Improving readability and comprehension levels of otolaryngology patient education materials using ChatGPT.

Objective: A publicly available large language learning model platform may help determine current readability levels of otolaryngology patient education materials, as well as translate these materials to the recommended 6th-grade and 8th-grade reading levels.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis.

Setting: Online using large language learning model, ChatGPT.

Vocal Fold Paralysis Following Benign Thyroid Nodule Laser Thermal Ablation.

Laser thermal ablation (LTA) is an increasingly common procedure to treat benign and malignant thyroid nodules, allowing patients to avoid thyroidectomy. There are few reported postprocedural complications of LTA among patients with benign thyroid nodules. While vocal fold paralysis is a well-known potential complication after thyroidectomy, we present the first case report of vocal fold paralysis following LTA.

Use of the 445-nm Blue Laser for Management of Early Glottic Carcinoma: Preliminary 1-Year Results.

Objective: To analyze oncological efficacy and voice outcomes of the 445-nm blue laser (BL) in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma and compare results with the 532-nm potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser.

Study Design: Single institution, retrospective chart review.

Methods: All patients who underwent microlaryngoscopic KTP or BL laser excision of early glottic carcinoma from 2018 to the present day with at least 1-year follow-up were included.

Dysphagia as a predictor of voice handicap and voice restoration in unilateral vocal fold immobility.

Objective: Dysphagia is multifactorial in unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI). Severe dysphagia could indicate greater functional deficits in UVFI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of dysphagia with the need for surgical voice restoration in patients with UVFI.

Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Adult Laryngotracheal Stenosis.

Objectives: Sequelae of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) can be devastating, often necessitating tracheostomy. This study aims to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with LTS and identify risk factors for long-term tracheostomy dependence stratified by etiology.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 215 patients diagnosed with LTS from 09/01/2011 to 12/31/2020.

Cost-Effectiveness of Steroids for Prolonging the Surgery-Free Interval in Subglottic Stenosis.

Objectives: Repeat endoscopic dilation (ED) in the operating room for subglottic stenosis (SGS) remains an economic burden to patients. The cost-effectiveness (CE) of adjuvant serial intralesional steroid injections (SILSI) to prolong the surgery-free interval (SFI) in SGS patients requiring ED has yet to be studied.

Methods: Details of the cost of SILSI and ED were received from our tertiary academic center.

Vocal Fold Pathologies Among Undergraduate Singing Students In Three Different Genres.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the prevalence and incidence of vocal fold pathologies among undergraduate classical, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial music (CCM) students over two-time points.

Methods: This study is part of a longitudinal investigation. Videostroboscopic examinations were rated, with consensus among three of four expert blinded raters confirming the presence of pathology.

Clinical Predictors of Postintubation Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility.

 Iatrogenic bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI) often arises from posterior glottic stenosis (PGS) after endotracheal intubation, whereby posterior commissure mucosal disruption leads to fibrosis and ankylosis of the cricoarytenoid joints. Sequelae can be devastating, resulting in dyspnea, stridor, and death due to asphyxiation.  We sought to review features associated with PGS to better understand how to prevent this condition.

An Updated Review of Subglottic Stenosis: Etiology, Evaluation, and Management.

Purpose Of Review: To assimilate the newly published literature regarding subglottic stenosis (SGS), including basic science and translational research on mechanisms of etiology, clinical diagnostics, and therapeutic treatments.

Recent Findings: The role of inflammation in development of iatrogenic and idiopathic SGS (iSGS) is continuing to be studied. The IL-23/IL-17A inflammatory axis appears to be a potential mechanism for development of iSGS.

Identification of abstract features presented at the combined otolaryngology spring meeting predicting publication in impactful peer-reviewed journals.

Objectives: Review abstracts presented at the Combined Otolaryngology Society Meeting (COSM) to determine subsequent publication and identify abstract features predictive of publication in high impact journals.

Methods: A selection of abstracts accepted in the 2015 COSM scientific programs were retrospectively reviewed. MEDLINE searches via PubMed and Google Scholar were performed to determine publication rates.

Glottic Keratosis: Significance and Identification of Laryngoscopic Findings.

Objective: Glottic keratosis poses a challenge because a decision to biopsy must weigh the likelihood of dysplasia and cancer against the voice outcome after biopsy. We determined the significance of laryngoscopic findings and agreement among clinicians to identify those specific findings.

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Independence of Vocal Load From Vocal Pathology Across Singing Genres.

Objective: To investigate the extent to which vocal load is associated with previous diagnosis of a vocal pathology among four major genres of singers (primarily classical, primarily musical theatre (MT), classical and MT combined, and contemporary commercial music only).

Study Design: Cross sectional survey.

Methods/design: An anonymous online survey was sent out to about 1000 professional singers through convenience sampling to touring companies, opera companies, MT companies, agents, directors and musical directors.

Applying concurrent multidisciplinary care to gender affirmation in transgender women: A case series.

Gender affirmation surgeries, though important for many transgender persons, can be numerous. Combining surgeries, as presented in this case series, affords many benefits to patients without increasing risk or complications.

