Impact of subspecialty training on management of laryngopharyngeal reflux: results of a worldwide survey.

OBJECTIVE: To study the management of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) among the subspecialties of practicing otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons and their trainees. METHODS: A survey was sent to over 8000 otolaryngologists (OTOHNS) over 65 countries, utilizing membership lists of participating otolaryngological societies. The outcomes were answers to questions regarding LPR knowledge and practice patterns, and included queries about its definition, prevalence, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. RESULTS: Of the 824 respondents, 658 practiced in one specific otolaryngologic subspecialty. The symptoms and findings thought to be the most related to LPR varied significantly between subspecialists. Extra-laryngeal findings were considered less by laryngologists while more experienced OTOHNS did not often consider digestive complaints. Compared with colleagues, otologists, rhinologists and laryngologists were less aware of the involvement of LPR in otological, rhinological and laryngological disorders, respectively. Irrespective of subspecialty, OTOHNS consider symptoms and signs and a positive response to empirical therapeutic trial to establish a LPR diagnosis. Awareness regarding the usefulness of impedance pH-studies is low in all groups. The therapeutic approach significantly varies between groups, although all were in agreement for the treatment duration. The management of non-responder patients demonstrated significant differences among laryngologists who performed additional examinations. The majority of participants (37.1%) admitted to being less than knowledgeable about LPR management. CONCLUSIONS: LPR knowledge and management vary significantly across otolaryngology subspecialties. International guidelines on LPR management appear necessary to improve knowledge and management of LPR across all subspecialties of otolaryngology.

Ethyl alcohol threshold test: a fast, reliable and affordable olfactory Assessment tool for COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 patients may present mild symptoms. The identification of paucisymptomatic patients is paramount in order to interrupt the transmission chain of the virus. Olfactory loss could be one of those early symptoms which might help in the diagnosis of COVID-19 patients. In this study, we aim to develop and validate a fast, inexpensive, reliable and easy-to-perform olfactory test for the screening of suspected COVID-19 patients. STUDY DESIGN: Phase I was a case-control study and Phase II a transversal descriptive study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Olfaction was assessed with the ethyl alcohol threshold test and symptoms with visual analogue scales. The study was designed in two phases: In Phase I, we compared confirmed COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. In Phase II, patients with suspected COVID-19 infection referred for testing were studied. RESULTS: 275 participants were included in Phase I, 135 in Phase II. The ROC curve showed an AUC of 0.749 in Phase I, 0.737 in Phase II. The cutoff value which offered the highest amount of correctly classified patients was ≥ 2 (10% alcohol) for all age intervals. The odds ratio was 8.19 in Phase I, 6.56 in Phase II with a 75% sensitivity. When cases report normal sense of smell (VAS < 4), it misdiagnoses 57.89% of patients detected by the alcohol threshold test. CONCLUSION: The olfactory loss assessed with the alcohol threshold test has shown high sensitivity and odds ratio in both patients with confirmed COVID-19 illness and participants with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Giant submandibular gland mucocele as a complication of previous sialolith removal.

Mucoceles are common lesions of minor salivary glands. Mucoceles of the major salivary glands including the submandibular gland are extremely rare, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of submandibular space swellings. We present a rare case of a 25-year old man, who was diagnosed with a submandibular gland mucocele and had a history of sialolithiasis and intraductal sialolith excision, as well as numerous evacuating punctures and needle aspirations of the mass. The cyst was surgically excised and the specimen included the sublingual gland, in order to prevent recurrence. No postoperative complications were noted.

Vocal process granulomas: a systematic review of treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Vocal process granulomas (VPGs) are benign laryngeal lesions with controversial treatment and a tendency to recur. There are several treatment options with unpredictable results, high recurrence rates, and disappointing long-term outcome. The aims of this article are to focus on evidence-based current treatment strategies for primary lesions and recurrences. DATA SOURCES: The data came from a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: Main outcome measures were recurrence rate, reduction, and/or complete resolution. Inclusion criteria included English literature, randomized and nonrandomized trials, prospective and retrospective studies, and primary and recurrent cases. Exclusion criteria included case reports, teaching reviews, and papers not focusing on treatment. RESULTS: The time frame of the included studies was from 1997 to 2012. There are 6 different treatment options (single or combined) for VPG. Antireflux medication is the mainstay treatment and when combined with lifestyle changes and voice therapy results in the lowest recurrence rate. "Bloodless" in-office or in-theater laser techniques appear to have lower recurrence rates when compared to traditional cold steel microlaryngoscopy techniques, especially for recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: There is level 2A evidence that antireflux treatment is the main treatment strategy for vocal process granulomas with surgery reserved only for failures of medical treatment or airway obstruction or when diagnosis is in doubt.

