RESUMO
Listening in noisy environments requires effort- the active engagement of attention and other cognitive abilities- as well as increased arousal. The ability to separately quantify the contribution of these components is key to understanding the dynamics of effort and how it may change across listening situations and in certain populations. We concurrently measured two types of ocular data in young participants (both sexes): pupil dilation (PD; thought to index arousal aspects of effort) and microsaccades (MS; hypothesized to reflect automatic visual exploratory sampling), while they performed a speech-in-noise task under high- (HL) and low- (LL) listening load conditions. Sentences were manipulated so that the behaviorally relevant information (keywords) appeared at the end (Experiment 1) or beginning (Experiment 2) of the sentence, resulting in different temporal demands on focused attention. In line with previous reports, PD effects were associated with increased dilation under load. We observed a sustained difference between HL and LL conditions, consistent with increased phasic and tonic arousal. Importantly we show that MS rate was also modulated by listening load. This was manifested as a reduced MS rate in HL relative to LL. Critically, in contrast to the sustained difference seen for PD, MS effects were localized in time, specifically during periods when demands on auditory attention were greatest. These results demonstrate that auditory selective attention interfaces with the mechanisms controlling MS generation, establishing MS as an informative measure, complementary to PD, with which to quantify the temporal dynamics of auditory attentional processing under effortful listening conditions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Listening effort, reflecting the "cognitive bandwidth" deployed to effectively process sound in adverse environments, contributes critically to listening success. Understanding listening effort and the processes involved in its allocation is a major challenge in auditory neuroscience. Here, we demonstrate that microsaccade rate can be used to index a specific subcomponent of listening effort, the allocation of instantaneous auditory attention, that is distinct from the modulation of arousal indexed by pupil dilation (currently the dominant measure of listening effort). These results reveal the push-pull process through which auditory attention interfaces with the (visual) attention network that controls microsaccades, establishing microsaccades as a powerful tool for measuring auditory attention and its deficits.
Assuntos
Pupila , Percepção da Fala , Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Percepção Auditiva , Ruído , Nível de AlertaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The National Institute of Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Health Informatics Collaborative (HIC) for Hearing Health has been established in the UK to curate routinely collected hearing health data to address research questions. This study defines priority research areas, outlines its aims, governance structure and demonstrates how hearing health data have been integrated into a common data model using pure tone audiometry (PTA) as a case study. METHODS: After identifying key research aims in hearing health, the governance structure for the NIHR HIC for Hearing Health is described. The Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) was chosen as our common data model to provide a case study example. RESULTS: The NIHR HIC Hearing Health theme have developed a data architecture outlying the flow of data from all of the various siloed electronic patient record systems to allow the effective linkage of data from electronic patient record systems to research systems. Using PTAs as an example, OMOPification of hearing health data successfully collated a rich breadth of datapoints across multiple centres. CONCLUSION: This study identified priority research areas where routinely collected hearing health data could be useful. It demonstrates integration and standardisation of such data into a common data model from multiple centres. By describing the process of data sharing across the HIC, we hope to invite more centres to contribute and utilise data to address research questions in hearing health. This national initiative has the power to transform UK hearing research and hearing care using routinely collected clinical data.
