Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery最新文献

Purpose of review: Pediatric cochlear implantation has evolved considerably over the past three decades to include more patients at earlier ages with greater degrees of residual hearing. As an extension, a significant focus of research over the past decade has surrounded preservation of existing acoustic hearing.

Recent findings: Multiple studies published within the last 5 years demonstrate aidable acoustic hearing preservation in 60-90% of pediatric patients, with 40-60% experiencing complete hearing preservation following cochlear implantation. Durability of preserved hearing varies among patients, with some patients losing residual hearing within 1 year of surgery whereas others maintain acoustic hearing through at least 5 years of follow-up. Speech outcomes appear superior among patients with preserved acoustic hearing, particularly in the presence of background noise. Several recent studies suggest a music appreciation advantage in children with preserved acoustic hearing following cochlear implantation.

Summary: Hearing preservation rates during cochlear implantation in children matches, if not often exceeds, hearing preservation rates observed among adults. Preservation of acoustic hearing during cochlear implantation confers multiple advantages for the pediatric population. Beyond improved speech understanding and music appreciation, minimizing intracochlear trauma and resultant scarring facilitates potential future regenerative treatments or revision surgery.

Purpose of review: This review focus on the clinical value of salivary and laryngopharyngeal tissue pepsin measurement in the diagnosis and treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Recent findings: A growing body of research suggests that salivary pepsin detection provides a noninvasive method for the identifying LPR occurrence. Pepsin detection testing is still variable, and an optimal method that balances utility with accuracy has not been agreed. Timing and number of test samples recommended also remains controversial, however literature indicates that increasing the number of tests over a day increases pepsin detection rate. It remains unclear whether detection of pepsin alone can be used to confirm LPR diagnosis. Pepsin positivity is correlated with improved response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, and therefore may play a role in guiding therapeutic choices. Detection of pepsin in laryngeal tissue has the same clinical value as detection in saliva and requires further investigation to determine utility.

Summary: As a noninvasive method for the diagnosis of LPR, the detection of salivary pepsin in the oropharynx shows potential clinical value, however the exact method of detection and diagnostic values are unclear. Salivary or tissue-based pepsin detection may be helpful in predicting therapeutic effects of PPI and providing personalized treatment options. The detection threshold of salivary pepsin may be different in different countries and regions. Timing and number of samples needed for detection is still controversial.

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature on artificial intelligence technology utilization in laryngology, highlighting recent advances and current barriers to implementation.

Recent findings: The volume of publications studying applications of artificial intelligence in laryngology has rapidly increased, demonstrating a strong interest in utilizing this technology. Vocal biomarkers for disease screening, deep learning analysis of videolaryngoscopy for lesion identification, and auto-segmentation of videofluoroscopy for detection of aspiration are a few of the new ways in which artificial intelligence is poised to transform clinical care in laryngology. Increasing collaboration is ongoing to establish guidelines and standards for the field to ensure generalizability.

Summary: Artificial intelligence tools have the potential to greatly advance laryngology care by creating novel screening methods, improving how data-heavy diagnostics of laryngology are analyzed, and standardizing outcome measures. However, physician and patient trust in artificial intelligence must improve for the technology to be successfully implemented. Additionally, most existing studies lack large and diverse datasets, external validation, and consistent ground-truth references necessary to produce generalizable results. Collaborative, large-scale studies will fuel technological innovation and bring artificial intelligence to the forefront of patient care in laryngology.

Purpose of review: This contemporary review aims to outline the key components and protocols for assessing emergency readiness in institutional pediatric airway management. Emphasis is placed on identifying essential elements that ensure preparedness and effective response in pediatric airway emergencies within healthcare institutions.

Recent findings: Recent studies highlight several critical components of pediatric airway emergency readiness: dedicated pediatric airway teams, availability of specialized pediatric airway equipment, and simulation-based training to enhance the skills of healthcare providers. Additionally, interdisciplinary team coordination and regular drills have been shown to improve readiness and outcomes in pediatric airway emergencies.

