Cost transparency in otolaryngology: Outpatient procedures cost information at New England hospitals.

PURPOSE: Healthcare costs have dramatically increased, resulting in barriers to care for many Americans. To address this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented a price transparency mandate, requiring hospitals to provide cost-estimate tools. This study evaluates the accessibility and usability of these tools for common otolaryngology outpatient procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cost transparency was investigated using cost-estimate tools from websites of the seven New England hospitals ranked on the US News top 50 list. Ten common current procedural terminology codes were used to collect data on availability of cost information, cost comparison, and ease-of-use by six investigators acting as "patients" for each hospital and procedure. RESULTS: All investigated hospitals had cost-estimate tools, with a 35.7 % mean success rate of generating an estimate. The mean times to cost-estimate tools and generated estimates were 35.69 and 34.15 s, respectively. Pre-insurance costs varied by hospital and procedure; creation of eardrum had the largest range. Seven out of ten procedures resulted in lower post-insurance costs. The mean ease-of-use rating was 5.76 out of ten. CONCLUSION: All hospitals complied with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services price transparency policy. The information available is sparse, difficult to access, and frequently lacks specific estimates for common otolaryngology procedures. Although hospitals are following new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandates, the estimators currently in existence are ineffective tools for financial decision-making.

Nationwide Hearing Loss Trends Over Two Decades.

OBJECTIVES: Hearing loss (HL) is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the United States (US). This study aims to evaluate trends in HL prevalence among US adults over the past two decades. METHODS: Audiometric data of adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018 were analyzed in 2-year intervals to evaluate changes in HL (defined as pure tone average greater than 25 dB in at least one ear) over time in using odds ratios (ORs). Multivariate logistic regression was used to control for age and sex, and linear regression was used to evaluate trends in HL prevalence over time. RESULTS: The study included 13,468 participants. In adult participants (20-69 years old), HL remained stable over time, with some fluctuations ranging from 14.8% to 16.8%. In elderly participants (70-years and older), HL remained stable over time, with some fluctuations ranging from 71.7% to 77.1%. Based on univariate and linear regression analysis, there were no differences in HL rates in the adult and elderly cohorts. Subjects 40-49 years old and adults with education level of less than high school had significant downward trends in HL prevalence over two decades (p < 0.001 and p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: HL prevalence may be declining in the adult population when correcting for age and gender; however, there has not been a significant downward trend for the elderly population. HL may be decreasing over time among adults 40-49 years old and with shorter education backgrounds. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Laryngoscope, 2024.

The Role of Preoperative Imaging for Midline Congenital Upper Lip Sinus Tracts.

OBJECTIVE: To describe 3 cases of midline congenital upper lip sinus (MCULS) and review current literature to inform risk of intracranial involvement in the context of this rare congenital facial anomaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A limited case series with chart review is presented. A literature search was conducted to review proposed theories of the embryology of MCULS and to determine the relative frequency of cephalic extension. RESULTS: Including the 3 new cases presented herein, there have been 42 cases of MCULS described in the literature over the past 53 years. Thirty-nine cases (93%) underwent surgical excision, with 2 of these cases (4.7%) demonstrating cephalic extension of the fistula tract beyond the maxillary crest with termination at the anterior skull base. However, 95% (37/39) of surgically excised MCULS cases demonstrated a more limited depth of extension, with termination of the tract at or below the anterior nasal spine. CONCLUSIONS: The MCULS anomaly is rare, with fewer than 50 cases reported in the literature. Only 2 cases have been described with extension of the MCULS superior to the anterior nasal spine and into the nasal septum. It is the authors' opinion that preoperative neuroimaging is not routinely required for MCULS. However, if extension of the sinus tract beyond the anterior nasal spine is noted intraoperatively, the surgeon should consider aborting the case and obtaining appropriate neuroimaging.

The Association Between Medicaid Expansion and Disparities in Vestibular Schwannoma Incidence.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of Medicaid expansion as a part of the Affordable Care Act on vestibular schwannoma (VS) incidence overall and in marginalized populations has not yet been elucidated. The goal of this study was to determine if Medicaid expansion was associated with increases in VS incidence overall, as well as in patients of non-white race or in counties of low socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: We performed a difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis from January 1st 2010-December 31st 2017 utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Our DiD method compared the change in VS rate between counties that did and did not expand Medicaid among patients of white and non-white race, in low and high SES counties, before and after expansion. RESULTS: The study included 17,312 cases across 1020 counties. Medicaid expansion was associated with a 15% increase (incidence rate ratio 95% CI: [11%, 19]) in VS incidence. White populations saw a 10% increase (CI: [1.06, 1.19]), Black populations saw a 20% increase (CI: [1.10, 1.29]), and patients of other races saw a 44% increase in incidence associated with expansion (CI: [1.21, 1.70]). Low SES counties saw an increase in incidence 1.12 times higher than that of high SES counties (CI:[1.04, 1.20]). CONCLUSION: Medicaid expansion was associated with increases in VS incidence across populations. Furthermore, this increase was more evident in disadvantaged populations, such as patients of non-white race and those from low SES counties. These findings emphasize the impact of Medicaid expansion on healthcare utilization for VS diagnosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Step/Level 3-Retrospective Cohort Study Laryngoscope, 2024.

