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The hidden enemy of microtia reconstruction: cholesteatoma

Although ear reconstruction for concha-type microtia is generally successful, its frequent association with congenital aural stenosis introduces a hidden risk of cholesteatoma due to disruption of epithelial migration. This negatively affects hearing and reconstructive outcomes. This single-centre retrospective case series...

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...

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...

A dizzying response to the silent killer

In this recent case control report by Kandemir and colleagues, we are asked to consider the association between hypertensive disease and hearing impairment, tinnitus and dizziness. A 200-strong cohort of normotensive and newly-diagnosed hypertensive patients underwent pure tone audiometry, Tinnitus...

Patient barriers: adult cochlear implantation systematic review

The literature across a 35-year time span highlights disproportionately low rates of cochlear implantation among adults compared to paediatric populations, despite the significant benefits of cochlear implants (CIs) for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. Barriers span psychological, informational,...

Polidocanol – a safer and equally effective alternative to ethanol for the treatment of thyroid cysts?

Percutaneous needle aspiration is a minimally invasive treatment option for thyroid cysts but suffers from a high recurrence rate (86% in 1 case series). This recurrence rate can be reduced substantially with the instillation of ethanol following aspiration. Ethanol instillation...

ADHEAR in the paediatric population

ADHEAR is a non-surgical bone conduction device (BCD) available from Med-El from 2017. It uses an adhesive adapter consisting of a soft rubber pad with a centre rigid plate that has a snap coupling for attachment of a sound processor....

Telehealth for cochlear implant follow-up care

For individuals with moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implants are a highly effective form of hearing rehabilitation. Despite their effectiveness, utilisation is low, with approximately only 12.7% of suitable adult candidates receiving implants. Barriers to access include the geographic distribution...

Predicting aspiration pneumonia in adults

Aspiration occurs when oropharyngeal or gastric contents are inhaled into the larynx and lower respiratory tract. When the aspirated material is colonised by pathogenic microorganisms, this may result in aspiration pneumonia. In contrast, aspiration of sterile gastric contents may lead...