The Incidence and Implication of Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Setting of Reinke's Edema.

Objective(s): To assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Reinke's edema patients. To evaluate and compare the disease severity of patients who are H. pylori positive with those who are H.

Head & neck surgical oncology: Success in private practice.

Background: Due to its complexity and multimodality treatment needs, traditional delivery of head and neck cancer care often occurs in a multidisciplinary cancer center, frequently in a university-based program in an urban setting. Fellowship training opportunities for subspecialty-focused head and neck surgeons have increased over recent years. There is a persistent concern that the number of newly minted Head & Neck Surgeons graduating each year outpaces the number of university-based employment opportunities, and that the workforce does not match the job opportunities.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Cholesteatoma Diagnosis and Treatment.

Objectives: This investigation aimed to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment delays and the severity of initial disease presentation in cholesteatoma patients treated in the prepandemic and pandemic periods.

Methods:  This retrospective cohort study was of patients who underwent primary surgical management of cholesteatoma between October 2018 and December 2021, split between the prepandemic (October 2018 to February 2020) and pandemic (April 2020 to December 2021) time periods. Data collected included time from referral to otology clinic visit, time of diagnosis, and time of surgical interventions.

Total tracheoesophageal puncture failure: A scoping review of patient characteristics and etiologies.

Objectives: Tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) is a common method for post-laryngectomy speech rehabilitation. Despite its common use, some patients ultimately fail TEP rehabilitation. TEP dysfunction negatively affects quality of life due to poor voice quality and need for repeated interventions to restore TEP function.

VRAM Versus ALT Flap Reconstruction for Large Head and Neck Defects: Does Weight Influence Complication Rate?

Obesity remains a high-level risk factor for various cancers. Yet, some research has shown that higher BMIs may improve survival outcomes, particularly for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). While this is a clear deviation from the norm, it raises the question of what other effects obesity may have on head and neck cancer patients, including surgical outcomes.

The use of Montgomery salivary bypass tubes and pharyngocutaneous fistula following salvage laryngectomy.

Objectives: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the most common complication to follow total laryngectomy (TL) and is associated with increases in length of hospital stay and with a need for revision surgery or readmission, as well as with delays in return to oral diet. Patients who require salvage TL (STL) or primary (chemo)radiation therapy are at higher risk for developing PCF. Due to the quality-of-life burden of PCF on patients, limiting this occurrence is crucial.

Head and Neck Ultrasound Utilization Rates: 2012 to 2019.

Objective: We measured utilization of clinician-performed head and neck ultrasound among otolaryngologists, endocrinologists, and general surgeons, using Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of Medicare billing database.

Setting: University.

Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Outcomes by p16 Antigen Status in a Veteran Population.

Background: The correlation between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) has been of great interest. We aimed to study immunoexpression of the p16 (p16) antigen, a surrogate marker for high-risk HPV infection, in oropharyngeal SCC among veterans to estimate HPV-related cancer and survival. Secondary aims included stratification of race and ethnicity, degree of tobacco and alcohol use, tumor location, stage, and age at diagnosis.

Calcinosis of the internal jugular vein: Interesting presentation of tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

Tumoral calcinosis is a severe complication of hemodialysis. A 49-year-old male on dialysis for end-stage renal disease developed a large calcified retropharyngeal mass. This caused stridor and dyspnea, necessitating an emergency awake tracheostomy.

Is there Really a Lump in My Throat? The Incidence and Implication of Vocal fold Abnormalities in Patients Presenting with Globus.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of vocal fold abnormalities in patients with a primary complaint of globus sensation. Secondly, to determine the relationship between globus, vocal fold abnormality, and patient-reported quality of life questionnaire score.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Feasibility of machine-delivered sequential massage for the management of lymphedema in the head and neck cancer survivor.

Background: Lymphedema after treatment for head and neck cancer negatively impacts the quality of life and can produce neck tissue stiffness, dysphagia, pain, and swelling. One form of treatment for lymphedema is machine-delivered sequential lymphedema massage, which is home based and self administered. This study was undertaken to determine economic and system access to home-based lymphedema therapy and to measure patient-reported outcomes among those able to access therapy.

Blue man: Ochronosis in Otolaryngology.

Blue discoloration of the skin and cartilage, or ochronosis, is a rare physical examination finding. We present two cases of childhood onset ochronosis, one exogenous and one endogenous in etiology. The first was caused by minocycline use for severe acne, and the second was caused by congenital alkaptonuria.

Oropharynx cancer after sleep apnea surgery.

Surgery can treat sleep apnea. An elderly male underwent lingual/palatine tonsillectomy for OSA. He was then found to have T3N2 p16+ squamous cell carcinoma.

The submental flap: Be wary.

The submental island flap (SIF) is as an alternative to free flaps in head and neck reconstruction. 10 patients underwent submental flaps. All ten patients suffered failure of SIF as the definitive reconstructive procedure.

Factors predictive of an academic otolaryngologist's scholarly impact.

Objectives: Describe the h index as a bibliometric that can be utilized to objectively evaluate scholarly impact. Identify which otolaryngology subspecialties are the most scholarly. Describe if NIH funding to one's choice of medical school, residency, or fellowship has any impact on one's scholarly output.

Quality of life in obese patients after thyroidectomy for goiter.

Background: Compressive symptoms are common in thyroid disease. Many studies have focused on the size of the gland and its effects on patients. However, few have taken into account the body mass of the patient.

The utility of intraoperative nerve monitoring in secondary and tertiary Hyperparathyroid surgery.

Objectives: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is a well-known complication of parathyroid surgery. Despite ample data, there is still uncertainty about the role of intraoperative monitoring (IONM) in mitigating RLN damage.

Study Design: A retrospective review.

Contained hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal perforation masquerading as retropharyngeal abscess.

It is possible to have a spontaneous hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal perforation following yelling. We believe our case is the first study showing such an event, which can become catastrophic if not addressed in a timely manner.

Awake ECMO without anticoagulation for nearly completely obstructive squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea.

Awake veno-venous ECMO without anticoagulation is a safe and successful way to remove a significantly obstructive malignancy in the trachea.

Unusual cause of acute sinusitis and orbital abscess in COVID-19 positive patient: Case report.

Background: Peptoniphilus indolicus is not usually seen in the eye or paranasal sinuses but is a commensal of the human vagina and gut. However, with COVID-19, eye infections and other unusual complications are possible with such unsuspected bacteria.

Case Presentation: The patient is a 76-year-old white male from a nursing home tested positive for COVID-19 and was sent from a nursing facility for left eye drainage and psychiatric evaluation.

Chyloma formation after anterior cervical disc fusion.

Chyle leak from iatrogenic thoracic duct injury is a rare but serious complication of head and neck surgery. The chyloma in this case took months to recognize and required open thoracic ligation. He fully recovered.