Esophageal pathology in patients after treatment for head and neck cancer.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of esophageal pathology following treatment for primary head and neck cancer (HNCA).

Study Design: Case series with planned data collection.

Setting: Academic medical practice.

The effects of allergens and tobacco smoke on the laryngeal mucosa of guinea pigs.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and house dust mite allergen (HDMA) on the laryngeal mucosa of guinea pigs.

Study Design: Prospective, controlled animal study.

Subjects And Methods: Sixteen juvenile guinea pigs were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: (1) filtered air, (2) HDMA, (3) ETS, and (4) ETS and HDMA.

Validity and reliability of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10).

Objectives: The Eating Assessment Tool is a self-administered, symptom-specific outcome instrument for dysphagia. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10).

Methods: The investigation consisted of 4 phases: 1) line-item generation, 2) line-item reduction and reliability, 3) normative data generation, and 4) validity analysis.

Thyrohyoid vocal fold augmentation with calcium hydroxyapatite.

Objectives: To review the clinical results of the thyrohyoid approach for in-office vocal fold augmentation with calcium hydroxyapatite.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: The charts of all persons who underwent in-office thyrohyoid vocal fold augmentation between June 1, 2005 and June 1, 2007 were reviewed.

Utilization of the LifeStat emergency airway device.

Objectives: Management of the airway in an emergency may be a harrowing experience. The equipment necessary to perform this procedure is often inaccessible. The LifeStat emergency airway is a portable device approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1997 for emergency cricothyrotomy.

Long-term outcome analysis of endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine long-term subjective outcome of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic sinusitis (CS) and to evaluate prognostic indicators for surgical treatment failure.

Methods: This is a prospective study of patients who underwent ESS for CS. Symptom assessment was performed using a visual analog scale at a pretreatment interview and then at regular intervals post-ESS for up to a 3-year period.

In-office laryngeal surgery with the 585nm pulsed dye laser (PDL).

Objectives: The 585nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) is a promising tool for in-office laryngeal surgery. Data with respect to the safety and efficacy of the PDL for office laryngeal use is sparse. The purpose of this study is to review our experience with unsedated office PDL surgery.

Antiphospholipid inner ear syndrome.

Objective: This study was initiated to clarify the possible association between antiphospholipid antibodies, mediators of microthrombus formation, and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) of unknown origin in a large cohort of patients.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Methods: The study cohort consists of 168 adult patients (>/=18 yr) referred to the University of Pennsylvania's Division of Neurotology and Balance Center for diagnosis and treatment of progressive hearing loss with or without vertigo.

Sinonasal paraganglioma: endoscopic resection with a 4-year follow-up.

Background: Paragangliomas are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors. In the head and neck, they are most commonly seen at the carotid body, the temporal bone, or along the vagus nerve. Sinonasal paragangliomas are extremely rare.