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International Journal of Pediatric... Jun 2024Surgery with ventilation tubes (VT) in children suffering from otitis media with effusion is quite common. However, the knowledge surrounding parents' expectations to...
OBJECTIVE
Surgery with ventilation tubes (VT) in children suffering from otitis media with effusion is quite common. However, the knowledge surrounding parents' expectations to the treatment and postoperative care is sparse. The aim of this study was to describe the parents' expectations to VT surgery and postoperative care shortly after surgery.
METHODS
A qualitative study was conducted based on semi-structured individual interviews with parents recruited from a study where postoperative care was randomized to either an otolaryngologist or the patient's general practitioner (GP). The interviews were conducted within the first weeks after surgery and analyzed by reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS
In total, 13 parents aged 29-42 years participated in the study. We identified three main themes elucidating parents' expectations to VT surgery and postoperative care: 1) Preconceptions about VT surgery and hearing - most parents expected surgery to restore the child's normal hearing, and some were uncertain about their knowledge of normal hearing and VT treatment; 2) A safety net to ensure hearing and function - it was reassuring if the child received structured postoperative care that secured and notified appointments and had quick access to a specialist if needed; 3) High-quality care - most parents expected the otolaryngologist to provide the highest level of quality of care due to their specialist competence, special equipment and sufficient understanding of the problem to communicate well with parents. Postoperative care by the GP was perceived as incomplete among most parents due to a lack of both specialist competence and access to audiometry.
CONCLUSION
Parents expect postoperative care to safeguard their child as long as needed after VT surgery, and they expect access to high-quality care. Low health literacy among some parents challenges the current method of postoperative care and requires that more emphasis be set on both informing and educating parents regarding hearing and VT treatment.
Topics: Humans; Parents; Male; Female; Middle Ear Ventilation; Qualitative Research; Adult; Postoperative Care; Otitis Media with Effusion; Child; Child, Preschool; Interviews as Topic; Severity of Illness Index; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 38744003
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111941 -
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and... May 2024This study compared the utilization and outcomes of face-to-face (F2F) vestibular support groups and online support communities (OSC) for individuals with vestibular...
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the utilization and outcomes of face-to-face (F2F) vestibular support groups and online support communities (OSC) for individuals with vestibular disorders.
METHODS
We distributed a 31-question anonymous electronic survey through the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) to F2F participants, categorizing user involvement in F2F, OSCs, or both and assessed impact on medical decision-making, psychosocial benefits, and goals achieved.
RESULTS
The F2F cohort consisted of 97 individuals comprising primarily of non-Hispanic White women (mean age = 57 years, SD ± 14 years) with diagnoses including persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (19%), Meniere's disease (15%), and vestibular neuritis (13%). Most participants were diagnosed by an otolaryngologist (65%) and attended F2F meetings monthly or less frequently (78%). The OSC group comprised of 551 individuals, primarily of non-Hispanic White women, but was younger in age (mean age = 50 years, SD ± 13 years). OSC participants notably engaged more, with 36% participating on a daily basis and 32% multiple times a week. F2F participants were older (mean age 57 years vs 50 years, < .001) and more commonly referred by medical professionals (22% F2F vs 6% OSC, < .001). Both groups had similar achieved goals, including hearing from others with the same diagnosis (84% vs 89%, > .05) and similar impact on medical decision-making (75% vs 78%, > .05). More F2F participants reported increased development of coping skills (79% F2F vs 69% OSC, = .037). OSC participants typically found the group via an online search (75%), compared to 51% for F2F. OSC participants had higher daily engagement (36%) compared to F2F (1%).
CONCLUSION
F2F users are older and more commonly referred by medical professionals. Despite less frequent engagement, F2F participants reported similar influences on achieved goals, medical decision-making, and impact on psychosocial benefits. These findings highlight the importance of both F2F and OSC support groups for individuals with vestibular disorders.
PubMed: 38738670
DOI: 10.1177/00034894241241861 -
Cureus Apr 2024B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LBL) is an abnormal proliferation of lymphocyte precursor cells located primarily outside of the bone marrow and peripheral blood,...
B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LBL) is an abnormal proliferation of lymphocyte precursor cells located primarily outside of the bone marrow and peripheral blood, typically in the mediastinum or other lymph nodes. It is often a disease of childhood that presents with lymphadenopathy, fatigue, pallor, bone pain, and weight loss with laboratory findings of anemia and thrombocytopenia. Initial presentations prompted by head and neck manifestations are exceedingly rare. A five-year-old girl with no significant past medical history presented with right facial swelling and mild proptosis on ophthalmologic evaluation. She was referred to a tertiary care facility by her local otolaryngologist for further management after computed tomographic imaging revealed right maxillary sinus opacification and erosion of the anterior maxillary bone. Her symptoms were initially responsive to prednisone and amoxicillin-clavulanate, and only right unilateral nasal discharge persisted with a near-complete resolution of other sinonasal symptoms. Notably, laboratory values, including complete blood count, were within normal limits. Given concern for the etiology of the bony erosion, the patient presented for a second opinion, where imaging and biopsy resulted in flow cytometry findings consistent with B-ALL/LBL. After a bone marrow biopsy, the ultimate diagnosis was Murphy's stage III B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Malignant neoplasms of the sinonasal region are rare in children, where primary sinonasal B-LBL is a unique occurrence. Clinical features of sinonasal B-LBL in the paranasal sinuses may masquerade as pathologies such as acute sinusitis, orbital cellulitis, and benign tumors or polyps that can lead to a confounding diagnosis. In this case presentation, an initial response to steroids and antibiotics should not provide false reassurance when other features and signs, such as maxillary bone erosion, may suggest the presence of malignancy.
