Comparing Otolaryngology Subspecialties' Changes in Medicare Reimbursement From 2013 to 2024.

Objective: Identify differences in Medicare reimbursement changes for general otolaryngology, pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck oncology, laryngology, rhinology, otology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and sleep surgery subspecialties from 2013 to 2024.

Methods: Subspecialty-based procedures' facility prices and relative value units (RVUs) were sourced from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Physician Fee Schedule. Prices were adjusted for inflation, and the average percent change in facility price and RVUs for each subspecialty was calculated.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative adenotonsillectomy oral intake and dehydration.

Objective: To determine if perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine affects postoperative fluid intake in tonsillectomy patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at University Medical Center, Texas Tech Health Science Center, Lubbock, Texas. The study identified 534 patients within the last five years who met the criteria.

Removal of airway foreign bodies complicated by an unstable cervical spine fracture.

Aspiration of foreign bodies is common and among the leading causes of accidental death in children. When detected promptly, an experienced physician can successfully manage foreign bodies of the airway. However, uncommon objects and physical trauma can complicate their removal.

Effect of gold laser energy delivery on postoperative adenotonsillectomy complications.

Background: This study aimed to determine if the energy delivered by the Gold laser impacted postoperative complication rates after adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, or adenotonsillectomy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 420 patients who met the criteria within the last five years. Indications for the surgeries included recurrent tonsillitis, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep-disordered breathing, adenoiditis, peritonsillar abscess, and other indications.

Pott's Puffy: First Shot is the Best Shot.

Objective: Low incidence of Pott's Puffy tumor (PPT) has caused studying risk factors and recurrences of the disease to be difficult. We used the comparatively increased incidence at our institution to evaluate potential risk factors for the disease process itself and prognostic factors for recurrence of the disease.

Methods: Single institutional retrospective chart review identified 31 patients from 2010 to 2022 with PPT compared with a control group of 20 patients with either chronic rhinosinusitis or recurrent sinusitis.

Quality and Readability of Online Patient Education Materials Related to Branchial Cleft Cysts.

Introduction Branchial cleft cysts are the second most common congenital neck mass and can cause significant anxiety for patients and families despite their benign nature. Education through online patient education materials (PEMs) is critical for informing patients and reducing stress. We aimed to determine the content, quality, and readability of online PEMs related to branchial cleft cysts.

Unilateral Tessier 7 cleft: Case report of Z-plasty with geometric broken line repair and literature review.

Tessier 7 clefts are a rare congenital anomaly, usually surgically repaired with Z-plasty or other reconstructive methods, although undesirable scars may result. We present a review of the literature and a case of unilateral Tessier 7 cleft repaired with a novel reconstruction technique using a combined Z-plasty and geometric broken line closure (GBLC) to camouflage and irregularize the otherwise linear scar. We present this case to expand the armamentarium of surgical options to address Tessier 7 clefts and to review techniques for repair.

Unique presentation of in a superficial left temporal abscess.

previously , is an uncommon organism that historically has been associated with HACEK infective endocarditis and brain abscesses. This organism is most often isolated as part of normal oral flora, and patients with infection usually have an underlying periodontal infection or immunocompromised state allowing for infection. This case report outlines a unique presentation of left superficial temporal abscess due to infection in an immunocompetent individual.

Surgical Correction of Torticollis Due to Agenesis of the Sternocleidomastoid: Case Study and Review.

Unilateral agenesis of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a rare phenomenon known to cause torticollis. There have been around 12 reported instances of SCM agenesis in the literature; in almost every case, torticollis was easily resolved nonsurgically with stretching and physical therapy. We report the case of a 6-year-old boy with severe torticollis due to unilateral SCM absence who underwent the surgical release of the contralateral SCM.

Strap Muscle Type I Thyroplasty After Gore-Tex Implant Extrusion: Case Report and Literature Review.

Objectives: To discuss the presentation and management techniques of implant extrusion following type I thyroplasty and to illustrate the potential of strap muscle for augmentation following implant removal.

Methods: We report a unique case of a patient with late Gore-Tex implant extrusion after type I thyroplasty treated with removal and autologous strap muscle graft for augmentation.

Results: A 41-year-old female nearly 3.

Emergent sclerotherapy of a newborn with expanding lymphatic malformation causing respiratory distress.

The present report describes a case of acute airway obstruction in a newborn caused by an expanding hemorrhagic macrocystic lymphatic malformation (LM), which was successfully treated with emergent decompression and interventional radiology-guided sclerotherapy. The use of sclerotherapy for macrocystic LMs has been well described for various indications. The urgent interventional treatment obviated the need for a tracheostomy.

Identification of biofilms in post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea.

Objectives/hypothesis: Otitis media is a common problem in the pediatric population. Despite antibiotic therapy, post-tympanostomy otorrhea can be difficult to treat. Biofilms have been shown to play a role in chronic and recurrent otitis media and are implicated in otorrhea.

Esophageal-subarachnoid fistula: a case of spontaneous tension pneumocephalus in the setting of esophageal cancer.

Background: Pneumocephalus occurs as a result of traumatic or iatrogenic violation of the dura. Tension pneumocephalus, whereby air continues to accumulate with no mechanism for escape, can cause significant morbidity and mortality.

Methods: This case report reviews the underlying pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of tension pneumocephalus.