Annals of Otology Rhinology and Laryngology最新文献

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a disease with a strong impact on the quality of life (QoL) which treatment is based on local intranasal corticosteroids (ICS) and iterative courses of systemic corticosteroids (SCS) in case of relapse. When medical treatment is insufficient, surgery is indicated. We investigated the impact of enlarged frontal sinusotomies (EFS: Draf IIb or Draf III) on QoL and annual SCS consumption of patients with severe uncontrolled CRSwNP.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 38 patients, who underwent EFS at Lariboisière University Hospital (CHU) in Paris, France, between 2006 and 2020. All patients were asked to complete SNOT-22 questionnaires concerning pre- and post-op status. Patients' medical and sinus surgery history as well as the number of SCS treatments per year before and after surgery were also collected.

Results: Of the 38 patients, 33 underwent a Draf III procedure and 5 a Draf IIb, with no major complications reported. Surgery resulted in a significant improvement in SNOT-22 scores (-32.7 ± 19.3, P < 0.001), with 19/22 items improving significantly. The number of annual SCS treatments decreased significantly from a mean of 4.8 ± 4.3 to 0.6 ± 1.2 (P < 0.001). During the follow-up (mean 88 months), 95% of our patients showed a satisfying disease control and only 2 patients required revision surgery for poor disease control 5 years after EFS.

Conclusion: EFS appears to be an effective and durable therapeutic option to improve the QoL of patients with severe CRSwNP and to reduce their SCS consumption without major complications.

Objective: Current common practice for patients with idiopathic epistaxis which requires nasal packing is to admit as an in-patient for overnight observation. Anecdotally, many patients do not re-bleed, so admissions may be unnecessary. Several factors have been suggested to be associated with an increased risk of re-bleeding, such as hypertension, anticoagulant use, and male gender. We set out to investigate these factors, to create a local guideline to identify patients who may be safe to discharge with a pack in situ.

Methods: We collected the data on the most recent admissions in our department, who each received a non-absorbable nasal pack for idiopathic epistaxis (n = 100). Data points included age, gender, anticoagulation status, and comorbidities.

Results: Data from 100 patients were audited. Of those, 13 were found to have re-bled through their packing (13%). Statistically significant predictors of re-bleed were as follows: Male sex (OR = 9.81, P = .048, 95% CI 1.02-94.11), aspirin use (OR = 8.11, P = .047, 95% CI = 1.03-63.79), hypertension (OR = 8.14, P = .040, 95% CI = 1.10-60.26), and age (OR = 0.93, P = .018 95% CI = 0.88-0.99).

Conclusion: Re-bleed in patients managed with non-absorbable packing for idiopathic epistaxis is uncommon. Risk factors may include male sex, hypertension, and aspirin use. ENT departments nationally may consider discharging patients' home with pack in situ, for removal as an outpatient, in the absence of these risk factors.

Objective: To further characterize the clinicopathologic features of oral verrucous carcinoma.

Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of the Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed in search of articles evaluating clinicopathologic features of oral verrucous carcinoma. Primary outcomes of interest included tumor subsites, T-staging, rates of cervical lymph node metastases, rates of distant metastases, 5-year survival (overall, disease-free, or disease-specific), and recurrence rates. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model.

Results: Nineteen articles with a total of 1458 subjects were ultimately included in the analysis. There were 17 studies with a total of 1353 patients reporting verrucous carcinoma subsites and the buccal mucosa (59.2%, 55.1%-63.3%) (I² = 98.1%) had the highest incidence of involvement. There were 10 papers with 277 patients reporting on rates of cervical lymph node metastases from surgical pathology yielding a pooled rate of 0% (0%-2.3%) (I² = 1%). There were 14 studies with a collective 712 patients commenting on rates of distant metastases and collectively, none were reported, yielding a pooled rate of 0% (0%-0%) (I² = 0%). Five year survival data was generally favorable relative to oral squamous cell carcinoma but was insufficient for meta-analysis.

Conclusion: An international collection of evidence supports that pure oral verrucous carcinoma is a relatively indolent, non-metastasizing malignancy associated with areca nut consumption. A reliance on traditional squamous cell carcinoma staging and treatment algorithms for verrucous carcinoma patients can predispose to overtreatment.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is integral to management of head and neck melanomas (HNM). Here, we evaluate how radiotracer selection (Tc-99m tilmanocept or Tc-99m sulfur colloid) and imaging modality (planar imaging or single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT)) may influence SLNB and its outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who received SLNB for HNM at our institution between January 2000 and July 2022.

