Acta Oto-Laryngologica最新文献

Background: The sensation of food 'sticking' in the throat is a frequent but diagnostically challenging symptom that often persists despite normal ENT findings. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) enables dynamic evaluation of swallowing physiology and may reveal hidden abnormalities.

Aims/objectives: To assess the diagnostic yield of VFSS in patients with throat-related dysphagia, focusing on abnormality type, localisation, and bolus consistency.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 42 patients with persistent symptoms but normal endoscopic examinations between January 2020 and January 2025. Reflux-related findings were excluded. VFSS was performed with nectar-thick liquids, pudding, and solids. Abnormalities were classified by site and etiology. Concordance between symptom site and VFSS findings was analysed.

Results: VFSS detected abnormalities in 74% of patients, predominantly physiological (65%) and within the oesophageal body (55%). Symptom-pathology concordance was low (26%). Solids provided the highest diagnostic yield (50%).

Conclusions and significance: VFSS is valuable in unexplained dysphagia with normal ENT findings, particularly when symptoms occur with solids. Including oesophageal evaluation and varied consistencies improves diagnostic precision and guides management.

Background: Preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant parotid gland tumors is challenging. Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) from Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DW-MRI) and systemic inflammatory markers such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have emerged as non-invasive diagnostic tools.

Aims/objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of ADC, NLR, and PLR individually and in combination for distingushing benign from malignant parotid tumors and for differentiating major histopathological subtypes.

Material and methods: This retrospective study included 138 patients with histopathologically confirmed parotid tumors. ADC values were obtained from DW-MRI, and NLR and PLR were calculated from preoperative CBC. A decision tree model incorporating age, gender, ADC, PLR, and NLR was developed, and diagnostic performance was assessed using ROC analysis.

Results: Complete data was available for for 108 patients. The decision tree achieved an AUC of 0.837 for malignancy prediction, with age and PLR as key predictors. Excluding ADC did not impact model performance (AUC=0.837; p=1.0). While ADC alone did not differentiate malignancy, it was effective for subtype classification: AUC=0.891 for Warthin tumor vs pleomorphic adenoma, and 0.771 for pleomorphic adenoma vs mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Conclusions and significance: Systemic inflammation markers enhance malignancy prediction, whereas ADC contributes meaningfully to histological subtype differentiation.

Background: The Visual Vertical, an iOS mobile application, enables a more practical implementation of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) test compared to the bucket method.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of the iOS mobile application on SVV in children.

Materials and methods: A bucket test specifically designed for SVV assessment was administered to 44 children aged 11 to 14 years. The bucket was rotated 45° from the neutral (0°) head position in both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations. Participants were instructed to indicate the moment they perceived the line inside the bucket as vertically aligned after 10 s. Angular deviations were recorded using both a protractor and an iOS application. Each participant underwent five trials in each rotational direction, and the mean was calculated to determine the SVV deviation angle.

Results: SVV deviation angle was determined as 0.92° in clockwise rotation and 0.96° in counter-clockwise rotation in the bucket test; and as 0.97° and 1.03° in the iOS application, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between SVV deviation angles in both applications (p > 0.05).

Conclusions and significance: Visual Vertical, an iOS mobile application, offers a practical and accessible alternative to the bucket method for assessing utricular function in children.

Backgrounds: Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of problems leading to balance dysfunction requires accurate information on the balance of the population at all ages, but little data are available.

Objective: To test the dynamic balance function in normal individuals and gather baseline data and performance characteristics across various age groups.

Methods: A total of 100 healthy subjects underwent Sensory Organization Tests (SOT), Motor Control Tests (MCT), Adaptation Tests (ADT), and Limits of Stability (LOS) using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP).

Results: Results showed that the scores for balance function and strategy in the SOT test decreased as the difficulty level increased. During the MCT test, the postural latencies of the young group's limbs were lower than those of the elderly and middle-aged groups (p < 0.05). In the ADT test, the swinging energy during ankle stretching varied significantly among the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups (p < 0.05). In the LOS test, the young group had significantly faster reaction times but higher average movement rates and maximum movement distance than older groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Compared to other age groups, the elderly exhibit poor dynamic balance, slow recovery from balance disturbances, and limited exercise adaptability, and require more time to react to maintain balance.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is increasingly used in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) as a minimally invasive approach that may reduce overtreatment and morbidity compared to elective neck dissection (END).

Aim: This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of SLNB in clinically node-negative (cN0) OCSCC and its utility in mapping lymphatic drainage, particularly in advanced tumors.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 57 cN0 OCSCC patients undergoing SLNB followed by completion neck dissection was analysed.

Results: In early-stage tumors (T1/T2), SLNB demonstrated 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value, with an occult metastasis rate of 23.8%. No false negatives were observed, and only one patient was upstaged. In T3/T4 tumors, sensitivity and NPV decreased to 55.6% and 60%. The false-negative rate (FNR), calculated as the proportion of false negatives among patients with histopathologically confirmed nodal metastases, was 44.4%. Contralateral or bilateral drainage occurred in 40% of well-lateralized advanced tumors, reflecting altered drainage with progression.

