Microstructural Changes in the Brainstem Auditory Pathway in Children With Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of diffusion tensor imaging of the auditory pathway in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A single academic tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS: Sixteen pediatric patients with bilateral SNHL of at least moderate severity in the poorer ear (eight male; mean age, 5.3 ± 4.9 yrs). Controls consisted of age- and sex-matched children with normal hearing who were imaged for nonotologic, non-neurologic medical concerns and found to have normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). INTERVENTIONS: Three Tesla MRI scanners were used for diffusion tensor imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative diffusion tensor metrics were extracted from the superior olivary nucleus (SON), inferior colliculus (IC), and ipsilateral fiber tracts between the SON and IC delineated by tractography. RESULTS: We identified differences in fractional anisotropy of the SON between the SNHL cohort and controls (0.377 ± 0.056 vs. 0.422 ± 0.052; p = 0.009), but not in the IC. There were no differences in the mean diffusivity (MD) values in the IC and SON. Among younger children (≤5 yrs), MD was decreased in the SNHL cohort compared with controls in the IC (0.918 ± 0.051 vs. 1.120 ± 0.142; p < 0.001). However, among older children (>5 yrs), there were no differences in MD (1.124 ± 0.198 vs. 0.997 ± 0.103; p = 0.119). There were no differences in MD or fractional anisotropy in the white matter fibers of the IC-SON tract. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest abnormal neural tracts along the central auditory pathway among children with SNHL. Longitudinal studies should assess the prognostic value of these MRI-based findings for assessing long-term outcomes and determining intervention efficacy.

The Global Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Workforce.

Importance: A core component of delivering care of head and neck diseases is an adequate workforce. The World Health Organization report, Multi-Country Assessment of National Capacity to Provide Hearing Care, captured primary workforce estimates from 68 member states in 2012, noting that response rates were a limitation and that updated more comprehensive data are needed. Objective: To establish comprehensive workforce metrics for global otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) with updated data from more countries/territories. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional electronic survey characterizing the OHNS workforce was disseminated from February 10 to June 22, 2022, to professional society leaders, medical licensing boards, public health officials, and practicing OHNS clinicians. Main Outcome: The OHNS workforce per capita, stratified by income and region. Results: Responses were collected from 121 of 195 countries/territories (62%). Survey responses specifically reported on OHNS workforce from 114 countries/territories representing 84% of the world's population. The global OHNS clinician density was 2.19 (range, 0-61.7) OHNS clinicians per 100 000 population. The OHNS clinician density varied by World Bank income group with higher-income countries associated with a higher density of clinicians. Regionally, Europe had the highest clinician density (5.70 clinicians per 100 000 population) whereas Africa (0.18 clinicians per 100 000 population) and Southeast Asia (1.12 clinicians per 100 000 population) had the lowest. The OHNS clinicians deliver most of the surgical management of ear diseases and hearing care, rhinologic and sinus diseases, laryngeal disorders, and upper aerodigestive mucosal cancer globally. Conclusion and Relevance: This cross-sectional survey study provides a comprehensive assessment of the global OHNS workforce. These results can guide focused investment in training and policy development to address disparities in the availability of OHNS clinicians.

Gracilis free flap in head and neck reconstruction beyond facial palsy reanimation.

INTRODUCTION: The gracilis muscle free flap has gained popularity in head and neck reconstruction due to minimal donor-site morbidity, reliable vascular pedicle, strong muscular component, and possibility to perform nerve coaptation. However, almost all the existing evidence in the literature is related to its use for facial palsy reanimation. The aim of this study was therefore to review and provide a comprehensive summary of all the possible indications and outcomes of this versatile free flap in head neck reconstructive surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted including articles from 1970 to 2019. All articles were examined and described. RESULTS: Twenty-seven papers published between 1994 and 2019 were identified for analysis. The evidence highlights the use of the gracilis muscle free flap for parotid, forehead and midface defects, oral tongue, oral sphincter, lower and upper lip, cheek, and oral commissure defects, among others, as the most common defects reconstructed. CONCLUSION: This flap represents an easy to harvest and versatile free flap with low donor-site morbidity and multiple proven uses in head & neck reconstruction. We therefore encourage reconstructive surgeons to include this flap in their armoury, either as a first or as a second-line option.

Advancing African otolaryngology and head & neck surgery education and training through virtual academic platforms and multidisciplinary teams.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To overview the rise of virtual tools to propagate academia and clinical service within Africa, in the field of otolaryngology, propelled by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. RECENT FINDINGS: The rise of the COVID-19 virus saw a dramatic reduction in elective surgery and outpatient services with a subsequent reduction in experiential learning for trainees. This has spurred the rising trend to maintain the mission of education and clinical service, virtually. There have been unprecedented levels of international collaboration in the 'pandemic year of 2020' that has seen various platforms conceived to harmonize varying practices from global experts towards the ultimate goal of education propagation and improved patient care. The continent of Africa, amidst its own unique challenges, has boldly stepped into the virtual realm in form of a resident-centred platform coined University Of Cape Town-Africa Virtual ENT, and two multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings: the African Head and Neck Society Virtual Tumour Board and the African Virtual Cochlear Implant Meeting. SUMMARY: The COVID-19 pandemic will have long-lasting effects on clinical practice and training programs globally. This has demanded academicians to re-imagine novel ways to buoy academia and maintain international collaboration in an inexpensive and convenient way to nourish the sacred mission of education and clinical service within our spirited continent.

The assessment of quality of life in children with tracheostomies and their families in a low to middle income country (LMIC).

INTRODUCTION: The Breatheasy© Tracheostomy Program based at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, manages children mostly from poor socio-economic backgrounds. In our resource-limited setting, it is unclear how these families cope with the demands of a tracheostomised child. We aim to assess the quality of life (QOL) of tracheostomised children and their families as the first study of its kind in a low-resource setting. METHODS: A descriptive, observational study was done to assess the QOL of tracheostomised children managed by the Breatheasy© Program over 10 months. Children with tracheostomies for longer than 6 months, complex syndromic children, and home ventilated children were included. The validated Paediatric Tracheotomy Health Status Instrument (PTHSI) was utilised, where a higher score implied a better outcome. RESULTS: A total of 68 families were recruited. In 57 (85.1%) of the carers, the highest level of education achieved was primary or high school. Twenty-seven (42%) families reported having an annual household income of less than $675 US Dollars (