Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of post-operative paediatric cholesteatoma.

Objectives: High rates of recidivism are reported after paediatric cholesteatoma surgery. Our practice has adapted to include non-echoplanar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of residual or recurrent cholesteatoma. This audit aimed to evaluate the performance of non-echoplanar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in our paediatric population.

Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media leading to cerebellar brain abscess, still a problem in 21st century: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear associated with tympanic membrane rupture and purulent discharge for at least 6 weeks. Owing to the proper use and easy availability of antibiotics, these types of cases are rare in developed regions, but they are still occasionally seen in the developing world with poor hygiene and a lack of availability of antibiotics and immunizations.

Case Presentation: Patient presented with complaints of headache, yellow-colored discharge from ear, fever and vomiting.

A Comparative Study: Platelet-Rich Fibrin Packing as an Alternative to the Absorbable Gelatine in Tympanoplasty.

Background: We aimed to investigate platelet-rich fibrin's potential role as packing material in both the middle ear and external auditory canal.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients undergoing transcanal endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty were included in this controlled prospective clinical study. Patients were randomly assigned to platelet-rich fibrin (n=14) or absorbable gelatine (n=15) groups.

Quality of life outcomes after transnasal endoscopic pituitary surgery using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.

Purpose: This study assesses postoperative quality-of-life outcomes via the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) in patients undergoing transnasal endoscopic pituitary surgery for pituitary adenoma.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study in a UK tertiary referral centre. 145 patients who had undergone transnasal endoscopic pituitary surgery for pituitary adenoma over a 6-year period at one institution completed the GBI with at least 3 months' follow up.

Vitamin D Supplementation for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is commonly attributed to displaced otoconia. These have been shown to have biomineralization close to that of bone, and vitamin D deficiency has been associated with BPPV. We aim to systematically review the available literature on vitamin D supplementation and BPPV intensity and recurrence in adults.

Six-canal video head impulse test in patients with labyrinthine and retrolabyrinthine pathology: detecting vestibulo-ocular reflex deficits.

Background: Abnormal gains in six-canal video head impulse test are attributed to semi-circular canal deficits. However, as video head impulse test responses are linked to the vestibulo-ocular reflex, it was hypothesised that abnormal gains can be caused by vestibulo-ocular reflex pathway deficits.

Methods: This study compared video head impulse test gains in 20 patients with superior semi-circular canal dehiscence (labyrinthine cause) and 20 side- and gender-matched patients with vestibular schwannomas (retrolabyrinthine cause), and investigated correlations between them (Mann-Kendall trend test).

Versatility and Benefits of 4.0mm Flexible Nasal Endoscopy in 118 Children up to 10 Years of Age.

Purpose This retrospective study looked at the feasibility of using adult 4.0 mm flexible nasendoscopes (FNE) examination under local anesthetic (LA) in children three to 10 years old to diagnose adenoid hypertrophy (AH) and other conditions. We also looked for a correlation between the adenoid size on FNE and a) tonsil size, b) the typical symptoms of snoring, mouth breathing, impaired hearing, and apnoeic episodes c) the management options of otitis media with effusion (OME) and d) the adenoid size intraoperatively.

Sinogenic polymicrobial anaerobic orbital cellulitis: the importance of source control and broad empirical antibiotics.

A man in his twenties with a history of recurrent sinusitis was urgently referred to the emergency department (ED) by an out-of-hours general practitioner following a 2-day history of increasing right eye pain, redness and swelling after a week of coryzal symptoms. He denied visual impairment and any history of recent dental pain or procedures. Initial assessment in ED noted fever, tachycardia and hypotension.

Middle Ear Surgeries for Chronic Otitis Media Improve Cognitive Functions and Quality of Life of Age-Related Hearing Loss Patients.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) may limit communication, which is closely associated with cognitive decline of the elderly and negatively affects their quality of life. In ARHL patients who suffer chronic otitis media (COM), hearing impairment may worsen and negatively affect the cognition and quality of life. It is currently unknown whether restoration of the conductive hearing in the mixed hearing loss through middle ear surgeries can improve both the cognitive function and quality of life of the ARHL patients.

Validation of the novel Deep Reality Viewer (DRV) 3D digital stereo viewer in otology surgery.

Purpose: Magnification with accurate optic reproduction of the surgical field is essential in otology surgery, but current technologies are subject to specific disadvantages. This study aims to evaluate a novel 3D digital stereo viewer, the Deep Reality Viewer (DRV), in otology surgery, in comparison to both a 2D monitor and the gold standard of microscopy.

Methods: In this prospective clinical research study, ENT consultants and trainees evaluated visual and practical applications of the DRV.

Prognostic value of estimated glomerular filtration rate in hospitalised older patients (over 65) with COVID-19: a multicentre, European, observational cohort study.