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Informática Médica , Humanos , Reino Unido , Registros Eletrônicos de Saúde , Pesquisa Biomédica , Audiometria de Tons PurosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Pathway innovation using smartphone otoscopy and tablet-based audiometry technologies to deliver ear and hearing services via trained audiologists may improve efficiency of the service. An ENT-integrated-community-ear service (ENTICES-combining community audiology management, remote ENT review and novel technologies) was piloted. We aimed to assess the efficiency and safety of ENTICES. METHOD: ENTICES was a community-based and audiologist-led pathway. Patients with otological symptoms were self-referred to this service. Smartphone otoscopy and tablet-based audiograms were performed. Two otologists reviewed all decisions made in the community by audiologists based on video-otoscopy, hearing tests and chart reviews. Data on the first 50 consecutive new patients attending either consultant-led hospital otology clinics (HOC), audiologist-led hospital advanced audiology diagnostics (AAD) or ENTICES clinics were collected between 1 August 2021 and 31 December 2021. Data were collected through chart reviews and questionnaires to compare the three pathways with respect to efficiency, patient satisfaction, technology utility and safety. RESULTS: No audiology-led ENTICES decisions were amended by hospital otologists following remote review. Remote review of video-otoscopy with history was sufficient for a diagnosis in 80% of cases. Adding hearing tests and standardised history increased the diagnostic yield to 98%. Patient satisfaction scores showed 100% service recommendation. The cost per patient, per visit, was £83.36, £99.07 and £69.72 for AAD, HOC or ENTICES, respectively. CONCLUSION: ENTICES provides a safe ear and hearing service that patients rated highly. Thirty-two per cent of hospital otology patients were eligible for this service. For those patients, ENTICES is 20% more cost-effective and can reduce the number of clinic visits by up to 60% compared with HOC.
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Otolaringologia , Telemedicina , Humanos , Projetos Piloto , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto , Otoscopia/métodos , Idoso , Otopatias/diagnóstico , Otopatias/terapia , Satisfação do Paciente , Audiometria , Adolescente , Encaminhamento e ConsultaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate whether radiological marker(s) of the inner ear can be detected in congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) patients with severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: A retrospective imaging review of confirmed cCMV paediatric patients that had undergone consecutive cochlear implantation was performed at a tertiary hospital. Available pre- and postoperative imaging was examined, and abnormalities of the labyrinth were catalogued by a consultant neuroradiologist in the study group and control group. RESULTS: Twenty-eight paediatric patients with cCMV having undergone cochlear implantation were identified between the ages of 1-15 years (mean 4.7 years) at the time of implantation. Increased density of the vestibule on computed tomography (CT) or filling defects of the vestibule on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were identified in 11 and 4 patients, respectively, of the 24 in the case series. No filling defects were identified in any of the 48 CT and MRI control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a potential novel radiological finding of the inner ear of patients with cCMV. With more research, greater onus placed on MRI and CT for inner ear assessment may facilitate early detection and treatment for patients at risk of significant hearing loss. Further prospective studies in this area will help to validate radiological markers in order to establish a comprehensive inner ear classification system for neuroradiological features in cCMV.
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Infecções por Citomegalovirus , Surdez , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial , Vestíbulo do Labirinto , Humanos , Criança , Lactente , Pré-Escolar , Adolescente , Citomegalovirus , Estudos Retrospectivos , Estudos Prospectivos , Surdez/congênito , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/diagnóstico por imagem , Infecções por Citomegalovirus/congênito , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic condition that has a significant impact on the biopsychosocial aspects of the patient's life. There is currently no psychometrically validated patient-reported outcome measure to assess the impact of this condition on the health-related quality of life. We designed a novel instrument based on common patient statements, prioritized by patient preference. Sixty-three patients with OSA and 33 participants with no symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing were asked to complete a 20-item initial questionnaire. The acceptability, reliability and validity of the instrument were assessed using known psychometric techniques. The instrument had strong acceptability and was completed within 180 s with no missing data. Five items were removed as they had a high ceiling factor. A further three items were removed as they did not represent the central construct uniquely. The final 12-item instrument had high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.91), strong test-retest reliability (p = .83) and high discriminant validity when comparing mean total scores of controls (6.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.67-9.08) and those with OSA (31.39; 95% CI, 27.94-34.84) (p < .001). Further studies are planned to help validate this instrument for clinical use.
