Journal Reviews
Cochlear implant – should we follow the curve?
Slimmer electrodes were developed by cochlear implant companies under the premise of hearing preservation (HP). Electrode types included stylet-curved electrodes sheath-curved electrodes, and straight-flexible electrodes. Previous reviews did not compare sheath and straight electrodes. A systematic review and meta-analysis were...
Columellar strut grafts versus septal extension grafts – which is better?
Rhinoplasty is a commonly performed procedure that, while often pursued for cosmetic enhancement, can also significantly influence nasal airway function. This seven year retrospective cohort study performed at a tertiary centre in Australia compares two well established techniques for nasal...
Ramsey Hunt causes more widespread vestibular dysfunction that other causes of acute peripheral vestibulopathy
The extent of semicircular canal dysfunction in different conditions causing acute vestibular syndrome (AS) has not been widely studied. The authors share their findings in a retrospective study of patients presenting with AVS in three conditions: Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHSD),...
What are the consequences of facial palsy on working life?
Facial palsy (FP) has multiple causes, including iatrogenic or idiopathic paralysis, trauma and tumours. Whilst for certain aetiologies, such as Bell’s palsy, recovery of function is expected, many patients will experience permanent symptoms due to incomplete recovery of the facial...
WRMD in otolaryngology
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) are now front and centre in the practice of otolaryngology head and neck surgery, with many surgeons suffering pain, disability and shortened career spans. Common WRMDs include degenerative lumbar spine disease, rotator cuff pathology, degenerative cervical...
Office treatment for persistent rhinorrhoea
Vasomotor rhinitis (VR) is a common condition across the world. Patients suffering from VR commonly have symptoms of persistent bilateral rhinorrhoea, that can have a significant negative impact on their quality of life. Vasomotor rhinitis can be treated medically with...
Globus, reflux or perhaps both?
We rarely do an ENT clinic without encountering a patient with persistent or recurring feeling of a lump or foreign body in the throat. We are also familiar with patients dreading to hear the C word after the endoscopic examination...
Adult Rhinosinusitis Clinical Practice Guideline update
This is a summary of the ‘Clinical Practice Guideline: Adult Sinusitis’ from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. This is an update of the 2015 version. Evidenc-based statements: 1a. Differential diagnosis of acute rhinosinusitis: Clinicians should distinguish...
Eosinophilic complications during dupilumab therapy
Dupilumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that targets type 2 inflammation by blocking IL-4 and IL-13 signalling. Reported adverse events from its use include injection site erythema, conjunctivitis, arthralgia and hypereosinophilia. The potential for more severe eosinophilic-related complications such as...
Around the world: cultural adaptation of speech and language therapy interventions
Communication Partner Training (CPT) is a speech and language therapy approach whereby a person with an acquired communication disorder (such as a stroke, brain injury or dementia) and a close other are supported to have better conversations. Several intervention programmes...
A faster way to manage patients with swallowing disorders with enhanced role of speech and language therapists
Allied health professionals (AHPs) make up the third largest clinical workforce in the NHS. They represent a diverse group of registered professions who play a vital role in the health service, working across various settings and with all age groups....
Dysplasia at the margins of laryngeal cancer specimens following laser resection – is conservative management appropriate?
Transoral laser microsurgery (TOLM) remains the cornerstone of treatment for early laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Whilst the hope is always to achieve a complete surgical excision with clear margins, it is sometimes the case that on histological analysis, disease is...