Conclusion: SLNB is a reliable staging tool in early OCSCC. In advanced disease, although diagnostic accuracy is reduced, it provides valuable information on atypical drainage pathways.

Significance: These findings support SLNB as an effective staging and lymphatic mapping tool, reinforcing its selective integration into OCSCC management.

Background: Partial auricle defects from lesion excision or trauma pose reconstruction challenges, often leading to cosmetic issues and psychological distress.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of single-stage repair of partial auricular defects using periauricular pedicled flaps, and to assess the efficacy and precautions associated with this technique.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 29 patients (29 ears) with partial auricular defects 27 due to lesion excision and 2 due to trauma was conducted. Patients aged 5 to 75 years (mean age: 40.1), included 12 females and 17 males, with defects involving various auricular areas and sizes from 10 mm × 10 mm to 25 mm × 50 mm. Surgical techniques included local random flaps (12 cases), postauricular revolving door island flaps (8 cases), and a combination (9 cases). Follow-up lasted 6 to 24 months.

Results: All defects were successfully closed. Cosmetic outcomes were highly satisfactory, with restored contour and no significant deformities. Most cases healed without complications; two minor issues were resolved with short-term treatment. No major complications such as necrosis or infection occurred. Long-term outcomes were stable, with consistent healing.

Conclusion: Periauricular pedicled flaps provide an effective singel-stage solution for partial auricular defects, yielding favorable aesthetic outcomes and minimal complications, supporting its clinical adoption.

Background: Postoperative bleeding after tonsillectomy is a potentially serious complication. Cold techniques reduce bleeding risks, but hot techniques remain widely used, reflecting national variations in clinical practice.

Aims/objectives: This study aimed to investigate postoperative bleeding rates after tonsillectomy and their correlation with demographic factors and surgical and haemostatic techniques, using data from national tonsil surgery registries in Norway and Sweden.

Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study included 28,254 tonsillectomies (2017-2022), with patients completing a 30-day postoperative questionnaire. Data on indication for surgery, surgical and haemostatic technique and postoperative bleeding were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Postoperative bleeding was reported in 7.2% of the patients, with higher rates in Norway (8.1%) compared to Sweden (6.3%). A hot + hot technique significantly increased the bleeding risk (OR 3.64), while the cold + cold technique had the lowest rate. Patients aged 19-24 years and males had higher bleeding risks.

Conclusions and significance: The cold + cold technique significantly reduces postoperative bleeding, but the cold + hot technique remains the most utilized approach. Norway performed more surgeries in high-risk age groups and had less frequent use of the cold + cold technique compared to Sweden. Increased adoption of the cold + cold technique may improve outcome in tonsil surgery.

Background: The global aging population surge has turned Presbycusis (PC) into a major public health problem. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is pivotal for exploring the central mechanisms of hearing loss, offering insights into PC-related neural processes.

Aims: This paper reviews the latest fMRI applications in PC research, aiming to explore auditory processing mechanisms and the neurological bases of cognitive function, analyze functional connectivity abnormalities and compensatory mechanisms, and comprehensively assess PC's impact on brain structure and function via integration with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

Material and methods: A literature review was performed, gathering and analyzing recent fMRI-based PC research, including studies on auditory processing, cognitive function, and combined use of multiple imaging techniques.

Results: Studies have identified auditory pathway abnormalities, cognitive neural network changes, and abnormal functional connectivity with compensatory mechanisms in PC patients. However, technical constraints, individual variability, and small sample sizes impede research progress.

Conclusions and significance: Despite current limitations, existing research paves the way for future studies. The integration of multimodal imaging and artificial intelligence holds promise for more precise and personalized PC diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Background: Pediatric benign middle-ear lesions are rare, with diagnostic delays or errors being common.

Aim/objectives: To analyze clinical characteristics of benign congenital middle-ear neoplasms in children.

Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical data of children with benign middle-ear neoplasms and assessed reasons for initial consultations, audiometry, lesion extent, surgical plans, complications, and prognosis.

Results: All nine included patients (two boys and seven girls) with confirmed diagnoses presented with moderate-to-severe conductive hearing loss. All patients underwent middle-ear neoplasm resection and tympanoplasty, revealing varying degrees of ossicular chain destruction intraoperatively. Neoplasms originated from the Eustachian tube and tympanic cavity in four and five patients, respectively. Postoperative pathology identified mature teratomas, kaposiform haemangioendotheliomas, hairy polyps, and choristomas in four, one, two, and two patients, respectively. No recurrences were observed at the 1-year follow-up. One patient experienced postoperative peripheral facial paralysis, which improved after facial-nerve decompression (House-Brackmann grade IV to II).

Conclusions and significance: Benign congenital middle-ear neoplasms are typically unilateral. Initial symptoms include failed hearing screenings and otorrhea. The recurrence rate is low, but functional reconstruction often requires a two-stage surgical approach.