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Afeto/fisiologia , Medidas de Resultados Relatados pelo Paciente , Psicologia/métodos , Psicometria/métodos , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
PURPOSE: A new classification system is proposed to help the interpretation of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). The purpose is to create a classification system that improves upon existing systems designed to assess suitability of lateral wall surgery such as expansion pharyngoplasty whilst improving the reliability of the classification. METHODS: A qualitative study into the difficulties trainees had with existing systems was used to identify key issues that needed to be addressed. A visual description of the palate, tonsils, lateral pharyngeal wall, tongue base, epiglottis (PTLTbE) classification was developed. Preliminary data on the inter-rater reliability of PTLTbE were collected. Twenty junior doctors were asked to interpret 5 DISE videos using the PTLTbE classification, and the kappa and percentage agreement were calculated. RESULTS: The Krippendorff alpha ranged between 0.56 and 0.86 for individual DISE videos which compared favourably with the results from those who also completed the VOTE classification (range 0.31 to 0.66). The overall percentage agreement for PTLTbE was 90.1%. CONCLUSIONS: There are a number of advantages of the PTLTbE system over other existing DISE classifications. (1) Tonsillar obstruction is separated from lateral pharyngeal wall collapse. (2) Interobserver reliability is improved, critical to improve communication, patient outcomes and future research. (3) The learning curve to use this system is short. Most doctors did not need to refer to the classification images as an aide-memoire after a few uses of the PTLTbE system. A fuller examination of the reliability of the PTLTbE system is underway along with examination of its use in clinical settings.
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Endoscopia/métodos , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/diagnóstico , Humanos , Variações Dependentes do Observador , Pesquisa QualitativaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of high-quality evidence relating to the management of epistaxis severe enough to require admission to a hospital. Previous studies of interventions for epistaxis have suffered from small sample sizes. They lacked the power to allow analysis of the effect of an intervention on epistaxis control that is independent of the condition severity or additional interventions given. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of specialist treatments on the successful management of severe epistaxis METHODOLOGY: Secondary analysis of data collected from a national multi-centre audit of patients with epistaxis over 30 days in 2016. Data were entered prospectively, and patients were followed up for 30 days following hospital discharge. 1402 adults admitted for inpatient management of epistaxis were identified in 113 participating UK hospitals, with data entered prospectively during the 30-day audit window. Exposure variables assessed included treatment instigated at first ENT review, intervention strategy during hospitalization, disease factors (e.g. severity), patient risk factors (e.g. co-morbidities, medications) and treatment factors (grade of doctor, therapies initiated during hospital stay). Main Outcomes include treatment time (time from first ENT review to time haemostasis was achieved and patient was safe for hospital discharge) and 30-day hospital readmission rate. RESULTS: 834 patients had sufficient data for inclusion. Patients who did not receive nasal cautery at first specialist review had a treatment time greater than double the time of those who were cauterised: Adjusted ratio (aR) 2.5 (95% CI 1.7-3.3), after controlling for age, bleeding severity, and whether they received a nasal pack or not. Only 30% of patients received management that complied with new national guidance, but those that did were 87% more likely to be achieve haemostasis before those that did not, even after controlling for bleeding severity. Type of treatment, whether initial intervention or management strategy, did not affect 30-day re-attendance. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of national audit data suggest that cautery at first specialist review, and management according to national guidance can reduce hospital treatment times without compromising 30-day re-attendance. Future work should investigate why early nasal cautery is infrequently used, and how service delivery can be optimised to allow widespread implementation of evidence-based management for epistaxis.
