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Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopneoa syndrome (OSAHS) without sleep studies

Polysomnography is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the diagnosis of sleep apnoea but it is expensive and difficult to perform in children. Diagnosis based on subjective judgement is often inaccurate. An accurate diagnostic scale based on clinical parameters could obviate...

A match made in heaven: being a good supervisor

Supervision is a core component of clinical training for all healthcare professionals. Most colleges advocate supervisors be trained in the skill of supervision, but this is not standard practice. Often supervisors rely on the skills they learn from their own...

Parental role in childhood speech disorder intervention

Several studies have indicated that parents play an effective role in the management of early communication disorders like stuttering and language delay in children, especially when they are supported by clinicians. This comprehensive review attempted to study published literature regarding...

BAHAs in single-sided deafness doesn’t improve sound localisation

This systematic review from South Korea nicely summarises what we know about SSD (single-sided deafness) and hearing rehabilitation with BAHAs (Bone Anchored Hearing Aids). SSD was defined as a PTA greater than 90 dB and a normal hearing opposite ear...

Literature review of experience with the BAHA Attract implant

The authors undertook a literature review for reports on patients who underwent BAHA Attract implantation. Of the 497 PubMed articles, 10 studies met their inclusion criteria. All the studies published were observational studies. There were no randomised control trials. The...

Concussion and isolated mandible fractures – are we asking the right questions?

Concussion and isolated mandible fractures – are we asking the right questions? The mandible is one of the most commonly fractured craniofacial bones. A significant force is required to bring this about. Hence the authors hypothesised that concussion after a...

For how long is post-pinnaplasty head bandage really necessary?

It is customary to put on a head bandage after pinnaplasty and the general consensus is that it should remain on for about a week to prevent haematoma and splint the reshaped pinna in place. In this review article, the...

How do the rejected candidates for cochlear implantation feel?

This interesting study from the UK explored, using personal interviews, how rejected candidates for cochlear implantation feel and deal with the decision not to implant. The authors assessed 10 adult cochlear implant candidates who had undergone the evaluation process were...

Biopsy sites with a diagnosis of pemphigusand mucous membrane pemphigoid

This is a systemic review and met-analysis to critically evaluate optimal biopsy site for patients presenting with pemphigus or mucous membrane pemphigoid. Historically, diagnosis is made if H&E staining direct immunofluorescence and serological testing of auto-antibodies. Direct immunofluorescence has been...

Cochlear implantation in Ménière’s disease

This was a Belgian retrospective study of seven patients with Ménière’s disease who underwent cochlear implantation. All patients had bilateral severe to profound hearing loss and all met AAO-HNS criteria for Ménière’s disease. Follow-up for patients ranged from six months...

Long-term outcomes after endoscopic pituitary macroadenomas resection

In this retrospective study the authors attempted to find out long-term outcomes after pituitary macroadenoma resection via the endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal route. Eighty of the 162 patients operated on met the study criteria of clinical and radiological follow-up for at...