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Advances in neural stimulation of the auditory pathway

This article reviews the use of neuroprosthetic devices such as cochlear and auditory brainstem implants (ABI) to stimulate the auditory pathway, discussing the successes, limitations and advances in this area. Currently, neuroprosthetic devices deliver electrical impulses to the cochlear nerve...

A new tool for assessing otoscopy skills

Medical and audiology students need to be proficient in performing otoscopy in order to undertake the routine practice required of them at work upon graduation. One significant challenge in teaching otoscopy is the lack of objective and validated assessment tools...

Pomegranate juice as an otoprotective agent

Chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, given alongside irradiation, offer a survival advantage in head and neck cancer. Some patients often complain bitterly about side-effects of their treatment, one of which is ototoxicity. In this paper, the authors propose the use...

AM and the neck

Infections with atypical mycobacteria (AM) are increasing, especially with the decline in BCG immunisation. The most frequent presentation is a lymphadenopathy in an immunocompetent child. This poses a difficult diagnostic challenge if the clinician is not aware of this entity....

Approaching a ranula

The March issue of Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology is the first of two concentrating on oral surgery within the paediatric setting. It sets the scene with a paper on the anatomy of the paediatric oral cavity and the associated surgical...

Is wine blocking your nose?

Salicylates are commonly found in a wide variety of foods, such as unripe fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and spices. They play a role in growth and development of plants, photosynthesis, transpiration, ion uptake and transport. Non-steroidal exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD)...

Impact of lingual pumping in Parkinson’s patients with dysphagia

Dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most important causes of mortality in these patients. Swallowing difficulty in Parkinson’s disease is associated with lingual pumping or festination, anterior escape, premature loss of bolus, oral and pharyngeal retention, multiple...

Which technique is better for cholesteatoma surgery?

There continues to be debate over the benefits and limitations of different techniques for cholesteatoma surgery. This retrospective review of 132 cases over a 10 year period with primary cholesteatoma from Turkey tried to establish which technique [canal wall up...