Quantifying Subjective and Objective Measures of Singing After Different Warm-Up Durations.

Background: Performing vocal warm-ups prior to singing repertoire has been shown to change the perceived quality and acoustic parameters of the voice. To date, there are no studies that specifically compare singers' and listeners' perceptions of vocal quality after various warm-up durations.

Objective: To determine if specific warm-up durations (0, 5, 10, or 15 minutes) change subjective and objective measures of voice.

Assessing the utility of non-surgical treatments in the management of vocal process granulomas.

Objective: To determine whether patients would have equivalent or improved outcomes when receiving non-surgical management versus surgical removal for vocal process granulomas.

Methods: A chart review was performed for 53 adults with vocal process granulomas. All patients received baseline anti-reflux treatment consisting of twice-daily proton pump inhibitors and vocal hygiene education.

Associations of Education and Training with Perceived Singing Voice Function Among Professional Singers.

Background: The educational backgrounds of professional singers vary greatly and span from no formal training to advanced degrees in music or theater. Consequently, professional singers have a wide range of knowledge regarding basic voice care. The objective of this study was to examine associations between singers' educational backgrounds, specifically their knowledge of vocal pedagogy and awareness of vocal health, and their perceptions of their current vocal function associated with singing.

Hispanic Ethnicity as a Predictor of Voice Therapy Adherence.

Background: Voice therapy is a well-studied, evidence-based treatment in the management of voice disorders, yet it is known that adherence rates are generally decreased due to a variety of identified factors. In light of this fact, a high rate of nonadherence to voice therapy has been anecdotally observed in the Hispanic community comprising a sizable portion of the patient population in South Florida.

Objective: We sought to analyze the rates of voice therapy attendance for patients who underwent treatment for benign vocal fold nodules at a single tertiary-care academic medical center.

Prevalence of Vocal Fold Pathologies Among First-Year Singing Students Across Genres.

Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to compare the prevalence of vocal fold pathologies among first-year singing students from the classical, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial music (CCM) genres.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Videostroboscopic examinations were rated by blinded expert raters.

Office-based corticosteroid injections as adjuvant therapy for subglottic stenosis.

Objective: Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening disorder that is difficult to treat due to significant recurrence rates. While conventional treatment of SGS relies heavily on serial endoscopic dilation procedures, this study aims to characterize the efficacy of incorporating subglottic corticosteroid injections in increasing surgery-free intervals (SFIs) for a cohort of patients at a university-based medical system.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Feminization of Transgender Women With Thyroid Chondroplasty and Laryngoplasty.

In recent years, gender affirmation surgery has broadened significantly from its previous focus on genital conformation only to include other areas of the body as well. As society reconsiders its interpretations of masculinity, femininity, and gender definitions, transgender individuals have realized that they will only be able to truly transition if they are recognized by the public in their chosen societal role. The authors review the literature and describe their own techniques for feminizing thyroid chondroplasty and laryngoplasty.

Presbyphonia and Minimal Glottic Insufficiency.

Presbyphonia is defined as aging of the voice, and its growing attention as a medical concern parallels the continuing increase of the geriatric population worldwide. It results from physiologic changes to several laryngeal structures, including the musculature, surrounding cartilage, and lamina propria of the vocal folds. Characterized by glottic insufficiency, dysphonia in the elderly typically presents as a deterioration of voice quality, altered pitch and fundamental frequency, vocal fatigue, and strain.

Common practices in botulinum toxin injection for spasmodic dysphonia treatment: A national survey.

Objectives/hypothesis: Although no clear guidelines exist, protocols in the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia (SD) vary among physicians. Previously published work comes from relatively few centers.

Study Design: A descriptive survey among experts (laryngologists who practice Botulinum toxin injections for SD).

The Role of Observation and Mentorship in Voice Pedagogy Training.

Background: Voice teachers are seeking increasing amounts of pedagogical instructions in the form of observerships, coursework, and clinical experiences. Yet to date there has been no formalized attempt to categorize or set guidelines for these educational experiences.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate (a) the number of hours of observations required or electively completed during pedagogical training (voice lessons, masterclasses) and clinical observations; (b) the number of hours of mentorship (critical observation of a student by a mentor) during pedagogical training; and (c) differences in the training backgrounds of voice teachers based on the level of training, position, and genre.

Volumetric analysis of vocal fold atrophy via magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: To quantitatively test the hypothesis that older patients have increased thyroarytenoid muscle atrophy by comparing thyroarytenoid muscle volumes across different age groups.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted. The study included 111 patients with no history of laryngeal pathology.

Oncologic outcomes of KTP laser surgery versus radiation for T1 glottic carcinoma.

Objectives/hypothesis: To characterize outcomes for patients who underwent transoral microsurgery with potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser resection of early glottic cancers and to compare outcomes with patients who received external beam radiation therapy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The history of patients with T1 glottic carcinoma treated with curative primary radiation or transoral KTP laser resection was reviewed.