A systematic review of case reports in spontaneous regression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was carried out to investigate the pattern and characteristics of this phenomenon.

A systematic search of case studies of spontaneously regressed head and neck SCC was carried out in Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline and Pubmed. Methodological quality was assessed by ascertainment of diagnosis and overall details of reports. Outcomes included patient demographics, head and neck SCC characteristics and clinical course of disease.

A total of 8 cases were included and 50 per cent (n = 4) of the reported cases were SCC of the vocal folds. All cases received a surgical biopsy and three cases had possible febrile episodes preceding regression. The mean length of time to regression was 4.3 months.

Spontaneous regression in head and neck SCC is likely to be under-reported. A better understanding of how the host immune system can instigate an antitumour response will shed light on the development of novel treatments.

Drooling or saliva spillage has been explored widely among children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Yet, the approach to drooling in an otherwise developmentally normal child remains unexplored, as it is regarded as self-limiting. Nonetheless, drooling beyond age 4 in the awake stage should raise concern.

This narrative review aims to shed light on drooling in developmentally normal children, also known as ‘healthy droolers’, and the available evidence on its management.

Most notable factors causing saliva spillage include poor oral-motor control and impaired oral sensation. Delayed saliva acquisition may be an early indicator of developmental or intellectual delay. Drooling impairs both the children's and parents' overall quality of life significantly.

Healthy droolers can be managed by simple behavioural therapy and reassurance.

Eustachian tube dysfunction is prevalent in both paediatric and adult populations. Current clinical guidelines recommend observation over topical intranasal corticosteroids for Eustachian tube dysfunction management, which remains controversial. This study aimed to systematically review randomised, controlled trials assessing topical intranasal corticosteroid efficacy in Eustachian tube dysfunction, and analyse effect through tympanometric normalisation.

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched. All randomised, controlled trials assessing intranasal corticosteroids in adult or paediatric Eustachian tube dysfunction patients were included. A meta-analysis of proportions was used to evaluate tympanogram normalisation.

Of 330 results, eight randomised, controlled trials met inclusion criteria and underwent qualitative data synthesis and risk-of-bias analysis. Meta-analysis of tympanometry data from four eligible trials (n = 512 ears) revealed no significant difference in tympanometric normalisation between intranasal corticosteroids and control (odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 0.65–2.24).

Study results do not strongly support intranasal corticosteroids for Eustachian tube dysfunction. Data were limited, emphasising the need for larger, higher quality, randomised, controlled trials.

To assess the efficacy and safety of two different modes of administration, external ear canal filling and smearing, in the treatment of otomycosis.

A computerised search of relevant published studies in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases that include randomised controlled trials or clinically controlled trials on the same drug in different modes of administration for the treatment of otomycosis.

Seven studies with 934 patients were included. The filled group had a higher clinical efficacy (relative risk = 1.18, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.24, p < 0.0001) and a lower recurrence rate (relative risk = 0.29, 95 per cent CI 0.18–0.47, p < 0.0001) compared with the smear group, and there was no significant difference in the adverse effects (relative risk = 0.61, 95 per cent CI 0.34–1.12, p = 0.11).

Current evidence suggests that the efficacy of the delivery modality of the external auditory canal filling treatment is significantly better than external auditory canal smearing.

To examine the relationship between different surgical factors and frequency-specific hearing results following surgery for chronic ear disorders.

We reviewed retrospectively data of 246 patients with chronic ear diseases who had surgery between January 2019 and December 2020. Seventy-three patients did not fulfil the criteria and were excluded. Air-conduction threshold, bone-conduction threshold and air–bone gap were tested at 250–4000 Hz, respectively. Frequency-specific results were investigated in relation to various surgical factors.

The radical mastoidectomy group and tympanoplasty group significantly improved in air-conduction threshold changes at every frequency. In the tympanoplasty group, air–bone gap at all frequencies except 4000 significantly improved. Air-conduction threshold improved at low and middle frequencies when ossicular reconstruction was conducted. In all groups, bone-conduction threshold data revealed significant improvements at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz.

Hearing improved significantly post-operatively in air-conduction threshold and air-bone gap test, mainly at low and middle frequencies. Bone-conduction threshold improved significantly at 500–2000 Hz.

This observational study investigates migratory foreign bodies in the upper aerodigestive tract, emphasising clinical presentation, assessment and factors contributing to extraluminal migration.

Conducted across multiple medical centres in India, the study included 15 patients aged 11 to 70 years. Detailed observations, demographic information, clinical history, radiological findings and intra-operative outcomes were compiled.

Fifteen patients presented with varied symptoms. Fish and chicken bones, along with metal wires, were common foreign bodies. Computed tomography scans played a crucial role in diagnosis, confirming extraluminal migration. Neck exploration successfully retrieved foreign bodies in most cases, with varied sites of impaction.

