Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive summary of the different modalities available to measure soft tissue fibrosis after radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences. REVIEW METHODS: A search was conducted using a list of medical subject headings and terms related to head and neck oncology, radiation fibrosis, and quantitative measurements, including bioimpedance, MRI, and ultrasound. Original research related to quantitative measurement of neck fibrosis post-radiotherapy was included without time constraints, while reviews, case reports, non-English texts, and inaccessible studies were excluded...

INTRODUCTION: Noma, an overlooked infectious disease, inflicts severe facial tissue damage, posing substantial challenges in patient care. This study delves into surgical complications and subsequent revision surgeries among noma cases treated in Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research employed a cross-sectional retrospective review of medical records treated between 2007 and 2019 retrieved from the Facing Africa database. RESULTS: The review encompasses 235 noma cases...

OBJECTIVE: Nasal septum perforation (NSP) is a common condition affecting ~1.2% of the general population and is still considered challenging to treat. Therapeutic strategies range from conservative local treatments and septal button closures to over 40 different surgical approaches. This study aimed to present a novel secure approach. METHODS: We describe our novel and unique NSP closure approach using a "fascia taco," in which conchal cartilage is enveloped by temporalis fascia like a taco and splints are left in place for 6-8 weeks...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the carbon savings potential of incorporating virtual care into surgical care pathways for pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea or otitis media with effusion. METHODS: Pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea or otitis media with effusion were not enrolled, instead, a modeling cohort study design was used. This study utilized the British Columbia healthcare system and geography to model emissions. Care pathways were developed for pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea or otitis media with effusion requiring care at a tertiary pediatric center...

OBJECTIVE: Bioengineered tracheal grafts are a potential solution for the repair of long-segment tracheal defects. A recent advancement is partially decellularized tracheal grafts (PDTGs) which enable regeneration of host epithelium and retain viable donor chondrocytes for hypothesized benefits to mechanical properties. We propose a novel and tunable 3D-printed bioreactor for creating large animal PDTG that brings this technology closer to the bedside. METHODS: Conventional agitated immersion with surfactant and enzymatic activity was used to partially decellularize New Zealand white rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) tracheal segments ( n  = 3)...

BACKGROUND: Adenoid tissue is a first-line host defense secondary lymphoid organ, especially in childhood. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is required to maintain balanced cellular activity. With impaired ER functions, protein accumulation occurs, resulting in ER stress, which plays a role in the etiopathogenesis of many diseases. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the relationship between ER stress and adenoid tissue disorders, thereby elucidating the mechanisms of immunity-related diseases...

OBJECTIVES: Online educational platforms with open access have seen a growing adoption in the field of medical education. However, the extent of their global usage is still unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, our objective is to examine the usage patterns of two renowned open-access resources in Otolaryngology. This includes identifying the most sought-after topics and understanding the demographics of their users. METHODS: Retrospective study of web analytics data between 2016 and 2021 extracted from the Headmirror...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown an association between environmental exposure to heavy metals and hearing loss. However, the findings regarding the relationship between exposure to different metals and hearing loss development are inconsistent. To address this, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the link between common heavy metal exposures and hearing loss. This study examined the effects of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) pollution on hearing loss at various levels, and systematically reviewed the literature on manganese (Mn), barium (Ba), arsenic (As), and hearing loss...

OBJECTIVE: Although large retrospective database studies have associated extranodal extension (ENE) with worse survival in several head and neck cancers, the prognostic significance of ENE in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains unclear. Our study examines ENE and overall survival (OS) in LSCC. METHODS: The 2006-2017 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with LSCC undergoing surgical resection and neck dissection, with or without adjuvant therapy...

OBJECTIVES: Posterior nasal nerve (PNN) ablation is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with chronic rhinitis. Recent evidence shows that parasympathetic innervation of the nasal cavity is more extensive and there are many fibers posterior to the lateral attachment of the middle turbinate. We describe a modified ablative technique that targets the extensive innervation of the posterior nasal nerves. METHODS: Description of the technique and retrospective cohort analysis...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the clinicopathological characteristics of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the palate and to identify the factors affecting prognosis. METHODS: The medical records of 85 patients with primary ACC of the palate treated with surgery, with or without adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy, from 2009 to 2019 were reviewed. The relationship of different clinical parameters with locoregional recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed...

