To compare the diagnostic accuracy of angled otoendoscopy with pure tone audiometry in predicting ossicular discontinuity in patients of mucosal chronic otitis media.

Ninety-four patients were included in this prospective study. A 2.7-mm 30° otoendoscope was used to examine ossicular status preoperatively. Hearing thresholds were recorded by pure tone audiometry. Intraoperative ossicular status was recorded as the gold standard. Otoendoscopic findings were recorded as per the criteria has been devised by the authors of this manuscript.

Otoendoscopy was conclusive in 56 (59.6 per cent) patients, with 100 per cent sensitivity, 95.56 per cent specificity, 84.62 per cent positive predictive value, and 100 per cent negative predictive value in the conclusive group. Overall (in 94 patients), diagnostic test values of otoendoscopy were 73.33 per cent sensitivity, 97.47 per cent specificity, 84.62 per cent positive predictive value, and 95.06 per cent negative predictive value. As per the ROC curve, air–bone gap > 38.12dB had the optimal diagnostic test values, with 73 per cent sensitivity, 72 per cent specificity, 33.3 per cent positive predictive value, and 93.4 per cent negative predictive value.

Angled otoendoscopy has better diagnostic accuracy (93.6 per cent) than pure tone audiometry (72.3 per cent; p < 0.001) for preoperative ossicular discontinuity prediction in patients of mucosal chronic otitis media.

To describe how the retrotympanic structures could influence the visibility of the round window niche and the round window membrane during cochlear implant surgery, and to investigate if a round window approach is possible even in cases with unfavourable anatomy.

Video recordings from 37 patients who underwent cochlear implantation were reviewed. The visibility of the round window niche and round window membrane at different timepoints was assessed according to a modified version of the Saint Thomas Hospital classification. The structures that concealed the round window niche and round window membrane were evaluated.

After posterior tympanotomy, 54 per cent of cases had limited exposure (classes IIa, IIb and III) of the round window niche. After remodelling the retrotympanum, round window niche visibility significantly increased, with 100 per cent class I and IIa cases. Following remodelling of the round window niche, visibility of more than 50 per cent of the round window membrane surface was achieved in 100 per cent of cases.

Remodelling the retrotympanum and the round window niche significantly increased exposure of the round window niche and round window membrane respectively, allowing round window insertion in all cases.

This paper reports a 10-year series of spontaneous nasal septal abscesses in immune-competent children, with suggestions for optimal management.

A retrospective case note review was conducted of children undergoing an operation for incision and drainage of nasal septal abscesses between 2013 and 2023.

Six children were identified via electronic hospital records during the 10-year review period, five with a spontaneous abscess. The children were aged 10–14 years. All were immunocompetent and none had active sinus infection. The most common presenting features were nasal swelling, facial swelling, headache, nasal congestion and fever. The most common bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus aureus. All children received prompt surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotic therapy. Complications were seen in three children, with one child developing significant intracranial complications.

To our knowledge, this is the first series of spontaneous nasal septal abscesses in immunocompetent children. The high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus suggests spread from the nasal mucosa or vestibule. Early recognition, computed tomography scanning, surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy are the mainstays of treatment, to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

The National Health Service (NHS) recognised the risk to public health brought by climate change by launching the Greener NHS National Programme in 2020. These organisational changes aim to attain net zero direct carbon emissions. This article reviews the literature on initiatives aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of ENT practice.

Systematic review of the literature using scientific, healthcare and general interest (public domain) databases.

The initiatives reviewed can be broken down into strategies for mitigating the carbon footprint of long patient stay, use of operative theatres and healthcare travel. The carbon footprint of in-patient stay can be mitigated by a shift towards day-case surgery. The ENT community is currently focused on the reduction of theatre waste and the use of disposable instruments. Furthermore, supply chains and healthcare delivery models are being redesigned to reduce travel.

Future areas of development include designing waterless theatre scrubs, waste-trapping technologies for anaesthetic gases and a continuing investment in virtual healthcare.

Otitis externa is a common condition managed by junior doctor-led ENT clinics in secondary/tertiary care, but no national guidelines exist for presentations in these settings. The aim of this study was to implement a treatment algorithm to support junior doctors and improve otitis externa management.

Baseline data were retrospectively collected for 16 weeks. A standardised otitis externa treatment algorithm was then implemented, and 16 weeks of data prospectively gathered. A second improvement cycle was completed thereafter focusing on topical antibiotics and water precaution advice.

