A distinct nerve innervating the external auditory canal can often be identified in close relation to the facial nerve when gradually thinning the posterior canal wall. This nerve has been attributed to coughing during cerumen removal, neuralgic pain, Hitselberger's sign and vesicular eruptions described in Ramsay Hunt's syndrome. This study aimed to demonstrate the origin and clinical impact of this nerve.

In patients with intractable otalgia or severe coughing whilst inserting a hearing aid, who responded temporarily to local anaesthesia, the symptoms could be resolved by sectioning a sensory branch to the posterior canal. In a temporal bone specimen, it was revealed that this nerve is predominantly a continuation of Arnold's nerve, also receiving fibres from the glossopharyngeal nerve and facial nerve. Histologically, the communicating branch from the facial nerve was confirmed.

Surgeons should be aware of the posterior auricular sensory branch and its clinical implications.

Although organised haematoma often induces bone thinning and destruction similar to malignant diseases, the aetiology of organised haematoma and the optimal treatment remain unclear. This paper presents the clinical features of individuals with organised haematoma, and describes cases in which a novel modified approach was successfully applied for resection of organised haematoma in the maxillary sinus.

Pre-operative examination data were evaluated retrospectively. Modified transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy was employed.

Fourteen patients with organised haematoma were treated. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed heterogeneous enhancement in all patients. Eight patients underwent modified transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy, without complications such as facial numbness, tooth numbness, facial tingling, lacrimation and eye discharge. Dissection of the apertura piriformis and anterior maxillary wall was not necessary for any of these eight patients. No recurrence was observed.

Pre-operative examinations can be helpful in determining the likelihood of organised haematoma. Modified transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy appears to be a safe and effective method for organised haematoma resection.

Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to induce conductive hearing loss and/or sensorineural hearing loss. This study evaluated the function of the middle ear and cochlea, and the related factors.

Pure tone audiometry, speech reception thresholds, speech discrimination scores, tympanometry, acoustic reflexes, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were assessed in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy volunteers.

Pure tone audiometry results revealed a higher bone conduction threshold in the rheumatoid arthritis group, but there was no significant difference when evaluated according to the sensorineural hearing loss definition. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions related prevalence of conductive or mixed hearing loss, tympanometry values, acoustic reflexes, and speech discrimination scores were not significantly different between the two groups. Sensorineural hearing loss was significantly more prevalent in patients who used azathioprine, cyclosporine and etanercept.

Higher bone conduction thresholds in some frequencies were detected in rheumatoid arthritis patients that were not clinically significant. Sensorineural hearing loss is significantly more prevalent in refractory rheumatoid arthritis patients.

To assess quality of life of children and teenagers with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, according to the evidence of infection by human papillomavirus types 6 and 11, compared with healthy volunteers and patients with chronic otitis media.

Participants and their parents completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0.

Patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and their parents reported lower quality of life than healthy subjects (p < 0.01), but similar quality of life to patients with chronic otitis media. Those with human papillomavirus type 11 showed the lowest scores among all participants (p < 0.05).

Young Mexican patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and their parents perceive a poor quality of life, and they may experience limitations in interactions with their peers. Infection by human papillomavirus type 11 may increase the impact of the disease on quality of life.

To describe the results obtained with endolymphatic sac drainage in patients with Ménière's disease.

A retrospective case review study was conducted of 95 Ménière's disease patients who underwent endolymphatic sac drainage in a tertiary care referral centre, after failing a long course of medical management. The main outcome measures were vertigo control and hearing preservation.

In patients with unilateral disease, vertigo control was obtained in 94.3 per cent of patients. A significant improvement in cochlear function was seen in 14 per cent of patients, and hearing was preserved or improved in 88 per cent. For the bilateral group, vertigo control was obtained in 85.7 per cent of patients and cochlear function improved in 28 per cent. Hearing preservation was attained in 71 per cent of these patients.

Endolymphatic sac drainage is a good surgical option for patients with incapacitating endolymphatic hydrops, providing a high percentage of vertigo control and hearing preservation.

