OTO Journal

This podcast highlights original research published in the July 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 compare outcomes for patients undergoing a transmastoid approach versus a middle fossa craniotomy approach with plugging and/or resurfacing for repair of superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Outcome measures include symptom resolution, hearing, operative time, hospital stay, complications, and revision rates.

In conclusion, both the transmastoid approach and the middle fossa craniotomy approach for repair of superior canal dehiscence offer symptom resolution with minimal risk. The transmastoid approach was associated with shorter hospital stays and lower recurrence rate as compared with the middle fossa craniotomy approach.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the June 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 determine the role of cognitive testing in predicting age-appropriate audiometric responses among children aged 30 to 42 months.

In conclusion, the DAYC-2 is a useful screen to identify children likely to complete an age-appropriate audiogram.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the May 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 objectives of this study were to (1) analyze unsolicited patient complaints (UPCs) among otolaryngologists, (2) identify risk factors for UPCs, and (3) determine the impact of physician feedback on subsequent UPCs.

In conclusion, systematic monitoring and respectful sharing of peer-comparative patient complaint data offers an intervention associated with UPCs and concomitant malpractice risk reduction. Collegial feedback over time increases the response rate, but a small proportion of physicians will require directive interventions.

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

Obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction (OETD) affects up to 5% of adults; however, available treatment strategies have limitations. It was previously reported that balloon dilation of the eustachian tube (BDET) with the eustachian tube balloon catheter + medical management (MM) results in a significantly higher proportion of subjects with normalized tympanograms versus MM alone at 6- and 24-week follow-up. The current analysis extends these initial findings by investigating the durability of BDET + MM treatment outcomes through 52 weeks.

In conclusion, the present study suggests that the beneficial effects of BDET + MM on tympanogram normalization and symptoms of subjects with refractory OETD demonstrate significant durability that is clinically relevant through 52 weeks.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the March 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 objectives of this study were (1) to determine the short-term effectiveness of oral steroids in women with benign vocal fold lesions and (2) to determine the effectiveness of adjuvant oral steroids in women undergoing voice therapy for benign vocal fold lesions.

In conclusion, a short course of oral steroids did not benefit women with phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions. In addition, steroids had little beneficial effect when used adjunctively with voice therapy in this patient cohort.

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This podcast discusses the implications for non-otolaryngologists of "Clinical Practice Guideline: Tonsillectomy in Children (Update)", published as a supplement to the February 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 update of a 2011 guideline developed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation provides evidence-based recommendations on the pre-, intra-, and postoperative care and management of children 1 to 18 years of age under consideration for tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy is defined as a surgical procedure performed with or without adenoidectomy that completely removes the tonsil, including its capsule, by dissecting the peritonsillar space between the tonsil capsule and the muscular wall. Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, with 289,000 ambulatory procedures performed annually in children

Click here to read the Guideline.

This podcast discusses the implications for otolaryngologists of "Clinical Practice Guideline: Tonsillectomy in Children (Update)", published as a supplement to the February 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 update of a 2011 guideline developed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation provides evidence-based recommendations on the pre-, intra-, and postoperative care and management of children 1 to 18 years of age under consideration for tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy is defined as a surgical procedure performed with or without adenoidectomy that completely removes the tonsil, including its capsule, by dissecting the peritonsillar space between the tonsil capsule and the muscular wall. Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, with 289,000 ambulatory procedures performed annually in children

Click here to read the Guideline.

This podcast highlights original research published in February 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 understand the effects of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) evaluation on patients with previously untreated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with clinical evidence of regional lymph node involvement.

In conclusion, when added to more conventional patient evaluation, PET/CT results in changes to the TNM categories, but overall staging and treatment were less frequently affected. Whether PET/CT should be used routinely for patients with stage III and IV HNSCC is still subjective and merits further study.

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

Vestibular symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo are common after head injury and may be due to trauma to the peripheral vestibular system. The pathophysiology of peripheral vestibular symptoms following head injury without temporal bone (TB) fracture, however, is not well understood. Herein, this study investigates the histopathology of the peripheral vestibular system of patients who sustained head injury without a TB fracture.

In conclusion, otopathologic analysis of patients with a history of head injury without TB fracture demonstrated peripheral vestibular otopathology. Future studies are necessary to determine if otopathology findings are directly attributable to head injury.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the December 2018 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

This retrospective study uses a large national claims-based database to analyze recent practice patterns related to balloon catheter dilation (BCD) of the sinuses.

In conclusion, BCD, especially in the office, has risen in popularity since the introduction of Current Procedural Terminologycodes in 2011. This study reveals significant differences in demographics and comorbidities between patients undergoing BCD and those undergoing FESS. Such disparities may highlight the need for better-defined indications for use of this technology.

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