Assessing the Quality of Patient Information for Vestibular Schwannoma on the Open Source Video Sharing Platform YouTube.

Background: Patients frequently use the internet to gain information and make decisions about their health conditions. This work aims to assess the quality of information about Vestibular Schwannoma on a popular video sharing platform, YouTube (Alphabet Inc.).

The role of topical N-acetylcysteine in ocular therapeutics.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was first discovered as a mucolytic agent in 1960. We investigate the role of topical NAC in ocular therapeutics, including its mechanism of action, current applications, and adverse effects. A systematic search of peer-reviewed articles identified 106 references including in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies on the use of NAC in the treatment of ocular diseases.

Effect of age and gender in non-smokers with oral squamous cell carcinoma: Multi-institutional study.

Background: In developing countries, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is predominantly a cancer affecting older males who smoke tobacco. In countries with effective public health strategies, smoking rates are declining rapidly. It is not clear if patients who develop OSCC without these traditional risk factors represent a clinically distinct cohort with different prognosis.

Young age is not a predictor of disease specific survival in oral cancer: A multi-institutional study.

Background: Over the last few decades evidence has accumulated for increasing incidence of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in a younger cohort. Prior studies examining the effect of age at diagnosis on prognosis have produced conflicting data.

Methods: A multi-institutional cohort study was performed across 6 different sites in Australia, Canada, India and Singapore.

Dysphagia rates in single- and multiple-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery: a meta-analysis.

Background: To conduct a meta-analysis to assess dysphagia complicating single-level and multiple-level (≥2) anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery.

Methods: Electronic searches were performed using four electronic databases from their inception to December 2017. Relevant studies reporting the rate of dysphagia as an endpoint for patients undergoing ACDF for degenerative disease, myelopathy, cervical canal stenosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were identified according to prior inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury following single- and multiple-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a meta-analysis.

Background: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is a common and potentially debilitating complication of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The relationship between the risk of RLN palsy and the number of operated levels remains unclear, and no previous studies address potential differences between short- and long-term RLN injury following ACDF.

Methods: Electronic searches of PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar were performed from database inception to June 2019.

Ventilatory support in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are blistering cutaneous disorders that often manifest with epidermal and mucosal necrosis. In extreme cases, the upper or bronchial airways are threatened, necessitating intubation and mechanical ventilation. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the prevalence of mechanical ventilation (MV) in patients with SJS or TENS, despite maximal medical therapy, and additionally aims to identify the risk factors associated with this requirement.

Recurrence rates following surgical excision of periocular basal cell carcinomas: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) remain one of the most common non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). Surgical options include primary excision with predetermined margins, frozen section controlled excision, and Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). There is no randomized study comparing recurrence rates between different surgical techniques for periocular BCCs.

Efficacy of fine focal spot technique in CT angiography of neck.

Objectives: Focal spot size partially defines spatial resolution of a CT system. Many CT tubes have two focal spot sizes, with the finer one allowing more detailed imaging at the cost of photon intensity and increased heat production. Improved X-ray technology and advancement of various generations of iterative reconstruction allow the use of fine focal spot technique in CT angiography.

Total intravenous versus inhalational anesthesia in endoscopic sinus surgery: A meta-analysis.

Objective: Achieving optimal intraoperative surgical field visibility and minimizing blood loss are two important parameters in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare two total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and inhalational anesthesia (IA) to determine if either conferred superior outcomes of these and other parameters based on randomized control trials (RCTs) only.

Methods: The recommended Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed, and searches of electronic databases from inception to September 2018 identified 157 articles for screening.

Does a stoma reduce the risk of anastomotic leak and need for re-operation following low anterior resection for rectal cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: There is a relatively high risk of anastomotic leak in low anterior resection (LAR), associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare diverting stoma no stoma for LAR in terms of leak rates, reoperations, mortality rates and complication rates.

Methods: We systematically performed electronic searches of databases Ovid Medline, PubMed, CCTR, CDSR, ACP Journal Club and DARE from inception to present.

Changing biological disease modifying treatment for paediatric uveitis in the real world.

Importance: Paediatric uveitis is a severe sight-threatening uveitis due to disease progression and treatment failure. Biological agents are a promising new treatment. This study provides real-world data on their use from Sydney, Australia.

