Journal Reviews
What is the status of engagement with post-radiotherapy dental care for HNC patients?
The British Dental Association cited in 2024 that there was an unmet need for NHS dentistry in England, affecting 13 million adults. This translates to well over 1 in 4 of the adult population (28%). This figure represented an increase...
Narivent – an effective, fast-acting non-vasoconstrictive nasal decongestant?
The nasal obstruction associated with acute and chronic rhinitis is often considered one of the most unpleasant symptoms associated with these conditions. Whilst topical over-the-counter vasoconstrictors such as xylometazoline and oxymetazoline are highly effective at alleviating nasal obstruction, they are...
Is my post-intubation sore throat something to worry about?
Laryngeal injury (LI) is a rare but serious adverse outcome of endotracheal intubation, thought to arise from compression-related trauma to the laryngeal nerves and resulting neuropraxia. Patients typically present with transient postoperative dysphonia which usually resolves within a matter of...
Robot-assisted paediatric cochlear implantation
Cochlear implantation has a recognised therapeutic role in children with severe to profound hearing loss. The surgery requires expertise in learning the technical skill together with adaptation to variation in anatomy. There is growing interest in healthcare to integrate robotic...
Remote cochlear implant care: do audiologists like the sound of it?
Historically, telehealth in cochlear implant care was primarily reserved for patients facing geographical barriers. The accelerated adoption of telemedicine during the Covid-19 pandemic led many to believe that the future of audiology had permanently migrated to online platforms. However, despite...
Does personality influence adherence to preventative exercises in people diagnosed with head and neck cancer?
Cancer prehabilitation is increasingly becoming an integral part of cancer care. Patients are therefore asked to engage in health behaviours and exercises before their cancer treatment starts. This is proposed to mitigate side effects and problems that they may not...
More markers for sinonasal diseases
In this study, nasal mucus cystatin SN levels were compared in patients with controlled and uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Cystatin SN is an epithelium-derived cytokine which regulates cysteine proteases and enhances IL-5 mediated activation of eosinophils. The study included 98...
Higher revision rates with coblator after paediatric partial tonsil-adenoidectomy
Coblator is a preferred option in many institutions for tonsillectomy as it is associated with significantly less blood loss and intraoperative time. This retrospective cohort study compared the revision rates after paediatric partial intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (PITA) with microdebrider...
Environmental sounds and hearing disability in auditory neuropathy
This cross-sectional study examined whether environmental sound perception contributes to self-perceived hearing abilities in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). In total, 42 participants with ANSD completed the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ), alongside measures of...
When availability does not mean accessibility: inequalities in aural rehabilitation
The authors examine how social and structural factors influence access to rehabilitation services in Denmark’s healthcare system. Adults with hearing loss who choose to seek or not seek additional aural rehabilitation after receiving hearing aids, cochlear implants or bone-anchored devices...
Word-finding difficulties in Parkinson’s are as important as speech
Parkinson’s is typically considered to progressively affect speech and voice, with up to 89% of people with the diagnosis experiencing symptoms such as reduced articulatory coordination and a hoarse or breathy voice quality. Despite 80% of people with Parkinson’s experiencing...
The role of stapedotomy techniques in predicting surgical outcomes
Several techniques have evolved in the surgery of stapedotomy for otosclerosis, especially with availability of laser. In this multicentre retrospective study, comprising 615 stapedotomies, the authors have compared three different methods: diode laser stapedotomy (group A), sole use of microdrill...
