Sound Localization in Active Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implant Users with Single-Sided Deafness.

Objective: Evaluate sound localization accuracy of subjects with single-sided deafness (SSD) with active transcutaneous bone conduction implants (atBCIs).

Study Design: Prospective case-control study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Metastasis to the External Auditory Canal: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To systematically review the literature and understand the behavior, diagnosis, management, and mortality of metastasis to the external auditory canal (EAC).

Databases Reviewed: PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science.

Methods: Studies from 1948 to June 2023 describing metastasis to the EAC were included.

Auditory Localization Performance in Cochlear Implant Recipients With Single-Sided Deafness: The Challenges and Limitations of Current Outcome Metrics.

Hypothesis: Acoustic localization accuracy metrics currently employed in clinical literature both overestimate and underestimate performance benefit of cochlear implantation (CI) for single-sided deafness (SSD).

Background: Although localization in SSD with CI has been investigated, performance characterization has relied heavily on average error. Although attractively concise, this measure may misrepresent performance.

A deployable curriculum with 3D printed skills trainers for altered airway management.

Background: Altered Airway Anatomy (AAA), including tracheostomies and laryngectomies, may represent an area of unease for non-Otolaryngology trainees, due to a lack of exposure, structured education, or dedicated training in altered airway management. Inability to effectively stabilize an altered airway is associated with significant risk of patient morbidity and mortality. This study aims to assess the efficacy of a concise curriculum using three-dimensional (3D) printed airway models for skill training in improving Anesthesiology trainees' competency in AAA management.

Reduction in inpatient readmissions following implementation of a dedicated tracheostomy care team.

Objective: Pediatric tracheostomy patients are at risk for lengthy hospitalizations and multiple readmissions with rare but potentially disastrous tracheostomy-related complications. Several centers have formed multidisciplinary teams for pediatric tracheostomy patients to coordinate care and enhance caregiver education to aid in safe care delivery. Current literature has shown encouraging change in pediatric tracheostomy care with these interventions, but there remains an opportunity to better gauge alterations of morbidity.

The Effect of Anonymity on Quality of Resident Feedback.

Objective: Quality feedback is critical to facilitate better performance and quicker learning. However, faculty may be hesitant to provide quality constructive feedback, especially in written form, due to fear of retaliation. We evaluated the impact of faculty anonymity on the quality of faculty-to-resident feedback.

Creation of a Student-Run Medical Education Podcast: Tutorial.

Background: Podcasting has become a popular medium for medical education content. Educators and trainees of all levels are turning to podcasts for high-quality, asynchronous content. Although numerous medical education podcasts have emerged in recent years, few student-run podcasts exist.

A Report on the Use of Telehealth in Otolaryngology in the Pre COVID-19 Era.

To investigate the integration of and barriers to the utilization of telehealth technology and its components (telemedicine, e-Health, m-health) in daily otolaryngologic practice before the SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary academic center. A national survey of members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery was administered.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Time to Decannulation Among Children With Tracheostomies.

Objective: To determine if time to tracheostomy decannulation differs among children by socioeconomic status.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary pediatric medical center.

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation: Outcomes in Veterans with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Common Comorbid Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Objectives/hypothesis: Veterans have an increasing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and high levels of intolerance to positive airway pressure (PAP). The hypoglossal nerve stimulator (HNS) is a promising alternative surgical treatment for OSA in these patients, many of whom suffer from mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that may negatively affect their ability to use PAP. Our aims were: 1) to assess postoperative changes in OSA severity and sleepiness in a veteran only population after HNS; 2) to compare postoperative changes in OSA severity, sleepiness and HNS adherence between veterans with and without PTSD; and 3) to compare HNS adherence in our population to HNS adherence in the current literature as well as published PAP adherence data.

Unbiased Measure of General Quality of Life in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Reveals Disease Modifiers.

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is associated with a significant decrease in general health-related quality of life (QOL). The EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire measures general health-related quality of life through a health utility value (EQ-5D HUV)-based on five domains reflecting mobility, self-care, activities of daily life, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression-and an unbiased visual analog scale (EQ-5D VAS). We sought to identify characteristics of CRS patients with a high EQ-5D HUV but low EQ-5D VAS score.