PubMed: 38738089
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58132 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal May 2024Substernal goiters often require surgery, yet their location presents challenges. Most can be removed via transcervical approach, but extent and relationship to...
Substernal goiters often require surgery, yet their location presents challenges. Most can be removed via transcervical approach, but extent and relationship to mediastinal structures can merit consideration of sternotomy and assistance of colleagues. Despite widespread use in sinus surgery and previous literature reports, microdebrider use to facilitate transcervical removal of substernal goiters has not been broadly adopted. Our objective was to report our experience with use of the soft tissue shaver to facilitate substernal goiter deliver through a cervical incision in a community-based thyroidectomy practice. We reviewed thyroidectomy cases performed by a general otolaryngologist (D.M.Y.) in a community setting from January 2017 through December 2019. Four patients required microdebrider use for intracapsular debulking of substernal goiter to allow for transcervical removal. We discuss pre- and perioperative considerations, present computed tomography (CT) and operative images, review surgical technique, and report estimated blood loss (EBL), surgical time (T), complications, and length of stay. Average EBL was 237.5 ml (range 100-500 ml). Average T was 137 minutes (range 121-170 minutes). No patients required sternotomy. One patient developed postoperative hematoma requiring evacuation and cautery of a bleeding site. No other complications were encountered, all patients were discharged after overnight observation. The microdebrider can be safely utilized by general otolaryngologists to facilitate transcervical removal of substernal goiters. Adoption of this familiar tool for a different surgical application can reduce the need for sternotomy, assistance of colleagues, or referral to a tertiary care center, with associated decrease in risk, morbidity, surgical time, length of stay, and cost, and improved patient convenience and satisfaction.
PubMed: 38708589
DOI: 10.1177/01455613241251980 -
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral... Jul 2024This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the awareness among United States (US) oncologists about oral medicine (OM) as a specialty of dentistry, and their...
OBJECTIVES
This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the awareness among United States (US) oncologists about oral medicine (OM) as a specialty of dentistry, and their collaboration with OM providers.
METHODS
An online survey was conducted, inviting 1350 US oncologists, with data collected on demographics, practice background, comfort level with diagnosing and treating oral conditions, referral practices for oral conditions, and more.
RESULTS
Of the invited 1350 oncologists, 192 responded (14% response rate). Among respondents, 46% were familiar with the OM specialty. Of these, 73% had previously sought consultation from OM specialists. The primary reasons for referral included dental clearance before initiating chemotherapy (38.5%), dental clearance before initiating radiotherapy (37%), and managing oral ulcers and oral potentially malignant disorders equally (32.2%). Regarding referrals to providers outside of OM, oncologists primarily referred patients with oral lesions to otolaryngologists (64.6%), followed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons (55.2%) and general dentists (45.3%).
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that over half of US oncologists were unfamiliar with the OM specialty. However, the referral rate to OM providers was high among oncologists who had prior OM knowledge. It is advisable to enhance the collaboration between OM and oncology specialists to ensure optimal care for patients with cancer.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; United States; Oral Medicine; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Female; Referral and Consultation; Oncologists; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Adult; Middle Aged; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Clinical Competence
PubMed: 38704350
DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2024.03.012 -
American Journal of Otolaryngology 2024To develop a multi-instance learning (MIL) based artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnosis models by using laryngoscopic images to differentiate benign and...
OBJECTIVE
To develop a multi-instance learning (MIL) based artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnosis models by using laryngoscopic images to differentiate benign and malignant vocal fold leukoplakia (VFL).
METHODS
The AI system was developed, trained and validated on 5362 images of 551 patients from three hospitals. Automated regions of interest (ROI) segmentation algorithm was utilized to construct image-level features. MIL was used to fusion image level results to patient level features, then the extracted features were modeled by seven machine learning algorithms. Finally, we evaluated the image level and patient level results. Additionally, 50 videos of VFL were prospectively gathered to assess the system's real-time diagnostic capabilities. A human-machine comparison database was also constructed to compare the diagnostic performance of otolaryngologists with and without AI assistance.
