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.

Study hints at antioxidants being able to prevent and restore hearing loss

In a preliminary study, researchers find that vitamin E may be effective in restoring sudden onset hearing loss of unknown origin (idiopathic sudden hearing loss). These findings suggest that further research may reveal the role of antioxidants in the prevention and restoration of hearing loss.

18 Sep 2004

Reading performance is not affected once otitis media has been cured

One year ago, study results were presented addressing the reading performance in children with otitis media in early childhood. The findings revealed that middle ear diseases during early years and the attendant hearing losses adversely affect reading performance in first and second graders.

18 Sep 2004

A new lipid-based nasal ointment effective at reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis

One in five Americans have allergic rhinitis, a number that is steadily rising, but the exact reasons for this increase are unknown. A new lipid-based nasal ointment is found effective at reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis in German patients.

18 Sep 2004

Microdebrider better than CO2 laser for removal of most pediatric airway lesions

Citing improved safety and effectiveness at lower cost, a major medical center has adopted the microdebrider to replace the CO2 laser for removal of most pediatric airway lesions, including stenoses, granulation tissue, and cysts.

18 Sep 2004

Significant relationships between laryngopharyngeal reflux and upper airway sensory impairment

Medical researchers have long suspected a relationship between gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), two medical conditions which can have a deleterious effect on a patient¡¯s quality of life.

17 Sep 2004

Mastoidectomy does not decrease the possibility that young patients will develop a middle ear infection

Performing a mastoidectomy, a group of operations on the temporal bone and middle ear to drain, expose, or remove an infectious, inflammatory, or neoplastic lesion, during cochlear implantation for young children does not decrease the possibility that the young patient will develop a middle ear infection.

17 Sep 2004

Researchers find palatal implants provide effective snoring relief

Researchers find that inserting three matchstick sized pieces of polyester material in the upper palate is a simple, low cost, and easily tolerated office procedure that provides effective snoring relief.

17 Sep 2004

Children with complications from acute sinusits may experience significant illness from their infection

Acute sinusitis is a common pediatric disorder, accounting for 21 percent of children’s antibiotic prescriptions.

17 Sep 2004

MRI is becoming more recognized as useful in the etiological investigation of sudden deafness

For the patient, sudden deafness can be terrifying. For the specialist, this disorder can be most challenging for the cause of sudden deafness cannot be readily determined by use of the most advanced diagnostic tests.

17 Sep 2004

Mitomycin C offers limited benefit in reducing unsightly scars

The tendency for extreme scarring is one reason many African Americans avoid plastic surgery and other surgical incisions. Though surgeons continue to develop less invasive techniques that minimize scarring, other options are needed to help these individuals who are prone to developing keloid scars.

17 Sep 2004

Strep A is showing up in increased numbers of head and neck abscesses

Head and neck abscesses are infrequent complications of upper respiratory infections, but they can occur suddenly and be rapidly progressive. If untreated, the abscesses can lead to airway obstruction, vision loss, intracranial infections, and even death.

17 Sep 2004

Study compares cheap take-home sleep test to expensive polysomnography test

Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea usually involves polysomnograpy, an overnight sleep test in a sleep clinic or lab. Results of a new study indicate that a take-home sleep test is just as effective as a polysomnography and is less expensive while providing timely results.

17 Sep 2004

Study compares coblation tonsillectomy to traditional method of removing tonsils

Tonsillectomy remains one of the most common childhood surgeries with an increasing number of the surgeries being done to treat obstructive sleep apnea or sleep disordered breathing.

17 Sep 2004

Lack of sleep may cause behavioral, learning and attention problems

Nine-year-old Fernando Perry-Mendoza may no longer need medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder thanks to the results of a sleep study at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital’s new Pediatric Sleep Program.

1 Sep 2004

Nasal cream effective in reducing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis

A nasal cream applied to the inside of the nose appears effective in reducing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, according to an article in the August issue of The Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.

16 Aug 2004

Best approach to removing a diseased thyroid may be from under the arm

The best approach to removing a diseased thyroid, the endocrine gland just under the Adam’s apple that controls the body’s metabolic rate, amazingly may be from under the arm, according to a study published in the August issue of the journal Laryngoscope.

5 Aug 2004

45% of specialists admit having made a recent medical error

Otolaryngologist Dr. David Roberson has first-hand experience with medical errors. He remembers one near-miss in a patient about to receive a cochlear implant – and says it typifies the kinds of mistakes he and his colleagues have turned up in a national survey.

3 Aug 2004

Research to develop ways to inhibit head and neck cancers, the fifth most common cancer worldwide

A University of Queensland researcher has been awarded $850,000 by one of Australia’s largest private, charitable, medical foundations to develop ways to inhibit head and neck cancers, the fifth most common cancer worldwide.

29 Jul 2004

Best hospital in America

For the 14th consecutive year, The Johns Hopkins Hospital has topped U.S. News & World Report's rankings of American hospitals.

2 Jul 2004

More than half of head and neck cancer patients disabled by cancer or by cancer treatment

According to information in the article, more than 40,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States, with 12,000 deaths each year. Patients with head and neck cancer often experience problems with eating and communicating, have pain, and have poor emotional well being and general functional status.

21 Jun 2004

Otolaryngology News and Research

Further Reading

Study hints at antioxidants being able to prevent and restore hearing loss

Reading performance is not affected once otitis media has been cured

A new lipid-based nasal ointment effective at reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis

Microdebrider better than CO2 laser for removal of most pediatric airway lesions

Significant relationships between laryngopharyngeal reflux and upper airway sensory impairment

Mastoidectomy does not decrease the possibility that young patients will develop a middle ear infection

Researchers find palatal implants provide effective snoring relief

Children with complications from acute sinusits may experience significant illness from their infection

MRI is becoming more recognized as useful in the etiological investigation of sudden deafness

Mitomycin C offers limited benefit in reducing unsightly scars

Strep A is showing up in increased numbers of head and neck abscesses

Study compares cheap take-home sleep test to expensive polysomnography test

Study compares coblation tonsillectomy to traditional method of removing tonsils

Lack of sleep may cause behavioral, learning and attention problems

Nasal cream effective in reducing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis

Best approach to removing a diseased thyroid may be from under the arm

45% of specialists admit having made a recent medical error

Research to develop ways to inhibit head and neck cancers, the fifth most common cancer worldwide

Best hospital in America

More than half of head and neck cancer patients disabled by cancer or by cancer treatment

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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