Overall, 202 cases of otitis externa managed between November 2021 to October 2022 were reviewed. Following the interventions, topical antibiotic prescribing improved (p = 0.01) as well as the provision of water precaution advice (p < 0.01). Junior doctors trended towards reviewing patients more frequently but required less senior support.

Our treatment algorithm empowers junior doctors to become more independent in their management of otitis externa and improves overall otitis externa treatment.

This study aimed to evaluate the sensory processing abilities of adults with acquired hearing loss and determine whether their sensory processing patterns differ from those of the general population and adults with normal hearing.

The study evaluated the sensory processing functions of 30 adults with acquired hearing loss using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and compared them with the sensory processing functions of 30 adults with normal hearing.

The results showed that individuals with hearing loss have a significantly higher sensitivity to stimuli related to motion, vision, activity and touch, exhibiting a low-registration sensory pattern and a sensation-avoiding pattern that differed from those of most individuals.

Assessing sensory processing profiles can help identify specific sensory difficulties and inform individualised treatment plans. The study highlights the importance of considering sensory processing patterns in the management of hearing loss to improve overall well-being and quality of life for adults with hearing loss.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the use of different types of masks (N95/filtering facepiece type 2, surgical) and Eustachian tube dysfunction in healthcare workers.

The study included 37 healthcare workers using N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks and 35 using surgical masks for at least 6 hours per day, and 42 volunteers who are not healthcare workers using surgical masks for less than 6 hours per day. Participants’ demographic features, clinical data and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire scores were compared.

The frequencies of autophony and aural fullness were significantly higher in the healthcare workers using N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks. Autophony and aural fullness were significantly greater in the post-mask period than the pre-mask period. Middle-ear peak pressures and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire scores were higher in healthcare workers who used N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks.

Healthcare workers who used N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks had worsened middle-ear pressures and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire scores. Use of N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks was associated with higher rates of autophony, aural fullness and higher Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire scores in the post-mask period.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common episodic vestibular disorder, although it is often quiescent by the time patients visit a specialist clinic, making the diagnosis difficult to confirm. Patients fear the consequences of a relapse and it is not clear what follow up should be provided.

This evaluation reviewed the results of an open access pathway that offered priority appointments to patients with a history of positional vertigo.

In total, 664 patients were included in the analysis, 52 per cent of whom had unconfirmed benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Open follow up improved diagnostic rates by approximately 40 per cent. The rate of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo recurrence was 34 per cent in patients with follow up of at least one year, 41 per cent with follow up of one to two years, and 53 per cent with follow up of two years or more. One in five recurrences occurred in a different semi-circular canal. These results suggest that specialist follow up is required for management of recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

To examine the relationship between different surgical factors and frequency-specific hearing results following surgery for chronic ear disorders.

We reviewed retrospectively data of 246 patients with chronic ear diseases who had surgery between January 2019 and December 2020. Seventy-three patients did not fulfil the criteria and were excluded. Air-conduction threshold, bone-conduction threshold and air–bone gap were tested at 250–4000 Hz, respectively. Frequency-specific results were investigated in relation to various surgical factors.

The radical mastoidectomy group and tympanoplasty group significantly improved in air-conduction threshold changes at every frequency. In the tympanoplasty group, air–bone gap at all frequencies except 4000 significantly improved. Air-conduction threshold improved at low and middle frequencies when ossicular reconstruction was conducted. In all groups, bone-conduction threshold data revealed significant improvements at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz.

Hearing improved significantly post-operatively in air-conduction threshold and air-bone gap test, mainly at low and middle frequencies. Bone-conduction threshold improved significantly at 500–2000 Hz.

Most otolaryngologists advocate absolute voice rest after laryngeal surgery, which proves difficult for patients, so we decided to evaluate the role of absolute voice rest versus relative voice rest in the post-operative management of benign lesions.

Forty patients were recruited and divided in two groups: absolute voice rest and relative voice rest. Pre- and post-operative voice analysis (fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, voice handicap index, voice-related quality-of-life scale scores and compliance) were noted at one week and one month.

Voice analysis parameters including jitter (p = 0.035), shimmer (p = 0.020), voice handicap index (p < 0.001) and compliance (p < 0.001) were better in the relative voice-rest group. Frequency, number of voice breaks and voice-related quality of life showed no statistically significant results.

There was no significant benefit of absolute voice rest on post-operative outcomes as determined by acoustic variables. Compliance and quality-of-life scores were low in the strict voice-rest group. Therefore, we should reconsider post-surgical voice-rest protocol.

