Foreign body aspiration in children: our pediatric tertiary care experience.

Purpose: Inhalation of a foreign body is a real emergency in pediatric age and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to reduce mortality. The objective of this study is to analyze clinical and radiological details, types, and localization of foreign bodies in patients conducted or to our hospital with suspected inhalation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all cases of foreign body inhalation admitted to our Pediatric Emergency Room between January 2009 and June 2022.

Pediatric airway compression in aortic arch malformations: a multidisciplinary approach.

Background: Aortic arch malformations (AAMs) should be suspected in the presence of persistent respiratory symptoms despite medical treatment or feeding problems at the pediatric age.

Aim: We report a descriptive cohort of patients with AAMs and the local management protocol applied.

Methods: A total of 59 patients with AAM were retrospectively reviewed.

Vocal Cord Paralysis and Feeding Difficulties as Early Diagnostic Clues of Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome with Neonatal Onset: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Herein, we present a newborn female with congenital vocal cord paralysis who required a tracheostomy in the neonatal period. She also presented with feeding difficulties. She was later diagnosed with a clinical picture of congenital myasthenia, associated with three variants of the MUSK gene: the 27-month follow-up was described.

Pediatric Bilateral Vocal Cord Immobility: New Treatment With Preservation of Voice.

Objectives: Pediatric bilateral vocal cord immobility (BVCI) represents a severe life-threatening condition that often causes severe dyspnea. Endoscopic arytenoid lateral abduction (EALA) is a relatively new, secure, minimal-invasive surgical technique. The present prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effects of EALA in terms of respiratory function, voice quality, and swallowing capabilities.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus recommendations: Evaluation and management of congenital tracheal stenosis.

Objectives: To outline an expert-based consensus of recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with congenital tracheal stenosis.

Methods: Expert opinions were sought from members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) via completion of an 18-item survey utilizing an iterative Delphi method and review of the literature.

Results: Forty-three members completed the survey providing recommendations regarding the initial history, clinical evaluation, diagnostic evaluation, temporizing measures, definitive repair, and post-repair care of children with congenital tracheal stenosis.

3D bioprinting in airway reconstructive surgery: A pilot study.

Objectives: Open surgery is a reliable choice for congenital subglottic stenosis, that represents the third most common congenital anomaly of the larynx. One of the procedures performed is anterior laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) with anterior rib graft. The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the potential of 3D printing technology for the realization of laryngo-tracheal scaffold in Polycaprolactone (PCL) implanted in vivo in ovine animal model.

Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI): A Tool for Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of Voice Therapy in Children With Benign Vocal Fold Nodules.

Objectives: benign vocal fold lesions (BVFLs) represent the most common etiology of voice disorders in paediatric population, cause of dysphonia by preventing full vocal fold closure and modifying vibratory characteristics. Of those pathologies, vocal fold nodules represent almost 63% of the cases in children between 0-14 years. Management may include a combination of phonosurgery, voice therapy and pharmacological treatment, but almost 95% of otolaryngologists recommend voice therapy as primary treatment.

Management of Upper Airway Infantile Hemangiomas: Experience of One Italian Multidisciplinary Center.

Airway infantile hemangiomas (IHs) can represent a life-threatening condition since the first months of life. They may be isolated or associated to cutaneous IHs, and/or part of PHACES syndrome. Diagnosis, staging, and indication to treatment are not standardized yet despite the presence in the literature of previous case series and reviews.

Changes in Breathing Patterns after Surgery in Severe Laryngomalacia.

Background: Most of the studies regarding the surgical treatment of severe laryngomalacia (LM) have been aimed at describing the efficacy of the treatment in terms of improvement of clinical symptoms or anatomical findings. There are no studies specifically aimed at analyzing the changes in breathing patterns following surgical treatment for severe LM.

Objective: To review the breathing pattern changes before and after corrective surgery in infants with severe LM.

Assessing the effect of adenoidectomy on nasal resistance and airflow. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Clinical guidelines suggest adenoidectomy when enlarged adenoids are associated with nasal obstruction and other symptoms. Given that nasal obstruction is the leading symptom of adenoid hypertrophy, it should be thoroughly explored. However, there is no consensus regarding what could be the best approach.

The Role of Lung Function Testing in Newborn Infants With Congenital Thoracic Arterial Anomalies.

Congenital thoracic arterial anomalies (CTAAs), such as complete or incomplete vascular rings, pulmonary artery sling, and innominate artery compression syndrome, may cause severe tracheomalacia and upper airway obstruction. An obstructive ventilatory pattern at lung function testing (LFT) has been suggested in the presence of CTAA. The severity of obstruction may be evaluated by LFT.

Surgical Options for Pediatric Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy: State of the Art.

Management of pediatric bilateral vocal cord palsy (BVCP) is a controversial and challenging topic. It may represent a severe obstructive condition usually associated with respiratory distress, and, in such condition, tracheostomy has been considered the gold standard for a long time. Many surgical options have been described and used to increase the glottic space in BVCP (1), with ongoing research of less invasive techniques.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) management recommendations: Pediatric tracheostomy decannulation.

