OTO Journal

This podcast highlights original research published in the January 2020 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

Although neck impairment has been described following surgical resection, limited studies have investigated its prevalence in nonsurgical treatment. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and predictors of neck disability following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment and to explore its association with quality of life (QOL).

In conclusion, this study revealed a high prevalence of neck disability following nonsurgical treatment. While neck disability is an established sequela of surgical resection, the impact of nonsurgical treatment has gone unrecognized. Early identification and intervention to prevent progression of neck disability are crucial to optimize QOL.

Click here to read the full article.

This podcast discusses the implications for non-otolaryngologists of "Clinical Practice Guideline: Nosebleed (Epistaxis)", published as a supplement to the January 2020 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

For the purposes of this guideline, we define the target patient with a nosebleed as a patient with bleeding from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx that is sufficient to warrant medical advice or care. This includes bleeding that is severe, persistent, and/or recurrent, as well as bleeding that impacts a patient's quality of life. Interventions for nosebleeds range from self-treatment and home remedies to more intensive procedural interventions in medical offices, emergency departments, hospitals, and operating rooms. Epistaxis has been estimated to account for 0.5% of all emergency department visits and up to one-third of all otolaryngology-related emergency department encounters. Inpatient hospitalization for aggressive treatment of severe nosebleeds has been reported in 0.2% of patients with nosebleeds.

Click here to read the Guideline.

This podcast discusses the implications for otolaryngologists of "Clinical Practice Guideline: Nosebleed (Epistaxis)", published as a supplement to the January 2020 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

For the purposes of this guideline, we define the target patient with a nosebleed as a patient with bleeding from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx that is sufficient to warrant medical advice or care. This includes bleeding that is severe, persistent, and/or recurrent, as well as bleeding that impacts a patient's quality of life. Interventions for nosebleeds range from self-treatment and home remedies to more intensive procedural interventions in medical offices, emergency departments, hospitals, and operating rooms. Epistaxis has been estimated to account for 0.5% of all emergency department visits and up to one-third of all otolaryngology-related emergency department encounters. Inpatient hospitalization for aggressive treatment of severe nosebleeds has been reported in 0.2% of patients with nosebleeds.

Click here to read the Guideline.

This podcast highlights original research published in the December 2019 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

Despite increased concern with the opioid epidemic, literature remains scant regarding narcotic prescription and use following tonsillectomy.

In conclusion, patient-reported narcotic use is significantly lower than the amount prescribed after tonsillectomy for benign disease. Providers can use these data to adjust narcotic-prescribing patterns while maintaining appropriate pain management for patients undergoing tonsillectomy.

Click here to read the full article.

This podcast highlights original research published in the November 2019 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objective of this study was to better quantify the risk of ibuprofen-associated posttonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH).

In conclusion, our meta-analysis of available cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) shows possible increased tendency to PTH with the use of ibuprofen. This has not been demonstrated in other studies and systematic reviews because their analyses were limited by use of multiple nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and inclusion of studies limited to the perioperative period and low sample size. However, the current analysis is limited due to inclusion of many retrospective cohort studies with unclear follow-up and no blinding. Further RCTs will be required to investigate this trend toward increased PTH.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the October 2019 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

Balloon sinuplasty (BS) is a surgical management option in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this study was to examine BS utilization among children with a national database.

In conclusion, rates of BS performance in the pediatric population have not increased over time. Results showed no difference in readmission rates between BS and ESS. BS was associated with higher costs as compared with ESS. The role of BS in the pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis population remains unclear.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the September 2019 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objective of this study was to recognize that thyroid nodules with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS; Bethesda III) have different risks of malignancy based on genetic mutation and to consider molecular testing of nodules with AUS/FLUS to help avoid unnecessary morbidity or cost.

In conclusion, not all molecular mutations in thyroid nodules with AUS/FLUS have a high risk of malignancy. Of note, patients with BRAF and RET mutations in our population had a 100% risk of malignancy. Patients with PAX, HRAS, or NRAS mutations had a high risk of malignancy, while patients with KRAS mutations had a lower risk of malignancy. Further studies are needed to determine if the presence of certain molecular mutations can help personalize care and aid in the decision for thyroid surgery.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the August 2019 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

Although the literature adequately identifies the current gender inequality that exists in academic otolaryngology and describes the barriers to advancement of women in academic medicine, there is little information regarding the daily details of how successful women in academic otolaryngology achieve work-life balance. This study was designed to better understand how women in academic otolaryngology achieve work-life balance while negotiating family and childrearing commitments, clinical workload, and scholarly activity, as well as to highlight coping strategies and behaviors that women have used to achieve these successes.

The conflicting demands between home and professional life are one of the barriers to recruiting, promoting, and retaining women in academic otolaryngology. Fostering a better environment for work-life balance is critical to promote the advancement of women in otolaryngology and otolaryngology leadership.

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This podcast discusses the implications for otolaryngologists of "Clinical Practice Guideline: Sudden Hearing Loss (Update)", published as a supplement to the August 2019 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

This guideline update provides evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients who present with sudden hearing loss. It focuses on sudden sensorineural hearing loss in adult patients aged ≥18 years and primarily on those with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Prompt recognition and management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss may improve hearing recovery and patient quality of life. The guideline update is intended for all clinicians who diagnose or manage adult patients who present with sudden hearing loss.

Click here to read the Guideline.

This podcast discusses the implications for non-otolaryngologists of "Clinical Practice Guideline: Sudden Hearing Loss (Update)", published as a supplement to the August 2019 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

This guideline update provides evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients who present with sudden hearing loss. It focuses on sudden sensorineural hearing loss in adult patients aged ≥18 years and primarily on those with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Prompt recognition and management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss may improve hearing recovery and patient quality of life. The guideline update is intended for all clinicians who diagnose or manage adult patients who present with sudden hearing loss.

Click here to read the Guideline.