Journal Reviews
Keep on moving
This study compared the differences in localisation of sound between those with symmetrical hearing within normal limits (NH) and those with single-sided deafness (SSD). Unsurprisingly, those with SSD took longer to localise sounds and had a higher error rate. Although...
Drooling: what is it like to be unable to manage your own saliva?
Drooling in Parkinson’s is associated with less frequent and inefficient swallowing, resulting in a build-up of saliva in the mouth that then moves beyond the lips. It often causes discomfort as the skin becomes sore, and results in embarrassment. The...
A comparison between artificial and cadaveric temporal bones in terms of providing realistic setting and structural details
Increasing difficulties, costs and risks of infection have led to the use of artificial temporal bones for training in mastoid and middle ear surgery. Whether these provide a realistic learning environment (face value) and offer structural details to learn from...
A study defining septal areas and turbinates that are relevant in assessing patients with nasal obstruction
The symptom of nasal obstruction is subjective when patients present in clinics. The decision to intervene surgically is often made on clinical appearance of the nasal septum and turbinates which, unless extreme, cannot always be judged as different from patients...
Is pan-endoscopy necessary to detect synchronous primary in upper aerodigestive tract cancer?
Diagnosis of head and neck cancer requires speed. It has also to be comprehensive in view of the possibility of synchronous primary cancer (SPC) associated with upper aerodigestive tract cancer (UADTC). Some centres still consider pan-endoscopy essential in the diagnostic...
Are you still talking about Covid?
Bell’s palsy (idiopathic facial nerve palsy) has an annual incidence of 15 to 30 cases per 100,000 people. This study aims to assess the effect of Covid and Covid vaccination on this incidence using a large database. Authors used TriNetX,...
Scalp grafting as a reconstructive technique for severe alar retraction
Severe alar retraction is an acknowledged challenging aspect of revision rhinoplasty. Traditional grafting methods such as composite grafts, nasolabial flaps and cutaneous alar rotation flaps often carry limitations, including visible scarring, colour mismatch and reduced graft survivability. This retrospective cohort...
Does frailty lead to changes on quantitative measures of videofluoroscopic swallowing assessment?
In recent years, studies have considered the relationship between frailty and swallowing and demonstrated that decreased skeletal muscle mass correlates with decreased swallowing function. This study investigated this relationship by using quantitative measurement of three individual components of swallowing assessed...
Which patients are suitable for surgery in recurrent head and neck cancer?
Currently, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the most common modality used in the management of primary head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Unfortunately, around 50% of patients experience disease recurrence (rHNSCC). Surgery is therefore often used as a salvage treatment....
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) head without general anesthesia in children
‘Physician heal thyself’: this biblical proverb has an increasing importance in modern healthcare systems, especially when we consider the rising incidence of physical and mental burnout amongst all staff. Musculoskeletal disorders are increasing – according to the Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders...
Extranodal extension following surgical resection of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer – is adjuvant radiotherapy alone sufficient?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known aetiological factor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV-positive OPSCC is recognised to have a more favourable prognosis than HPV-negative disease. Treatment deintensification for HPV+ OPSCC has therefore been an area of research focus...
Early recognition aiding better prognosis?
As we are all aware, acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is a life-threatening disease which typically affects immunocompromised patients. It is diagnosed via typical signs, symptoms and presentation but gold standard is by biopsy of tissues demonstrating infiltration fungal hyphae....