Background: The reduced renal function has prognostic significance in COVID-19 and it has been linked to mortality in the general population. Reduced renal function is prevalent in older age and thus we set out to better understand its effect on mortality.

Methods: Patient clinical and demographic data was taken from the COVID-19 in Older People (COPE) study during two periods (February-June 2020 and October 2020-March 2021, respectively).

A report on quality-of-life outcomes following transmastoid plugging of superior semicircular canal dehiscence in a newly established service in a UK hospital.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality-of-life outcomes following transmastoid plugging of semicircular canal dehiscence in a newly established service in a UK hospital.

Method: Quality-of-life outcomes were measured using the Glasgow benefit Inventory score in three patients who underwent transmastoid plugging for superior semicircular canal dehiscence between September 2019 and March 2020. Patients also completed pre- and post-operative symptomatic questionnaires and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential testing.

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in stroke: the evidence, challenges and future directions.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally. A significant proportion of stroke survivors are left with long term neurological deficits that have a detrimental effect on personal wellbeing and wider socioeconomic impacts. As such, there is an unmet need for novel therapies that improve neurological recovery after stroke.

Triple semicircular canal occlusion: a surgical perspective with short- and long-term outcomes.

Objective: To determine the short- and long-term outcomes of triple semicircular canal occlusion as a potential alternative for patients with intractable Ménière's disease.

Methods: A retrospective case series was performed in university settings, enrolling patients with intractable Ménière's disease with previous maximum treatment, who underwent transmastoid, triple semicircular canal occlusion. The study documented: pre- and post-operative Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores at six weeks and one year post-treatment, pure tone audiometry, and surgical aspects.

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Presenting With Solitary Bony Metastases to the Frontal Bone of the Skull.

A 75-year-old lady was referred to the oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) team with a painless swelling in the midline of her forehead. Investigations diagnosed it as a solitary metastasis of thyroid cancer. Follicular thyroid cancers are known to metastasise to bone; however, bony metastasis to the frontal bone of the skull is very rare.

Low accuracy of 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in identification of the bony defect in patients with superior semi-circular canal dehiscence syndrome: case-control study.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in identifying the bony defect in superior semi-circular canal dehiscence syndrome.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in tertiary university settings.

Temporal Bone Adenoma: A Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Aspects and Surgical Outcome on a Very Rare Entity.

 The aim of this study is to present our experience in dealing with middle ear adenomas (MEAs), very rare tumors of the middle ear.  The medical notes of individuals with MEAs treated in tertiary referral; academic settings were retrospectively reviewed. We recorded the presenting symptoms, imaging findings, and pathology results.

Patient-Reported Outcomes in Middle Ear and Active Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Implants.

Objective: This study used questionnaires to examine the patient-reported satisfaction with 2 hearing implant devices to determine the level of overall satisfaction with the devices, which, if any, factors predicted good or poor perceived outcomes, or whether there were any specific aspects of the devices where dissatisfaction was apparent.

Methods: A post-treatment questionnaire survey of 39 adult patients who had received a Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) or Bonebridge (BB) hearing implant, with at least 3 months of follow-up, was conducted using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and Hearing Device Satisfaction Scale (HDSS). Satisfaction scores were compared to pre- and post-operative audiologic outcomes.

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence: a narrative review.

Background: Described just over 20 years ago, superior semicircular canal dehiscence remains a relatively unknown and easily missed cause of dizziness and auditory symptoms.

Objective: This review focused on the origin, presenting symptoms and underlying pathophysiology of superior semicircular canal dehiscence, and the available treatment options.

Main Findings And Conclusion: The bony dehiscence acts as a 'third window', affecting inner-ear homeostasis, and resulting in hypersensitivity and a vestibular response to lower sound level stimuli.

SDHC phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma: A UK-wide case series.

Objective: Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are rare, but strongly heritable tumours. Variants in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits are identified in approximately 25% of cases. However, clinical and genetic information of patients with SDHC variants are underreported.

Cogmed Training Does Not Generalize to Real-World Benefits for Adult Hearing Aid Users: Results of a Blinded, Active-Controlled Randomized Trial.

Objectives: Performance on working memory tasks is positively associated with speech-in-noise perception performance, particularly where auditory inputs are degraded. It is suggested that interventions designed to improve working memory capacity may improve domain-general working memory performance for people with hearing loss, to benefit their real-world listening. We examined whether a 5-week training program that primarily targets the storage component of working memory (Cogmed RM, adaptive) could improve cognition, speech-in-noise perception and self-reported hearing in a randomized controlled trial of adult hearing aid users with mild to moderate hearing loss, compared with an active control (Cogmed RM, nonadaptive) group of adults from the same population.