Journal Reviews
Role of high-resolution CT scans in the management of cholesteatoma
This review article has looked at 15 publications, comparing features noted in high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans of patients having cholesteatoma with actual intraoperative findings. This comparison was used to assess sensitivity and specificity of various abnormalities picked up by HRCT...
The BAYAD alar technique – visual landmark guided paradigm in alar base reduction
Alar base reduction can be a technically demanding component in rhinoplasty, especially within the ethnically diverse populations where rigid anthropometric norms may not apply. Mahmood introduces the Balanced Aesthetic Yielding of Alar Design (BAYAD) technique – a rulerless intraoperative visual...
Persistent postural perceptual dizziness following stroke: the risk factors
The primary motivation for the study, as stated by the authors, was that the factors behind persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD) have not been clearly determined in stroke patients. To that end, a prospective study of adults presenting to a...
Does ipratropium responsiveness predict posterior nasal nerve neurectomy/ablation outcomes in chronic rhinitis?
This study’s main objective was to assess whether topical ipratropium response is predictive of subsequent response to posterior nasal nerve (PNN) interventions, including surgical neurectomy or in-office ablation, in chronic rhinitis (CR). This is a retrospective study of adult patients...
Where is that sound? Not every hot tub is a jacuzzi
Evidence suggests that the incidence of sound sensitivity and general noise intolerance is increasing. Studies have suggested that the incidence of hyperacusis is between 8% and 15.2% of the adult population. There is a correlation between the prevalence of hyperacusis...
A new tool to enhance smell recovery?
Vericiguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase activator which boosts intracellular cGMP and promotes smooth muscle relaxation. It is approved for use in heart failure, but the authors hypothesise that it may also enhance neuronal olfactory signalling via cGMP elevation. Eighty-eight...
Can PRP injections treat atrophic rhinitis?
As we all know, atrophic rhinitis is a thankfully rare but debilitating condition characterised by nasal obstruction, dryness, crusting and foul smell (ozaena). There are currently minimal treatment options available, none of which have proven particularly effective. The authors present...
Adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced (T3–4) major salivary gland cancer – survival benefits quantified
Complete surgical excision of major salivary gland cancers (MSGCs) is the current mainstay of curative treatment for this disease. Indications for postoperative radiotherapy according to current UK national guidelines include high-grade tumours, advanced-stage (stage 3–4) tumours, involved resection margins, perineural...
Why are we struggling to manage ear pain?
Ear pain can be consumptive. It gnaws like toothache, splits like a headache and can throw off one’s equilibrium. Despite this, we often treat the cause without treating the symptoms. Stoliar and colleagues compared how physicians assess and treat pain...
Profiling features of dysphagia in people with moderate to severe Covid-19
Dysphagia arose as a serious concern for many people affected by Covid-19, especially those who required intubation. The authors of this paper used data from an institutional database of 3660 patients (Jan 2020 – March 2022) who presented with moderate...
Challenging steps of virtual cortical mastoidectomy
This prospective study investigated which steps of cortical mastoidectomy were challenging for 10 medical students and 10 intermediate surgeons (surgical trainees) compared to 10 experienced expert surgeons. Each participant performed cortical mastoidectomy on eight different virtual temporal bone models. The...
Does topical dual steroid therapy improve vertigo in refractory Ménière’s disease?
This prospective study investigated the role of simultaneous application of methylprednisolone and dexamethasone-soaked gelatin sponge to the endolymphatic sac surface and dexamethasone sponge to the short process of incus in 20 patients with refractory Ménière’s disease (MD) undergoing endolymphatic sac...