Temporomandibular disorder poses a diagnostic challenge to otolaryngologists as orofacial pain, headache and otology symptoms are very common in temporomandibular disorder, and mimic a number of otolaryngological conditions. Missed diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder can lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment, resulting in further patient suffering.

To review the current literature and propose management pathways for otolaryngologists to correctly differentiate temporomandibular disorder from other otolaryngological conditions, and to initiate effective treatment for temporomandibular disorder in collaboration with other health professionals.

A systematic review using PubMed and Medline databases was conducted, and data on temporomandibular disorder in conjunction with otolaryngological symptoms were collected for analysis.

Of 4155 potential studies, 33 were retrieved for detailed evaluation and 12 met the study criteria. There are questionnaires, examination techniques and radiological investigations presented in the literature to assist with distinguishing between otolaryngological causes of symptoms and temporomandibular disorder. Simple treatment can be initiated by the otolaryngologist.

Initial temporomandibular disorder treatment steps can be undertaken by the otolaryngologist, with consideration of referral to dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, or physiotherapists if simple pharmacological treatment or temporomandibular disorder exercise fails.

To study the clinical effect of lens cleaning paper patching on traumatic eardrum perforations.

A total of 122 patients were divided into 2 groups, of which 56 patients were treated with lens cleaning paper patching and 66 acted as controls. The closure rate and healing time were compared between the two groups.

The healing rate of small perforations was 96.4 per cent (27 out of 28) in the patching group and 90 per cent (27 out of 30) in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The healing rate of large perforations was 89.3 per cent (25 out of 28) and 80.6 per cent (29 out of 36) in the two groups, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The healing time of large perforations was shorter in the patching group than in the control group (p < 0.01).

Patching with lens cleaning paper under an endoscope can accelerate the closure of large traumatic eardrum perforations.

The Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 was developed initially in the UK to assess patient-reported health-related quality of life associated with chronic otitis media. This study aimed to determine whether this tool is applicable to the Russian population, which has a materially different healthcare system.

A total of 108 patients with different forms of chronic otitis media completed the Russian Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12.

The average Russian Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 score was 19.4 (standard deviation = 8.3). The internal consistency of the Russian Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 was high, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.860.

The Russian version of the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 was found to be a reliable tool for the assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with chronic otitis media. This sets the scene for international collaboration, using this tool to assess the effectiveness of surgical treatments even amongst countries with different healthcare systems.

To describe the feasibility and assess the safety of using an ultrasonic bone aspirator in endoscopic ear surgery.

Five temporal bones were dissected via endoscopic ear surgery using a Sonopet ultrasonic bone aspirator. Atticoantrostomy was undertaken. Another four bones were dissected using routine endoscopic equipment and standard bone curettes in a similar manner. Feasibility and safety were assessed in terms of: dissection time, atticoantrostomy adequacy, tympanomeatal flap damage, chorda tympani nerve injury, ossicular injury, ossicular chain disruption, facial nerve exposure and dural injury.

The time taken to perform atticoantrostomy was significantly less with the use of the ultrasonic bone aspirator as compared to conventional bone curettes.

The ultrasonic bone aspirator is a feasible option in endoscopic ear surgery. It enables easy bone removal, with no additional complications and greater efficacy than traditional bone curettes. It should be a part of the armamentarium for transcanal endoscopic ear surgery.

Nasal stenosis is a rare but significant complication of chemoradiation treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It can cause distressing obstructive symptoms for the patient and potentially interfere with monitoring for recurrence. Quality-of-life indicators are known to be very poor in this group of patients; however, there is very little evidence in the literature as to management of this complication.

This paper presents an endoscopic day-case surgical procedure to address total posterior nasal stenosis, as conducted in three patients, which involves division of adhesions and removal of the posterior septum and posterior inferior turbinates, without the need for packing or stenting.

In this series, there was resolution of obstructive symptoms and no recurrence of stenosis during follow up (up to 20 months).

This endoscopic procedure performed to manage total nasal stenosis differs from those previously described in the literature, as post-operative stenting or packing is not required, and removal of the posterior aspect of the septum is performed routinely.

