Journal Reviews
How does temporomandibular dysfunction affect voice-related quality of life?
Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is a group of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal problems that affect the muscles and fascia related to chewing and jaw opening. Patients are often seen in ENT clinics because of symptoms such as trismus, pain and muscle tension,...
Does the appearance, texture, and flavour of food affect how we swallow?
Texture modification and the use of thickened fluids are well-known strategies used to facilitate swallowing in people with dysphagia. However, some controversy exists around thickeners and their possible negative impact on hydration and medication absorption. This paper considers other properties...
What is the quality of patient-reported outcomes of salivary function?
Salivary gland dysfunction has multiple causes and can have significant impact on quality of life, particularly when symptoms are severe. There are several patient-reported outcomes (PROMS) that assess these issues; however, these are variable in what they measure. This systematic...
Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies: balancing risks and benefits
Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) are an important part of the diagnostic toolkit and arguably the current gold-standard for assessing swallow biomechanics and diagnosing dysphagia. However, the procedure does involve exposure to radiation, and any clinician requesting this should be able...
Non-surgical and surgical management of arytenoids granuloma
Arytenoid granulomas are often a sequelae of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Unless there is suspicion of malignancy, they require a very balanced approach between conservative management and surgical intervention. The authors present a series of 62 patients with whom the primary...
Going online with dysphagia practice: potential for innovation post pandemic
Telepractice is perhaps the most widespread service innovation to have received such rapid uptake across health systems globally. Disciplines that started to adopt telehealth prior to the pandemic found themselves at the forefront of a seismic shift to delivering healthcare...
Outcomes of larger glottic cancer volumes treated with radiotherapy
T3 glottic cancer is characterised as vocal cord fixation and/or invasion into pre-epiglottic, post-cricoid, paraglottic spaces and/or within the inner cortex of thyroid cartilage. Traditionally, laryngectomy was considered the primary option to treat T3 laryngeal glottic cancers until other options...
Association of diabetes mellitus type 2 with age-related changes in the larynx
Diabetes affects the body with changes in the neurological, muscular and vascular systems. It is therefore conceivable that the larynx, which is a musculoskeletal organ, can be adversely affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus. To explore this possibility, 174 Caucasian...
Assessing the impact of e-cigarette smoke on the vocal fold
While the use of electronic-cigarettes (e-cigs) is increasing rapidly, little is known about the effects this has on the health of vocal fold. In this translational research study, authors compared the effects of e-cig vapour and cigarette smoke on an...
How common is dysphonia and dysphagia after cardiac surgery?
Patients undergoing cardiac surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass (CABG) and valve operations, are usually informed that there may be some risk of laryngeal complications that could result in a dysphonia or dysphagia. This may be due to factors including...
Hyaluronic acid injection laryngoplasty
This systematic review discusses the use of hyaluronic acid in injection laryngoplasties. Unilateral vocal cord paralysis leads to incomplete vocal fold adduction and dysphonia. For patients not improving with voice therapy, surgical procedures include injection laryngoplasty or open laryngeal framework...
Which surgical procedure is more effective in treating OSA? Tonsillectomy or modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a recognised condition that is increasing in prevalence, affecting the quality of life in certain individuals. Although the first line management is non-surgical, this paper highlights the two different surgical procedures offered to patients. The...
