Efficacy and Oncologic Outcomes of Thermal Ablation Techniques in the Treatment of Primary Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and oncologic outcomes of thermal ablation techniques, including radiofrequency, laser, and microwave ablation, in treating primary thyroid cancer compared with surgical resection.

Method: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis, which included 21 comparative studies and 40 noncomparative studies.

Results: The three thermal ablation techniques showed significant superiority over surgical resection in terms of operative time, pain, cost, quality of life, and complications.

Significance as a Prognostic Factor of Eosinophil Count in Nasal Polyp Tissue in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis Accompanied by Asthma.

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) accompanied by asthma often show poor prognoses and require continuous management. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of eosinophil counts in nasal polyp tissue for selecting individuals who would benefit from ongoing management in CRS patients with asthma. Patients with asthma who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS with nasal polyps were included in the study.

Mitigating Gas Evolution in Electron Beam-Induced Gel Polymer Electrolytes Through Bi-Functional Cross-Linkable Additives.

The current high-capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), reliant on flammable liquid electrolytes (LEs) and nickel-rich cathodes, are plagued by safety hazards, especially the risk of hazardous gas release stemming from internal side reactions. To address these safety concerns, an electron beam (E-beam)-induced gel polymer electrolyte (E-Gel) is introduced, employing dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPH) as a bi-functional cross-linkable additive (CIA). The dual roles of DPH are exploited through a strategically designed E-beam irradiation process.

Formulating Electron Beam-Induced Covalent Linkages for Stable and High-Energy-Density Silicon Microparticle Anode.

High-capacity silicon (Si) materials hold a position at the forefront of advanced lithium-ion batteries. The inherent potential offers considerable advantages for substantially increasing the energy density in batteries, capable of maximizing the benefit by changing the paradigm from nano- to micron-sized Si particles. Nevertheless, intrinsic structural instability remains a significant barrier to its practical application, especially for larger Si particles.

Evaluation of the validity and reliability of a self-assessment questionnaire for cosmetic outcomes after thyroidectomy: a cross-sectional validation study.

Purpose: The Self-Assessment Questionnaire for Cosmetic Outcomes (SAQCO) was developed by us to evaluate the cosmetic outcome of patients after thyroidectomy. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of SAQCO.

Methods: We analyzed the cosmetic outcomes of 368 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and completed the SAQCO 1 year after surgery.

Randomized comparison of effects of two different remifentanil dose on surgical conditions during endoscopic sinus surgery.

Background: The combination of propofol and remifentanil results in better surgical field conditions during endoscopic sinus surgery than inhalation anesthesia. This study compared surgical field conditions between two groups receiving low or high concentration of remifentanil and hemodynamic variables using non-invasive cardiac monitoring.

Methods: Fifty-four patients between ASA I or II, were randomly assigned to either the high-concentration remifentanil group (HR), effect-site concentration of 8 ng/mL or the low-concentration remifentanil group(LR), effect-site concentration of 4 ng/mL.

Two Cases of Primary Nasopharyngeal Tuberculosis.

Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis can arise from both a primary infection and a secondary spread via the lymphatic or hematogenous system from a primary pulmonary lesion. Primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is rare and difficult to detect earlier because of the nonspecific presentations of the disease. As upper airway tuberculosis can be contagious, early initial diagnosis and suspicion of the physicians are needed in clinical practice.

A Case of Human Papillomavirus-Related Multiphenotypic Sinonasal Carcinoma.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma (HMSC) is a recently described neoplasm entity that presents only in the sinonasal tract. Histologically, it displays features of both a surface-derived carcinoma and a salivary gland carcinoma, and is associated with high-risk HPV, specifically HPV type 33. Whereas majority of the cases display high-grade histologic features, HMSC paradoxically behaves in a relatively indolent fashion.

The Long-Term Effects of Budesonide Nasal Irrigation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Asthma.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in asthmatic patients has a high recurrence rate even after surgery. For this reason, oral steroids are frequently used, but their long-term use may cause side effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of budesonide nasal irrigation (BNI) in CRSwNP and asthma.

Examination of Factors Influencing SCBA Washing Behavior among Firefighters in Metropolitan.

Field-washing decontamination of equipment is an effective way for firefighters to reduce their risk of secondary contamination. No study has yet clarified the factors influencing effective field decontamination of equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs). This study sought to examine factors that influence the SCBA washing and decontamination behavior of firefighters.

