Sleep-disordered breathing diagnosis: a comprehensive audit of home sleep testing in real clinical settings.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the indications and outcomes of Home Sleep Testing (HST) for patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), aligning with guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the European Sleep Research Society. Specifically, we aimed to audit whether validated type 3 polygraphy could effectively ensure patient care while optimizing resource utilization.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from patients undergoing type 3 polygraphy for suspected OSA in a tertiary referral hospital between January 2022 and December 2022.

Benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma in real life: confirmed effectiveness and contrasted effect on sputum eosinophilia exhaled nitric oxide fraction - PROMISE.

Background: Randomised controlled trials have shown that benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor monoclonal antibody, reduces exacerbations and oral corticosteroid dose and improves asthma control and lung function in severe eosinophilic asthma. The aim of this study was to confirm results of randomised controlled trials in real life in a population of 73 patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab for at least 12 months.

Methods: Patients underwent careful monitoring of asthma exacerbations, exhaled nitric oxide fraction, lung function, asthma control and quality of life questionnaire responses and sputum induction, and gave a blood sample at baseline, after 6 months and then every year.

Use of Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotation Test to Predict Practical Performance of Sinus Endoscopy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of the Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotation Test (MRT) on performance of novice medical students for manipulation of a nasal endoscope on a cadaveric model.

Material And Method: We randomly selected 39 medical students who had never handled a nasal endoscope and subjected them to the MRT. General information including experience in manual, technical, or surgical activities and testing of anatomical knowledge were collected to exclude possible confounding factors.

Impact of a shift in treatment funding on a multidisciplinary sleep clinic: a cohort study.

Multidisciplinary Sleep Clinics for sleep apnea have long existed, bringing together neurologists, sleep specialists, dentists, orthodontists and surgeons. In Belgium, a shift in funding for obstructive sleep apnea treatment was implemented from January 1st, 2017. Funding was allowed for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and the rules shifted for treatments delivery and monitoring by authorised medical opinion.

Responsiveness of acoustic rhinometry to septorhinoplasty by comparison with rhinomanometry and subjective instruments.

Objectives: Nose patency measures and instruments assessing subjective health are increasingly being used in rhinology. However, there is very little evidence of comparing existing methods' responsiveness to change. We evaluated the responsiveness of acoustic rhinometry to nasal valve surgery by comparison with rhinomanometry and patient-reported outcome instruments.

Intratympanic steroid therapy for refractory sudden sensory hearing loss: a 12-year experience with the Silverstein catheter.

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Aim/objective: Determine if local administration of corticosteroids to the inner ear can improve hearing and speech intelligibility after the failure of conventional treatment for SSNHL loss when administered for 10 days after the onset of the hearing loss in a large cohort of 77 patients.

Materials And Methods: A Silverstein MicroWick™ was placed under local anesthesia and endoscopic control in the round window niche, allowing self-administration of methylprednisolone twice daily for four weeks.