Evidence-based surveillance protocol for vestibular schwannomas: a long-term analysis of tumor growth using conditional probability.

Objective: The growth characteristics of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) under surveillance can be studied using a Bayesian method of growth risk stratification by time after surveillance onset, allowing dynamic evaluations of growth risks. There is no consensus on the optimum surveillance strategy in terms of frequency and duration, particularly for long-term growth risks. In this study, the long-term conditional probability of new VS growth was reported for patients after 5 years of demonstrated nongrowth.

Intradural extension of mucocele secondary to giant frontal sinus osteoma: Diagnostic pitfalls.

Background: Paranasal sinus osteoma in association with intracranial mucocele is a rare entity while intradural extension is even rarer. Our aim of presenting this case is to highlight the diagnostic pitfalls and reiterate the importance of prompt treatment of expected complications.

Case Description: A 35-year-old known epileptic, for the past 5 years, presented with altered sensorium for the past 2 days.

Acute otitis externa: Consensus definition, diagnostic criteria and core outcome set development.

Objective: Evidence for the management of acute otitis externa (AOE) is limited, with unclear diagnostic criteria and variably reported outcome measures that may not reflect key stakeholder priorities. We aimed to develop 1) a definition, 2) diagnostic criteria and 3) a core outcome set (COS) for AOE.

Study Design: COS development according to Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) methodology and parallel consensus selection of diagnostic criteria/definition.

Strive to Reduce Slurry Erosion and Cavitation in Pumps Through Flow Modifications, Design Optimization and Some Other Techniques: Long Term Impact on Process Industry.

Centrifugal pumps are being widely used in various industries for moving fluids that carry solids through pipelines where the need of head and flow rate is not high. Slurry erosion and cavitation are an extremely complex and not yet fully understood phenomenon that occur in centrifugal pumps; however, these undesirable phenomena can be reduced to a certain extent. Appropriate design and development of experiments is required to reasonably predict slurry erosion and cavitation.

Role of 18-Fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography and subsequent panendoscopy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary.

Objectives/hypothesis: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas of unknown primary (HNSCCUP) accounts for up to 10% of presenting head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Identification of the primary site allows for directed therapy. Where initial investigations have failed to locate the primary site, 18-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) has emerged as a useful tool with improved sensitivity over positron emission tomography alone.

Laryngeal schwannoma: excision via a laryngofissure approach.

Schwannomas are peripheral nerve neurogenic tumours and although not common, laryngeal schwannomas can provide a unique challenge in diagnostic and treatment management. There are limited reports in the literature on approaches to management. A 73-year-old lady presented to the otolaryngology department after a MRI scan demonstrated an incidental right supraglottic mass.

Women with asymptomatic cervical polyps may not need to see a gynaecologist or have them removed: an observational retrospective study of 1126 cases.

Objectives: (1) To determine the prevalence of pathology in cervical polyps and whether referring and/or removing them is justified, (2) to assess the frequency of associated endometrial pathology and whether investigating the uterine cavity is warranted, and (3) to estimate the financial costs of processing cervical polyps.

Study Design: Retrospective review of the histopathology database and case notes of women who had cervical polyps examined at the pathology department of Ipswich Hospital, UK, over a seven-year period from 01/01/2002 to 31/12/2008.

Results: The number of cervical polyps removed from 988 women was 1126.