OBJECTIVES: Hematologic malignancy involving the trachea is rare. It is even less common for tracheal involvement to be the initial manifestation of this disease. We present a case report highlighting an unusual diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that first presented with prominent tracheal manifestations. There have been only three other published case reports of extramedullary AML with involvement of the trachea. METHODS: We discuss direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy findings, including pinkish-white irregular lesions, which were similar to findings described in the available literature for tracheal AML...

OBJECTIVE: Otitis media with effusion is common in children with cleft palates. This study aimed to investigate the link between palatal closure techniques and audiological outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective-prospective cohort study, we examined the relationship between palate repair techniques and hearing outcomes in children with cleft palates. From 2017 to 2022, 190 ears of 95 cleft patients were studied at the Cleft Lip and Palate Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences...

OBJECTIVES: This county-level epidemiological study evaluated the travel distance to the nearest otolaryngologist for continental US communities and identified socioeconomic differences between low- and high-access regions. METHODS: Geospatial analysis of publicly available 2015-2022 NPI records was combined with US census data to identify geospatial gaps in otolaryngologist distribution. Moran's index geospatial clustering in distance to the nearest county with an otolaryngologist was used as the core metric for differential access determination...

OBJECTIVE: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare and aggressive salivary gland malignancy. Herein, we present the largest single-institution review of SDC to date. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all histologically confirmed cases of SDC seen at our institution from January 1, 2002, to August 1, 2022. Patient demographics, treatment, histological characteristics, tumor staging, and outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression survival analyses were performed...

OBJECTIVE: Cholesteatoma is a hyperproliferative, pseudoneoplastic lesion of the middle ear characterized by aggressive growth and bone destruction. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α, also known as HIF1A) is a key transcription factor that enters the nucleus and upregulates many genes involved in cancer progression in the oxygen-free environment. This study is designed to explore the role and mechanism of HIF1A in the progression of cholesteatoma. METHODS: HIF1A and endothelin converting enzyme 1 (ECE1) levels were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction...

OBJECTIVE: The management of lesions involving the cavernous sinus remains a formidable challenge. To optimize care for patients with tumors extending into this skull base region a detailed understanding of the surrounding osteology as well as neural and vascular relationships is requisite. This thesis examines the gross anatomy of the region and highlights important surgical implications drawn from these as well as previously published studies. METHODS: A review of the historical scientific, anatomic, clinical, and surgical literature extending to the present (1992) relating to the cavernous sinus has been performed and discussed...

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of cerumen impaction in a nationally representative sample of the US population and the association of cerumen impaction with sociodemographic factors, hearing loss, and tinnitus. METHODS: The cohort included 14,230 individuals aged ≥12 years who completed otoscopy and audiometry in NHANES (2005-2016). Cerumen impaction (partial/complete) was determined by otoscopy. Hearing level was defined by speech-frequency pure-tone average (PTA)...

OBJECTIVES: A globus and thick mucus in the throat are common reasons for referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. ENT outpatient appointments focus on nasolaryngoscopy examinations, patient education, and reassurance. An endoscopic outpatient clinic (EOC) was established to efficiently manage patients with benign laryngeal symptoms. METHODS: Patients referred between February 2022 and June 2023 due to a globus and/or thick mucus in the throat were immediately contacted via post...

OBJECTIVES: Our study aims to determine the incidence and potential risk factors for cerebral radiation necrosis (CRN) following treatment of sinonasal malignancies. METHODS: One hundred thirty-two patients diagnosed with sinonasal malignancies over an 18-year period were identified at two institutions. Forty-six patients meeting inclusion criteria and treated with radiation therapy were included for analysis. Demographic and clinical-pathologic characteristics were collected and reviewed...