Repeat Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation Outcomes in Adults With Chronic Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.

Objective: With increased focus on surgical management of the eustachian tube, clarifying management decisions benefits patients and surgeons. In this study, we examine the value of repeating the balloon dilation of the eustachian tube (BDET) procedure in patients who did not improve after the initial BDET.

Study Design: Level IV retrospective review of 145 BDETs performed on 86 patients between January 1, 2014, and May 1, 2019, identified 10 patients who underwent BDET more than once.

Middle Turbinate Friendly Technique for Cribriform Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair.

Objective: To compare surgical outcomes between 2 techniques for cribriform cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) repair with middle turbinate preservation (MTP) vs middle turbinate resection (MTR). A secondary outcome is to examine the effectiveness of collagen dura matrix (CDM) as a grafting material for repair of isolated cribriform skull base defects.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review was performed of consecutive patients who underwent cribriform CSF repair at Emory University over the past 15 years.

Topical Drug Therapies for Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is recognized as an inflammatory syndrome involving the nose and paranasal sinuses of multifactorial etiology. Research has demonstrated a complex interplay between host factors, microbiota, environmental exposures, and epigenetics resulting in chronic mucosal inflammation. The mainstay of medical therapy addresses this inflammation.

Assessing asthma in the otolaryngologist's office.

Purpose Of Review: To familiarize otolaryngologists and other practitioners with basic diagnosis and treatment of asthma in adults and children based on current literature.

Recent Findings: Increased fractional excretion of nitrous oxide and sputum eosinophils have been identified in asthmatic patients being evaluated for chronic cough and appear to be more sensitive in diagnosis than traditional spirometry. Both sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy modalities are effective in decreasing symptoms and medication use in patients with allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.

Implementation of a Pediatric Posttonsillectomy Pain Protocol in a Large Group Practice.

Objective: In response to the increased risk of respiratory failure and death after tonsillectomy related to codeine use, Kaiser Permanente Northwest restricted use of opioids in patients <7 years old via electronic health record (EHR). However, opioids could be prescribed at physician discretion by overriding the EHR. This study aims to examine protocol compliance in a large group practice using EHR order sets and complication rates as compared with historical data.

Health utility outcomes in patients undergoing medical management for chronic rhinosinusitis: a prospective multiinstitutional study.

Background: A health utility value represents an individual's preference for living in a specific health state and is used in cost-utility analyses. This study investigates the impact of continuing medical therapy on health utility outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods: The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-6D (SF-6D) questionnaire was administered to patients prospectively enrolled in a longitudinal study examining treatment outcomes for CRS.