This study aimed to establish whether histology tonsillectomy is justified for unilateral tonsil enlargement.

A retrospective review was conducted of histology tonsillectomies in three health organisations over five years, with strict exclusion criteria, focusing on benign-appearing unilateral tonsil enlargement.

Ninety paediatric and 233 adult cases were included. No paediatric cases and five adult cases of malignancy were detected. All malignant cases presented with other symptoms. Using binary logistic regression, a history of rapid unilateral tonsil enlargement was the only factor found to be significantly associated with malignant outcome. Thirty-three per cent of subjectively larger tonsils were smaller on post-operative histological measurement. Of the cases, 12.1 per cent re-presented with post-tonsillectomy bleeding.

The authors recommend avoiding histology tonsillectomy for unilateral tonsil enlargement unless ‘red flag’ signs of malignancy are present, with particular attention to rapid unilateral tonsil enlargement. This study demonstrated discrepancy between clinical examination findings and true tonsil asymmetry; there may be a role for cross-sectional imaging prior to histology tonsillectomy in high-risk patients.

To assess the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on paediatric bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion rates in New Brunswick, Canada.

All paediatric bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion cases from 1 July 2015 through 30 June 2021 were provided by New Brunswick Medicare. The numbers of otolaryngologists, cataract surgical procedures, total hip arthroplasties and thyroidectomies were collected to assess the availability of operating theatres and otolaryngologists. Negative binomial logarithmic regressions were used for analyses.

Of the 5175 paediatric bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion cases that were included, the bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion rate significantly decreased by 2.9 times (p < 0.001) during the pandemic. Thyroidectomies, cataract surgical procedures and total hip arthroplasties did not significantly decrease. The number of otolaryngologists increased (20 vs 16–17).

Paediatric bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion rates significantly decreased during the pandemic. This cannot be accounted for by reduced otolaryngologists or operating theatre availability. The paediatric bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion rate decrease is likely due to public health measures reducing the transmission of upper respiratory tract infections, resulting in fewer indications for paediatric bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion.

Surgical management is the mainstay of treatment for tumours in the parapharyngeal space. This study aimed to evaluate the indications, limits and technical nuances of the endoscopic transoral approach.

Thirteen patients with parapharyngeal space tumours that were treated between May 2017 and November 2020 were included in this retrospective study.

All patients underwent surgery for complete oncological resection except one patient who received treatment for diagnostic purposes. No major complications were reported, with excellent control of the vital structures of the parapharyngeal space.

The endoscopic transoral approach to the parapharyngeal space is a promising alternative approach for selected parapharyngeal space tumours with satisfactory outcomes.

To explore the diagnostic value of anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio for predicting thyroid cancer.

A total of 2306 nodules were divided into 5 groups according to their size. The ability of the anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio to predict thyroid cancer was analysed in each group on the basis of the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Youden index.

The median anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio was 0.83, with an interquartile range of 0.28. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.709 (p < 0.001). When the diameter of a thyroid nodule was less than 1.5 cm, an anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio of more than 0.9 was associated with higher sensitivity, accuracy and Youden index, compared with an anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio of greater than 1.0, but the specificity was lower. When the diameter of a thyroid nodule was 1.5 cm or more, an anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio of greater than 0.9 was associated with higher sensitivity and Youden index, compared with an anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio of greater than 1.0, but specificity and accuracy were lower.

The anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio was a meaningful indicator of thyroid cancer, and its predictive effectiveness could be influenced by nodule size.

In adults, the solitary lateral cystic neck mass remains a diagnostic challenge with little solid material to target for cytology and few clues on imaging modalities to suggest underlying malignancy.

This study was a retrospective review of patients presenting with a lateral cystic neck mass to a tertiary academic head and neck centre over a 10-year period.

A total of 25 of 157 cystic lesions were subsequently malignant on paraffin section histopathology, with the youngest patient being 42 years. In the age cohort over 40 years, 30 per cent of males and 10 per cent of females were diagnosed with malignancy. The ipsilateral palatine tonsil was the most common primary site (50 per cent). A total of 85 per cent of cases demonstrated integrated human papillomavirus infection. Age, male sex and alcohol were significant risk factors on univariate analysis. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology and magnetic resonance imaging represented the most accurate pre-open biopsy tests.

The authors of this study advocate for a risk-stratified, evidence-based workup in patients with solitary lateral cystic neck mass in order to optimise timely diagnosis.