The Dubai Definition and Diagnostic Criteria of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: The IFOS Consensus.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to gather an international consensus group to propose a global definition and diagnostic approach of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) to guide primary care and specialist physicians in the management of LPR. METHODS: Forty-eight international experts (otolaryngologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and physiologists) were included in a modified Delphi process to revise 48 statements about definition, clinical presentation, and diagnostic approaches to LPR. Three voting rounds determined a consensus statement to be acceptable when 80% of experts agreed with a rating of at least 8/10. Votes were anonymous and the analyses of voting rounds were performed by an independent statistician. RESULTS: After the third round, 79.2% of statements (N = 38/48) were approved. LPR was defined as a disease of the upper aerodigestive tract resulting from the direct and/or indirect effects of gastroduodenal content reflux, inducing morphological and/or neurological changes in the upper aerodigestive tract. LPR is associated with recognized non-specific laryngeal and extra-laryngeal symptoms and signs that can be evaluated with validated patient-reported outcome questionnaires and clinical instruments. The hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH testing can suggest the diagnosis of LPR when there is >1 acid, weakly acid or nonacid hypopharyngeal reflux event in 24 h. CONCLUSION: A global consensus definition for LPR is presented to improve detection and diagnosis of the disease for otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and primary care practitioners. The approved statements are offered to improve collaborative research by adopting common and validated diagnostic approaches to LPR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 Laryngoscope, 134:1614-1624, 2024.

A "Terrible" Headache in a HIV Patient.

Mucormycosis is a type of fungal infection more prevalent among immunosuppressed patients, requires prompt identification and surgical treatment, as it can is associated with local and distant spread. This case is aiming to highlight the importance of early identification of subtle symptoms in immunocompromised patients. The clinician should be aware of fungal sinusitis, consider it in the differential diagnosis, and seek for an ear, nose, and throat opinion.

A Prospective Controlled Study Investigating Odor Identification in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.

OBJECTIVE: To psychophysically evaluate olfaction in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. METHODS: From January 2021 to January 2022, patients with LPR diagnosed with hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring underwent psychophysical evaluation of the sense of smell. Reflux symptoms and findings were assessed with the Reflux Symptom Score (RSS) and Reflux Sign Assessment (RSA). Nasal symptoms were assessed through the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22). From pre- to posttreatment, patients underwent identification Sniffin' Sticks test and olfactory cleft examination. Clinical outcomes were compared between LPR patients and healthy individuals. RESULTS: In total, 107 patients and 76 healthy individuals completed the evaluations. LPR patients reported significant higher RSS, RSA, and SNOT-22 scores. Psychophysical olfactory evaluations were significantly lower in reflux patients compared with controls, while there were no significant differences in olfactory cleft score. RSS and RSA significantly improved from baseline to 3 months posttreatment. SNOT-22, olfactory cleft endoscopy scale, and psychophysical olfactory evaluations did not change throughout treatment. Patients with higher number of acid pharyngeal reflux events reported lower psychophysical olfactory scores (P = .025). CONCLUSION: LPR disease was associated with low odor identification results in patients without olfactory cleft abnormalities. The sense of smell did not improve after 3-month therapy. Future controlled studies using threshold, discrimination, and identification testing are needed.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: The Last Decade.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and its consequences for the upper aerodigestive tract have been an issue of debate and controversy for more than three decades [...].

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and Olfaction Disorders. Is There Any Connection? A Scoping Review.

Objectives: To review the evidence regarding olfaction in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux. Methods:Conducting a scoping review of studies evaluating olfactory sense in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux. Online databases were searched and studies evaluating laryngopharyngeal reflux impact on other nasal functions were excluded. Other exclusion criteria were the presence of severe nasal anatomical issues, rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps in the study group. Results:Seven studies, between 2016 and 2019, met our inclusion criteria. Olfaction threshold was significantly lower in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux than controls in three studies and in two of these studies, all three assessed parameters, including threshold, identification and discrimination, were significantly affected in the laryngopharyngeal reflux group. In three other studies, where the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center test had been used, smell test scores were also statistically significantly lower in the reflux group. Finally, in a survey-based study evaluating olfaction, olfactory anomalies were positively related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastroparesis symptom severity. Conclusions:There is scarce evidence regarding the effect of laryngopharyngeal reflux on olfaction, but preliminary evidence shows that laryngopharyngeal reflux may cause olfactory abnormalities. Thus, olfactory abnormalities can be an additional reflux manifestation. Gastroparesis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, laryngopharyngeal reflux and Helicobacter pylori infection are factors that can potentially cause olfactory sensory disturbance.

