Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Noise-induced hearing loss: an occupational medicine perspective
Purpose of reviewUp to 30 million workers in the United States are exposed to potentially detrimental levels of noise. Although reliable medications for minimizing or reversing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are not currently available, NIHL is entirely preventable. The purpose of this article is to review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of occupational NIHL. We will focus on at-risk populations and discuss prevention programs. Current prevention programs focus on reducing inner ear damage by minimizing environmental noise production and through the use of personal hearing protective devices. Recent findingsNIHL is...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: AUDITORY AND VESTIBULAR SCIENCE: Edited by Rodney C. Diaz Source Type: research

Recent trends in the treatment of benign odontogenic tumors
Purpose of review: The management of benign, locally aggressive odontogenic tumors, namely, keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOTs) and ameloblastomas, can be challenging. The purpose of this article is to briefly summarize important features of these lesions and review recent trends in the literature regarding their treatment. Recent findings: Currently, KOTs are frequently treated with a conservative approach consisting of enucleation and adjuvant decompression or local microablation with peripheral ostectomies, Carnoy's solution, or cryotherapy. Conversely, ameloblastomas generally require marginal or segmental resectio...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY: Edited by Sherard A. Tatum Source Type: research

The use of fractional exhaled nitric oxide is valuable in select asthmatic patients
Purpose of review: Clinical management of asthma is challenging and measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) can be another tool to assist in meeting this challenge. Recent findings: Asthma is a heterogeneous condition. There are many different phenotypes. FeNO can help the physician identify which patients have eosinophilic inflammation and would potentially respond to corticosteroid therapy. Summary: FeNO is a complement to standard asthma care. FeNO can be used in the initial diagnosis of asthma and aid in stratification of which patients would be steroid responsive but also for assessment of disease severity,...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: ALLERGY: Edited by Sandra Y. Lin Source Type: research

Indications for open procedures in the endoscopic era
This study summarizes the recent literature and provides a comprehensive review of the up-to-date remaining indications for open procedures in the nose and paranasal sinuses. (Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery)
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: NOSE AND PARANASAL SINUSES: Edited by Samuel S. Becker and Nithin D. Adappa Source Type: research

Chronic nasal dysfunction in children: Allergic rhinitis? Infectious? What to do if neither?
Purpose of review: To review challenges in the diagnosis, work-up, and management of healthy children who present to the otolaryngologist with nasal dysfunction. Common symptoms include chronic nasal congestion, with or without rhinorrhea, with or without previous empirically treated ‘allergic rhinitis’ and/or ‘sinus’ infection. Symptoms are often unresolved despite chronic use of intranasal steroid, antihistamine, and/or leukotriene receptor antagonists. Recent findings: There are no published studies addressing nasal symptoms in children who test negative for allergies yet report persistent nasal obstruction, con...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY: Edited by Lisa Buckmiller Source Type: research

Facial reanimation: evolving from static procedures to free tissue transfer in head and neck surgery
Purpose of review: The purpose of this article is to review and evaluate the surgical options for treating patients with facial paralysis, covering primary neurorrhaphy to facial reanimation, with microvascular free tissue transfer. Recent findings: In recent years, free tissue transfer has been increasingly common for rehabilitating the paralyzed face, providing a more dynamic and aesthetic outcome, than has been possible prior to microvascular surgery in facial plastic and head and neck surgery. Summary: Although primary facial nerve repair attains the best results, nerve grafting with the sural nerve and commercially av...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: HEAD AND NECK RECONSTRUCTION: Edited by Scott C. Fuller Source Type: research

Current surgical management of macroglossia
Purpose of review: To discuss the current surgical management of macroglossia. Recent findings: Traditional surgical management of severe macroglossia has been with anterior wedge or keyhole resection. Long-term follow-up has been limited, and only recently have assessments been done regarding functional and aesthetic outcomes. New methods including double stellate and combination approaches have shown promise, though with limited case size reports. Addressing macroglossia in three dimensions may be the most effective way of achieving positive positional, speech and aesthetic outcomes, but comparative studies are lacking. ...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY: Edited by Sherard A. Tatum Source Type: research

Oral allergy syndrome
Purpose of review: Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is common in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. OAS may be less recognized in clinical practice leading to unclear diagnosis and treatment plans. Many aspects of OAS remain poorly understood, including a lack of a standard definition, limits in diagnostic tests, and complicated pathophysiology with a multitude of cross-reactivities. Understanding the range of mild-to-severe reactions will assist providers in developing the best approaches for diagnosis and management of patients with OAS. Recent findings: A standardized definition of OAS does not exist in the current ...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: ALLERGY: Edited by Sandra Y. Lin Source Type: research

