alae for an hour while the girl leans forward, but blood continues to trickle from the left nostril, which is seen on physical exam in the ED. She denies family history of bleeding disorders. If performed, silver nitrate cautery should be directed toward which of the following locations in the nasal cavity?

A.  Middle meatus
B.  Nasal septum
C.  Posterolateral wall
D.  Posterior choanae