Objectives: To provide recommendations to otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, and allied clinicians for tracheostomy decannulation in pediatric patients.

Methods: An iterative questionnaire was used to establish expert recommendations by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group.

Results: Twenty-six members completed the survey.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG): Consensus recommendations on the prenatal and perinatal management of anticipated airway obstruction.

Objective: To make recommendations on the identification, routine evaluation, and management of fetuses at risk for airway compromise at delivery.

Methods: Recommendations are based on expert opinion by members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). A two-iterative Delphi method questionnaire was distributed to all members of the IPOG and responses recorded.

International registry of otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons with COVID-19.

Background: It has become clear that healthcare workers are at high risk, and otolaryngology has been theorized to be among the highest risk specialties for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to detail the international impact of COVID-19 among otolaryngologists, and to identify instructional cases.

Methods: Country representatives of the Young Otolaryngologists-International Federation of Otolaryngologic Societies (YO-IFOS) surveyed otolaryngologists through various channels.

Reflux and dental disorders in the pediatric population: A systematic review.

Objectives: To investigate the role of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the development of dental disorders in pediatric population.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus Cochrane database were assessed for subject headings using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) recommendations. Relevant studies published between January 1990 and January 2020 describing the association between reflux and dental disorders in children were retrieved.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG): Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis consensus recommendations.

Objectives: To develop consensus recommendations for the evaluation and management of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) in pediatric patients.

Methods: Expert opinion by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). The mission of the IPOG is to develop expertise-based consensus recommendations for the management of pediatric otolaryngologic disorders with the goal of improving patient care.

Use OF NBI for the assessment of clinical signs of rhino-pharyngo-laryngeal reflux in pediatric age: Preliminary results.

Objectives: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a complex problem in pediatric population: diagnosis and clinical presentation are still controversial. Classic white light endoscopy shows some pathognomonic signs of LPR in children, such as thickening of pharyngo-laryngeal mucus, the cobblestoning aspect of pharyngeal mucosa, arytenoid edema/hyperemia, nodular thickening/true vocal cord edema, hypertrophy of the posterior commissure, subglottic edema. The NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) technology, generally used in oncology, allows to study neoangiogenesis and hypervascularization of the mucosa, common aspects in both chronic inflammation and neoplastic transformation.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus recommendations: Diagnosis, pre-operative, operative and post-operative pediatric choanal atresia care.

Objective: To provide recommendations to otolaryngologists and allied physicians for the comprehensive management of young infants who present with signs or symptoms of choanal atresia.

Methods: A two-iterative delphi method questionnaire was used to establish expert recommendations by the members of the International Otolaryngology Group (IPOG), on the diagnostic, intra-operative, post-operative and revision surgery considerations.

Results: Twenty-eight members completed the survey, in 22 tertiary-care center departments representing 8 countries.

Laryngotracheal Abnormalities in Esophageal Atresia Patients: A Hidden Entity.

Presence of laryngotracheal abnormalities is associated with increased morbidity and higher mortality rate in esophageal atresia patients. Determine the prevalence of laryngotracheal abnormalities (LTA) in a prospectively collected cohort of patients treated for esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). Analysis of the impact of those airway anomalies in early post-operative outcomes was performed.

Vocal cord paralysis appears to be an acquired lesion in children with repaired esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula.

Objectives: Determine whether vocal cord paresis or paralysis (VCP/P) following surgical repair of congenital esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is generally a primary anomaly, or is secondary to EA/TEF repair.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective study based on a recently published protocol, which included the systematic performance of a laryngo-tracheo-bronchoscopy before and after EA/TEF repair.

Results: There were 105 patients with EA/TEF referred for multidisciplinary follow-up, between 2010 and 2015.

Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease in otorhinolaryngology.

Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease in otorhinolaryngology (ENT) are an area of growing epidemiological and clinical interest. The aim of this section is to comprehensively report on the epidemiology of key infectious disease in otorhinolaryngology, reporting on their burden at the national and international level, expanding of the need of promoting and implementing preventive interventions, and the rationale of applying evidence-based, effective and cost- effective diagnostic, curative and preventive approaches. In particular, we focus on i) ENT viral infections (HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, Human Papilloma virus), retrieving the available evidence on their oncogenic potential; ii) typical and atypical mycobacteria infections; iii) non-specific granulomatous lymphadenopathy; iv) emerging paediatric ENT infectious diseases and the prevention of their complications; v) the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance in ENT and the strategies for its control in different clinical settings.

Dehiscence of Bronchial Anastomosis After Lung Transplantation: A Successful Unconventional Treatment.

Anastomotic airway complications, including the dehiscence of the bronchial anastomosis, are a severe cause of morbidity after lung transplantation. We present a case of dehiscence treated by placing an uncovered metal stent into the main bronchus. We usually use this procedure for bronchial stenosis, but in this case, the stent favored the growth of granulation tissue and so the closure of the dehiscence.