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Epistaxe , Pacientes Internados , Adulto , Epistaxe/terapia , Hospitalização , Humanos , Tempo de Internação , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To plot the nasal cycle using unilateral peak nasal inspiratory flow (UPNIF) and unilateral minimal cross-sectional area (UMCA) readings demonstrating a linear relationship in normal nasal function. Additionally, to determine how this changes in abnormal nasal function. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study measuring UPNIF and UMCA in controls demonstrating normal nasal function and in patients with nasal obstruction. SETTING: Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 39 participants, 26 controls and 13 patients, were recruited. Controls exhibited normal nasal function with SNOT-22 <5. Patients nasal obstruction symptoms secondary to inflammation or structural abnormality with SNOT-22 >9. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Airflow rates and resistance values were derived from UPNIF and UMCA measurements respectively based on Poiseuille's laws. Ratios between right and left UPNIF and UMCA values were taken to adjust for confounding factors. The relationship of 1/Resistance Ratio and Airflow Rate Ratio demonstrated a linear of direct proportionality of strong correlation and statistical significance (correlation coefficient = 0.76, P « 0.01). This suggests that data points from controls with a normal nasal cycle lie closely along the regressed line, whilst those lying significantly away were shown to belong to patients with nasal dysfunction. Olfactory dysfunction appears to be a sensitive discriminator in predicting this. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the directly proportional relationship of 1/Resistance Ratio and Airflow Rate Ratio in normal nasal function. Furthermore, nasal pathology can be predicted if data points lie significantly outside these normal limits. Further studies are needed to validate exact normal and abnormal thresholds.
Assuntos
Resistência das Vias Respiratórias/fisiologia , Capacidade Inspiratória/fisiologia , Rinometria Acústica , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Londres , Masculino , Obstrução Nasal/fisiopatologia , Valores de ReferênciaRESUMO
Objectives: To investigate the predictors of general practitioner (GP) consultation and antibiotic use in those developing sore throat. Methods: We conducted a prospective population-based cohort study on 4461 participants in two rounds (2010-11) from 1897 households. Results: Participants reported 2193 sore throat illnesses, giving a community sore throat incidence of 1.57/ person-year. 13% of sore throat illnesses led to a GP consultation and 56% of these consultations led to antibiotic use. Participants most likely to have sore throats included women and children (e.g. school compared with retirement age); adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) of 1.33 and 1.52, respectively. Participants with sore throat were more likely to consult their GP if they were preschool compared with retirement age [adjusted OR (aOR) 3.22], had more days of sore throat (aOR 1.11), reported more severe pain (aOR 4.24) or reported fever (aOR 3.82). Antibiotics were more often used by chronically ill individuals (aOR 1.78), those reporting severe pain (aOR 4.14), those reporting fever (aOR 2.58) or children with earache (aOR 1.85). Among those who consulted, males and adults who reported feeling anxious were more likely to use antibiotics; aOR 1.87 and 5.36, respectively. Conclusions: Only 1 in 10 people who have a sore throat see a doctor and more than half of those attending get antibiotics. Further efforts to curb antibiotic use should focus on reducing initial GP consultations through public information promoting safe self-management, targeted at groups identified above as most likely to attend with sore throats.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Prescrições de Medicamentos , Faringite/tratamento farmacológico , Autorrelato , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Doença Crônica , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dor , Estudos Prospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have revolutionized medical image segmentation in recent years. This scoping review aimed to carry out a comprehensive review of the literature describing automated image segmentation of the middle ear using CNNs from computed tomography (CT) scans. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search, generated jointly with a medical librarian, was performed on Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, using Medical Subject Heading terms and keywords. Databases were searched from inception to July 2023. Reference lists of included papers were also screened. REVIEW METHODS: Ten studies were included for analysis, which contained a total of 866 scans which were used in model training/testing. Thirteen different architectures were described to perform automated segmentation. The best Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) for the entire ossicular chain was 0.87 using ResNet. The highest DSC for any structure was the incus using 3D-V-Net at 0.93. The most difficult structure to segment was the stapes, with the highest DSC of 0.84 using 3D-V-Net. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous architectures have demonstrated good performance in segmenting the middle ear using CNNs. To overcome some of the difficulties in segmenting the stapes, we recommend the development of an architecture trained on cone beam CTs to provide improved spatial resolution to assist with delineating the smallest ossicle. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This has clinical applications for preoperative planning, diagnosis, and simulation.
