The aging physician and surgeon.

As the population of aging physicians increases, methods of assessing physicians' cognitive function and predicting clinically significant changes in clinical performance become increasingly important. Although several approaches have been suggested, no evaluation system is accepted or utilized widely. This article reviews literature using MEDLINE, PubMed, and other sources.

Efficacy of allograft fascia lata in tympanic membrane repair.

We conducted a retrospective study to determine the efficacy of allograft fascia lata in both primary and revision tympanic membrane surgery (myringoplasty). Our patient population included 64 patients-31 men and 33 women, aged 19 to 98 years (mean: 49.5)-who had undergone tympanic membrane surgery with allograft fascia lata.

Laryngotracheal mucormycosis: Report of a case.

Airway mucormycosis is a deadly opportunistic infection that affects immunocompromised persons, particularly diabetics and those undergoing chemotherapy. Although it is typically a pulmonary or sinonasal infection, mucormycosis can affect the larynx and trachea, with devastating results. We report the case of a 46-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus infection, hepatitis C infection, neurosyphilis, and recently diagnosed Burkitt lymphoma who presented with dysphonia and stridor after receiving one dose of intrathecal chemotherapy.

The Effects of Hormonal Contraception on the Voice: History of Its Evolution in the Literature.

Objectives: Women of reproductive age commonly use hormonal contraceptives, the vocal effects of which have been studied. Otolaryngologists should be aware of this relationship to make recommendations on hormonal contraception as it relates to each patient's voice requirements.

Methods/design: A comprehensive literature review of PubMed was completed.

A Comparison of Initial and Subsequent Follow-Up Strobovideolaryngoscopic Examinations in Singers.

Objectives: Previous studies have identified abnormal findings in up to 86.1% of singers on initial screening strobovideolaryngoscopy (SVL) examinations. No studies have compared the prevalence of abnormalities in singers on their subsequent follow-up SVL.

The Effect of Microphone Type on Acoustical Measures of Synthesized Vowels.

Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare microphones of different directionality, transducer type, and cost, with attention to their effects on acoustical measurements of period perturbation, amplitude perturbation, and noise using synthesized sustained vowel samples.

Study Design: This was a repeated measures design.

Method: Synthesized sustained vowel stimuli (with known acoustic characteristics and systematic changes in jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio) were recorded by a variety of dynamic and condenser microphones.

Sulcus Vocalis (Type III): Prevalence and Strobovideolaryngoscopy Characteristics.

Objectives: The reported prevalence of sulcus vocalis (SV)/type III, a pathologic groove in the vibratory margin of the vocal fold, varies greatly in the literature. Difficulties in visualizing the defect and a variety of descriptions have complicated the evaluation of SV. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of SV by reviewing strobovideolaryngoscopy (SVL) examinations in subjects with and without dysphonia.

Acoustic neuroma: An investigation of associations between tumor size and diagnostic delays, facial weakness, and surgical complications.

We conducted a retrospective case review to ascertain the clinical characteristics associated with acoustic neuromas and their treatment. Our study population was made up of 96 patients-41 men and 55 women, aged 17 to 84 years (mean: 54)-who had undergone treatment for acoustic neuromas and for whom necessary data were available. We compiled data on presenting symptoms, the interval from symptom onset to diagnosis, tumor size at diagnosis, facial weakness, the interval from diagnosis to surgery, the type of surgical approach, and surgical complications.

Resident editorial board members.

We were not surprised by the fact that many of the residents' reviews were insightful and added valuable observations used in the decision-making process.