Damaging variants in FOXI3 cause microtia and craniofacial microsomia.

Purpose: Craniofacial microsomia (CFM) represents a spectrum of craniofacial malformations, ranging from isolated microtia with or without aural atresia to underdevelopment of the mandible, maxilla, orbit, facial soft tissue, and/or facial nerve. The genetic causes of CFM remain largely unknown.

Methods: We performed genome sequencing and linkage analysis in patients and families with microtia and CFM of unknown genetic etiology.

Comparison of Inlay Cartilage Butterfly and Underlay Temporal Fascia Tympanoplasty.

Objective: To systematically review the results of inlay cartilage butterfly tympanoplasty and standard underlay temporal fascia tympanoplasty for anatomic and functional end points.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Virtual Health Library (VHL/Lilacs) databases were searched from inception through April 2, 2021. No restrictions on language, publication year, or publication status were applied.

Comparison between endoscopic and microscopic butterfly cartilage graft inlay tympanoplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of endoscopic and microscopic approaches for butterfly cartilage graft inlay tympanoplasty regarding anatomical and hearing outcomes through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A search of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Virtual Health Library was performed from inception to July 3rd, 2021, using keywords, such as tympanoplasty, cartilage graft, and inlay technique. Data from articles that met inclusion criteria were extracted by two authors independently.

An ancient founder mutation located between and is responsible for increased microtia risk in Amerindigenous populations.

Microtia is a congenital malformation that encompasses mild hypoplasia to complete loss of the external ear, or pinna. Although the contribution of genetic variation and environmental factors to microtia remains elusive, Amerindigenous populations have the highest reported incidence. Here, using both transmission disequilibrium tests and association studies in microtia trios (parents and affected child) and microtia cohorts enrolled in Latin America, we map an ∼10-kb microtia locus (odds ratio = 4.

Longitudinal Study of Analgesic Use and Risk of Incident Persistent Tinnitus.

Background: Persistent tinnitus is common, disabling, and difficult to treat. High-dose aspirin may precipitate tinnitus, but longitudinal data on typical dose aspirin and other analgesics are scarce.

Objective: To investigate independent associations of aspirin, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen and risk of incident persistent tinnitus.

Online Otolaryngology: A Comprehensive Model for Medical Student Engagement in the Virtual Era and Beyond.

When in-person experiences were taken away from medical students and residency applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions had to pivot to virtual experiences. We present here a comprehensive overview of virtual engagement for medical students. As we increasingly embrace virtual opportunities, it may be possible to continue utilizing these programs for many years to come.

Osteoporosis, bisphosphonate use, and risk of moderate or worse hearing loss in women.

Background: Osteoporosis and low bone density (LBD) may be associated with higher risk of hearing loss, but findings are inconsistent and longitudinal data are scarce. Bisphosphonates may influence risk, but the relation has not been studied in humans. We longitudinally investigated associations of osteoporosis and LBD, bisphosphonate use, vertebral fracture (VF), hip fracture (HF), and risk of self-reported moderate or worse hearing loss.

Tinnitus and 3-Year Change in Audiometric Hearing Thresholds.

Objectives: Tinnitus and hearing loss commonly coexist, however, the temporal relation between tinnitus and hearing loss is complex and not fully understood. Our objective was to examine the longitudinal association between persistent tinnitus, bothersome tinnitus, and 3-year elevation of audiometric hearing thresholds.

Design: We conducted a longitudinal cohort study among 3106 women (mean age 59 years) who were participants in the Nurses' Health Study II (2012-2018).

Improving Mortality Attribution in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

Objective/hypothesis: Mortality attribution can have significant implications for reimbursement, hospital/department rankings, and perceptions of safety. This work seeks to compare the accuracy of externally assigned diagnosis-related group (DRG)-based service line mortality attribution in otolaryngology to an internal review process that assigns mortality to the teams that cared for a patient during hospitalization.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Cigarette Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and Risk of Hearing Loss in Women.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated higher risk of hearing loss among cigarette smokers, but longitudinal data on whether the risk is influenced by smoking cessation are limited. We prospectively investigated relations between smoking, smoking cessation, and risk of self-reported moderate or worse hearing loss among 81,505 women in the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2013).

Methods: Information on smoking and hearing status was obtained from validated biennial questionnaires.

Factors Associated With Patient Satisfaction After Nasal Breathing Surgery.

This cohort study examines subjective patient-reported outcomes after nasal breathing surgery and identifies factors associated with patients’ perception of the procedure’s value.

Same-Day Patient Consultation and Cochlear Implantation: Innovations in Patient-Centered Health Care Delivery.

Objective: To develop and implement a streamlined, patient-centered service delivery model for patients referred for cochlear implantation (CI) at a high-volume academic center.

Patients: CI candidate adults.

Interventions: CI, implementation of new CI delivery model.

Prospective Study of Dietary Patterns and Hearing Threshold Elevation.