Results: A total of 211 patients received Tc-99m tilmanocept (Tc-tilmanocept) and 113 received Tc-99m sulfur colloid (Tc-SC). There was no difference between Tc-tilmanocept and Tc-SC in terms of number of nodal levels to which the radiotracers localized (1.48 ± 0.93 SD vs 1.38 ± 0.93, respectively). Tc-tilmanocept had a lower rate of failed sentinel node identification as reported on radiology reports compared to Tc-SC (1.9% vs 11.5%, P < .001). There was a lower 5-year recurrence rate with Tc-tilmanocept versus Tc-SC (20.9% vs 28.3%, respectively P = .07), but this difference was not significant. When analyzing only cases in which SPECT was obtained, this there was no observed difference in 5-year recurrence rate. With SPECT, fewer patients had non-specific description of their node localization as "cervical" without further detailing of nodal basin (0% SPECT vs 9.7% non-SPECT, P < .001). Multivariable linear regression analysis for predictors of HNM 5-year recurrence found the odds ratio for SPECT imaging was 0.43, but not statistically significant (P = .06).

Conclusions: Tc-tilmanocept may be associated with greater rate of successful radiotracer migration along lymphatics compared to Tc-SC. SPECT imaging may confer more precision of the nodal basin to which radiotracer localizes as fewer patients receiving SPECT had radiology findings showing nonspecific localization of nodes to "cervical" basins without further specification. More patients are necessary to determine if Tc-tilmanocept and SPECT imaging are associated with lower melanoma recurrence rate.

Objective: Despite vaccination and early antibiotic treatment, pneumococcal meningitis remains a disease with significant mortality and morbidity. The resulting inflammatory response can lead to cochlear fibrosis, ossification where cochlear implant surgeries are far challenging. Our study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of controlled-release dexamethasone implant in such cases in terms of structural integrity.

Methods: Twenty-four rats were induced with pneumococcal meningitis and randomized into study (n = 16) and control (n = 8) groups. Controlled-release dexamethasone implants were placed transbullarly into the right round window of the study group. Bilateral cochleas underwent histological examination 3 months post-infection.

Results: In the study, cochlear effects of pneumococcal meningitis were evaluated. The basal turn was significantly more affected by fibrosis and ossification (P = .013 and .010, respectively). Compared with control ears, the dexamethasone implant group showed less fibrosis in all turns and less ossification in the basal turn (P = .014, .003, .044, and .035, respectively).

Conclusion: In pneumococcal meningitis, fibrosis and ossification occur more intensively in the basal turn of the cochlea. Controlled-release dexamethasone implants are effective in preventing cochlear ossification and fibrosis. The prevention from the structural damage indicates the potential role of these dexamethasone implants in post-meningitic hearing loss and easing cochlear implant surgeries.

Objective: To determine if a short 10-minute video of either CT images (Video1: V1) or CT and endoscopic surgical videos (Video 2: V2) could be used to improve sinonasal anatomy knowledge in medical students (Med) and otolaryngology residents (OtoR).

Background: YouTube is a widely used platform for surgical training, yet many educational videos are of poor quality. We developed and validated two 10-minute narrated videos of sinus anatomy, the first (V1) incorporated CT images of critical structures while the second (V2) combined CT images and surgical endoscopic video. In tandem, we developed a sinonasal assessment used to test sinonasal anatomy, surgical landmarks, and situational awareness.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, randomized IRB-approved educational study evaluating the efficacy of the V1 and V2 videos by comparing pre-test (PrT) and post-test (PoT) scores in Med and OtoR subject groups. Subjects then watched the alternate video and preferences were assessed.

Results: A total of 30 Med and 37 OtoR successfully completed the study at 6 different institutions. There were significant differences in pre-test knowledge with OtoR scoring higher than Med in all 3 pre-test subdomains [(S1: 4.3 v s2.9, P < .0001, S2: 4.4 vs 3.1, P < .0001, and S3: 4.6 vs 3.2, P < .0001)]. In the Med group, both V1 and V2 educational videos significantly improved post-test scores compared to pre-test scores (V1: 10.06 vs 12.59, P = .0005; V2: 8.23 vs 11.08, P = .0008). In the OtoR group, only the V2 educational video showed significant improvement (13.24 vs 14.76, P < .0001). Both groups thought the videos were helpful and improved their spatial awareness of sinus anatomy.

Conclusions: Short, validated videos significantly improve sinonasal education and should be incorporated in modern training programs.

Background: The 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) is a widely used patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for assessing chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, incomplete surveys may impact its predictive utility.

Aims: This study explores SNOT-22 completion rates, response trends, and potential factors influencing survey omissions aiming to optimize its predictive utility and practical application.

Methods: SNOT-22 surveys were retrospectively collected from patients at various time points throughout their CRS treatment. Surveys with at least one question unanswered were included in the study. Completely unanswered surveys were excluded. Survey response dynamics and trends were analyzed and reported.

Results: 1,034 SNOT-22 surveys were collected, 18% of the surveys were incomplete. Questions on "Ear fullness" and "Embarrassed" were most unanswered, while "Need to blow nose" and "Nasal blockage" were least unanswered. Questions later in the survey showed a moderate positive correlation with missing responses. Mean scores per question were higher in incomplete than in complete surveys, though differences in SNOT-22 scores between partially and fully completed surveys weren't significant.