Tongue base mucosectomy identified cancer in 78 per cent of cancers of unknown primary in a recent meta-analysis. The carbon dioxide laser is an alternative technique if there is no access to a robot. This study aimed to describe the steps for undertaking tongue base mucosectomy using the carbon dioxide laser and its diagnostic utility in cancers of unknown primary.

This was a prospective feasibility study utilising carbon dioxide laser for tongue base mucosectomy in cancers of unknown primary. Data collected included demographic data and p16 status.

There were 14 cancers of unknown primary with 86 per cent p16 positivity on immunohistochemistry. Laser tongue base mucosectomy alone identified the cancer primary in 7 of 12 (58 per cent) cancers of unknown primary among p16 positive tumours and 0 of 2 (0 per cent) among p16 negative tumours. Combining bilateral tonsillectomy with laser tongue base mucosectomy resulted in identification of the primary cancer in 8 of 12 (67 per cent) p16 positive tumours.

In centres without a robot, tongue base mucosectomy using the carbon dioxide laser is a viable alternative, especially in combination with bilateral tonsillectomy in p16 positive cases.

This study aimed to examine the association between nasal septal deviation and antrochoanal polyp.

This was a retrospective review of medical records and imaging of patients who underwent endoscopic sino-nasal surgery for antrochoanal polyp.

Forty-eight patients operated on for antrochoanal polyp between 2009 and 2019 were eligible for the study. The median age was 32 years, and 52.1 per cent were male. Antrochoanal polyp was diagnosed equally in the right and left nasal cavities. Septal deviation was present in 77 per cent of such cases. In 44 per cent of septal deviation cases, the antrochoanal polyp was ipsilateral to the deviation, which was not statistically significant. The type of deviation according to the Mladina classification was not correlated with the laterality of septal deviation and antrochoanal polyp.

The laterality of the septal deviation was not found to be correlated with that of the antrochoanal polyp. Therefore, performing routine septoplasty during antrochoanal polyp surgery is unnecessary unless the deviation interferes with the complete extraction of the polyp.

To assess the current standard of consent for functional endoscopic sinus surgery and determine whether it complies with the law following the Montgomery ruling.

Ten complications following functional endoscopic sinus surgery were identified as common or serious from a literature search. Using questionnaires, ENT surgeons were asked which of these complications they discussed with patients, and patients were asked how seriously they regarded those risks using a five-point Likert scale.

Consent practice from 21 ENT surgeons and data from 103 patients were analysed. The ‘reasonable patient’ would expect to be consented for all risks, except for pain, and scarring or adhesions. Most ENT surgeons would routinely discuss all risks that were considered significant, except for facial paraesthesia (29 per cent) and damage to the nasolacrimal duct (24 per cent). A negative change in sense of smell was not mentioned by 29 per cent of surgeons.

This paper demonstrates that the current consent process for functional endoscopic sinus surgery is likely to be substandard medicolegally.

Coronavirus disease 2019 has highlighted the lack of knowledge on aerosol exposure during respiratory activity and aerosol-generating procedures. This study sought to determine the aerosol concentrations generated by coughing to better understand, and to set a standard for studying, aerosols generated in medical procedures.

Aerosol exposure during coughing was measured in 37 healthy volunteers in the operating theatre with an optical particle sizer, from 40 cm, 70 cm and 100 cm distances.

Altogether, 306 volitional and 15 involuntary coughs were measured. No differences between groups were observed.

Many medical procedures are expected to generate aerosols; it is unclear whether they are higher risk than normal respiratory activity. The measured aerosol exposure can be used to determine the risk for significant aerosol generation during medical procedures. Considerable variation of aerosol generation during cough was observed between individuals, but whether cough was volitional or involuntary made no difference to aerosol production.

Infectious mononucleosis is a relatively common acute presentation to the ENT department. There is an expected derangement in the liver function test results in most patients. There is no guidance regarding follow up, and practice varies. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of liver function tests and abdominal ultrasound in infectious mononucleosis.

This was a retrospective study of all adult patients admitted under ENT with infectious mononucleosis over a five-year period.

A total of 153 patients were included; 80 per cent had abnormal liver function test results at presentation. Around 50 per cent had at least one liver function test assessment following discharge. Median (interquartile range) time to resolution of liver function test results was 32 days (20–50 days); maximum time was 10 months. Six patients had in-patient abdominal ultrasound: all showed a normal liver and biliary tree. No patient developed any liver disease sequelae.