Oropharyngeal cancer treatment: the role of transoral surgery
This article reviews literature pertaining to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oropharynx and the evolution of transoral surgical (TOS) techniques for its management. Oncologists are recognizing a changing pattern in the cause of oropharyngeal cancer, namely the increasing incidence of HPV-associated tumors. An effort is underway to reduce the morbidity of treatment without jeopardizing survival. This is a timely discussion for reassessment of current standards of care and opening dialogue on treatment de-escalation. Transoral approaches including transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and transoral robotic surgery (TORS) ...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: HEAD AND NECK ONCOLOGY: Edited by Piero Nicolai and Cesare Piazza Source Type: research

Laryngomalacia in the older child: clinical presentations and management
Purpose of review: To review the literature on laryngomalacia that manifests in older children and contrast this with congenital laryngomalacia seen more prevalently in infants. In doing so, we hope to offer relevant diagnostic and management options to treat late-onset laryngomalacia based from our experience and the current literature. Recent findings: Laryngomalacia in older children can present differently than congenital laryngomalacia, and the most common and best understood consequence of late-onset laryngomalacia is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Other manifestations include exercise-induced stridor and possibly...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY: Edited by Lisa Buckmiller Source Type: research

Laryngomalacia in the older child: clinical presentations and management
Purpose of reviewTo review the literature on laryngomalacia that manifests in older children and contrast this with congenital laryngomalacia seen more prevalently in infants. In doing so, we hope to offer relevant diagnostic and management options to treat late-onset laryngomalacia based from our experience and the current literature. Recent findingsLaryngomalacia in older children can present differently than congenital laryngomalacia, and the most common and best understood consequence of late-onset laryngomalacia is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Other manifestations include exercise-induced stridor and possibly eve...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY: Edited by Lisa Buckmiller Source Type: research

Cochlear implantation and single-sided deafness
Purpose of reviewRecently, more patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) have been undergoing cochlear implantation. We review recent studies and case reports to provide an overview of the efficacy of cochlear implants to rehabilitate patients with SSD with regards to sound localization, speech discrimination, and tinnitus suppression. Recent findingsThere are a growing number of studies evaluating the effect of cochlear implantation for rehabilitation of the deficits associated with SSD over the past several years as more centers offer this treatment modality to patients with SSD. Although individual studies have few pat...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: OTOLOGY AND NEURO-OTOLOGY: Edited by Ravi N. Samy Source Type: research

Reconstructive considerations in low and middle-income countries
Purpose of review Surgical mission trips in head and neck surgery are common. There are an increasing number of surgical groups performing complex reconstructions in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Consideration of reconstructive options that are location and patient specific are critical for optimum patient care and local physician education. Recent findings The pectoralis muscle regional flap is a versatile and reliable option and has been shown to reconstruct defects in nearly every head and neck subsite. Additional regional flap options described are the supraclavicular island flap and submental island fla...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: HEAD AND NECK RECONSTRUCTION: Edited by Arnaud F. Bewley Source Type: research

Update on injectables in the nose
Purpose of review: The use of injectable fillers for nonsurgical rhinoplasty has increased tremendously over the past decade. This review describes the most commonly used fillers and their indications in the context of recent reports of both their successes and failures. Recent findings: Hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite are the two most commonly used fillers for injection. Recent studies have found that most injectable fillers are met with success and patient satisfaction, but vascular complications are still a serious problem of which physicians should be wary. Summary: Injectable fillers should continue to b...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY: Edited by Travis T. Tollefson Source Type: research

Posttreatment surveillance for sinonasal malignancy
Purpose of review: Sinonasal neoplasms have a high rate of recurrence following treatment, and clinicians utilize a variety of surveillance techniques. Generally, surveillance modality and frequency of follow-up are determined by the guidelines for head and neck cancer as a broad category. However, recent studies have demonstrated that a more tailored approach to follow-up may be necessary. Recent findings: Endoscopy has low sensitivity in recurrence detection, especially in the asymptomatic patient. However, it is able to identify superficial recurrences that may be more amenable to repeat resection. Conversely, imaging ...
Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - September 11, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: NOSE AND PARANASAL SINUSES: Edited by Samuel S. Becker and Nithin D. Adappa Source Type: research