Clinical Trial to Reconfirm the Efficacy and Safety of Cefetamet Pivoxil Treatment in Sinusitis Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel Designed, Multicenter, Active Comparator Study (CASIS Study).

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cefetamet pivoxil for the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in Korean patients compared to treatment with cefdinir.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, randomized double-blind, comparative study was conducted by the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at 17 hospitals or universities in the Republic of Korea from March 2017 to April 2019. A total of 309 patients were screened and 249 patients participated in the study.

Incidence of peripheral vestibular disorders in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could influence peripheral vestibular function adversely via intermittent hypoxia and its consequences.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of peripheral vestibular disorders in OSA using a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort represents the entire Korean population from 2002 to 2015.

Cosmetic outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy: Comparison with transaxillary, postauricular, and conventional approaches.

Objectives: Transoral thyroidectomy does not involve neck incision, and its postoperative cosmetic outcome is thought to be superior to that of conventional thyroidectomy and other remote-access procedures. This study aimed to compare the cosmetic outcomes between transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and conventional transcervical thyroidectomy and two common remote-access robotic thyroidectomies via the transaxillary and postauricular approaches.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 160 patients who underwent TORT, robotic thyroidectomies via the transaxillary or postauricular approach, or conventional transcervical thyroidectomy (40 patients in each group).

Neural Monitoring of the External Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve During Transoral Thyroidectomy.

Objectives/hypothesis: There is no study regarding intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during transoral thyroidectomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and success rate of electrical identification of the EBSLN during transoral robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Study Design: Case series study.

Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Bepotastine Salicylate in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis.

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a slow-release form of bepotastine salicylate (HL151, Belion CR) in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR).

Study Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter comparative study.

Methods: Two hundred seventy-two PAR patients (aged 19-65 years) were studied to determine the efficacy and safety of HL151 (20 mg once daily administration) relative to those of a placebo in terms of improvements in total and nasal symptom scores.

Treatment Strategy for Odontogenic Sinusitis.

Background: The treatment options for odontogenic sinusitis (OS) include medical management including antibiotics and saline nasal irrigation, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and dental treatment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether OS caused by dental caries and periapical abscess can be cured by dental treatment alone and which patients should consider surgery early.

Methods: A total of 33 patients with OS caused by dental caries and periapical abscess were enrolled.

Efficacy of Transcartilaginous Electrodes for Intraoperative Neural Monitoring During Thyroid Surgery.

Objectives: This study was conducted evaluate the efficacy of electromyography (EMG) using transcartilaginous (TC) electrodes through the thyroid cartilage and perichondrium.

Methods: We prospectively collected EMG data from intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of 54 nerves at risk in 38 patients during thyroidectomy. We followed standardized IONM procedures in all operations.

Surgical Outcomes and Efficacy of Isthmusectomy in Single Isthmic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Preliminary Retrospective Study.

The optimal extent of surgery needed for isthmic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is not well-defined, although total thyroidectomy is usually recommended. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of isthmusectomy in the surgical treatment of isthmic PTC. We retrospectively studied 121 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection (CND) for single isthmic PTC from January 2003 to June 2019.

Effect of Diabetes on the Prognosis of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical implications of diabetes for the management of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Clinical Characteristics of External Auditory Canal Foreign Bodies in Children and Adolescents.

Objectives: Foreign bodies (FBs) in external auditory canal (EAC) can occur at any age but are especially common in children and adolescents. The aims of the study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics of EAC FBs in children and adolescents and to discuss their proper management.

Methods: A retrospective medical chart review was performed on patients who were treated for EAC FBs in a tertiary referral center from January 2007 to December 2017.

New Technique in Nasal Tip Plasty: Sandwich Technique Using Cartilage and Septal Bone Complex.

Objectives: It is extremely difficult to obtain ideal tip projection and nose lengthening by septal extension graft using only septal cartilage in Asians, because their nasal septal and alar cartilages are small and weak. Therefore, we introduce a new septal extension graft using a cartilage-bone complex with the vomer and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone as well as cartilage to obtain optimal outcomes.

Methods: Participants included 30 patients who underwent surgery by external approach.

Differences in cytokine levels between the nasal polyps of adolescents with local allergic and adolescents with allergic or nonallergic rhinitis.

Background: Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is rhinitis with a localized nasal allergic response in the absence of systemic allergy. This study aimed to evaluate the pathogenesis specific to LAR compared with allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) by using cytokines from polypous tissues.

Methods: We recruited 43 patients with AR (n = 15; mean age, 17.