Initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tobacco use among college students in California.

To evaluate the change in tobacco use by college students in California during the COVID-19 pandemic. Young adults (18-24 years) currently enrolled in a California college or university ( = 212). Students recruited through social media posts and by student tobacco advocate members completed an online survey of 59 questions in Spring 2021.

Eustachian tube communicating with sphenoid sinus: report of a novel anatomical variant.

Reports of congenital anomalies of the Eustachian Tube (ET) are scarce, and often associated with chromosomal abnormalities. We report a unique case of a completely bony left Eustachian tube which communicated with the sphenoid sinus. This report details these findings and discusses the potential embryological basis and implications of such an unusual anatomy, in the context of a comprehensive literature review.

Systematic review of carcinoma arising in pharyngeal diverticula: a 112-year analysis.

Background: Carcinoma is a rare complication of pharyngeal diverticula. There is a paucity of information about its incidence, presentation, management, and treatment outcomes. A systematic review and analysis of all reported cases has been carried out.

An exploratory study of the influence of clinico-demographic variables on swallowing and swallowing-related quality of life in a cohort of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with primary surgery.

There are insufficient data on swallowing and the consequences of its dysfunction in patients with cancers of the oral cavity (OC) and oropharynx (OP) that are treated with primary surgery. The study attempts to explore the effect of important clinico-demographic variables on post-treatment swallowing and related quality of life (QOL) in post-surgical OC and OP cancer patients. Sixty-two consecutive OC and OP cancer patients completed the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) questionnaire.

Evaluation of factors affecting post-treatment quality of life in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients primarily treated with curative surgery: an exploratory study.

The aim was to explore the impact of important clinico-demographic factors on the post-treatment quality of life (QOL) in surgically treated oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. 63 consecutive follow-up oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients treated primarily with surgery were recruited. 55 patients sent the completed questionnaires and finally included in this study.

Viagra deafness--sensorineural hearing loss and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.

Background: Viagra and PDE-5 inhibitors use has mushroomed since its launch over a decade ago. A growing body of evidence indicates significant morbidity associated with the side effect profile of this class of drug. Hearing loss associated with PDE-5 inhibitor use has recently been reported, but few studies have evaluated the causal link.

Validation of the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ) in a cohort of head and neck cancer patients.

Impairment of swallowing function is a common multidimensional symptom complex seen in 50-75% of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Although there are a number of validated swallowing-specific questionnaires, much of their focus is on the evaluation of swallowing-related quality of life (QOL) rather than swallowing as a specific function. The aim of this study was to validate the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ) as a swallowing-specific instrument in HNC patients.

Carcinoma arising from pharyngeal diverticula.

Background: Pharyngeal diverticulum or Zenker's diverticulum carcinoma is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. Carcinoma arising in a recurrent pharyngeal diverticulum is even rarer, with only 1 such case reported in the English-language literature. We report 2 patients with pharyngeal diverticulum carcinoma exhibiting an unusual presentation and good long-term, disease-free survival with normal speech and swallowing.

Evaluation of hand circulation before radial forearm free flap surgery.

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is a versatile flap offering many reconstructive options for head and neck defects. Its low bulk, ease of dissection, and excellent vascularity are among its advantages. Its low flap loss and complication rates offer the best choice for the reconstruction of oral, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal lining.