Guidelines for Diagnosis of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Their Specificity.

Objectives: A recent paper by Moore, Lowe and Cox has proposed guidelines for diagnosing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). It is referred to here as the MLC guidelines. Our aim was to assess the specificity of those guidelines (i.

Have We Got Thy3 Wrong in the UK? A Four-Year Single-Site Analysis of Malignancy Rates in Thy3 Nodules.

Introduction Thyroid nodules routinely undergo ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA), as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Thyroid Association (BTA). The cytology results are classified using the "Thy" system from Thy1 to Thy5. Intermediate Thy3 FNA results are challenging, as this suggests malignancy is possible, but the relatively low rates of malignancy can make decision-making difficult.

Awake Rhinology Surgery in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe.

Background: European health-care systems are faced with a backlog of surgical procedures following the suspension of routine surgery during the COVID-19 crisis. Routine rhinology surgery under general anaesthetic (GA) is now faced with significant challenges which include limited theatre capacity, the negative ramifications of surgical prioritization, reduced patient throughput in secondary care, and additional personal protective equipment requirements. Delayed surgery in rhinology, particularly with regards to chronic rhinosinusitis, has previously been shown to have poorer surgical outcomes, a detrimental effect on quality of life and long-term negative health socio-economic effects.

Using Beatboxing for Creative Rehabilitation After Laryngectomy: Experiences From a Public Engagement Project.

Laryngectomy is the surgical removal of the larynx (voice box), usually performed in patients with advanced stages of throat cancer. The psychosocial impact of losing the voice is significant, affecting a person's professional and social life in a devastating way, and a proportion of this patient group subsequently must overcome depression (22-30%) and social isolation (40%). The profound changes to anatomical structures involved in voicing and articulation, as a result of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy (separately or in combination with one another), introduce challenges faced in speech rehabilitation and voice production that complicate social reintegration and quality of life.

Comparative Analysis of Transpetrosal Approaches to the Internal Acoustic Meatus Using Three-Dimensional Radio-Anatomical Models.

Background The transcrusal approach that involves partial removal of the labyrinth was recently described to approach lesions of the cerebellopontine angle. It carries the benefit of hearing preservation and was suggested to have equivalent exposure of the petroclival surface compared with the transcochlear/transotic approaches. The current study was designed to assess if the transcrusal approach could achieve as good access to the internal auditory meatus (IAM) as the more destructive translabyrinthine exposure.

An unusual metastasis of a transglottic squamous cell carcinoma to the forearm.

Introduction. Each year around 2,200 people in the UK are diagnosed with laryngeal SCC (Office of National Statistics 2009). Compared to pharyngeal carcinoma, it is a highly curable disease with a survival rate of around 60% for all stages and all forms of treatment.

Comparison between transtympanic and elevation of tympanomeatal flap approaches in tympanoplasty.

Objective: Transtympanic tympanoplasty is an easy way of introducing a graft through the tympanic membrane to repair a perforation. The aim of our study is to compare the transtympanic technique with the usual method of elevating a tympanomeatal flap.

Study Design: Prospective randomized trial.

The Lester-Jones tube and scuba diving.

Insertion of a Lester-Jones tube remains the standard treatment for epiphora secondary to canalicular obstruction. We report on a patient requiring removal of his correctly working Lester-Jones tube to allow him to continue his hobby of scuba diving. This particular complication of the Lester-Jones tube has never previously been reported in the literature.

Recurrent spindle cell oncocytoma of the pituitary, a case report and review of literature.

Spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) is a rare non-functioning tumour of the pituitary which has just been formally recognized as a distinct entity by the 2007 WHO classification of brain tumours. We report a case of SCO who presented with symptoms of visual blurring, weight loss, intermittent vomiting and excessive tiredness of several months duration. Investigations revealed a bitemporal visual field defect, a panhypopituitary hormonal profile and a large pituitary tumour with suprasellar extension.

The community management of chylous fistula using a pancreatic lipase inhibitor (orlistat).

We describe two innovative ideas in the treatment of iatrogenic chyle leak. The first is the early use of a pancreatic lipase inhibitor (Orlistat) to reduce fat absorption and chyle production, with consequent faster fistula healing. The second is the treatment of these patients at home in the community by district nurses backed by the hospital staff.

Immediate lamina papyracea reconstruction during endoscopic sinus surgery for surgically managed subperiosteal abscess in children.

The sinonasal area of a child's face is the keystone of facial architecture, and any trauma to this area may result in facial dysplasia. Animal studies have proven facial skeletal growth retardation following functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The effect of sinus surgery on facial skeletal growth in humans still needs to be established.

The chondroid syringoma: report of a case arising from the external auditory canal.

Chondroid syringoma is an uncommon, benign skin adnexal tumour. It usually presents as a slowly growing intradermal or subcutaneous nodule on the face. Treatment involves local excision with a cuff of normal tissue to prevent recurrence.