Assuntos
Aprendizado Profundo , Orelha Média , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Humanos , Orelha Média/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/métodos , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodosRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Gene therapy for monogenic hearing loss is on the horizon. The first trials in patients with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) due to pathogenic variants in the Otoferlin (OTOF) gene will open this year. In the UK, the new NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) offers genetic testing in each child diagnosed with congenital or early onset sensorineural hearing loss. This survey study aims to map preexisting clinical pathways for the diagnosis and management of children with ANSD and identify opportunities for improvement in early identification of OTOF- related ANSD. METHODS: A Google form with 24 questions in English covering the ANSD clinical pathway was developed with clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management ANSD. The survey was disseminated via email to all Lead clinicians of NHS Tertiary Paediatric Audiology and Cochlear Implant Services within the UK. RESULTS: Data was received from 27 (34 %) NHS Tertiary Paediatric Audiology Services and 8 (n = 57 %) Paediatric Cochlear Implant Services. Services follow existing national guidance and provide multidisciplinary care with structured patient pathways for referral, diagnosis, and management of children with ANSD and multidisciplinary input throughout. Clinicians are aware of the genetic causes of ANSD and new processes for genetic testing, but do not uniformly refer children with ANSD for testing for OTOF pathogenic variants. As such, they had difficulty estimating numbers of children with OTOF pathogenic variants under their care. CONCLUSION: Those results highlight the urgency of implementing hearing gene panel sequencing for all children with ANSD to provide opportunities for early diagnosis and candidacy for OTOF gene therapy trials.
Assuntos
Perda Auditiva Central , Proteínas de Membrana , Criança , Humanos , Audiologia , Implante Coclear , Implantes Cocleares , Perda Auditiva Central/genética , Perda Auditiva Central/terapia , Medicina Estatal , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Ensaios Clínicos como AssuntoRESUMO
Our objective was to devise and assess a multidisciplinary simulated course in training junior doctors for possible difficult airway scenarios. The authors have run a multi-disciplinary difficult airway simulation that was designed to simulate the stresses and complications of a live situation. The course comprised of six to eight difficult airway simulations (using a Laerdal SimMan2 mannequin remote controlled by a "driver") with two teams moving through the simulations over half a day. The simulation lasted 20 min and was followed by 40 min of in-depth structured facilitated debrief. The course was set in the anaesthetic room of a district general hospital theatre. Seventy-eight candidates (28 anaesthetic trainees, 18 ENT trainees, 19 theatre nurses and 13 operating theatre practitioners) attended this course over 6 training days set over 2 years. The main outcome measures of candidate feedback scored for eight questions on a 1-6 Likert scale. From the results, Audit of Trust inpatient airway fatalities revealed three deaths in 2 years leading up to the introduction of the simulation course. Re-audit of the subsequent 2 years, during which time the course was running, has shown no airway fatalities. A 100 % candidate feedback response rate was obtained. Delegates gave an average score of 4.8 to the simulator replicating the stress of 'live' situations; 5.5 to the simulator addressing training needs; 5.6 to the course improving clinical knowledge, teamwork, leadership and non-technical skills. In our conclusions, successful management of a difficult airway situation requires rapid evaluation, effective communication, strong leadership and teamwork, as well as knowledge of local environment and equipment. The results show that candidates felt an improvement in clinical knowledge, teamwork, leadership and non-technical skills, as well as the mutual understanding and respect between related medical and non-medical team members. In addition, audit of airway mortality showed a Trust-wide reduction in inpatient airway related mortality following the course. The results emphatically demonstrate the universal success of this multi-disciplinary training method for all team members, regardless of hierarchical position or background.
