ENTtoday: June 2014

Sleep Machines May Damage Infant Hearing

Research raises concerns that high noise levels from infant sleep machines may cause hearing loss in babies, incur additional loss in teens

FDA Approves First Sublingual Allergy Immunotherapy Agents

Medications Oralair, Grastek, Ragwitek are designed to treat grass pollen-induced rhinitis, ragweed allergies

The ABOto Finance Committee Oversees, Makes Policy Decisions Regarding Financial Operations

The committee is one of eight American Board of Otolaryngology committees

Should Physicians Use Cell Phones to Communicate with Patients?

Otolaryngologists weigh concerns about personal privacy, receiving after-hours calls with desire for more efficient connection with patients

How to Avoid a Healthcare Data Breach

Steps to help physicians safeguard privacy, security of patients’ protected health information and ensure compliance with HIPAA rules
 

How to Create Web-Based Medical Lectures

Tips from otolaryngology educators on crafting educational webinars for medical students, residents, and practicing otolaryngologists

Sudden Hearing Loss a Risk for People Taking Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors

Otolaryngologists urged to consider PDE-5 inhibitor use when patients present with sudden hearing impairment

Is There a “Best” Stapedectomy Prosthesis?

Research does not suggest that any one prosthesis design—wire loop, piston, or bucket handle—is better than another in terms of postoperative hearing outcomes

Is Post-­Operative Stenting Necessary in Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy?

Endoscopic DCR without stenting reduces intensity of post-operative management, avoids potential for stent-related complications, and offers comparable patient outcomes

More Aggressive Identification Attempts May Prevent Overdiagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Is laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) overdiagnosed in complaints of hoarseness, and how effective are videoendoscopic laryngeal findings in determining etiology?

Free Flap Surgery Viable Choice for Mandible Reconstruction

What are the current indications and demographics for the use of free-flap reconstruction of the jaws?

GeneXpert MTB/RIF Useful for Cervical TB Lymphadenitis Diagnosis in HIV-Infected Patients

How accurate is diagnosis of cervical TB lymphadenitis utilizing the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay in HIV-infected patients with palpable cervical lymph nodes?

Despite Risk of Bleeding, Dexamethasone Should Be Used after Tonsillectomy in Children

Is there an increased risk of post-tonsillectomy bleeding when dexamethasone is used intraoperatively?

Parent-Reported Experiences about Pediatric Surgeons

What do parents value in outpatient experiences with their children’s otolaryngology and pediatric surgeons?