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An audiologist abroad
Ever thought of working abroad? In this issue we hear from Caroline Hudson, International Audiologist with special interest in paediatrics and research, who took the leap to work in Canada after qualifying and working in the UK. She will provide...
Can smaller cancer centres deliver high quality care for patients with laryngeal cancer?
There is a continuing conflict between treating patients as close to their homes as possible and centralising specialised services, taking into consideration the critical mass and the multi-disciplinary expertise available. This is a report of outcomes in the treatment of...
Should we be doing earlier MRIs in sudden sensorineural hearing loss?
There is recognised variation between ENT departments in exact imaging protocols for the workup of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) but a routine MRI to exclude retrocochlear pathology is standard, usually following immediate treatment with oral +/- intratympanic steroids....
A multidisciplinary approach to the management of frontal sinus fracture
Frontal sinus fractures account for about 5% of all facial trauma. Fractures of the posterior wall may result in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and meningitis, while obstruction of the outflow tract can cause sinusitis and mucocele formation. However, there are...
Is there a ‘best’ ventilation tube?
Studies on grommet materials and sizes are not exactly new but this was a well-designed randomized study in Sweden with some useful findings. The extrusion rate and complications associated with four different ventilation tubes (grommets) were assessed prospectively in 400...
New MRI technique assesses treatment response in skull base osteomyelitis
This paper describes another useful imaging technique to monitor Necrotising Otitis Externa (NOE). Echoplanar diffusion weighted magnetic resonance (DW MR) shows high signal on the ‘ADC map’ with active disease and this reduces in signal intensity as symptoms improve. This...
Three-dimensional endoscopy for sinonasal procedures: is it really better?
In this interesting study the authors looked at the efficacy of two-dimensional (2D) versus 3D high-definition endoscopes in novice users, not those already trained in 2D. Ninety-two medical students used 2D and 3D endoscopes to complete two validated tasks and...
Awareness of alternative techniques in cochlear implantation
The use of alternative techniques for cochlear implantation is indicated in unusual cases where the standard procedure would not be suitable. The authors of this study highlight the various reasons as to why an alternative technique might be sought, and...The challenges of facemasks for people with hearing loss
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen an exponential increase in the use of face masks. Guidance around the globe varies on the use of face masks as an effective barrier to the coronavirus. Whereas in pre-covid...
Preoperative tumour embolisation
This review article analyses the role of preoperative endovascular tumour embolisation in the treatment of a variety of hypervascular head and neck lesions including juvenile nasal angiofibroma, glomus tumour, carotid body tumours, and meningioma. Although the concept of tumour embolisation...
Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy
Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) after total laryngectomy is a serious complication post-surgery, and can lead to prolonged hospitalisation, adding delays in postoperative chemoradiotherapy. This Turkish retrospective study looked at 166 patients who underwent total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer, although it is...