To determine if systemic administration of low-molecular-weight heparin impacts venous compromise in loco-regional flap reconstruction for head and neck subsites.

This prospective study was conducted on patients who had developed features of venous compromise of the flap. The case group received low-molecular-weight heparin (dalteparin).

Of the 73 patients who developed venous congestion, low-molecular-weight heparin was administered in 47 patients. In the low-molecular-weight heparin subset, 23 patients had either reversal or non-progression of venous compromise (48.9 per cent). Of the patients who had no response to low-molecular-weight heparin rescue, complete necrosis was seen in 4 and partial flap necrosis was observed in 19. The corresponding numbers in the control group were 13 and 12, respectively (odds ratio 23.9, p = 0.002). Additionally, the low-molecular-weight heparin arm had a lower incidence of partial or complete flap necrosis (p = 0.002).

Low-molecular-weight heparin salvage, when instituted early, is likely to result in a significant reduction in flap-related morbidity.

Temporal bone osteoradionecrosis is a rare but significant complication of radiation for head and neck malignancies. Various management techniques have been described, but no clear protocol exists.

A retrospective case review of patients with temporal bone osteoradionecrosis managed over 15 years was carried out to highlight multidisciplinary team (MDT) management. The review findings were compared with the published literature and a protocol was derived for the management of future cases.

A total of 20 patients were included. The sites of osteoradionecrosis included the external auditory canal, the middle ear and the lateral skull base, presenting with features including recalcitrant pain, infection, neuropathies and intracranial sepsis. Treatments included hyperbaric oxygen, antibiotics, debridement and, in advanced cases, lateral temporal bone resection with vascularised tissue transfer. Post-operative and long-term outcomes were discussed.

Early temporal bone osteoradionecrosis may be managed conservatively. Refractory osteoradionecrosis can be life-threatening because of intracranial complications and sepsis. Such cases need an MDT approach with radical skull-base surgery for removal of necrotic foci and reconstruction using vascularised tissue transfer.

To compare ultrasonography-guided drainage versus conventional surgical incision and drainage in deep neck space abscesses.

The study was pre-registered on the National Institute of Health Research Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023466809) and adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Medline, Embase and Central databases were searched. Primary outcomes were length of hospital stay and recurrence. Heterogeneity and bias risk were assessed, and a fixed-effects model was applied.

Of 646 screened articles, 7 studies enrolling 384 participants were included. Ultrasonography-guided drainage was associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay (mean difference = −2.31, p < 0.00001), but no statistically significant difference was noted in recurrence rate compared to incision and drainage (odds ratio = 2.02, p = 0.21). Ultrasonography-guided drainage appeared to be associated with cost savings and better cosmetic outcomes.

Ultrasonography-guided drainage was associated with a shorter hospital stay, making it a viable and perhaps more cost-effective alternative. More randomised trials with adequate outcomes reporting are recommended to optimise the available evidence.

To investigate the effect of body mass index on hearing outcomes, operative time and complication rates following stapes surgery.

This is a five-year retrospective review of 402 charts from a single tertiary otology referral centre from 2015 to 2020.

When the patient's shoulder was adjacent to the surgeon's dominant hand, the average operative time of 40 minutes increased to 70 minutes because of a significant positive association between higher body mass index and longer operative times (normal body mass index group (<25 kg/m2) r = 0.273, p = 0.032; overweight body mass index group (25–30 kg/m2) r = 0.265, p = 0.019). Operative times were not significantly longer upon comparison of low and high body mass index groups without stratification by laterality (54.9 ± 19.6 minutes vs 57.8 ± 19.2 minutes, p = 0.127).

There is a clinically significant relationship between body mass index and operating times. This may be due to access limitations imposed by shoulder size.

Bone conduction hearing implants are a well-established method of hearing rehabilitation in children and adults. This study aimed to review any changes in provision in England.

The total number of bone conduction hearing implantations performed was analysed from 2012 to 2021 utilising Hospital Episode Statistics data for England.

The total number of procedures has increased by 58 per cent. One-stage bone conduction hearing implantations in adults accounts for the largest proportion of this increase (93 per cent of the total). The number performed in children has remained stable and accounts for 73 per cent (n = 433) of all two-stage procedures.

The data show that bone conduction hearing implant surgery is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in adults. This has correlated with the increase in availability, national recommendations and choice of devices.