Summary: Effective emergency readiness in pediatric airway management requires a multifaceted approach. Key components include availability of appropriate and accessible equipment, adherence to standardized protocols, and ongoing education and training. Regular simulation exercises and interprofessional collaboration are essential for maintaining high levels of preparedness. Implementing these strategies can significantly improve the quality of care and patient outcomes in pediatric airway emergencies.

Level of evidence: Level 3.

Purpose of review: To explore and summarize recent work examining the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applications for vocal fold disorder.

Recent findings: Intrachordal PRP injections have recently emerged as a treatment option for patients with damage to the lamina propria of the vocal fold (scar, atrophy, sulcus and inflammatory lesions). Studies support significant improvements in patient-reported and clinician-reported outcomes, and objective phonatory parameters. PRP demonstrates a good safety profile, absence of immune reactions, affordable cost model and improvement in mucosal wave features with resultant improved voice quality up to 12 months following treatment.

Summary: PRP injection of the vocal folds is a novel repurposing of a previously validated technique, and emerging data shows consistent results across multiple centres, increasing confidence in use of this freely available material. Current published studies confirm improved voice outcomes compared with pretreatment measures and high patient satisfaction. Further research is required to properly assign the role of and ideal candidate for PRP applications, and to delineate durability of treatment.

Purpose of review: Dysphagia is a complication of several autoimmune rheumatic diseases and otorhinolaryngologists are likely to be involved in the assessment and management of patients with such conditions. This review provides an update on rheumatic diseases that may cause swallowing impairment, with particular focus on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of dysphagia in these conditions.

Recent findings: Dysphagia is a common complication of the following rheumatic diseases: idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also be a complication of rarer autoimmune conditions such as Bechet's syndrome, sarcoidosis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis. All three stages of swallowing (oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal) may be impaired in these conditions. Both medical therapy and surgical intervention play an important role in the management of autoimmune dysphagia.

Summary: The investigation and management of autoimmune dysphagia requires close collaboration between rheumatologists and otorhinolaryngologists. There is a need for further research to establish standardised guidelines on the assessment and management of autoimmune dysphagia.

Purpose of review: The rate of distant metastases in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranges between 4 and 26%. Their appearance marks a critical stage in disease progression, significantly reducing survival rates. Treatment options require a multidisciplinary approach and differ based on the number and extension of distant metastases. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the current state of the art in management of such a clinical scenario.

Recent findings: Accurate detection and staging of distant metastases are essential to determine prognosis and guide therapeutic strategies. Oligometastatic condition refers to patients with only a few distant metastases (up to 5). Surgery or stereotactic body radiotherapy are the best curative treatment options for oligometastatic. However, the majority of HNSCC has a polymetastatic disease, not amenable to curative approach. Therefore, systemic therapies, including chemotherapy (CHT) or target molecular therapy and/or best supportive care, are usually reserved to these patients. Rarely, head and neck region, in particular supraclavicular cervical lymph nodes, may be a site of distant metastases from non-head and neck cancer, particularly from the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts.

Summary: The occurrence of distant metastases in HNSCC represents a pivotal point in the disease progression, lowering survival rates. Pattern of distant metastases has been related to survival outcomes. Patients with distant metastases from an HNSCC always require a multidisciplinary approach and an accurate selection is necessary to individualize the best treatment strategy.

Purpose of review: This review highlights recent advances in facial reanimation surgery particularly related to muscle transposition and free functional muscle transfer (FFMT).

Recent findings: FFMT and muscle transposition are mainstays in the treatment of chronic facial paralysis. Recent literature evaluates single versus dual innervated FFMT, reanimation of the periocular region and lower lip depressors, and indications for such methods over gold standard FFMT techniques. New donor sites for muscle transposition and FFMT are also described.

Summary: Gracilis FFMT (GFMT) continues to be the gold standard in dynamic facial reanimation for patients with chronic facial paralysis. Muscle transposition should be considered in older patients, those medically unfit for long operative procedures, and individuals who prefer more immediate results. With respect to FFMT, described nerve coaptation patterns, surgical stages, and donor muscle choice vary. Standardization of data reporting and outcome measures is needed in future studies.