The findings suggest that serial assessment of liver function is not required in immunocompetent adults with subclinical derangement in liver function.

The impact of tight stapes crimping on hearing is a matter of debate. Several studies postulate that tight crimping is essential for lifelong success, whereas others have debated whether firm attachment leads to incus necrosis. Several types of prostheses with different coupling mechanisms have been developed, and manual crimping remains the most frequently used technique. This study investigates whether tightness really does affect hearing outcome.

The hearing results of patients who underwent primary stapedotomies using three different titanium pistons were analysed. The surgeons categorised the firmness of the piston attachment into ‘tight’ and ‘loose’ crimping groups. Hearing outcome and reasons for revision surgical procedures were investigated.

The mean post-operative air–bone gap for frequencies of 0.5–4 kHz was 8.80 dB for the tight crimping group (n = 308) and 9.55 dB for the loose crimping group (n = 39). No significant difference was found (p = 0.4650). Findings at revision procedures were comparable (1.6 per cent vs 5 per cent).

Although firm crimping is strongly advised, a movable loop upon palpation does not lead to unsatisfactory hearing results, and does not mandate piston replacement or bone cement use.

To analyse the natural course of infants with otitis media with effusion who failed universal newborn hearing screening and to explore the appropriate observation period.

This retrospective cohort analysis included infants with otitis media with effusion who failed universal newborn hearing screening every 3 months for 12 months.

The average recovery time of the 155 infants was 7.08 ± 0.32 months after diagnosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that frequent reflux, maxillofacial deformities and initial hearing status were independent factors affecting recovery. Moreover, the cumulative recovery of most infants with mild hearing loss and infants with moderate hearing loss accompanied by frequent reflux was significantly higher at six months after diagnosis than at three months.

For most infants with mild hearing loss, as well as those with moderate hearing loss accompanied by frequent reflux, the observation period can be extended to six months after diagnosis.

To evaluate the long-term functional outcomes in patients who received primary radiotherapy for tumour–node stage T2N0 glottic carcinoma, stratified for tumour extension.

A cross-sectional study was performed on patients who were treated with radiotherapy for T2N0 glottic carcinoma. Four questionnaires were used to measure different aspects of functional outcome. In addition, objective evaluation and perceptual analysis were performed.

Fourteen patients were included in this study. The median time between the start of radiotherapy and assessment was 42 months (range, 26–143 months). Patients reported high-level functioning, with low symptom scores and good swallowing function, and showed a median dysphonia grade of 1.5. The median Voice Handicap Index-30 score was 17.5.

Patients with T2N0 glottic carcinoma treated with radiotherapy had good long-term quality of life, with low symptom scores, good swallowing functioning and slightly elevated voice outcome parameters.

This study aimed to evaluate the recovery of olfactory function at six months in individuals infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 omicron variant, using psychophysical tests.

A prospective case–control study that included severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 patients infected in February and March 2022 was conducted. Patients underwent the Sniffin’ Sticks test within 10 days of infection and again after at least 6 months. The olfactory scores were compared with those of a control group.

In all, 102 patients and 120 controls were enrolled in the study. At baseline, 26 patients (25.5 per cent) self-reported smell loss. The median threshold, discrimination and identification score was 33.6 (interquartile range, 12.5) for the cases and 36.5 (interquartile range, 4.38) for the controls (p < 0.001). Based on the threshold, discrimination and identification scores, 12 controls and 34 patients reported olfactory dysfunction (p < 0.001). Eighty cases underwent re-evaluation at six months; the median threshold, discrimination and identification score was 37.1 (interquartile range, 4.75) with no significant differences compared with the controls.

Six months after infection, the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in patients did not differ significantly from the control population.

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of 1 per cent and 0.01 per cent peracetic acid as an antifungal agent in animal otomycosis.

After creating a superficial scratch in the external auditory canal of guinea pigs, a suspension of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and candida were inoculated into the ears of the animals. After otomycosis, the effect of 1 per cent or 0.01 per cent peracetic acid on otomycosis was evaluated by otomicroscopy and culture at 10 days post-treatment and compared with 2 per cent acetic acid as the control.

A 10-day treatment with 1 per cent peracetic acid and 2 per cent acetic acid (control) showed normal otomicroscopy and negative cultures compared with 0.01 per cent peracetic acid. Drug sedimentation or other side effects in the external auditory canal or tympanic membrane were not observed during treatment with peracetic acid.

