ENTtoday: December 2020

Why Otolaryngologists Have an Advantage When Dual Boarding in Sleep Medicine

The conversation about which medical specialists are best suited to treat patients with sleep disorders evolved even more recently.

Preparing Yourself and Your Practice for a Surge of COVID-19 Patients this Winter

With practices operating at full capacity, what should otolaryngologists know about treating COVID-19, and how can they protect themselves during this demanding time?

Otolaryngologists Are Cautiously Optimistic about Platelet-Rich Plasma But Want More Evidence

Research in platelet-rich plasma use in otolaryngology has been slow to develop, but it is becoming easier to find.

Patients Make Us Better: Here Are Some Ethical Lessons Patients Teach Their Doctors

Our patients are more than just their disease—they are parents, spouses, and children, all struggling to achieve some level of happiness and health.

How To: ‘Parachute’ Technique for Reconstruction of Small Skull Base Defects of the Ventral Skull Base

This “parachute” technique can be used with both autologous free grafts and synthetic materials.

Success with Mandibular Advancement During Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Correlates with Less Success in Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation

Patients having significant airway improvement in the upper pharynx with mandibular advancement (MA) during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) appear less likely to succeed with hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS).

Coagulation Panels Rarely Useful to Detect Pediatric Occult Coagulopathy Before Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage

Obtaining coagulation panels in pediatric patients presenting with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is rarely useful and diagnosing a coagulopathy is uncommon.

Nasal Swell Body Reduction Can Relieve Obstruction in Septal Perforation Repair Patients

Nasal swell body (NSB) can be surgically reduced, without re-perforation, to relieve obstructive symptoms.

Significant Clinical and Self-Assessed Differences Exist Between Patients With and Without Flavor Loss

A look at why some patients with olfactory disorder (OD) report smell and flavor loss while others report smell loss only.

No Association Between Circulating Tumor Cells and Locally Advanced and Metastatic SCC of the Head and Neck Prognosis

Circulating tumor cells are not associated with prognosis in patients with locally advanced and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), but circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are present.

Future Study of Malpractice Lawsuits Against Otolaryngologists by Subspecialty May Be Warranted

In a sample of medical malpractice cases involving otolaryngologists, trends in error type may warrant further investigation to identify specific areas of practice involvement and education.

Is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Beneficial Post Lung Transplant in Cystic Fibrosis Patients?

Based on the current literature, there is evidence to suggest a beneficial role of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) post lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with and without nasal polyposis.

Which Ultrasound Classification System Is Best at Reducing Unnecessary Thyroid Nodule Biopsies?

Ultrasound is now the primary radiologic tool for evaluating thyroid nodules.

Persistent OSA After Adenotonsillectomy in CPAP-Intolerant Children: What to Do Next?

Patients with CPAP-intolerant refractory sleep apnea confirmed by polysomnography should be offered a drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) with the potential for directed surgery.

Letter from the Editor: Working Through the COVID Pandemic Is the Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done

As COVD-19 rages on, many experts are warning of darker days ahead. I can only agree.