Journal Reviews archive for May 2015
Local dexamethasone infiltration in tonsillectomy
Intravenous dexamethasone is routinely given during tonsillectomy for its effects on postoperative pain and nausea. This Chinese randomised study divided 240 children undergoing tonsillectomy into three groups, receiving either no steroid, intravenous dexamethasone, or the same amount of dexamethasone infiltrated...
Chemo-radiation in elderly patients with head and neck cancers
Chemo-radiotherapy is the standard of care for organ preservation in stage three and four oropharyngeal cancer, prospective data on patients over 65 has not been available as they are usually excluded from randomised trials. This paper reviews the experience of...
Seeking medical attention with tonsillectomy complications depends on who you are. Lessons from the USA
In the current UK model, NHS care is free at point of access so there are no perceived economic barriers to seeking attention with postoperative complications. This study from the US examines surgical and emergency room databases from across California,...
External auditory canal carcinoma
Although uncommon, primary malignant tumours of the external auditory canal (EAC) are associated with a poor prognosis as they often present late. In this study the authors evaluate the clinical and pathological factors associated with treatment and outcome of EAC...
Cochlear implantation and inner ear malformations
In this study the authors attempted to compare the outcomes in children who underwent cochlear implantation (CI) with inner ear malformations to those that had normal inner ear anatomy. Sixty three children with prelingual deafness who underwent CI were included....
Botulinum toxin in ENT
This comprehensive review neatly summarises non-cosmetic uses of botulinum toxin within otorhinolaryngology, it is perhaps easy to forget the medical use of botulinum toxin has now been approved for the last thirty years. Its overall safety profile places it as...
Unilateral vocal cord mobility impairment and laryngopulmonary physiology
The concept of iatrogenic recurrent laryngeal nerve injury following thyroid surgery is often considered with respect to voice change but its potential impact on airway physiology has thus far not been evaluated. A cross-sectional observational study reviewed 21 patients with...
How do the rejected candidates for cochlear implantation feel?
This interesting study from the UK explored, using personal interviews, how rejected candidates for cochlear implantation feel and deal with the decision not to implant. The authors assessed 10 adult cochlear implant candidates who had undergone the evaluation process were...
Does head trauma as aetiology of deafness affect the outcomes of cochlear implantation?
Head trauma associated with temporal bone fractures is a well known aetiological factor for deafness. The literature assessing the outcomes of cochlear implantation in such cases is rather limited. In this paper, the authors compared the performance of implantees with...
Treatment algorithm for olfactory disorders
The purpose of this paper is to review the current evidence in diagnosing olfactory disorders and suggest an algorithmic approach to patients with relevant complaints. Age-associated olfactory loss is often multifactorial and requires a careful history and physical exam. A...
Facial pain and headaches
This paper reviews the present knowledge and the recent publications on the cause, characteristics, course and treatment of chronic and recurring facial pain and headaches. Facial pain should be defined in terms of frequency, duration and severity, and also in...
Prophylactic swallowing exercises in head and neck cancer
Clinicians working in head and neck cancer will be familiar with the increased interest in prophylactic swallowing exercises to reduce the devastating impact of dysphagia experienced by patients undergoing radiation or chemo-radiation therapy. This study from Denmark is one of...