RESULTS
In internal and external validation sets, the maximum area under the curve (AUC) for image level segmentation models was 0.775 (95 % CI 0.740-0.811) and 0.720 (95 % CI 0.684-0.756), respectively. Utilizing a MIL-based fusion strategy, the AUC at the patient level increased to 0.869 (95 % CI 0.798-0.940) and 0.851 (95 % CI 0.756-0.945). For real-time video diagnosis, the maximum AUC at the patient level reached 0.850 (95 % CI, 0.743-0.957). With AI assistance, the AUC improved from 0.720 (95 % CI 0.682-0.755) to 0.808 (95 % CI 0.775-0.839) for senior otolaryngologists and from 0.647 (95 % CI 0.608-0.686) to 0.807 (95 % CI 0.773-0.837) for junior otolaryngologists.
CONCLUSIONS
The MIL based AI-assisted diagnosis system can significantly improve the diagnostic performance of otolaryngologists for VFL and help to make proper clinical decisions.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Vocal Cords; Laryngoscopy; Male; Leukoplakia; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; Machine Learning; Diagnosis, Differential; Adult; Algorithms; Laryngeal Neoplasms
PubMed: 38703609
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104342 -
Laryngo- Rhino- Otologie May 2024Diagnosis and therapy of orbital diseases is an interdisciplinary challenge, in which i.e. otorhinolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, radiation therapists,... (Review)
Review
Diagnosis and therapy of orbital diseases is an interdisciplinary challenge, in which i.e. otorhinolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, radiation therapists, maxillo-facial surgeons, endocrinologists, and pediatricians are involved. This review article describes frequent diseases which both, otolaryngologists and ophthalmologists are concerned with in interdisciplinary settings. In particular the inflammatory diseases of the orbit including orbital complications, autoimmunological diseases of the orbit including Grave´s orbitopathy, and primary and secondary tumors of the orbit are discussed. Beside describing the clinical characteristics and diagnostic steps the article focusses on the interdisciplinary therapy. The review is completed by the presentation of most important surgical approaches to the orbit, their indications and possible complications. The authors tried to highlight the relevant facts despite the shortness of the text.
Topics: Humans; Orbital Diseases; Interdisciplinary Communication; Patient Care Team; Intersectoral Collaboration; Orbital Neoplasms
PubMed: 38697143
DOI: 10.1055/a-2216-8879 -
Laryngo- Rhino- Otologie May 2024Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery has gained acceptance worldwide. Comparative analysis has demonstrated that endoscopic skull base surgery may have advantages for... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery has gained acceptance worldwide. Comparative analysis has demonstrated that endoscopic skull base surgery may have advantages for many pathologies of the anterior skull base, e. g., sinonasal malignant tumors; pathologies of the central skull base, e. g., pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas; well-selected cases of planum sphenoidale and tuberculum sellae meningiomas; or for clival lesions, e. g., chordomas, chondrosarcomas, or selected meningiomas. Over the past three decades, interdisciplinary surgical teams, consisting of otolaryngologists and neurosurgeons, have provided detailed anatomical knowledge, suggested new approaches or modifications of established surgical techniques, and offered continued surgical education.
METHOD
A review of pertinent literature was conducted with an emphasis on interdisciplinary endoscopic surgery of skull base lesions.
RESULTS
Based on the authors̓ surgical experience in two different interdisciplinary endoscopic skull base centers, the authors classify approaches for endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, describe indications, and key anatomic landmarks for common pathologies, and highlight surgical techniques to avoid complications.
CONCLUSION
Interdisciplinary endonasal endoscopic surgery combines surgical expertise, improves resection rates for many pathologies, and minimizes morbidity by reducing the incidence of surgical complications.
Topics: Skull Base Neoplasms; Humans; Endoscopy; Patient Care Team; Skull Base; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery; Interdisciplinary Communication
PubMed: 38697142
DOI: 10.1055/a-2196-8984 -
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery Jun 2024Accidentally extruded root canal filler within the sinuses may induce maxillary sinusitis with fungal mass. The authors describe 2 cases of gutta-percha-induced fungal...
Accidentally extruded root canal filler within the sinuses may induce maxillary sinusitis with fungal mass. The authors describe 2 cases of gutta-percha-induced fungal masses in the left maxillary sinus of 2 women. The lesions were evaluated preoperatively using both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, providing comprehensive insights into the condition. In one patient, the lesion was located such that it could be resected through the middle meatal antrostomy alone. However, the second patient presented with an anteroinferiorly situated lesion that necessitated not only a transnasal approach but also an endoscopic modified medial maxillectomy. Both patients recovered uneventfully after surgery. This case series is the first published report of 2 cases of gutta-percha-induced maxillary sinus fungal masses, with their imaging findings, successfully treated through different routes through transnasal endoscopic surgery. These reports highlight the need for a collaborative approach between dental practitioners and otolaryngologists. In addition to the patient's wishes, surgical interventions must consider the unique characteristics of each case and the potential for collaboration across different medical specialties.
Topics: Humans; Female; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Maxillary Sinus; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Endoscopy; Gutta-Percha; Maxillary Sinusitis; Middle Aged; Root Canal Filling Materials; Adult; Mycoses; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery
PubMed: 38690891
DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000010139