Assuntos
Competência Clínica , Educação de Pós-Graduação em Medicina/organização & administração , Cirurgia Geral/educação , Intubação Intratraqueal/normas , Manequins , Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente , Currículo , Avaliação Educacional , Hospitais de Distrito , Hospitais Gerais , Humanos , Reino UnidoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sudden onset hearing loss (SOHL) has a number of causes, ranging from the simple and reversible to the profound and permanent. The sequelae of a sudden loss of hearing can be significant. OBJECTIVE: This article seeks to address the various aetiologies of SOHL, how they can be diagnosed at the earliest opportunity, and outlines the methods of investigation and management. DISCUSSION: SOHL causes great concern for the patient. It is when there is a 30 dB or greater hearing loss over less than 72 hours. History and examination, with discerning use of investigations, can identify whether the hearing loss is of conductive or sensorineural origin; and those individuals who have a potentially reversible hearing loss that can be addressed quickly and in an appropriate fashion. However, in the majority of cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), no cause is identified and it is considered idiopathic SSNHL. In these patients, high dose oral prednisolone may improve hearing outcome, particularly if started early.
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Perda Auditiva Condutiva/diagnóstico , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/diagnóstico , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/tratamento farmacológico , Perda Auditiva Súbita/etiologia , Testes de Impedância Acústica , Audiometria de Tons Puros , Glucocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Perda Auditiva Condutiva/etiologia , Perda Auditiva Condutiva/terapia , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/etiologia , Perda Auditiva Súbita/sangue , Perda Auditiva Súbita/terapia , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Anamnese , Neuroma Acústico/complicações , Neuroma Acústico/diagnóstico , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
Recent breakthroughs in our understanding of sensorineural hearing loss etiology have encouraged the identification of novel hearing therapeutics, paving the way for precision hearing medicine. Critical to this field is the curation of health resources on hearing data. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to map existing (inter)national and regional datasets that include hearing data to inform the development of future hearing repositories. Systematic literature review was performed adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis recommendations. Databases, including those from gray literature, were searched to identify publications reporting on phenotypic and/ or genotypic hearing data in May 2019. The databases reviewed were Medline, PubMed, Embase databases, and Google Scholar. Publications on local datasets were excluded. All hearing datasets identified in the screening process were noted. For each dataset, geography, context, objective, period of time run, numbers and demographics of participants, genomic data, hearing measures and instruments used were extracted and cataloged. One hundred and eighty-eight datasets were identified, containing hearing data on populations ranging from 100 to 1.39 million individuals, and all extracted data have been cataloged. This searchable resource has been made accessible online. This unique catalog provides an overview of existing datasets that contain valuable information on hearing. This can be used to inform the development of national and international patient data repositories for hearing loss and guide strategic collaboration between key stakeholder groups, pivotal to the delivery and development of sensorineural hearing loss precision diagnostics and treatments.
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Surdez , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial , Perda Auditiva , Humanos , Audição , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/diagnóstico , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/genética , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/terapia , Medicina de PrecisãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Necrotizing otitis externa is an invasive infection, affecting older patients, with significant associated morbidity. Despite this, there are no randomized controlled trials that address management, and therefore, treatment approaches may vary considerably. We describe the management and outcomes of 37 patients managed using a multidisciplinary treatment pathway for necrotizing otitis externa over a 5-year period. The pathway is based on a standardized antibiotic regime of 3 weeks of intravenous ceftazidime plus oral ciprofloxacin, followed by a further 3 weeks of ciprofloxacin. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with necrotizing otitis externa since the introduction of our pathway in 2016. We include data on patient demographics, comorbidities, microbiology, length of stay, and length of antimicrobial treatment. Outcome data, including mortality, relapse and treatment failure, and adverse effects of treatment, are presented. RESULTS: The median age of our patients was 82 years. About 54% of patients had diabetes mellitus or another cause of immunocompromise. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 68%. The median duration of inpatient stay was 9 days, and median treatment duration was 6 weeks. Of 37 patients, 32 were cured (86%), and of the remaining 5 patients, there were 2 mortalities unrelated to necrotizing otitis externa and 3 patients with recurrent infections due to anatomical abnormalities. CONCLUSION: We note favorable treatment outcomes when using a standardized multidisciplinary pathway and a 6-week course of antibiotic therapy.
