Journal Reviews
Paroxysmal downbeating nystagmus and proton pump inhibitors
This case report highlights the effect of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors on the vestibular system. The authors reported a case of a 70-year-old woman who was admitted with delirium, ataxia, slurred speech and slowness of thought. She had...
Vestibular implantation: are we there yet?
The objectives of this review article were to ascertain, through a systematic literature review, device design, surgical approaches, objective and subjective outcomes as well as limitations of vestibular implantation (VI). Following an extensive systematic search using PRISMA guidelines, 21 studies...
What factors lead to poor outcomes for children with acute post-intubation laryngeal injuries?
Endotracheal intubation is well known to carry a risk of acute laryngeal injury. These problems range in severity and can lead to chronic problems but, when laryngeal injuries are identified and treated early, there are fewer complications. The authors of...
Translanguaging: an integrated and culturally valid approach for speech and language therapy practice
This study advocates the need for speech and language therapists to understand and advocate for translanguaging practices within their day-to-day clinical work with children with communication difficulties. Translanguaging derives from the Welsh term ‘trawsiethu’, which was first introduced in 1994...
The risks of misjudging African American dialects as lesser!
Healthcare inequalities in multicultural societies, such as the UK, are becoming increasingly apparent. They arise via a complex interplay of factors, with socioeconomic deprivation, structural biases and specific cultural and biological risk factors all contributing to disparities. There is ample...
Is there any point giving postoperative oral steroids after a FESS?
It is well accepted that when medical treatment fails for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is more effective than continuing with medical therapy alone. A variety of postoperative care options are available, including saline irrigation, in office debridement,...
An otological cure for globus?
Globus pharyngeus is a common benign condition frequently encountered in ENT practice. Laryngopharyngeal reflux and psychological stressors are often considered to be contributory factors, but globus symptoms do not always respond to antacid medications. Such medications can also be limited...
Benefits of bilateral cochlear implants
In an ideal world, if you could increase the clinical use of bilateral cochlear implant (CI) treatment, would you? If you’re interested in exploring the clinical benefits of bilateral CIs, or how reviews can directly inform patient care, this systematic...
Swallow toxicity score (DIGEST) and its clinical utility in oncology practice
The Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST, graded from 0–4) was developed as a tool for clinicians to grade dysphagia from modified barium swallow studies (MBSS). The purpose is to provide a common terminology for adverse events of pharyngeal...
Elevated intracranial pressure versus migraines versus sinusitis?
This narrative review discusses the challenges faced by an otolaryngologist to differentiate elevated intracranial pressure (eICP), migraines and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Facial pain, pressure, aural fullness, muffled hearing and tinnitus are often common symptoms described by patients with all three...
Management of traumatic facial palsy
Most traumatic facial palsies resolve with conservative management. Early facial nerve decompression is indicated in acute complete traumatic facial palsies. House–Brackmann (HB) classification is used universally to classify the severity of the facial nerve injury, but few centres have availability...
Auricular acupuncture for tinnitus
Acupuncture has long been suggested as a complementary option for tinnitus, but its effectiveness remains uncertain. This systematic review analysed 57 studies published between 1975 and 2023, drawn from an initial 167 identified. The studies were highly variable, ranging from...
