Journal Reviews
Scoring system to predict hearing impairment following hemifacial spasm surgical treatment
The authors analysed brain stem auditory evoked potentials prospectively in 100 patients undergoing endoscopic microvascular decompression for management of hemifacial spasm over a period of two years. They then developed a scoring system based on electrophysiological events to predict the...
Prioritisation of surgery for pituitary tumours
This study is based on the findings of internationally renowned skull base surgeons who convened to recommend this stratification scheme. The study authors report that incidental diagnosis of pituitary tumours during routine imaging as well as early identification of visual...
Managing the most common branchial arch anomaly
This article is a well written, helpful summary of the management of the most common branchial anomaly in children – the second. These are characterised as cysts, sinuses or tracts between the anterior border of sternocleidomastoid, coursing between the internal...
Stenting and sinus surgery
Stents are used in sinus surgery with the aim of maintaining patency of sinus cavity avoiding restenosis from inflammation or scarring. The exact indication for stenting in sinus surgery however is still debated. The authors discussed the potential role of...
Retained surgical cottonoids in the nose
his is an interesting group of case reports essentially documenting the presence and characteristics of retained surgical packing (non-resorbable) post sinus surgery. Paranasal gossypiboma refers to surgical foreign objects such as sponge or patties that are left in the nose;...
Sleep before and after nasal polyposis surgery
This prospective French study looked at the change in nasal symptoms related to sleep, in a questionnaire before and after nasal polyposis surgery. Sixty-three patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery completed the DyNaChron questionnaire before, at six weeks and at...
Talking through technology – keeping up with the mainstream
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system development has often made early use of innovative technology. Touch screens have been a part of this technology for some time. In fact, touch screens were invented in 1965 but it wasn’t until the...
“Close” surgical margin in oral tongue redefined, 2.2mm is as good as 5mm
Gold standard treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral tongue remains surgical resection of the primary tumour with negative margins. The primary goal is the complete excision of the tumour with no residual cancer cells left behind. A...
Precision medicine in allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis
Precision medicine (PM) with its ‘four Ps’ (personalised, predictive, preventive and participatory) is about appreciating differences between individuals when offering management options for health problems. Multiple groups interested in rhinology such as EPOS and ARIA supported a review of the...
Oropharyngeal malignancies
The authors retrospectively reviewed 44 patients who underwent a combined transoral and transcervical treatment without mandibulectomy for oropharyngeal malignancy. The combined approach was performed first by a neck dissection followed by transoral excision of the lesion and reconstruction by a...
Epistaxis and anticoagulants
The French Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck surgery issued some recommendations on the management of epistaxis in patients receiving anticoagulants, anti-platelet aggregants and anti-vitamin K drugs. This was a national multidisciplinary evidence-based concensus document. The group recommends review of...
Management of stage IV pharyngolaryngeal lesions
This is a retrospective study of 63 patients presenting with stage four laryngeal and/or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The aim was to define the factors influencing the oncological and functional outcomes of the patients. All patients had T4 lesions with...