Emotional and Personality Traits are Determinants of Activity Avoidance in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients.

Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), like other sinonasal diseases, may be associated with avoidance of daily activities. Our goal was to identify characteristics associated with avoidance of activities due to CRS.

Materials And Methods: A total of 194 CRS patients were recruited.

Montgomery's Aperture: An External Anatomic Landmark for Surgical Identification of the Anterior Commissure.

Objectives: This study evaluates the consistency of palpable identification of an external landmark for the anterior commissure (AC), termed Montgomery's aperture (MA), in cadaveric and surgical settings.

Methods: Part 1: In human cadaveric larynges, palpation of the external laryngeal framework was used to identify MA by three blinded otolaryngologists. The vertical height (VH) of the thyroid cartilage and distance from MA to the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage were measured, larynges were bisected, and the AC was identified and measured.

Use of Steroid-Eluting Stents after Endoscopic Repair of Choanal Atresia: A Case Series with Review.

Objective(s): To describe a single institution's experience with the use of steroid-eluting stents after endoscopic transnasal repair of choanal atresia.

Methods: A case series with review of children who underwent choanal atresia repair at a tertiary children's hospital from June 2017 to January 2018 was performed. Those who had a mometasone drug-eluting stent (Propel Mini, Intersect ENT Inc.

Association of the sinonasal bacterial microbiome with clinical outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review.

Background: The association between sinonasal microbiome and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is unclear. We performed a systematic review of prior studies evaluating the CRS microbiome in relation to clinical outcomes.

Methods: Computerized searches of PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE were updated through October 2019 revealing a total of 9 studies including 244 CRS patients.

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation in Veterans with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Objectives: The hypoglossal nerve stimulator (HNS) is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a relatively healthy subset of the population. Our aim was to determine the efficacy of HNS in a veteran population with a high incidence of chronic disease and mental health disorders. Our secondary aim was to compare subjective outcomes and adherence between veterans with and without mental health disorders.

Yolk Sac Tumors of the Head and Neck in Aicardi Syndrome.

Objectives: To understand that yolk sac tumors (YSTs) of the head and neck (H&N) are exceedingly rare and typically carry a poor prognosis. To acknowledge the possibility of increased incidence in patients with Aicardi Syndrome and the ramifications this has on early diagnosis and treatment in this population.

Methods: To date, four germ cells tumors of the H&N have been reported in patients with Aicardi Syndrome.

Dysphagia lusoria: problem or incidentaloma?

Purpose Of Review: To address the incidental versus pathogenic nature of dysphagia lusoria and to provide a review of the cause, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition with respect to recent literature.

Recent Findings: Case reports comprise the majority of recent literature concerning dysphagia lusoria. Many patients with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) have additional coexisting vascular anomalies.

Predictors of efficacy for combination oral and topical corticosteroids to treat patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Background: A short-course oral corticosteroid taper and topical intranasal corticosteroids may be used to maximize the success of medical management for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). In this study, we sought to identify characteristics that would be predictive of efficacy for this combination regimen.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with CRS, bilateral polyps, a polyp score of at least 3, and a 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) score ≥20 were prospectively enrolled and uniformly treated with a 15-day prednisone taper and twice daily dilute budesonide irrigations.

Female Representation in Otolaryngology Leadership Roles.

Objectives/hypothesis: Characterization of leadership within otolaryngology is key to evaluating trends and promoting program advancement. This study evaluates representation of women in otolaryngology holding residency and fellowship directorships, or chair positions, comparing sex differences in academic rank, years in practice, and scholarly activity.

Study Design: Cross sectional analysis.

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Outcomes for Patients Outside the U.S. FDA Recommendations.

Objectives: The hypoglossal nerve stimulator (HGNS) is currently approved for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of >15 to ≤65 events/hour, and a central apnea index (CAI) <25% of the AHI, no complete concentric collapse on drug-induced sleep endoscopy, and a recommended body mass index (BMI) <32 kg/m . We present 18 patients implanted as a salvage procedure despite being outside these guidelines.

Methods: We included all patients who underwent HGNS but who did not meet all FDA guidelines.