Initiation of acid suppression therapy for laryngomalacia.

Objective: Evidence supporting the use of acid suppression therapy (AST) for laryngomalacia (LM) is limited. The objective of this study was to determine if outpatient-initiated AST for LM was associated with symptom improvement, weight gain, and/or avoidance of surgery.

Methods: A retrospective cohort was reviewed at a tertiary-care children's hospital.

Predictive Utility of the Penetration-Aspiration Scale in Inter-Arytenoid Injection Augmentation.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine the utility of preoperative penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) scores and clinical findings on modified barium swallow (MBS) in predicting advancement of diet after interarytenoid injection augmentation (IAIA).

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 372 consecutive patients who underwent IAIA for pharyngeal dysphagia between 2009 and 2019 were initially identified.

Cost benefit of coblation versus electrocautery adenotonsillectomy for pediatric patients.

Introduction: Coblation and electrocautery are two common techniques used for adenotonsillectomy (T&A). Numerous studies have assessed surgical outcomes of coblation versus electrocautery and overall, postoperative complications are similar with the exception of a decrease in patient reported postoperative pain for coblation. Instrumentation required for coblation is significantly more expensive than that required for electrocautery.

Tympanostomy Tube Innovation: Advances in Device Material, Design, and Office-Based Technology.

Objectives: With tympanostomy tube insertion remaining the most common procedure performed in children to date, growing interests in minimizing both procedural costs and anesthetic exposure in the pediatric population have inspired innovation with respect to tympanostomy tubes. As such, we aim to discuss the current state of tympanostomy tube innovation including insertion devices, tube material, and design.

Methods: Computerized literature review.

Expansile Superabsorbent Polymer Ball Foreign Body in the Ear.

Background: Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are materials that can absorb large quantities of water. Small spherical SAPs are commonly marketed as toys for children.

Case Report: We report the case of a 4-year-old female who presented to a pediatric emergency department with a small, marble-sized SAP that was placed in her ear by herself during the course of play at daycare.

Dynamic tonsillar prolapse masquerading as paradoxical vocal fold movement dysfunction.

Introduction: Paradoxical vocal fold movement dysfunction (PVFMD) is a disorder in which the vocal folds involuntarily adduct during inspiration resulting in stridor, cough, dysphonia and dyspnea. Diagnosis of PVFMD is difficult given the episodic nature of the disorder and the often-normal laryngeal exam in between episodes. Moreover, additional sources of obstruction have been identified as sources of Periodic Occurrence of Laryngeal Obstruction (POLO).

Objective endoscopic findings in patients with recurrent croup: 10-year retrospective analysis.

Objective: (1) To determine the incidence and severity of subglottic stenosis on endoscopic evaluation in a pediatric population of patients with recurrent croup. (2) To determine the incidence of abnormal findings on bronchoalveolar lavage and esophageal biopsy in a pediatric population with recurrent croup.

Methods: Case series with historical chart review of clinical data for pediatric patients (age ≤18 years) at a tertiary care children's hospital who underwent endoscopic evaluation of the upper aerodigestive tract with a diagnosis of recurrent croup over a ten-year period (2002-2012).

Laryngomalacia and swallowing function in children.

Objectives/hypothesis: 1) To determine the prevalence of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia, 2) To ascertain whether severity of laryngomalacia influences the presence of swallowing dysfunction, and 3) To examine whether patients with medical comorbidities and laryngomalacia have a higher prevalence of swallowing dysfunction.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: All patients seen in the aerodigestive center at our institution between January 2007 and December 2012 with the diagnosis of laryngomalacia were included.

Role of polysomnography in the development of an algorithm for planning tracheostomy decannulation.

Objective: To examine the role of polysomnography (PSG) in helping determine readiness of tracheostomized patients for decannulation.

Study Design: Case series with chart review of pediatric patients who underwent PSG with tracheostomy tube in place with the goal of decannulation.

Setting: Tertiary care pediatric center.

Aortopexy for innominate artery tracheal compression in children.

Objectives: (1) Evaluate the presentation, diagnostic workup, and outcomes of contemporary surgical intervention for airway obstruction from innominate artery tracheal compression in children. (2) Assess the significance of synchronous airway lesions in the treatment of innominate artery tracheal compression.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Endoscopic anterior cricoid split with balloon dilation in infants with failed extubation.

Subglottic injury (SGI) is a known complication of prolonged intubation in neonates and infants and can lead to failed extubation. SGI is a spectrum that includes mucosal edema, ulceration, granulation perichondritis, and mature scar formation. Although medical management aimed at treating mucosal edema and extraesophageal reflux is successful in treating a majority of patients, some require surgical intervention to successfully achieve extubation.

Injection laryngoplasty for type 1 laryngeal cleft in children.

Objective: To review the 2-year, single-institution experience with injection laryngoplasty for diagnosis and treatment of type 1 laryngeal clefts (LC-1).

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary care academic children's hospital.

Injection medialization laryngoplasty in children.

Objective: To review our experience with vocal fold injection medialization in children.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Tertiary care academic children's hospital.

Otolaryngologic uses for spinal drains.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae have been encountered by otolaryngologists often since the advent of modern endoscopic sinus surgery, otologic surgery, and skull base surgery. Treatment of CSF leaks may include bed rest, head-of-bed elevation, stool softeners, external spinal fluid drainage, and surgery. External CSF drainage is accomplished via a lumbar spinal drain.