Search

How are swallowing and voice affected following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)?

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) requires an anterior transcervical approach (ACA) to allow decompression of the cervical spine and nerve roots. This approach is also occasionally used for corpectomy and osteophyte removal. Key neurovascular structures related to swallowing and...

Adjuvant radiotherapy for T4N0 laryngeal cancers treated with laryngectomy

A total laryngectomy remains the gold standard for the initial treatment of advanced (T4) squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx without evidence of distant disease. Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is also recommended for such cancers. In the absence of other adverse...

Cochlear implant and age

In an American ageing society with more prevalent hearing loss, fewer geriatric patients are opting for cochlear implants (CI). This is mainly due to comorbidities and potential complications. Authors conducted a retrospective review of CI patients from 2015 till 2021....

What are the consequences of facial palsy on working life?

Facial palsy (FP) has multiple causes, including iatrogenic or idiopathic paralysis, trauma and tumours. Whilst for certain aetiologies, such as Bell’s palsy, recovery of function is expected, many patients will experience permanent symptoms due to incomplete recovery of the facial...

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...

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,...

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....

Do in-office steroid injections help for idiopathic subglottic stenosis?

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) is a narrowing of the trachea of unknown cause, usually affecting middle-aged Caucasian women. In-office intralesional steroid injection (SILSI) is a recent advance in minimally invasive treatment aiming to reduce inflammation and scarring. The authors of...