ENTtoday: November 2008

Cellular Therapy of Autoimmune Disease

Cellular therapy refers to the use of live cells to replace or repair a damaged organ system. The first widespread use of this approach occurred more than 50 years ago when hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from the bone marrow of a healthy donor (allogeneic) were used to replace the hematopoietic system of a recipient after it was ablated during chemo/radio therapy of leukemia, the recipient’s hematopoietic system being “collateral damage” during the eradication of the unwanted leukemia cells.

Innovative Doctors + Better Technology = Practice Changess

Part 1 of a series

Salivary Gland Malignancies: Diagnosis and Treatment of a Rare and Challenging Cancer

Salivary gland malignancies affect 2.5 to 3 in 100,000 people each year in the United States, and comprise only 6% of head and neck cancers.

Otolaryngologists View Resident Work-Hour Restrictions: ACS calls for in-depth investigation before mandating further restrictions

In response to many national calls to enhance patient safety, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) mandated a maximum 80-hour workweek for all residents beginning in 2003.

Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons Urged: Be Part of the Solution in Health Care Reform

With the crisis in the financial markets reaching what many call historic proportions, another crisis long brewing is threatening to surface that, if some experts are correct, could have even greater consequences than the financial crisis for the US health care system.

New Medicare Audiology Billing Takes Effect

As of October 1, all audiologists who provide services to Medicare patients must use their own National Provider Identifier (NPI) on claims submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

New Cerumen Guidelines Development Process Reflects AAO-HNS’s Methodical Approach

In September, the American Association of Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons (AAO-HNS) published the first clinical practice guidelines on the removal of impacted cerumen (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;139:S1-S21).

Trial Vocal Fold Injection Helps Predict Positive Outcomes

Patients who were allowed to test drive a vocal fold injection-and who later decided on a permanent augmentation-found that the trial treatment translated in positive outcomes, researchers have found.