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Otite Externa , Infecções por Pseudomonas , Humanos , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Otite Externa/tratamento farmacológico , Otite Externa/microbiologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Ciprofloxacina/uso terapêutico , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Ceftazidima/uso terapêutico , Infecções por Pseudomonas/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Pseudomonas/complicaçõesRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Intra-operative electrophysiological testing is being increasingly used to determine device functionality. Impedance abnormalities (open or short circuits) measured at time of surgery pose a dilemma: is it likely to resolve or is it a permanent fault? There is little in the literature on how to manage these intraoperative finding and if, at time of surgery, the back-up device should be used. METHODS: We routinely undertake impedance testing twice intraoperatively, as well as at switch on, 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Retrospective impedance thresholds were analysed for one surgeon's cases between January 2018 and December 2019. RESULTS: There were 235 cochlear implants performed for 217 patients (5,020 electrode contacts) analysed. Thirty-three electrodes had abnormal impedance thresholds on first intraoperative cycle of testing, 76% resolving with the second testing cycle electrode contacts that demonstrated abnormal impedance during both intraoperative test cycles were 16.54 times (95%CI 2.55-107.13, pâ=â0.003) more likely to be abnormal at three months. Fifty percent resolved by switch on. The intraoperative abnormalities made up 26% of electrode abnormalities seen at 3 months postoperatively. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates the utility of 2 cycles of intraoperative impedance testing, with persistently abnormal electrodes having 16 times the likelihood of persistent abnormalities of impedance, and 50% resolution. These persistent intra-operative abnormal electrodes are responsibly for 26% of electrode abnormalities at 3 months. This information is useful for the surgeon when considering use of the backup cochlear implant device.
Assuntos
Implante Coclear , Implantes Cocleares , Cóclea/cirurgia , Impedância Elétrica , Humanos , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the need to implement the National Health Service Long-Term Plan to deliver more care in the community and to reduce face-to-face hospital appointments by up to 33%. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a remote otology service from triage through to delivery. METHODS: New adult otology referrals at a tertiary ear, nose and throat (ENT) hospital aged between 18 and 70 with hearing loss or tinnitus were included. Patients attended an audiology-led community clinic where they underwent a focused history, audiometric testing, and a smartphone-based application and otoscope (Tympa System) was used to capture still and video images of their eardrums. The information was reviewed by ENT clinicians using a remote review platform with a subset of patients subsequently undergoing an in-person review to measure concordance between the two assessments. RESULTS: 58 patients participated. 75% of patients had their pathways shortened by one hospital visit with 65% avoiding any hospital attendances. 24% required an additional face-to-face appointment due to incomplete views of the tympanic membrane or need for additional examinations. Electronic validation by a blinded consultant otologist demonstrated a diagnosis concordance of 95%, and concordance between remote-review and in-person consultations in the 12 patients who agreed to attend for an in-person review was 83.3%. 98% of patients were satisfied with the pathway. CONCLUSION: This pilot service is feasible, safe and non-inferior to the traditional outpatient model in the included patient group. There is potential for the development of a community audiology-led service or use for general practioner advice and guidance.
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COVID-19 , Otolaringologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Viabilidade , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Medicina Estatal , Reino Unido , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To perform a matched cohort study to assess whether patients with Meniere's Disease (MD) require more intensive auditory rehabilitation following cochlear implantation (CI) and identify factors that may affect outcomes in patients with MD. METHODS: A retrospective case review was performed. MD and control patients were matched for age, biological sex, implant manufacturer and electrode design. Outcomes measured were speech scores, number of visits to audiology department following switch-on, and post-operative active MD. RESULTS: Forty consecutive implanted MD patients were identified between May 1993 and May 2019. Patients with active MD following CI required significantly more visits to the audiology department compared to controls (P < 0.01) and patients who had inactive MD post-operatively (P < 0.01). However, in MD patients, active MD was less likely following CI (P = 0.03). In patients who continued to experience active MD post-operatively, further medical and surgical ablative intervention was required to control ongoing Meniere's attacks. CONCLUSION: We present the largest case series of performance outcomes in CI patients with MD. Although speech outcomes in MD patients are comparable to controls, patients with active MD pre-operatively are more likely to experience variation in CI performance requiring a prolonged period of auditory rehabilitation compared to inactive preoperative MD.
