How we do it: the intra-operative identification of a pharyngocele.

A pharyngocele is an uncommon condition, where pharyngeal mucosa herniates through the thyrohyoid membrane. It can be difficult to locate when the patient is at rest. To locate the pharyngocele intra-operatively, a bag valve mask was used to inflate the herniated mucosa. We describe a cost-effective and simple way to locate the pharyngocele intra-operatively.

An interesting case report of delayed presentation of visual loss from an Ethmoid Mucocoele. Should we offer emergency decompression?

Paranasal sinus mucocoeles commonly involve the frontoethmoidal sinuses and can rarely present with vision changes due to expansion and invasion through the orbit. A 50-year-old female presented out of hours with an acute, 16-h history of complete left sided visual loss, on a background of 3 days of visual changes. A left ethmoid mucocoele extending into the left orbital apex causing compression of the optic nerve was diagnosed on imaging. Emergency endoscopic sinus surgery with decompression and marsupialization of the ethmoid mucocoele was performed, which resulted in improvement of vision. This case is unusual due to improvement in vision despite the length of visual loss prior to surgical intervention. This case demonstrates the importance of considering rhinological causes for vision loss, and how critical early identification and surgical intervention can be to prevent serious complications such as permanent vision loss.

Optical Loupes: A Useful Tool for the Oncall Otorhinolaryngologist-Our Experience.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and utility of loupes for ENT on-calls. We conducted a 2 month prospective clinical study using loupes during on-calls. We examined patients twice, with and without loupes and compared visibility and diagnostic ease. We used the loupes in a total of 71 patients for a variety of ENT emergencies. We found that visibility and diagnostic ease was improved in all cases. During procedures we found that improved visibility led to better instrument placement and more satisfactory outcomes. Loupes have been previously used intra-operatively with good results. The obstacles to wider usage are reportedly the expense and learning curve required. We have acquired some cheap loupes and have found evidence that earlier usage eases the transition. We have found that they are a useful addition to the on-call ENT armoury as they facilitate superior visibility and improved instrument placement.

To Scan or Not to Scan-A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Audiometric Protocols for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screening of Vestibular Schwannomas.

INTRODUCTION: Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are a rare cause of asymmetrical hearing loss, and routine screening with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be costly. At present, no consensus exists on what qualifies as "asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss" (ASNHL) and when a patient should be referred for screening. OBJECTIVES: 1) Evaluation of published audiometric protocols on the basis of sensitivity and specificity when applied to local clinical cohort of patients with ASNHL; 2) determination of clinical risks of missing VS and potential wastes in screening "radiologically normal" cases; 3) assessment of the cost of MRI screening. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with chart review in a 2-year (2015-2016) cohort of 1059 patients who underwent MRI screening and audiometry indicating sensorineural hearing loss. Fourteen previously published audiometric protocols were assessed for their sensitivity and specificity in guiding radiological diagnosis of VS, and cost analysis was performed. RESULTS: 6/14 audiometric protocols had a sensitivity greater than 85%. Diagnostic specificity ranged from 22.91 to 82.76%, clinical risks from 0 to 50%, and potential wastes from 17.24 to 77.09%. Average annual cost of screening was £64,069. Application of proposed local screening protocol had a projected cost saving of 32.19%. Cost of screening patients that benefit from treatment was compared with a utility function that quantified expected benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Development of an easy-to-apply algorithm incorporating high-sensitivity audiometric protocols may result in significant cost saving, with minimal clinical risk of missing cases. There was disparity between screening costs and monetary "benefit" of hearing.

Hot tonsillectomy for paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common presentation in paediatric ear, nose and tongue (ENT) outpatients. The use of sleep studies is controversial however once a diagnosis has been made, frequently treatment is surgery. Should these patients be operated on as urgent cases? A 5-year-old boy was admitted under the paediatric team with difficultly breathing and desaturations to 77%. The patient had previously been seen by ENT as an outpatient with an 8-month history of obstructive sleep apnoea and was listed for an adenotonsillectomy with the standard waiting time. During this admission he had an emergency adenotonsillectomy. The patient improved immediately with no large desaturations in recovery and normal observations throughout his stay. It is never ideal to do a paediatric emergency operation and we have reviewed the evidence base to answer the question: Should these patients be treated urgently when seen in outpatients?