We conducted a prospective study of dietary patterns and longitudinal change in audiometric hearing thresholds among 3,135 women (mean age = 59 years) in the Nurses' Health Study II (2012-2018). Diet adherence scores for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and Alternate Mediterranean (AMED) diets and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010) were calculated using validated food-frequency questionnaires. Baseline and 3-year follow-up hearing sensitivities were assessed by pure-tone audiometry at 19 US sites.

Type 2 diabetes and the risk of incident hearing loss.

Aims/hypothesis: Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been implicated as a risk factor for hearing loss, with possible mechanisms including microvascular disease, acoustic neuropathy or oxidative stress. A few small studies have examined the longitudinal association between type 2 diabetes and hearing loss, but larger studies are needed. Our objective was to examine whether type 2 diabetes (including diabetes duration) is associated with incident hearing loss in two prospective cohorts: Nurses' Health Studies (NHS) I and II.

Adherence to Healthful Dietary Patterns Is Associated with Lower Risk of Hearing Loss in Women.

Background: Specific nutrients have been associated with hearing status, but associations between healthful dietary patterns and risk of hearing loss have not been prospectively evaluated.

Objective: We sought to prospectively examine the relations between adherence to the Alternate Mediterranean diet (AMED), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), and risk of hearing loss.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal cohort study (1991-2013) of 81,818 women in the Nurses' Health Study II, aged 27-44 y at baseline.

Menopause and postmenopausal hormone therapy and risk of hearing loss.

Objective: Menopause may be a risk factor for hearing loss, and postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) has been proposed to slow hearing decline; however, there are no large prospective studies. We prospectively examined the independent relations between menopause and postmenopausal HT and risk of self-reported hearing loss.

Methods: Prospective cohort study among 80,972 women in the Nurses' Health Study II, baseline age 27 to 44 years, followed from 1991 to 2013.

Treatment of experimental status epilepticus with synergistic drug combinations.

During status epilepticus (SE), synaptic γ-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABA Rs) become internalized and inactive, whereas spare N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) assemble, move to the membrane, and become synaptically active. When treatment of SE is delayed, the number of synaptic GABA Rs is drastically reduced, and a GABA agonist cannot fully restore inhibition. We used a combination of low-dose diazepam (to stimulate the remaining GABA Rs), ketamine (to mitigate the effect of the NMDAR increase), and valproate (to enhance inhibition at a nonbenzodiazepine site) to treat seizures in a model of severe cholinergic SE.

Duration of Analgesic Use and Risk of Hearing Loss in Women.

Aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID), and acetaminophen are commonly used. Frequent use of analgesics has been associated with a higher risk of hearing loss. However, the association between duration of analgesic use and the risk of hearing loss is unclear.

Prospective Study of Gastroesophageal Reflux, Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and H2-Receptor Antagonists, and Risk of Hearing Loss.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common and often treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2-receptor antagonists (H2-RAs). GERD has been associated with exposure of the middle ear to gastric contents, which could cause hearing loss. Treatment of GERD with PPIs and H2-RAs may decrease exposure of the middle ear to gastric acid and decrease the risk of hearing loss.

Benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus: pathophysiology and principles of treatment.

Cholinergic status epilepticus (CSE) quickly becomes self-sustaining, independent of its initial trigger, and resistant to benzodiazepines and other antiepileptic drugs. We review a few of the many physiological changes associated with CSE, with an emphasis on receptor trafficking. Time-dependent internalization of synaptic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors explains, in part, the loss of inhibition and the loss of response to benzodiazepines in the early stages of CSE.

Incorporating Postoperative Debriefing Into Surgical Education.

Purpose: We investigated the feasibility and utility of a postoperative "debriefing" process to improve the educational value of surgical procedures.

Methods: Residents provided a baseline preintervention assessment of personal and attending surgeon current practice for seeking and receiving feedback on performance after an operative case. Surgeons subsequently were educated (the intervention) about the purpose and content of the postoperative debriefing initiative.

Hypertension, Diuretic Use, and Risk of Hearing Loss.

Background: Hearing loss is highly prevalent among adults in the United States. Hypertension also is common and often treated with diuretics. Hypertension may increase the risk of hearing loss by decreasing vascular supply to the stria vascularis.

Surgeon Awareness of Operating Room Supply Costs.

Background: The extent to which surgeons understand costs associated with expensive operative procedures remains unclear. The goal of the study was to better understand surgeon cost awareness of operating room supplies and implants.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of faculty (n = 24) and trainees (fellow and residents, n = 27) in the Department of Otolaryngology.

Carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate and risk of self-reported hearing loss in women.

Background: Higher intake of certain vitamins may protect against cochlear damage from vascular compromise and oxidative stress, thereby reducing risk of acquired hearing loss, but data are limited.

Objective: We prospectively examined the relation between carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate intake and risk of self-reported hearing loss in women.

Design: This prospective cohort study followed 65,521 women in the Nurses' Health Study II from 1991 to 2009.