Levels of evidence in otolaryngology journals.

Objective: To identify trends in clinical research and levels of evidence in otolaryngology journals.

Study Design And Setting: We reviewed all original research articles from 1993, 1998, and 2003, in 4 major otolaryngology journals. Levels of evidence were graded 1 (strongest) through 5 (weakest).

Satisfaction and gender issues in otolaryngology residency.

Objective: To evaluate the otolaryngology residency experience with attention to operative experience, career guidance, and gender.

Study Design And Setting: Otolaryngology residents were anonymously surveyed by mail about their residency experience. The 22-item survey was scored on a 5-point ordinal Likert scale.

Tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis for benign tracheal stenosis.

To review our experience with tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis for tracheal stenosis, we performed a retrospective review at a tertiary-care academic medical center. Twenty-eight patients underwent circumferential tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis by 2 attending otolaryngologists from 1989 to 2002. Patients were excluded if they were under 12 years of age or if the surgical indication was tracheal or thyroid neoplasm.

Yantar, a conserved arginine-rich protein is involved in Drosophila hemocyte development.

To identify novel factors involved in Drosophila hematopoiesis, we screened a collection of lethal recessive mutations that also affected normal hemocyte composition in larvae. We present the characterization of the gene yantar (ytr) for which we isolated null and hypomorphic mutations that were associated with severe defects in hemocyte differentiation and proliferation; ytr is predominantly expressed in the hematopoietic tissue during larval development and encodes an evolutionary conserved protein which is predominantly localized in the nucleus. The hematopoietic phenotype in ytr mutants is consistent with a defect or block in differentiation of precursor hemocytes: mutant larvae have enlarged lymph glands (LGs) and have an excess of circulating hemocytes.

Recurrence rates after endoscopic sinus surgery for massive sinus polyposis.

Background And Objectives: Most studies on outcome after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) include patients with varying degrees of disease severity. Recurrence rates cited by those studies may not apply to the subset of patients with severe polyposis. Our aim is to provide reference information for recurrence rates and need for revision surgery in patients with severe disease.

Chiari Type I malformation and upper airway obstruction in adolescents.

Chiari Type I malformation is characterized by cerebellar tonsil herniation through the foramen magnum. Manifestations may include new-onset upper airway obstruction. We describe two patients who had bilateral vocal cord paralysis and Chiari Type I malformation.

Outcomes in suction coagulator adenoidectomy.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of suction coagulator adenoidectomy relative to adenoid size and to document patient-based outcomes and satisfaction with surgery.

Design: Historical cohort study.

Setting: Referral-based academic pediatric otolaryngology practice.