Conclusion: Our study found that a large number of SNOT-22 surveys were incomplete, higher than rates reported in similar PROMs. Mean scores did not differ significantly between partial and complete surveys, suggesting interpretation should prioritize individual responses over total scores. Potential barriers to survey completion include question wording, symptom relevance, and survey length. Future research should further investigate survey completion through qualitative methods and randomized question ordering to refine survey design.

Objective: Assess timing and prevalence of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) testing after total laryngectomy (TL). Identify prevalence of postoperative hypothyroidism and determine associations between thyroidectomy, postoperative hypothyroidism, and wound complications, including pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF).

Methods: Retrospective chart review performed at 2 tertiary care centers of adult patients undergoing TL between 2013 and 2021. Demographic data, perioperative labs and post-operative outcomes were collected. Analysis was performed.

Results: Of 237 patients identified, thyroid removal was performed in 156 (65.8%), including 23 (9.7%) total thyroidectomies and 133 (56.1%) hemi-thyroidectomies. Of the 191 (80.6%) receiving postoperative TSH testing, 98 (41.4%) had TSH testing within 90 days, and 112 (58.6%) developed hypothyroidism. Mean postoperative TSH testing interval was 222.0 days (SSD 400.2), with variations associated with age (P = .026), gender (P = .009), PCF formation (P < .001), history of radiation therapy (RT, P = .011), and preoperative levothyroxine use (P = .031). Partial or total thyroid removal significantly increased the likelihood of high postoperative TSH (OR = 2.631, P = .002, 95% CI [1.410, 4.911]). PCF occurred in 62 (26.2%) patients, and there were no significant associations between pre/postoperative TSH or thyroid removal and PCF development or wound complications.

Conclusion: Thyroidectomy was associated with elevated postoperative TSH levels, adding support to prior literature for consideration of avoiding thyroid removal during TL when appropriate. The wide range of TSH testing intervals and prevalence of postoperative hypothyroidism in our cohort highlights the importance of monitoring thyroid function in TL patients during the perioperative period.

Objectives: Cancers of the maxillary region are often treated surgically with a maxillectomy followed by rehabilitation involving surgical reconstruction or obturator insertion to improve functional outcomes. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the specific indications for either rehabilitation method. The objective of this study was to identify unique functional domains for maxillectomy patients who underwent surgical reconstruction or obturator insertion post-op to provide standardized data that can inform selection of either method.

Methods: This mixed-methods qualitative research was conducted from January 2020 to June 2022 at London Health Sciences Centre, a tertiary care center in London, Ontario, Canada. Phase I included open-ended patient interviews through grounded theory, while phase II incorporated focus groups through the Delphi technique. Phase I identified functional domains of interest, which were further refined based on importance to patients in phase II. Inclusion criteria consisted of adults, 18 years or older who underwent maxillectomy surgery for head and neck cancer.

Results: A total of 22 patients were included in phase I and 8 patients were included in phase II. The top 4 functional domains that affected patients regardless of rehabilitation method were eating difficulties, speaking difficulties, social discomfort with public eating, and numbness. The top 4 unique functional domains identified for the surgical group were dry mouth, trismus, chewing difficulties, and eye-related symptoms. The top 4 unique functional domains for the obturator group were obturator discomfort, nasal regurgitation, weight loss, and voice changes.

Conclusions: This study identified functional domains affecting maxillectomy patients, which can be used to inform decisions regarding selection of rehabilitation method in clinical practice. This data can also in the future to create the first patient-reported outcomes instrument for this patient population.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that surgical otologic intervention for any type of adult hearing loss decreases the odds for incident adverse life events (ALEs) and medical comorbidities (MCBs).

Study design: Retrospective cohort database study.

Methods: Electronic medical record data from the TriNetX Research Network were queried for adults (age ≥18 years) with congenital, sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss (HL). Patients were further stratified into 3 groups by presence or absence (HL-surgery) of surgical intervention at any point following diagnosis, including (1) stapes surgery (HL + stapes); (2) cochlear implantation and bone-anchored hearing aid (HL + CI); and (3) mastoidectomy alone and tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy (HL + TM). Primary outcomes were defined as odds for new ALEs or MCBs at any point given HL treatment status [Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, (OR; 95% CI, P-value)]. Cohorts were balanced using propensity-score matching (PSM) based on US census-defined demographics and congenital comorbidities.

Results: There were 2 577 153 patients included in this study. Matched analysis demonstrated that HL + stapes adults (n = 7985) had 0.37-lower odds (95% CI = 0.30-0.47, P < .0001) of experiencing any incident ALE versus HL-surgery adults (n = 2 518 409). Adults in the HL + CI cohort (n = 17 129) had 0.58-lower odds (0.52-0.66, P < .0001) of experiencing any incident MCB versus HL-surgery adults.

Conclusions: This study highlights the benefit of surgical intervention for adult hearing loss on social and medical phenomes. These findings represent the largest cohort study to date demonstrating this association and further support that hearing restoration improves patient socioeconomic and medical outcomes.