Migratory foreign bodies, although rare, pose significant challenges for otolaryngologists. Early recognition, thorough diagnosis and meticulous neck exploration, is crucial for effective management, preventing severe complications. This study adds valuable insights to the understanding of migratory foreign bodies, contributing to the existing literature in otolaryngology practice.

While the pathogenesis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss is thought to be localised to the cochlea, recent microRNA findings suggest a neuro-topic localisation in some patients. This study distinguishes if neural and non-neural groups differ in hearing recovery.

Neural-type hearing loss was defined as a presenting word recognition score less than 60 per cent, with a word recognition score reduction greater than 20 per cent than expected based on the averaged pure tone audiometry. Hearing recovery was defined as an improvement of greater than or equal to 10 decibels in pure tone audiometric thresholds.

Eight of 12 and 24 of 36 of neural and non-neural hearing loss patients demonstrated hearing recovery, respectively. The affected ear's word recognition score (per cent) change with treatment were different between the neural and non-neural groups (46.9 ± 29.8 vs 3.2 ± 25.8 (p < 0.0001)).

The hearing recovery rate in neural and non-neural hearing loss groups was similar. Patients with neural-type hearing loss demonstrated greater word recognition score recovery post treatment than those in the sensory group.

To determine the prevalence of laryngeal muscle tension in patients with sinonasal diseases.

The medical records and video-recordings of patients with a history of sinonasal disease were reviewed to identify one of four muscle tension patterns during phonation. A control group with no history of sinonasal diseases was matched according to age and gender.

Seventy-seven patients were divided into a study group (n = 47) and a control group (n = 30). In the study group, 29 patients had at least one muscle tension pattern compared with only 9 in the control group (p = 0.007). The most common muscle tension patterns observed in the study and control groups were muscle tension patterns II and III. In the study group, 79.3 per cent of patients with at least one muscle tension pattern reported dysphonia compared with only 33.3 per cent in the control group.

Patients with sinonasal diseases are more likely to exhibit laryngeal muscle tension and dysphonia in comparison with healthy subjects.

PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS) comprises a group of genetic disorders with varied clinical presentations, including macrocephaly, developmental delay, and increased cancer susceptibility. Recent reports have highlighted the occurrence of tonsil-related issues in PHTS.

Clinical data focusing on tonsil-related pathology and tonsillectomy details (indications, histology and post-operative complications) were collected from 53 patients with PHTS.

Tonsil issues affected 58 per cent of the cohort, with 43 per cent requiring tonsillectomy. Primary indications for tonsillectomy included obstructive sleep apnoea (43 per cent), recurrent tonsillitis (17 per cent) and other causes (17 per cent). Tonsil-related problems were observed both before (45 per cent) and after (55 per cent) PHTS. Tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy was the predominant surgical intervention performed (87 per cent), spanning a broad age range (1–27 years old).

Our findings highlight the complex nature of PHTS and its association with tonsil-related pathology, demonstrating its relevance for ENT surgeons. Early recognition and intervention are pivotal for managing sleep apnoea and the associated health problems.

To evaluate four dimensions of fatigue, including subjective fatigue severity, concentration problems, reduced motivation, and activity in patients with single-sided deafness.

Following audiological assessment, the Checklist Individual Strength scale and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were performed on 41 adults with single-sided deafness and 41 sex-matched adults with normal bilateral hearing in the study group and control group, respectively. Subjective fatigue severity, concentration, motivation, activity level and cognitive performance were analysed between and within groups.

Individuals with single-sided deafness exhibited reduced concentration and motivation; however, their activity level was average. Subjective fatigue symptoms were more prevalent in individuals with single-sided deafness than in control participants. The concentration problem was related to decreased cognitive performance.

This study revealed negative somatic consequences of single-sided deafness. Self-perceived fatigue is likely underestimated in this population due to the limited studies reported in the literature. Further studies should focus on counselling, follow up and hearing rehabilitation concerning ameliorating fatigue.

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) (https://chatgpt.com) as a patient resource for paediatric otolaryngology conditions and assess the quality of responses generated by ChatGPT when compared with information available on the internet.

ChatGPT responses to common paediatric otolaryngology conditions were compared with top internet pages for readability (Flesch Reading Ease score, word count), expediency (time taken to generate response), validity (comparison of recommendations to the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery guidelines) and consistency (changes in recommendations based on question variation).

ChatGPT was more expeditious in generating responses with fewer words, albeit with higher reading scores. When compared with accredited guidelines, there was no difference in validity between these sources (internet sources and ChatGPT). Consistent responses were obtained with question variation.

ChatGPT may be a valuable source for patients and families in providing valid information comparable to internet materials.