Systematic review of head and neck lymphedema assessment.

Head and neck lymphedema (HNL) is an increasingly recognized complication of head and neck cancer and its treatment. However, no consensus exists on the "gold-standard" assessment tool for the purposes of diagnosis, classification, or monitoring of HNL. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding HNL assessment to determine the optimal method/s of assessment for patients with HNL.

Synchronous sinonasal and respiratory papilloma: could long-term positive pressure ventilation be the cause? A rare case report.

This case report describes a rare presentation of synchronous pathologies-sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP)-in a 47-year-old man using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation for progressive obstructive sleep apnoea. As far as we know, this is the first case of concurrent SIP and RRP disease described in the literature. The patient initially presented for management of chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms.

Timing of Ansa Cervicalis-to-recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Reinnervation: A Systematic Review.

Background: Ansa cervicalis-to-recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis (ARA) is an established technique for the treatment of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury after head and neck surgery. However, the optimal timing of ARA remains unclear, and the evidence bases for ARA performed at each timepoint after RLN injury have not previously been clearly distinguished. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the efficacy of ARA performed at different timepoints on postoperative voice outcomes.

Non-steroid, non-antibiotic anti-biofilm therapy for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review.

Objective: Chronic rhinosinusitis patients with biofilms cultured from their sinonasal cavity have greater symptom burden and risk of recalcitrant disease. A number of non-antibiotic, 'anti-biofilm' treatments exist which show anti-biofilm properties in preclinical studies. There is little evidence evaluating their impact on clinical symptom scores in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Beware the respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma-a malignant masquerador.

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) is a rare benign tumour, which can masquerade as a sinonasal malignancy. Commonly arising from the posterior nasal septum, we present the second described case of a lateral nasal cavity wall REAH in a 68-year-old male with a 2-year history of progressive left nasal obstruction. Clinical and radiological assessment predicted malignancy; however, histopathology identified a benign pathology.

A Non-inferiority Trial: Safety and Efficacy of Topical 1:1000 versus 1:10 000 Epinephrine in Sino-nasal Surgeries.

Objective: This study aimed to test the non-inferiority of topical 1:1000 epinephrine compared to topical 1:10 000 with regard to intraoperative hemodynamic stability, and to determine whether it produced superior visibility conditions.

Methods: A single-blinded, prospective, cross-over non-inferiority trial was performed. Topical 1:1000 or topical 1:10 000 was placed in 1 nasal passage.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of airway intervention in adult epiglottitis.

Objective: Epiglottitis is typically considered a pediatric disease; however, there is growing evidence that the incidence of adult epiglottitis has changed since the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine. The literature is composed of multiple small series with differing findings. To date, there has been no attempt to collaborate evidence on predictors of airway intervention in this disease.

Multidisciplinary Tracheotomy Teams: An Analysis of Patient Outcomes and Resource Allocation.

We sought to establish the effect of introducing a multidisciplinary tracheotomy management team (MDT). Tracheotomies are high-cost interventions with potentially devastating complications. Multidisciplinary teams have been introduced in many hospitals with the aim of reducing complications, however, data supporting them are lacking.

Survival outcomes for stage-matched endoscopic and open resection of olfactory neuroblastoma.

Background: Advanced-stage olfactory neuroblastoma requires multimodal therapy for optimal outcomes. Debate exists over endoscopic endonasal surgery in this situation. Stage-matched open and endoscopic surgical therapy were compared.

Piezoelectric technology in otolaryngology, and head and neck surgery: a review.

Background: Piezoelectric technology has existed for many years as a surgical tool for precise removal of soft tissue and bone. The existing literature regarding its use specifically for otolaryngology, and head and neck surgery was reviewed.

Methods: The databases Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase and Cambridge Scientific Abstracts were searched.

Olfactory Neuroblastoma: Fate of the Neck--A Long-term Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Objective: Olfactory neuroblastoma and the management of neck disease has posed considerable challenges to the treating physician. The aims of the study were to determine the incidence and factors influencing neck disease and to identify at-risk patients with cervical node-negative disease at presentation.

Study Design: Multicenter case series with retrospective chart review.

Surgical management of paediatric chronic rhinosinusitis: review of 10 years' experience.

Objective: To assess the outcome of children with chronic rhinosinusitis who were managed surgically, over a 10-year study period.

Method: From January 1999 to December 2008 inclusive, 136 children diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis underwent surgery following unsuccessful medical treatment. The operations ranged from adenoidectomy to functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Free fat grafting in superficial parotid surgery to prevent Frey's syndrome and improve aesthetic outcome.

Background: Frey's syndrome and cosmesis are important considerations in parotid surgery. Placement of an interpositional barrier can prevent these complications; however, surgical technique and efficacy remain controversial.

Methods: A prospective case series was collected comprising all patients undergoing primary superficial parotidectomy for benign pathology with abdominal free fat grafting between June 2007 and December 2010, performed by a single surgeon.

Anaesthesia for microlaryngeal and laser laryngeal surgery: impact of subglottic jet ventilation.

Objective: Over the past 20 years, jet ventilation techniques have been developed to enable safe and controlled microlaryngoscopy and the accurate treatment of laryngeal pathology. This study examined how advances in jet ventilation tube design have facilitated safe endolaryngeal surgery.

Study Design: The study documented the development and use of the Jockjet subglottic jet ventilation tube system at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney.

Mastoiditis in a paediatric population: a review of 11 years experience in management.

Objective: This study explores the experience at Sydney Children's Hospital (SCH) managing children with acute mastoiditis and establishes a robust treatment algorithm.

Methods: Retrospective review of all patients admitted to SCH with an ICD-10 coding of "Mastoiditis" from 1 January 1996 through 31 December 2006 inclusive. Criteria assessed included demographic characteristics, clinical features, symptom duration and treatment initiated by the general practitioner.

Proton pump inhibitor therapy for suspected GERD-related chronic laryngitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The role of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in suspected GERD-related chronic laryngitis (CL) is controversial. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis of the existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of PPIs in this disorder.

Methods: Data extracted from MEDLINE (1966 to August 2005), Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1997 to August 2005), EMBASE (1980 to August 2005), ClinicalTrials.

Autologous fat injection laryngoplasty for unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Background: Fat injection laryngoplasty has been used at the Sydney Voice Clinic for selected cases of unilateral vocal fold paralysis since 1989.

Methods: Forty-five consecutive cases deemed suitable for treatment by this technique are presented in this paper.

Results: Mean follow up for this group of patients was 33 months.

Laser tenotomy and vocal process resection for bilateral midline vocal fold fixation.

Background: The present retrospective study presents the outcomes of a group of 21 patients with laryngeal obstruction caused by bilateral vocal fold fixation. All of these patients were treated by laser assisted muscle tenotomy and vocal process resection - a modification of the technique described by Michael and Eugene Rontal in 1994.1

Methods: Between January 1997 and March 2002 the senior author performed muscle tenotomy and vocal process resection for bilateral vocal fold fixation on 21 patients.