Cocaine use in sinonasal surgery: patients' perspective on its use and the need for pre-operative consent.

Objectives: Intranasal cocaine is commonly used in endoscopic sinus surgery due to its vasoconstrictive and anaesthetic properties. This study aimed to understand patients' perspectives and whether patients should have to give their consent for its use.

Methods: Prospective data were collected over a three-month period in ENT departments in the out-patient setting of two district general hospitals.

Blood, Sweat, and Tonsils: Bleeding After Abscess Tonsillectomy for Quinsy-A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Abscess tonsillectomy is performed during an active episode of quinsy. Apprehensions regarding an elevated bleeding risk have hindered its widespread acceptance. This study aims to assess the prevalence of post-tonsillectomy bleeding (PTB) associated with abscess tonsillectomy.

Isolated left sternocleidomastoid pyomyositis: a rare presentation of cervical sepsis.

An elderly gentleman self-presented to A+E with a 7-day history of significant and progressive left-sided neck pain, swelling and fevers, despite oral antibiotics from his general practitioner. Examination revealed a large left-sided neck mass involving levels 2-5 of the neck that was firm to palpate, with erythematous overlying skin.An urgent CT scan demonstrated a large collection throughout the length of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), measuring 13×5.

Using simulation as a platform to prepare for ear, nose and throat emergencies in the coronavirus disease 2019 era and beyond.

Background: Following limited clinical exposure during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a simulation-based platform aimed at providing a unique and safe learning tool was established. The aim was to improve the skills, knowledge and confidence of new ENT doctors.

Method: The course was developed through 5 iterations over 28 months, moving from a half-day session to 2 full-day courses with more scenarios.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus paraneoplastic syndrome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma can present with epistaxis, cervical lymphadenopathy, audiological symptoms secondary to eustachian tube dysfunction, pain, or neurological symptoms from tumours directly invading the skull base. It is unusual for patients to present with indirect systemic manifestations. Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome can precede clinically overt malignancy by up to 5 years; therefore, a combination of thorough clinical, laboratory and radiological investigations is required to reach a diagnosis.

A de-escalated treatment strategy in the management of paediatric cervicofacial actinomycosis.

Actinomycosis is a rare invasive bacterial disease that is characterised by granulomatous inflammation often mistaken as malignancy. Traditionally, this has been managed with prolonged courses of antibiotics with durations up to 6-12 months. Surgical intervention as an adjuvant treatment has been shown to reduce the length of antibiotic treatment significantly to 4 weeks.

Effects of tumor staging and treatment modality on functional outcome and quality of life after treatment for laryngeal cancer.

Background: An earlier stage of primary disease at diagnosis is associated with better survival from laryngeal cancer. It remains unproven whether earlier stage is also associated with improved end-organ function and quality of life after treatment.

Methods: Questionnaire packs were posted to 250 patients with laryngeal cancer treated between January 2006 and December 2008 within the West of Scotland.

Audit of CT scanning of paranasal sinuses in patients referred with facial pain.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) scans are performed by some clinicians in the belief that they are a useful primary investigation in patients with facial pain.

Objective: To assess the appropriateness and outcome of sinuses CT scans in patients with facial pain based on the European Position Paper on Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) 2007 guideline and International Headache Society (IHS) criteria for diagnosing and investigating rhinosinusitis.

Methodology: The first cycle of audit was performed on 50 patients with facial pain who underwent CT scanning.

Voice, swallowing, and quality of life after total laryngectomy: results of the west of Scotland laryngectomy audit.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of radiotherapy and surgical voice restoration on functional outcome after total laryngectomy.

Methods: Questionnaire packs were posted to all 258 laryngectomy patients in the West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network. Packs contained the Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS), MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL).

Cervicomastoidfacial versus modified facelift incision for parotid surgery: a patient feedback comparison.

Introduction: Traditionally, the cervicomastoidfacial (CMF) incision is used to excise benign tumours of the parotid gland. The rhytidectomy or modified facelift (MF) incision allows an alternative approach which leaves no visible neck scar. The objective of this study was to establish the frequency of each surgical approach used and identify any difference in complication and patient satisfaction between the two incisions for benign conditions of the parotid gland.