Otolaryngology News and Research

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The medical discipline and practice of otolaryngology is a specialty that addresses conditions of the ears, nose, and throat. Another name for this practice is otolaryngology head and neck surgery.

Sleep studies could affect treatment decisions in children with sleep disordered breathing

A new study recommends healthy children with symptoms of sleep disordered breathing, such as snoring or temporary cessation of breathing, should consider undergoing a sleep study (polysomnography) and should discuss the potential benefits of this with their pediatrician or otolaryngologist to possibly manage the child's symptoms medically and before surgery.

6 Feb 2021

Imaging SARS-CoV-2 with a helium ion microscope for the first time

Scientists at Bielefeld University's Faculty of Physics have succeeded for the first time in imaging the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus with a helium ion microscope.

4 Feb 2021

New gene-based vaccine strategy receives grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The AAVCOVID vaccine program, a novel gene-based vaccine strategy that utilizes an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, was granted an award for up to $2.1 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

29 Jan 2021

Sodium fluorescein may improve the safety and outcomes of vestibular schwannoma surgery

Removing a vestibular schwannoma -; a slow-growing, benign tumor that develops in the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain -; is a delicate procedure. Surgeons must differentiate the tumor from nearby nerves, arteries, and other intracranial structures.

26 Jan 2021

Study reveals connection between oral sex and oropharyngeal cancer

A wide breadth of behaviors surrounding oral sex may affect the risk of oral HPV infection and of a virus-associated head and neck cancer that can be spread through this route, a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center suggests.

15 Jan 2021

Study: Antibiotics are not necessary after most endoscopic sinus surgeries

Antibiotics are not necessary for patients after most routine endoscopic sinus surgeries despite the common practice to prescribe them, according to a team led by researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

6 Jan 2021

Comprehensive review details the evolution of surgical microscopes

A clear view of anatomical structures is vital for the success of surgery--especially in microsurgery where narrow anatomical cavities or proximity to vulnerable organs and tissues can pose significant risks to patient health.

5 Jan 2021

Nasolaryngoscopy hood effectively reduces aerosol exposures to patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to cause dramatic shifts in the practice of otolaryngology. Even with standard precautions such as physical distancing and wearing personal protective equipment, aerosol-generating procedures such as nasolaryngoscopy (a commonly performed in-office procedure in which a soft, flexible fiber-scope is passed through the nose and into the throat) and intranasal instrumentation were determined to carry a risk of potential transmission if not adequately protected.

23 Dec 2020

Hearing loss, high blood sugar linked to poor cognitive performance among older Latinos

Hearing loss and diabetes are major public health problems, with Latinos at higher risk than other demographic groups.

18 Dec 2020

UofL receives DoD funding to develop a nasal spray for preventing COVID-19

The University of Louisville has received funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to develop a nasal spray to prevent serious viral respiratory infections such as COVID-19 using Q-Griffithsin, a drug compound developed and co-owned by UofL.

9 Dec 2020

Study finds disparity in telemedicine use during the pandemic among head and neck cancer patients

The use of telemedicine services has shown to be exceptionally effective in meeting the health care needs of patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 Dec 2020

Hearing loss experts urge FDA to permit the sale of OTC hearing aids

Hearing loss experts at Mass Eye and Ear are advocating for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement a law passed by Congress permitting the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.

19 Nov 2020

ABCS-certified doctors don't measure up to meet criteria required for plastic surgeons

Cosmetic surgery is not just another way of saying plastic surgery. Doctors who advertise themselves as certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) don't measure up to meet the criteria required for board-certified plastic surgeons.

9 Nov 2020

NAM announces winners of the inaugural round of Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards

The National Academy of Medicine, together with seven global collaborators representing nearly 50 countries and territories, today announced the winners of the inaugural round of Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards.

16 Oct 2020

Study: Combining sound and electrical stimulation of tongue can reduce tinnitus

In the largest clinical trial of its kind, researchers show that combining sound and electrical stimulation of the tongue can significantly reduce tinnitus, commonly described as "ringing in the ears." They also found that therapeutic effects can be sustained for up to 12 months post-treatment.

16 Oct 2020

COVID-19 can cause sudden permanent hearing loss in rare cases

Many complications have been reported, including heart disease and prolonged respiratory issues in a group of people called “long-haulers.” Now, a new worrying finding shows that COVID-19 can cause sudden and irreversible hearing loss in patients.

15 Oct 2020

New saliva tests can enable early detection and diagnosis of COVID-19, head & neck cancer

Summit Biolabs, Inc., an early-stage molecular diagnostics company specializing in saliva-based testing for COVID-19 and head & neck cancer, and the Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine (CCPM) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus announced today a broad strategic collaboration involving research, development and commercialization of saliva liquid-biopsy tests for early cancer detection and diagnosis of COVID-19 and other viral contagions.