This study investigates the impact of primary care utilisation of a symptom-based head and neck cancer risk calculator (Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2) in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 period on the number of primary care referrals and cancer diagnoses.

The number of referrals from April 2019 to August 2019 and from April 2020 to July 2020 (pre-calculator) was compared with the number from the period January 2021 to August 2022 (post-calculator) using the chi-square test. The patients’ characteristics, referral urgency, triage outcome, Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 score and cancer diagnosis were recorded.

In total, 1110 referrals from the pre-calculator period were compared with 1559 from the post-calculator period. Patient characteristics were comparable for both cohorts. More patients were referred on the cancer pathway in the post-calculator cohort (pre-calculator patients 51.1 per cent vs post-calculator 64.0 per cent). The cancer diagnosis rate increased from 2.7 per cent in the pre-calculator cohort to 3.3 per cent in the post-calculator cohort. A lower rate of cancer diagnosis in the non-cancer pathway occurred in the cohort managed using the Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 (10 per cent vs 23 per cent, p = 0.10).

Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 demonstrated high sensitivity in cancer diagnosis. Further studies are required to improve the predictive strength of the calculator.

In Cambodia, little is known about the state of ear and hearing care, or the roles providers or key stakeholders play in delivering services.

This was an exploratory study using semi-structured qualitative interviews and a questionnaire addressed to key stakeholders to explore their perceptions and experiences in providing services to people suffering from ear disease or hearing loss in Cambodia.

Several challenges were described including a lack of hearing services to meet the demand, especially outside Phnom Penh in primary care and aural rehabilitation. Supply-side challenges include a shortage of trained professionals, facilities and resources, poor co-ordination between providers, unclear referral pathways, and long wait times.

Now is an opportune time to build on the positive trend in providing integrated care for non-communicable diseases in Cambodia, through the integration of effective ear and hearing care into primary care and strengthening the package of activities delivered at government facilities.

This study was performed to compare the operation time, graft outcomes and complications between the endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique and over-under technique for repairing large perforations.

A total of 52 chronic large perforations were randomly allocated to receive treatment using the endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique (n = 26) or over-under technique (n = 26). The graft outcomes, mean operation time and post-operative complications were compared between the two groups at 12 months.

The study population consisted of 52 patients with unilateral chronic large perforations. All patients completed 12 months of follow up. The mean operation time was 32.3 ± 4.2 minutes in the button technique group and 51.6 ± 2.8 minutes in the over-underlay technique group (p < 0.01). The graft success rate at 12 months was 92.3 per cent (24 out of 26) in the button technique group and 96.2 per cent (25 out of 26) in the over-underlay group (p = 0.552).

The endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique had similar graft success rates and hearing outcomes for large chronic perforations to the over-under technique, but significantly shortened the mean operation time.

This study was designed to determine whether extended high-frequency audiometry was capable of better differentiating between participants with normal hearing who did or did not have subjective tinnitus.

A total of 96 study participants were enrolled: 36 patients with unilateral tinnitus, 28 patients with bilateral tinnitus and 32 volunteers as controls. All 96 participants exhibited normal audiometry findings and hearing thresholds. Extended high-frequency audiometry was used to evaluate these patients.

There were differences between the extended high-frequency hearing thresholds of affected and unaffected ears in those with unilateral tinnitus, and in the 20–29-year-old bilateral tinnitus group, at 11.2, 12.5 and 14 kHz. Unilateral tinnitus subgroups had higher extended high-frequency hearing thresholds than those in control subjects, at all extended high frequencies.

Extended high-frequency audiometry can offer additional information regarding the hearing status of patients with tinnitus who exhibit normal pure tone thresholds when analysed via conventional hearing thresholds.

Vestibular migraine is a newly recognised and debilitating condition. This article aims to provide an overview of what is known of vestibular migraine, delineating its diagnostic criteria and presenting some initial management strategies to aid ENT professionals in delivering optimal care when patients first present to the otolaryngology clinic.

Although traditionally underdiagnosed, there are now clearly defined diagnostic criteria to aid accurate diagnosis of vestibular migraine.

A detailed history and clinical examination are the cornerstone of the diagnostic process, but supportive evidence is required from appropriate audio-vestibular tests and imaging.

This is a unique condition that commonly initially presents to ENT. This article provides a summary of diagnostic and management strategies to facilitate early diagnosis and first-line treatment that can be employed in general ENT settings, which may be particularly useful given the limited availability of specialist audio-vestibular medicine and neuro-otology services.