Assuntos
Implante Coclear , Implantes Cocleares , Doença de Meniere , Estudos de Coortes , Humanos , Doença de Meniere/cirurgia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Evidence for the management of acute otitis externa (AOE) is limited, with unclear diagnostic criteria and variably reported outcome measures that may not reflect key stakeholder priorities. We aimed to develop 1) a definition, 2) diagnostic criteria and 3) a core outcome set (COS) for AOE. STUDY DESIGN: COS development according to Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) methodology and parallel consensus selection of diagnostic criteria/definition. SETTING: Stakeholders from the United Kingdom. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Comprehensive literature review identified candidate items for the COS, definition and diagnostic criteria. Nine individuals with past AOE generated further patient-centred candidate items. Candidate items were rated for importance by patient and professional (ENT doctors, general practitioners, microbiologists, nurses, audiologists) stakeholders in a three-round online Delphi exercise. Consensus items were grouped to form the COS, diagnostic criteria, and definition. RESULTS: Candidate COS items from patients (n = 28) and literature (n = 25) were deduplicated and amalgamated to a final candidate list (n = 46). Patients emphasised quality-of-life and the impact on daily activities/work. Via the Delphi process, stakeholders agreed on 31 candidate items. The final COS covered six outcomes: pain; disease severity; impact on quality-of-life and daily activities; patient satisfaction; treatment-related outcome; and microbiology. 14 candidate diagnostic criteria were identified, 8 reaching inclusion consensus. The final definition for AOE was 'diffuse inflammation of the ear canal skin of less than 6 weeks duration'. CONCLUSION: The development and adoption of a consensus definition, diagnostic criteria and a COS will help to standardise future research in AOE, facilitating meta-analysis. Consulting former patients throughout development highlighted deficiencies in the outcomes adopted previously, in particular concerning the impact of AOE on daily life.
Assuntos
Orelha Externa/patologia , Otite Externa/diagnóstico , Otite Externa/patologia , Dor/diagnóstico , Atividades Cotidianas , Técnica Delphi , Humanos , Otite Externa/terapia , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Qualidade de Vida , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To facilitate the development of U.K. guidelines for sleep surgery and to guide sleep surgeons to existing guidelines relevant to their practice, we provide a systematic review and quality assessment of all existing guidelines on the surgical management of sleep disorders. METHODS: Systematic review using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Medline and Embase databases were searched from inception to April 2018. Publications were included if they described a guideline for the surgical management of sleep disorders. Three assessors used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument to evaluate included guidelines. RESULTS: The systematic search revealed 1,161 publications. Twenty-two guidelines from eight countries were included. Fourteen focused on adults, five on children, and three on both. The guidelines discussed nasal, tonsillar, palatal, tongue, hyoid, maxillomandibular, tracheal, bariatric, and multilevel surgeries. The mean overall AGREE II quality score of included guidelines was 3.5 (range = 2 to 5.3; maximum possible score = 7). CONCLUSION: This article provides a summary and quality assessment of all published guidelines on the surgical management of sleep disorders. No U.K. guidelines were identified, and existing guidelines have several shortcomings. This highlights the need for robust U.K. national guidelines on sleep surgery to promote clinical and cost-effective care in this field. Our findings can be used by stakeholders as a foundation for the development of new guidelines and can be used by sleep surgeons to direct them to existing guidelines relevant to their practice, promoting evidence-based clinical care. Laryngoscope, 130:1070-1084, 2020.