Journal Reviews
Trends in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer
The recent rise in HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is well described. There has been a significant shift from tobacco-driven to virus-driven cancers at this anatomical site. This retrospective study analysed US tumour registry data over a long period (1973–2009)...
Is the lack of sunshine the reason behind allergic rhinitis?
Deficiency in Vitamin D, an in vogue immunomodulator, has been shown in emerging data to have a substantial pathogenetic role in allergic related diseases, particularly asthma. The concept of a shared upper and lower airway has allowed the natural extrapolation...
Turbinate reduction in rhinoplasty patients
Rhinoplasty surgery is performed by both plastic and otorhinolaryngology surgeons using varying approaches and methods for both functional and cosmetic reasons. This plastic surgery article identified that inferior turbinate hypertrophy is often encountered during rhinoplasty surgery and a New York...
Olfactory ensheathing cells and their safe harvest
This interesting and unique paper not only demonstrates that biopsy of olfactory mucosa in the region of the superior turbinate is a safe procedure but also provides valuable insight into an engaging area of research by a world class team...
Managing CRS in pregnancy
An International team of experts from both sides of the Atlantic set out to perform a systematic review of the management of chronic rhinosinusitis in pregnancy. Despite a thorough search no scientific evidence was found that could form the basis...
Sharing audio data for the greater good of research
HomeBank is a novel online repository for daylong audio recordings of children and families. Daylong recordings of children in naturalistic environments with their family and friends are an important source of information to enable an understanding of how children develop...
Speech and language therapy is valuable for people at all stages of dementia
The number of people living with dementia is going to increase significantly over the coming 10-20 years. The authors of this article describe the breadth of the role of speech and language therapists (SLTs) working with people with dementia. They...
Variations in obstructive level with increasing depth of sedation in DISE
This study highlights some of the controversies surrounding DISE (Drug Induced Sedation Endoscopy, or otherwise known as sleep nasendoscopy in the UK). On one hand it provides some evidence that the BIS (BiSpectral Index), recordings of patients while they are...
Invasive differentiated thyroid cancer
The majority of patients presenting with differentiated thyroid cancer have early small disease with excellent long-term outcomes. However, aerodigestive tract invasion is reported in around 10% of case series and is a poor prognostic factor. This article has been authored...
A raised neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio predicts vestibular schwannoma growth
It has long been known that the neutrophil to lymphocyte count ratio (NLR) is a marker of inflammation and that a higher ratio relates to poorer outcomes in some malignant tumours including some head and neck cancers. Neutrophilia (and therefore...
Does cholesteatoma surgery affect school performance?
While much focus has been placed on short-term complications associated with cholesteatoma, a lack of knowledge remains about the impact suffering from cholesteatoma in childhood may have on educational outcome. The aim of the study was to investigate whether suffering...
Myringoplasty in a bottle?
Management of large traumatic TM perforations can involve observation and water precautions or surgical repair. Closure rates for larger perforations can be 8-12 weeks and occurs for between 38-79%. Animal and human studies have shown that exogenous application of epidermal...