The History of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: A Bibliometric Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment and understanding of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) has seen significant developments over the past 25 years. Bibliographic analysis can provide insight into the evolution of research as well as highlight emerging areas. Reviewing a large volume of publications provides valuable insights into the citation patterns and collaborations of research groups. This study seeks to offer a comprehensive historical overview of SSCD and leading authors. DATABASE REVIEWED: Web of Science Core Collection. METHODS: A bibliometric analysis of the current literature on SSCD was conducted. A performance analysis and science mapping of the top 100 most cited articles was completed using a citation analysis. Two independent reviewers evaluated articles for relevance and adjugated by a third reviewer. Author and institution networks were examined. RESULTS: Seven hundred ninety-one articles on the topic of SSCD were identified. The top 100 articles spanned over 23 years from 1998 to 2019 and were published in 30 different journals. The top 100 articles were cited 8253 times in literature. The document contents revealed 233 keywords and 238 author keywords. The articles were authored by a total of 291 authors, with only 4 single-authored documents. CONCLUSIONS: SSCD has been highly researched in aspects of symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment, as indicated by many highly cited articles that relate. However, the production of highly cited articles on SSCD displays a significant decrease after 2013, with only 17 of the top cited articles published since then.

Social Determinants of Health and Hearing Loss in U.S. Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Social determinants of health (SDH) are nonmedical, societal factors that influence health. There is limited information on the current relationship between SDH and hearing loss (HL) in the United States. This study aims to compare the odds of HL among US adults by race/ethnicity, education level, income-to-poverty level ratio, health insurance coverage, and health care access. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The 2015-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were analyzed to compare odds ratios (ORs) for HL, defined as pure tone average over 25 dB HL in at least one ear, by SDH categories using sample weights. Adjusted ORs were calculated using logistic regression models controlling for sex, age, race/ethnicity, education level, income-to-federal-poverty level, health care insurance coverage and access, and loud noise, pesticide, and cigarette exposure. RESULTS: A total of 6028 participants were included. Non-Hispanic Black participants had half the odds of HL as Non-Hispanic White participants (OR 0.52, p < 0.05). Lower education level correlated with higher odds of HL: those without a high school diploma had double the odds of HL compared with college graduates or above (OR 2.05, 1.91, p < 0.05). The income-to-federal-poverty level ratio of 1.3 to less than 2 had higher odds of HL than the 4+ group (OR 1.45, p < 0.05). Use of multiple health care locations was associated with nearly three times the odds of HL than the group using one location (OR 2.87, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SDH are associated with HL. Further investigation is needed into the mechanism of disparities for targeted prevention and treatment for hearing care equity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Laryngoscope, 134:2848-2856, 2024.

Peak blood pressure and prediction of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in children.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a risk factor for posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), but the timing and severity of hypertension relative to PRES are unknown. The objective was to identify a clinically meaningful blood pressure (BP) threshold that predicts PRES development in high-risk children. METHODS: We recorded peak systolic BP, diastolic BP, BP z-scores, and mean arterial pressure over the 14 days preceding clinical concern for PRES in 35 subjects who developed PRES, compared to 14 controls who had normal brain magnetic resonance imaging and similar underlying disease, renal function, and medications. We used multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for fluid overload and obesity to estimate the association of peak BP with PRES. We used receiver operating characteristic curves to determine which peak BP thresholds best predicted PRES and calculated the corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: Peak systolic BP z-score was most strongly associated with PRES (OR 3.97, 95% CI 1.62-9.74), and peak systolic BP z-score ≥ 3.0 predicted PRES (area under the curve 0.95, 95% CI 0.88-1.0) with 91% sensitivity and 85% specificity, indicating 94% positive predictive value and 79% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that peak systolic BP z-score ≥ 3.0 in the preceding 14 days predicted PRES development in cases compared with controls in children at high risk. Our study suggests that stage 2 hypertension, corresponding to a z-score ≥ 3.0, could help define hypertensive emergency in high-risk children and indicate when more aggressive treatment is warranted to prevent neurologic injury.

Molecular Pathways Underlying Adaptive Repair of the Injured Kidney: Novel Donation After Cardiac Death and Acute Kidney Injury Platforms.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that gene expression profiling in peripheral blood from patients who have undergone kidney transplantation (KT) will provide mechanistic insights regarding graft repair and regeneration. BACKGROUND: Renal grafts obtained from living donors (LD) typically function immediately, whereas organs from donation after cardiac death (DCD) or acute kidney injury (AKI) donors may experience delayed function with eventual recovery. Thus, recipients of LD, DCD, and AKI kidneys were studied to provide a more complete understanding of the molecular basis for renal recovery. METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from LD and DCD/AKI recipients before transplant and throughout the first 30 days thereafter. Total RNA was isolated and assayed on whole genome microarrays. RESULTS: Comparison of longitudinal gene expression between LD and AKI/DCD revealed 2 clusters, representing 141 differentially expressed transcripts. A subset of 11 transcripts was found to be differentially expressed in AKI/DCD versus LD. In all recipients, the most robust gene expression changes were observed in the first day after transplantation. After day 1, gene expression profiles differed depending upon the source of the graft. In patients receiving LD grafts, the expression of most genes did not remain markedly elevated beyond the first day post-KT. In the AKI/DCD groups, elevations in gene expression were maintained for at least 5 days post-KT. In all recipients, the pattern of coordinate gene overexpression subsided by 28 to 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Gene expression in peripheral blood of AKI/DCD recipients offers a novel platform to understand the potential mechanisms and timing of kidney repair and regeneration after transplantation.