Stapler-Assisted Pharyngeal Closure After Total Laryngectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) remains the most frequent complication following total laryngectomy (TL). Pharyngeal closure with a surgical stapler (SAPC) has been proposed as an effective closure technique that decreases the rate of PCF, reduces surgical time, decreases the length of hospital stay, and shortens the time required before safely initiating oral feeding. METHODS: This study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent TL and with subsequent stapler pharyngeal closure, in order to analyse the current literature regarding the role of SAPC after TL. RESULTS: The incidence of PCF in the stapler-assisted suture group (SASG) was 9.5% (95% CI 8.2-15.9%), with a mean absolute deviation of 1.12, while in the hand-suture group (HSG) group the incidence was 23.4% (95% CI 23-26.1%), with a mean absolute deviation of 5.71 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SAPC may decrease the risk of PCF in patients following TL. Based on the current data, SAPC appears to shorten the surgical time and the length of hospital stay. Nevertheless, prospective randomized trials are required to validate these findings.

Treatment trends in allergic rhinitis and asthma: a British ENT survey.

BACKGROUND: Allergic Rhinitis is a common Ear, Nose and Throat disorder. Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis are diseases with similar underlying mechanism and pathogenesis. The aim of this survey was to highlight current treatment trends for Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma. METHOD: A questionnaire was emailed to all registered consultant members of the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons regarding the management of patients with Allergic Rhinitis and related disorders. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 56%. The results indicate a various approach in the investigation and management of Allergic Rhinitis compatible with recommendations from the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma guidelines in collaboration with the World Health Organisation. CONCLUSION: A combined management approach for patients with Allergic Rhinitis and concomitant Asthma may reduce medical treatment costs for these conditions and improve symptom control and quality of life.

Are opioids necessary in post sinus surgery care?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of the review is to review the recent literature on the use of opioids in post sinus surgery care. RECENT FINDINGS: Research regarding the use of opioids in post sinus surgery over the past two years support previous thinking that there is an overprescription of opioids for an operation which is not particularly painful, resulting in the potential for narcotic abuse and misuse. SUMMARY: Large randomized controlled trials with detailed pain recording scoring systems are needed to assess the opioid requirements - if any - after sinus surgery.

Diode Laser for Laryngeal Cancer: "980 nm" and Beyond the Classic CO2.

Lasers have been used in otolaryngology for more than 40 years and are widely considered an established way of addressing laryngeal pathology, benign and malignant. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is considered a gold standard, but over the last 2 decades, a new technology has been developed and established in other medical specialties, not so much in Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), the diode laser. It consists of a flexible fiber that passes through a hollow guidance system and is capable of reaching certain angled spots easier than straight beam systems. Portability, lower cost, easier setup, and improved photocoagulation are just some of the many features rendering it an excellent choice for the surgeon and the patient. The few studies published worldwide for the usage and efficacy of this system show no major differences related to the oncologic outcome and survival rate of patients having an early glottic tumor between diode laser microsurgery and CO2 laser cordectomy. Nevertheless, the advantages offered by fiber-optic laser surgery render it a worthy and perhaps equal alternative for treating this kind of pathology.

Lasers in Οtolaryngology: A Laser Odyssey From Carbon Dioxide to True Blue.

In this special issue of the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) journal entitled Lasers in Otolaryngology, we attempted to cover and accommodate different experiences from around the globe on both established and some not so well-known techniques and indications for Lasers in most ENT subspecialties. Despite the COVID 19 pandemic, authors from all over the world have expressed their interest in publishing their Laser experiences with ENT journal and for this we are very grateful.