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a poorly defined condition associated with various symptoms and it can predispose to middle-ear disease. Balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty has been proposed as a treatment for Eustachian tube dysfunction.

To evaluate the subjective and objective outcomes of balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty in patients with recurrent, previously treated chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction.

The study was conducted on 11 patients (13 ears) who had undergone previous unsuccessful medical and surgical treatment. Tympanometry was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included pure tone audiogram assessment and seven-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire score.

Balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty resulted in significant improvements in 11 patients’ subjective but not objective outcome measures.

The objective abnormality and subjective symptoms in Eustachian tube dysfunction may represent two distinct pathological processes, which may nevertheless influence and exacerbate each other.

Electrode insertion during cochlear implantation causes cochlear damage and apoptosis. Insulin-like growth factor applied locally was investigated in 21 rats.

In the sham group, an intracochlear dummy electrode was inserted through the round window. In the control group, after the same insertion procedure, saline-soaked porcine skin gelatine was placed on the round window. In the study group, insulin-like growth factor 1 soaked gelatine was placed on the round window. Auditory brainstem response thresholds were measured and histopathological examination was performed.

In the study group, at 2–4 kHz, one rat had deterioration, one showed improvement and the rest had stable thresholds 14 days after intervention. At 6 kHz, four rats showed improvement and the rest remained stable. At 8 kHz, four showed improvement, one had deterioration and two remained stable. In the other groups, hearing loss deteriorated in about half of the rats and remained stable in the rest. The mean post-operative 6 kHz threshold was significantly lower than that immediately after the intervention in the study group, contrary to the other groups. The study group had significantly better mean histopathological grading than the other groups.

Local insulin-like growth factor 1 application may protect hearing after cochlear implantation.

Pachyonychia congenita is a rare keratinising disorder, which typically presents during the first three years of life and usually affects the nails and palmoplantar surfaces. It can involve the larynx and potentially result in life-threatening airway obstruction.

A case report is presented and the findings of a literature review are reported. The review involved a PubMed search using the keywords ‘pachyonychia congenita’ together with ‘larynx’, ‘laryngeal involvement’, ‘laryngeal obstruction’, ‘airway obstruction’, ‘hoarseness’ and/or ‘stridor’.

A five-year-old boy, with confirmed pachyonychia congenita, presented with complications of laryngeal involvement over a four-year period. He required three intubations and a tracheostomy for acute airway obstruction. Treatment with potassium titanyl phosphate laser laryngoscopy stabilised the progression of laryngeal disease.

Patients with pachyonychia congenita and laryngeal involvement can have a varied presentation, ranging from hoarseness to acute airway obstruction. Management can be a challenge, requiring early evaluation, regular surveillance and aggressive treatment. This paper reports our experience in managing and treating the laryngeal complications of a child with pachyonychia congenita.

This study aimed to examine the relationship of the accessory sphenoidal septum with surrounding vital structures and their variations.

This cross-sectional retrospective study investigated the prevalence of accessory sphenoidal septa and their relationship with variations in surrounding vital structures in coronal and axial paranasal computed tomography images.

Coronal and axial computed tomography images of 347 patients were assessed to evaluate the presence of accessory sphenoidal septa. Accessory sphenoidal septa originated from the internal carotid artery in 47.7 per cent of patients and from the optic nerve in 17.5 per cent. These structures were significantly associated with protrusion of the optic nerve, internal carotid canal or Vidian nerve canal.

Accessory sphenoidal septa can originate from the internal carotid artery or the optic nerve. Therefore, the presence of an accessory sphenoidal septum indicates an increased risk of surgical complications including internal carotid artery injury and loss of vision due to optic nerve injury.

This study aimed to test the expression of maspin in invasive fungal rhinosinusitis and explore its value in diagnosing invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.

Forty-two fungal rhinosinusitis cases (12 invasive and 30 non-invasive) were selected as the experimental group, and 30 chronic rhinosinusitis cases comprised the control group. Maspin expression was assessed in nasal mucous membrane specimens by immunohistochemical staining.