The findings of this study confirm that the treatment of otomycosis with 1 per cent peracetic acid in an animal model is beneficial and may be a novel therapeutic treatment for otomycosis.

The yearly incidence of syphilis has risen markedly in Japan and worldwide. There has also been an increased incidence of human papilloma virus associated oropharyngeal cancer, which presents with clinical features similar to those of syphilis.

A case of syphilis with clinical manifestation resembling that of human papilloma virus associated oropharyngeal cancer is reported, along with a literature review of similar cases.

Clinical case reports and review of previous literature.

Syphilis may cause irregular mucosal lesions of the oropharynx and cystic lymphadenopathy. It is difficult to diagnose syphilis only by examining pathological specimens, without clinical information such as Treponema pallidum antibody findings. It is necessary to correctly understand the characteristics of syphilis and human papilloma virus associated oropharyngeal cancer to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment.

The added value of hybrid positron emission tomography is increasingly recognised in head and neck cancer. However, its potential role in salivary gland carcinomas has been scarcely investigated.

A consecutive cohort of 45 salivary gland carcinoma patients who underwent pre-therapeutic hybrid positron emission tomography and surgical resection was reviewed. This study investigated whether maximum standardised uptake value correlated with tumour phenotype.

Tumours of high-grade disease on histology (salivary duct carcinoma, carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma) had higher maximum standardised uptake value (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.011) than low-grade tumours (adenoid cystic carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma). Patients with pathologically confirmed node-positive disease had significantly higher maximum standardised uptake value of the primary tumour than patients with pathologically confirmed node-negative disease (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.012).

Maximum standardised uptake value of the primary tumour may guide clinical decision-making in patients with salivary gland carcinomas, as a high maximum standardised uptake value is associated with high-grade tumour histology and the presence of lymph node metastases. Clinicians may consider more aggressive surgery for these patients.

A standard lateral neck dissection should yield at least 18 lymph nodes. The goal of the present study was to examine what factors might influence the number of lymph nodes retrieved during a neck dissection.

This was a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary academic referral centre for head and neck oncology. Two hundred and nineteen consecutive neck dissections were examined. Age of the patient and primary site were recorded, along with tumour histology, previous radiotherapy and final nodal count.

The mean age was 62.2 ± 13.0 years. The most common primary site was the oral cavity (38.8 per cent). The mean number of lymph nodes was 30.63 ± 13.9. In total, 17.8 per cent had undergone previous radiotherapy. The mean number of lymph nodes was 33.26 ± 13.27 in patients with no previous radiation exposure and 18.47 ± 9.46 in those with previous radiation treatment.

Lymph node yield from a neck dissection is likely multi-factorial in nature. Previous radiotherapy, the only significant contributor, led to a mean reduction of lymph node yield from 33.3 to 18.5.

One still encounters opinion that hearing loss with high-pitch notched audiogram is invariably due to noise-induced hearing loss. This paper tests this misapprehension.

A study was conducted of patients identified in a prospective manner with notched audiograms but no history of noise exposure occurring in an otolaryngological practice over a 20-year period.

A cohort of 26 hearing loss patients, in whom notched audiograms were not associated with historical evidence of noise exposure, was documented.

The findings confirm that a notched audiogram is not pathognomonic of noise-induced hearing loss.

In presentations of anosmia or dysosmia, magnetic resonance imaging may be required to screen for intracranial pathology such as olfactory neuroblastomas and other intracranial masses impacting on the olfactory pathway. This study aimed to establish positive magnetic resonance imaging findings of anosmia or dysosmia for scans performed before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The study examined the outcome of patients who presented with isolated olfactory dysfunction and who underwent magnetic resonance imaging between 2015 and 2019.

Of the 131 patients, 41 (31.3 per cent) had normal scan findings, 50 (38.2 per cent) had insignificant paranasal mucosal disease and 6 (4.6 per cent) had mucosal thickening significant enough to require additional intervention. These interventions included repeat nasoendoscopy or commencement of intranasal or oral steroids. No patients had olfactory neuroblastoma.

Only 4.6 per cent of the magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed abnormal findings related to anosmia or dysosmia, and none required ENT surgical intervention. None of the magnetic resonance imaging scans identified an olfactory neuroblastoma or intracranial masses impacting on the olfactory pathway.