Endoscopic Denker's Approach for the Treatment of Extensive Sinonasal Tumors: Our Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical management of large sinonasal tumors, spreading to the pterygopalatine, and infratemporal fossae have always been a challenge for the ENT surgeon and the multidisciplinary team. METHODS: Endoscopic Denker's approach allows complete exposure of the anterior, inferior, and lateral recesses of the maxillary sinus, without necessitating a gingivobuccal or a transseptal incision. Moreover, endoscopic Denker's approach facilitates direct, straight entry to the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with extensive sinonasal pathology underwent resection via an endoscopic Denker's approach at our institution, with the majority of them being diagnosed with JNA and inverted papilloma. Denker's procedure facilitated wide exposure of the surgical field and total tumor resection, without significant perioperative complications and good disease-free results in follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience is in accordance with the literature, where this approach seems to be superior to alternative options for accessing the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae. We believe that adequate expertise in endoscopic sinonasal surgery is necessary prior to embarking on this technique, but in general, it represents a valuable tool in the surgeon's armamentarium. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1458-1462, 2021.

Metastatic Tracheal Tumor of Thyroid Origin: Endoscopic Diode Laser Treatment Combined With Thyroidectomy, Radioactive Iodine, and Radiotherapy.

Tracheal metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is an unprecedented and rare entity. We present the case of a 65 year-old lady who suffered from dyspnea and a thyroid goiter that turned out to be PTC. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the lungs revealed a huge tracheal mass causing obstruction of the tracheal lumen. She underwent a surgical tracheostomy and diode laser debulking of the tumor. Following this, she had a total thyroidectomy and postoperative radioiodine ablation and radiotherapy. She remains well under close and regular follow-up. A secondary tracheal tumor usually comes from a lymphatic spread of the primary tumor, whereas the vascular route is rarely reported. Endoscopic minimally invasive laser tracheal surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy appears to be equally effective to more aggressive tracheal resections.

Atypical Clinical Presentation of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: A 5-Year Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a common disease in otolaryngology characterized by an inflammatory reaction of the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract caused by digestive refluxate enzymes. LPR has been identified as the etiological or favoring factor of laryngeal, oral, sinonasal, or otological diseases. In this case series, we reported the atypical clinical presentation of LPR in patients presenting in our clinic with reflux. METHODS: A retrospective medical chart review of 351 patients with LPR treated in the European Reflux Clinic in Brussels, Poitiers and Paris was performed. In order to be included, patients had to report an atypical clinical presentation of LPR, consisting of symptoms or findings that are not described in the reflux symptom score and reflux sign assessment. The LPR diagnosis was confirmed with a 24 h hypopharyngeal-esophageal impedance pH study, and patients were treated with a combination of diet, proton pump inhibitors, and alginates. The atypical symptoms or findings had to be resolved from pre- to posttreatment. RESULTS: From 2017 to 2021, 21 patients with atypical LPR were treated in our center. The clinical presentation consisted of recurrent aphthosis or burning mouth (N = 9), recurrent burps and abdominal disorders (N = 2), posterior nasal obstruction (N = 2), recurrent acute suppurative otitis media (N = 2), severe vocal fold dysplasia (N = 2), and recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis (N = 1), tearing (N = 1), aspirations (N = 1), or tracheobronchitis (N = 1). Abnormal upper aerodigestive tract reflux events were identified in all of these patients. Atypical clinical findings resolved and did not recur after an adequate antireflux treatment. CONCLUSION: LPR may present with various clinical presentations, including mouth, eye, tracheobronchial, nasal, or laryngeal findings, which may all regress with adequate treatment. Future studies are needed to better specify the relationship between LPR and these atypical findings through analyses identifying gastroduodenal enzymes in the inflamed tissue.

5 Years of Diode Laser "Π" Technique for Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility: A Technique That Improves Airway and Is Friendly to the Voice.

BACKGROUND: To demonstrate the efficacy of a new laser surgical technique for bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI) on postoperative quality of voice and swallowing. METHODS: Prospective study in a tertiary university hospital and a private hospital. Patients with iatrogenic BVFI were included. Outcome measures were Voice Handicap Index 10, 10-item Eating Assessment Tool, flexible laryngoscopy, and success of decannulation. RESULTS: Forty patients with post thyroidectomy BVFI were initially enrolled in our study; only 12 patients returned questionnaires and kept their follow-ups and were included in the study. All patients were successfully decannulated and remain decannulated up to 24-month follow-up. There was a statistically significant improvement in quality of swallowing and no significant deterioration in quality of voice. There was no need for revision up to 24-month follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The "Π" technique using diode laser technology is a new and safe technique for BVFI with excellent long-term decannulation rates and improvement in quality of life and swallowing without significant changes in voice quality.