Artificial Intelligence for Diagnosis in Otologic Patients: Is It Ready to Be Your Doctor?

Objective: Investigate the precision of language-model artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosing conditions by contrasting its predictions with diagnoses made by board-certified otologic/neurotologic surgeons using patient-described symptoms.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Binocular microscopes versus exoscopes: Experiences and performance in simulated otologic surgery.

Objectives: Exoscopes represent a promising alternative to conventional binocular microscopes (OM) in otology offering potential advantages such as enhanced ergonomics and a more compact device design. While previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of exoscopes in various surgical specialties, their objective assessment in the field of otology remains limited. Therefore, this investigation aims to assess task-based efficiency associated with exoscopes in the field of otology by use of simulated surgical models.

The Use of Antioxidants in the Prevention and Treatment of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.

As of today, there are no therapeutic measures for the prevention or treatment of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The current preventative measures, including avoidance and personal protective hearing equipment, do not appear to be sufficient because there is an increasing number of people with NIHL, especially in the adolescent population. Therefore, we must find a therapy that prevents the impact of noise on hearing.

Development and validation of an instrument to evaluate medical students' lifestyle.

Introduction: It is required to have validated instruments in health science students that identify unhealthy habits and assess the impact of educational interventions and programs aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Objective: To evaluate the validity and reliability of an instrument to measure medical students' lifestyles.

Methods: A lifestyle questionnaire was developed using the Delphi technique by a group of experts.

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis as a Cause of Sudden-Onset Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Case Report and Recommendations for Initial Assessment.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a severe systemic vasculitis that commonly affects the paranasal sinuses, upper and lower respiratory tracts, and kidneys. GPA has also been associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), through inflammation of the cochlear apparatus. Early recognition, diagnostic laboratory evaluation, and appropriate treatment are essential to improve outcomes and achieve remission for patients with GPA.

Aortic adventitial thickness as a marker of aortic atherosclerosis, vascular stiffness, and vessel remodeling in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: There is limited human imaging data on the association of adventitial thickness (AT) with arterial disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypical disease model for studying markers of premature arterial disease.

Objective: To determine if increased aortic AT is associated with aortic atherosclerosis [increased intima media thickness (IMT) or plaques], stiffness [increased pressure-strain elastic modulus (PSEM)], and vessel remodeling.

Can Diagnostic and Therapeutic Arthrocentesis Be Successfully Performed in the Flexed Knee?

Background/objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether the extended or flexed knee positioning was superior for arthrocentesis and whether the flexed knee positioning could be improved by mechanical compression.

Methods: Fifty-five clinically effusive knees underwent arthrocentesis in a quality improvement intervention: 20 consecutive knees in the extended knee position using the superolateral approach, followed by 35 consecutive knees in the flexed knee position with and without an external compression brace placed on the suprapatellar bursa. Arthrocentesis success and fluid yield in milliliters were measured.

Outcomes and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injection of the trochanteric bursa.

We hypothesized that ultrasound (US) guidance improves outcomes of corticosteroid injection of trochanteric bursitis. 40 patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome defined by pain to palpation over the trochanteric bursa were randomized to injection with 5 ml of 1% lidocaine and 80 mg of methylprednisolone using (1) conventional anatomic landmark palpation guidance or (2) US guidance. Procedural pain (Visual Analogue Pain Scale), pain at outcome (2 weeks and 6 months), therapeutic duration, time-to-next intervention, and costs were determined.

Three-vessel coronary artery aneurysmal disease complicated by multivessel thrombosis and cardiogenic shock: the saving role of intracoronary thrombolysis.

The benefit of intracoronary thrombolytics in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not well established. Mainstays of STEMI management include intravenous thrombolytics, percutaneous coronary interventions and surgical revascularisation. However, in cases of STEMI secondary to coronary artery aneurysmal disease (CAAD), standard treatment options may not be suitable due to high thrombus burden, perioperative risk and factors unique to each patient.

Improvement in diagnostic and therapeutic arthrocentesis via constant compression.

We hypothesized that constant compression of the knee would mobilize residual synovial fluid and promote successful arthrocentesis. Two hundred and ten knees with grade II-III osteoarthritis were included in this paired design study: (1) conventional arthrocentesis was performed with manual compression and success and volume (milliliters) determined; and (2) the intra-articular needle was left in place, and a circumferential elastomeric brace was tightened on the knee to provide constant compression. Arthrocentesis was attempted again and additional fluid volume was determined.

Ventricular Septal Defect from Aortic Regurgitation Jet Lesion in Aortic Valve Infective Endocarditis.

Aortic valve infective endocarditis (IE) can be complicated with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) jet-related lesions such as vegetations, pseudoaneurysms, aneurysms or perforations on the anterior mitral leaflet. Herein is reported the case of a 69-year-old male with culture-negative aortic valve endocarditis complicated with aortic valve perforations resulting in severe and eccentric AR and an AR jet-related ventricular septal defect (VSD). Neither transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) nor two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) were unable to clearly discriminate an aorto-right ventricular fistula from a VSD.

Inflammatory and Vasoactive Effects of Serum Following Inhalation of Varied Complex Mixtures.

Chronic cardiovascular disease is associated with air pollution exposure in epidemiology and toxicology studies. Inhaled toxicants can induce changes in serum bioactivity that impact endothelial inflammatory gene expression in vitro and impair vasorelaxation ex vivo, which are common precursors to atherosclerosis. Comparisons between single pollutants and common combustion mixtures, in terms of driving such serum inflammatory and vasoactive effects, have not been characterized.

Negative pleural suction in thoracic trauma patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The study aimed to establish the benefits of using chest tubes with negative pleural suction against trapped water in patients with penetrating or blunt chest trauma who underwent tube thoracostomy, in terms of the incidence of complications, such as persistent air leak, clotted hemothorax, empyema, and duration of stay.

Methods: Patients who underwent tube thoracostomy because of traumatic pneumothorax, hemothorax, or hemopneumothorax were randomly assigned into one of two groups: in Group 1, the three-bottle drainage system was connected to a negative suction; in Group 2, no suction was given. Patients who required mechanical ventilation or emergency surgery (thoracotomy or thoracoscopy) either at the time of admission to the institution or immediately after the tube thoracostomy, patients who had histories of thoracic procedures or chronic pulmonary diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diffuse interstitial lung disease), and patients with multiple injuries with severe traumatic brain injury and a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score less than 8 of 15 were excluded from the study.