Orbital Cellulitis and Secondary Angle Closure: A Rare Presentation of Choroidal Melanoma.

We describe a case of choroidal melanoma initially presenting with orbital cellulitis, fulminant conjunctival swelling, and secondary angle closure. Despite treatment with intravenous antibiotics, the patient's condition did not improve. With further investigations including ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging, a high-density lesion was found within the globe.

Closed Posterior Levator Advancement in Severe Ptosis.

Background: Repair of blepharoptosis from the posterior eyelid approach has usually been done utilizing a Müller's muscle-conjuctival resection (MMCR) or an "open sky" technique. We present a new technique to advance the levator muscle from the posterior-approach in a closed fashion that can be used in patients with severe involutional ptosis.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for consecutive patients with severe involutional blepharoptosis during a 6-year period treated by a single surgeon with a Closed Posterior Levator Advancement.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: To evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: Systematic literature review identifying RCTs comparing anti-VEGF agents to another treatment published before June 2016. Efficacy assessed by mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline at up to 2 years followup.

Comparing the outcomes of severe versus mild/moderate ptosis using closed posterior levator advancement.

Traditionally, posterior eyelid surgical approaches such as Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR) have been utilised with great success for mild cases of ptosis, with external levator approaches having been used for more severe cases of ptosis. We present a new technique which we label closed posterior levator advancement (CPLA) for the correction of all grades of ptosis. This article is a retrospective cohort study reviewing patients with mild, moderate, and severe ptosis over a 6-year period, treated by a single surgeon using CPLA.

Outcomes of Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients With Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder causing rigidity, bradykinesia, and tremor of the motor system. There is significant paucity of evidence regarding whether total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is of benefit in patients with both Parkinson's disease and osteoarthritis. We aimed to compare outcomes and complications of TKA between patients with Parkinson's disease and those without.

Full blood count as an ancillary test to support the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis.

Background: Temporal artery biopsy is considered the investigation of choice to diagnose definitively giant cell arteritis (GCA) in patients with compatible symptoms. However it is invasive and not completely sensitive. Serum markers, particularly erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), can be supportive, but are not definitive in individual cases.

Prospective study of Centurion versus Infiniti phacoemulsification systems: surgical and visual outcomes.

Aim: To evaluate surgical outcomes (SOs) and visual outcomes (VOs) in cataract surgery comparing the Centurion phacoemulsification system (CPS) with the Infiniti phacoemulsification system (IPS).

Methods: Prospective, consecutive study in a single-site private practice. Totally 412 patients undergoing cataract surgery with either the CPS using the 30-degree balanced tip (=207) or the IPS using the 30-degree Kelman tip (=205).

Adult Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis.

Adult degenerative lumbar scoliosis is a 3-dimensional deformity defined as a coronal deviation of greater than 10°. It causes significant pain and disability in the elderly. With the aging of the population, the incidence of adult degenerative lumbar scoliosis will continue to increase.

Atypical Pharyngeal Pouch Arising Bilaterally between the Hyoid Bone and Thyroid Cartilage.

. Pharyngoesophageal diverticuli are a common cause of dysphagia; they are associated with various morbidities and a decreased quality of life. There are several different types of the diverticuli, and they are divided based on the anatomical location of origin relative to the cricopharyngeal muscle; these include Zenker's, Killian-Jamieson's, and Laimer's diverticula.

Povidone-iodine 3-minute exposure time is viable in preparation for cataract surgery.

Purpose: Povidone-iodine (PI) is widely used to reduce the preoperative conjunctival bacterial load. This study aimed to evaluate the employment of PI 10% in an attempt to sterilize the ocular surface prior to cataract surgery, and to show that PI could be left in contact for 3 minutes. The viability of this exposure time in clinical practice, associated adverse events, and visual outcomes were documented.

Comparison of bleb morphology between trabeculectomy and deep sclerectomy using a clinical grading scale and anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Importance: The role of the filtration bleb for IOP management following trabeculectomy (TRAB) and deep sclerectomy (DS) in glaucoma is highlighted in this study.

Background: This study serves to analyse the bleb morphology and IOP using the Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale (IBAGS) and the anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) postoperatively and at 3 months.

Design: The retrospective study was performed by a single surgeon.