Intraoperative Ultrasound for Removal of a Fishbone Foreign Body Embedded in the Tongue.

Background: Ultrasound (U/S) is a dynamic imaging modality with many applications in medicine. In Otolaryngology, U/S is used routinely in the clinic with several evolving applications intraoperatively. .

Postoperative opioid use following head and neck endocrine surgery: A multi-center prospective study.

Background: Opioid abuse is widespread in North America and the over-prescription of opioids are a contributing factor. The goal of this prospective study was to quantify over-prescription rates, evaluate postoperative experiences of pain, and understand the impact of peri-operative factors such as adequate pain counseling and use of non-opioid analgesia.

Methods: Consecutive recruitment of patients undergoing head and neck endocrine surgery was undertaken from January 1st 2020 to December 31st 2021 at four Canadian hospitals in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Murine model for chronic rhinosinusitis: an interventional study.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex inflammatory disease of the sinonasal tract. To understand this disease entity and develop targeted treatments, a reproducible animal model is paramount.

Aims/objectives: To optimize a murine model of eosinophilic CRS by establishing benchmark histological markers and validate its fidelity in evaluating intranasal treatments.

Cannabis use amongst tinnitus patients: consumption patterns and attitudes.

Background: Tinnitus has a significant impact on quality of life and causes considerable psychological distress. Cannabis is known to modulate neuron hyperexcitability, provide protection against auditory damage, and has been used for treatment for many diseases which have physiological similarities with tinnitus. The objective of this study was to survey patients presenting with tinnitus regarding their perspectives and usage patterns of cannabis.

Discrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in Canada.

Background: Understanding mistreatment within medicine is an important first step in creating and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment. The objective of this study was to quantify the prevalence of perceived workplace mistreatment amongst otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) faculty and trainees in Canada.

Methods: This national cross-sectional survey was administered to practicing otolaryngologists and residents training in an otolaryngology program in Canada during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Development of a management protocol for internal carotid artery injury during endoscopic surgery: a modified Delphi method and single-center multidisciplinary working group.

Background: Intra-operative internal carotid artery (ICA) injury during transnasal endoscopic surgery is a potentially catastrophic event. Such an injury is life-threatening in the immediate setting, with a reported peri-operative mortality rate of 10%. Nasal packing, muscle patches, direct vessel closure, and endovascular techniques have been described as useful strategies for managing ICA bleeds.

Overprescription of opioid analgesia is common following ambulatory Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery procedures: A multicenter study.

Background: The rise in the use of prescription opioids for postoperative analgesia within surgery has mirrored an increased trend of opioid-related morbidity within Canada and the United States. This study prospectively studied daily pain levels and medication requirements postoperatively in patients undergoing elective Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery procedures.

Methods: Patients were asked to prospectively document their pain level and medication use daily for 7 days postoperatively.

Development of a patient reported outcome instrument for chronic sialadenitis.

Background: Sialendoscopy assisted treatments are a minimally invasive management modality for chronic sialadenitis. Clinicians report improved patient quality of life (QoL) following sialendoscopy assisted treatments, but there exist gaps in current literature about patient reported outcomes (PROs). PROs are outcome measures developed based on patient perceptions.

Clinical diagnostic utility of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in parotid masses.

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a common diagnostic tool used in the initial evaluation of parotid masses. In the literature, variable diagnostic accuracy of FNA is reported. Therefore, when considering clinical management of these patients, the utility of FNA is unclear.

Pain Management Following Otological Surgery: A Prospective Study of Different Strategies.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to prospectively assess pain and associated analgesic consumption after otological surgery comparing two prescription patterns.

Study Design: A prospective nonrandomized consecutive cohort study.

Methods: 125 adult patients undergoing ambulatory otologic surgery-cochlear implantation and endaural middle ear surgery, were assigned (according to surgeon's preference) and prospectively studied in two arms: 1) acetaminophen 500 mg + ibuprofen 400 mg; 2) acetaminophen 500 mg + codeine 30 mg.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression and intranasal corticosteroid use: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are used in the management of sinonasal conditions. Use of exogenous steroids can be associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction and adrenal insufficiency (AI). We aimed to estimate the rate of AI after INCS use in a meta-analysis, stratified by steroid type and treatment duration.

Association of the Implementation of a Standardized Thyroid Ultrasonography Reporting Program With Documentation of Nodule Characteristics.

Importance: Although most thyroid nodules are benign, the potential for malignant neoplasms is associated with unnecessary workup in the form of imaging, fine-needle aspiration, and diagnostic surgery. The American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) is commonly used to assess the malignant neoplasm risk potential of thyroid nodules imaged by ultrasonography. However, standardized reporting of ACR TI-RADS descriptors is inconsistent.

Radiological Anatomy of the Olfactory Fossa: Is Skull Base Anatomy Really Ever "Safe"?

 Computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for delineating the anatomy of the anterior skull base. The goal of this study is to further characterize the relevant anatomical features of this area, along with other parameters important for endoscopic sinus surgery.  Retrospective case review.

AutoAudio: Deep Learning for Automatic Audiogram Interpretation.

Hearing loss is the leading human sensory system loss, and one of the leading causes for years lived with disability with significant effects on quality of life, social isolation, and overall health. Coupled with a forecast of increased hearing loss burden worldwide, national and international health organizations have urgently recommended that access to hearing evaluation be expanded to meet demand. The objective of this study was to develop 'AutoAudio' - a novel deep learning proof-of-concept model that accurately and quickly interprets diagnostic audiograms.

Machine learning for pattern detection in cochlear implant FDA adverse event reports.

Medical device performance and safety databases can be analyzed for patterns and novel opportunities for improving patient safety and/or device design. The objective of this analysis was to use supervised machine learning to explore patterns in reported adverse events involving cochlear implants. Adverse event reports for the top three CI manufacturers were acquired for the analysis.

Development of the Alberta facial clinical evaluation scale: A patient-centred outcomes instrument for facial nerve paralysis.

Objectives: Facial nerve paralysis has functional, psychological and social consequences for patients. Traditionally, outcome measurements for facial nerve injuries have been clinician derived. Recent literature has shown that patient perspective is valuable and necessary in outcomes research.

A High-Definition Video Teaching Module for Thyroidectomy Surgery.

Objective: With the changing landscape of postgraduate surgical education to competency-based curricula, there emerges a need for alternative forms of training. Video teaching modules have been shown to be effective tools in surgical education, complementing traditional postgraduate curricula. There is a lack of validated modules described in the literature, specifically for teaching thyroidectomy.

Reduction in neural performance following recovery from anoxic stress is mimicked by AMPK pathway activation.

Nervous systems are energetically expensive to operate and maintain. Both synaptic and action potential signalling require a significant investment to maintain ion homeostasis. We have investigated the tuning of neural performance following a brief period of anoxia in a well-characterized visual pathway in the locust, the LGMD/DCMD looming motion-sensitive circuit.