Compared with the control group, maspin expression was down-regulated in the fungal rhinosinusitis group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the staining score for maspin was lowest in the invasive fungal rhinosinusitis group, as compared with both the non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis group and the control group (p < 0.05). A maspin staining score of 5.70 was the critical value for diagnosis of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, with sensitivity and specificity of 91.7 per cent and 88.3 per cent, respectively.

The results of this study suggest that the maspin staining score may be a biomarker for effective and rapid diagnosis of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.

Nasal obstruction is a common ENT complaint; however, decisions on its management are challenging, with high rates of dissatisfaction following surgery. This study investigated the practice of UK clinicians in the evaluation of nasal patency.

Seventy-eight UK-based rhinologists were surveyed at the 2015 British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology.

Clinical history and examination are almost universally used to evaluate nasal blockage. The most commonly used test was the nasal misting pattern (73 per cent), followed by peak nasal inspiratory flow (19 per cent). The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 or 23 was utilised by 29 per cent of respondents. Sixty-three per cent of respondents reported that a lack of equipment was the principle reason for not using objective measures, followed by time constraints and a lack of correlation with symptom scores.

British clinicians rely on clinical skills to evaluate nasal blockage. There is a desire for a simple, non-invasive device that objectively measures airflow for nasal breathing during physiological resting and correlates with subjective symptom scores.

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of the N3 potential (acoustically evoked short latency negative response) in profound sensorineural hearing loss, its association with the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential and the relationship between both potentials and loss of auditory function.

Otological examinations of 66 ears from 50 patients aged from 4 to 36 years were performed, and the vestibular evoked myogenic potential and auditory brainstem response were measured.

The N3 potential was recorded in 36 out of 66 ears (55 per cent) and a vestibular evoked myogenic potential was recorded in 34 (52 per cent). The N3 potential was recorded in 23 out of 34 ears (68 per cent) with a vestibular evoked myogenic potential response and absent in 19 out of 32 ears (59 per cent) without a vestibular evoked myogenic potential response. The presence of an N3 potential was significantly associated with a vestibular evoked myogenic potential response (p = 0.028), but there was no significant difference in the latency or amplitude of the N3 potential in either the presence or absence of a vestibular evoked myogenic potential.

The presence of an N3 potential in profound sensorineural hearing loss with good or poor vestibular function can be explained by the contribution of the efferent cochlear pathway through olivocochlear fibres that join the inferior vestibular nerve. This theory is supported by its early latency and reversed polarity, which is masked in normal hearing by auditory brainstem response waves.

Inadvertent hyperthermia during anaesthesia is a rare but life-threatening complication. We have encountered several cases of severe hyperthermia in paediatric patients undergoing anaesthesia for cochlear implantation.

This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of children who developed hyperthermia while undergoing cochlear implantation, and to explore possible mechanisms and predisposing factors. The anaesthetic charts of all patients aged under 18 years who underwent cochlear implantation, or mastoid or ophthalmic surgery, between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2009, at Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva, Israel, were reviewed. Patients undergoing mastoid and ophthalmic surgical procedures were used as controls.

A larger percentage of patients who underwent cochlear implant surgery (10 per cent) developed hyperthermia compared to controls (0.7 per cent, p < 0.05). In five of the seven cases, hyperthermia appeared in combination with tachycardia and hypercapnia, adhering to the clinical triad of malignant hyperthermia.

Patients undergoing cochlear implantation are susceptible to developing intra-operative hyperthermia. This article describes the hyperthermic events that occur during paediatric cochlear implantation, and attempts to identify potential triggers of hyperthermia.

The skull base is a highly complex anatomical region that provides passage for important nerves and vessels as they course into and out of the cranial cavity. Key to the management of pathology in this region is a thorough understanding of the anatomy, with its variations, and the relationship of various neurovascular structures to the pathology in question. Targeted high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging on high field strength magnets can enable the skull base surgeon to understand this intricate relationship and deal with the pathology from a position of relative advantage.

With the help of case studies, this paper illustrates the application of specialised magnetic resonance techniques to study pathology of the orbital apex in particular.

The fine anatomical detail provided gives surgeons the ability to design an endonasal endoscopic procedure appropriate to the anatomy of the pathology.