Online health information on sinonasal inverted papillomas: An assessment on readability and quality.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is a rare but serious diagnosis, with a paucity of patient-centred information regarding this condition. As more patients are seeking healthcare information online, the quality and comprehensibility of this information becomes ever more important. The aim of the study was to investigate the readability and quality of websites on inverted papilloma. METHODS: The term IP and seven of its synonyms were inputted into the three of the most commonly used search engines in the English-speaking world (Google, Yahoo and Bing). The first 20 results returned for each search term were then screened with our exclusion criteria. The remaining websites were assessed for their readability using the using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and average grade level (AGL). Quality was assessed using the DISCERN questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 480 websites returned using our search strategy, 410 were excluded using our screening criteria. Removal of duplicates from the remaining 70 websites left 14 for inclusion in the final analysis. The mean FRES score of the remaining websites was 30.5 ± 10 and the mean AGL was 15.2 ± 1.1, corresponding to a reading age of a 21-year-old. The median DISCERN score was 33.5 (30.5-36.5), a score which falls within the 'poor quality' range. CONCLUSION: The readability and quality of online patient information on IP is far below the expected standard. Healthcare providers have a responsibility to direct patients to appropriate sources of information or consider producing new material should a lack of appropriate sources exist.

A novel technique to repair orbital roof defects: irradiated homologous cadaveric rib (Tutoplast ®) graft in a recurrent frontal sinus ossifying fibroma.

Ossifying fibroma in the fronto-ethmoidal sinuses is a rare, benign condition. In symptomatic cases, surgical excision is often undertaken and bony defects may be repaired using alloplastic grafts. We present a novel method of repairing an orbital roof defect using irradiated homologous cadaveric rib (Tutoplast ®) graft, overlaid with a pericranial flap. The patient made an excellent recovery, concluding that it is a viable and safe option with lower morbidity.

How COVID-19 Changed Our Management of Nasal Bone Fractures and Its Impact on Patient Outcomes-A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: Nasal bone fractures are a common presentation to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon. Simple, closed fractures are assessed and considered for closed manipulation under anesthesia (MUA #nasal bones). Most departments perform this under general anesthesia (GA). Our protocol changed in the face of COVID-19, where procedures were alternatively performed under local anesthesia (LA) in the clinic, to cope with lack of elective theater capacity during the pandemic, while still allowing a nasal fracture service to take place. We present postoperative patient outcomes on breathing and shape, comparing GA versus LA. METHODS: Patient records retrospectively analyzed (January 2020-August 2020), and patients undergoing MUA #nasal bones interviewed by telephone after one month. Exclusion criteria were open injuries or depressed nasal bones requiring elevation. Breathing and shape scores were evaluated subjectively using a Likert scale (1 = very unsatisfied, 5 = very satisfied). RESULTS: Two hundred five nasal injury referrals were made (21 MUA #nasal bones under GA and 27 under LA). Manipulation under anesthesia #nasal bones significantly improved both breathing satisfaction scores (GA; 2.88 ± 0.24 to 4.06 ± 0.23, P < 0.05; LA; 2.86 ± 0.22 to 3.77 ± 0.27, P < 0.05) and aesthetic scores (GA; 2.00 ± 0.21 to 3.94 ± 0.23, P < 0.05; LA; 1.64 ± 0.19 to 3.59 ± 0.28, P < 0.05) in both GA and LA groups. There was no statistically significant difference between LA and GA in postoperative outcomes. There was a trend toward greater satisfaction for GA, though this was not statistically significant and may be impacted by the rate of cartilaginous deformity in the LA group. Both techniques were well tolerated and most patients would repeat the procedure in hindsight. CONCLUSIONS: Local anesthesia could provide a safer, cheaper, and satisfactory alternative for performing MUA #nasal bones in the clinic for selected patients, particularly with reduction of elective theater capacity in the event of further COVID-19 surges. We recommend training junior ENT surgeons to perform this procedure under supervision with adequate protective measures.

An Induction Programme Used to Improve Confidence General Practitioner Trainees in Managing Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Emergency Presentations.

INTRODUCTION: General practitioners (GPs) encounter many adult and paediatric patients presenting with ear, nose and throat (ENT) complaints. There is a paucity of learning opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in ENT at undergraduate and postgraduate level. GP trainees starting an ENT rotation have very little prior experience, and therefore we recognise a need for an introduction through a focused induction programme. The aim of this study was to understand whether a GP trainee focussed induction programme can improve the confidence of these doctors in managing emergency hospital presentations in ENT. METHODS: An ENT-focussed induction program was created: a didactic teaching program, shadowing period and supervised on-calls. Five GP trainees completed the induction programme. Questionnaires assessed the GP trainees' confidence in managing common emergency presentations and performing common procedures before and after the induction program. For comparison, questionnaires were given to seven GP trainees who did not complete induction program before starting the rotation and 2 weeks subsequently. RESULTS: With no induction in place, the mean increase in confidence was by 0.81. In comparison, the GP trainees who did complete the induction program had a mean increase in confidence by 1.2. The induction program had a dramatic increase in confidence in ENT-specific skills which would not have been experienced in other specialties such as flexible nasal endoscopy, post-tonsillectomy bleeding, neck sepsis, stridor and periorbital cellulitis. LIMITATIONS: A small cohort of participants in one hospital were included, thus affecting the reliability of the results. CONCLUSION: There was a greater level in confidence in managing ENT presentations of those who completed the induction program, and we recommend a similar structured programme for GP trainees who rotate in ENT. This may have wider implications in fostering interest in postgraduate degrees in ENT and improving the quality of primary care management of ENT complaints.

To X-Ray or Not to X-Ray? Discussing Unknown Nasal Foreign Bodies and Button Batteries.

The emergency of esophageal button batteries is recognized. Foreign bodies in the ear or nose are treated as comparatively nonemergent. We present the case of a child who presented with suspected pen-nib in the nostril to highlight the importance of investigation and intervention in unwitnessed nasal foreign body and review the literature regarding X-rays in these cases. Fifteen papers were identified as per search parameters; 3 papers recommend the use of plain radiographs for nasal foreign bodies. We propose that in unwitnessed pediatric nasal foreign body insertion, a facial X-ray should be considered, especially if suspecting a metallic foreign body.

Necrotising fasciitis of the posterior neck crossing the midline: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Craniofacial necrotising fasciitis is a complex condition, with high mortality given its propensity to descend via the deep neck spaces into the chest and mediastinum. Management requires optimal antimicrobial therapy with associated aggressive surgical debridement. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 64-year-old man presented to ENT with a posterior neck swelling. Despite incision and drainage of the swelling following a trial of antimicrobial therapy, it increased in size, with areas of overlying necrosis demonstrated. Based on radiological and clinical findings, a diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis was made. He was taken to theatre for debridement. Intra-operatively, carotid sheath suppuration was noted, after tissue retraction resulted in copious bleeding from the anterior wound bed, requiring vigorous resuscitation and clamping of underlying structures to achieve haemostasis. Senior ENT and vascular surgery involvement was quickly sought to achieve haemostasis, however bleeding from the wound bed was difficult to control. This was due to the significant watershed area at the posterior neck which would not have been amenable to selective vessel ligation. After multiple cardiac arrests, a team decision was taken to discontinue resuscitation. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Operating in this area of anatomical complexity required input from a number of different specialty teams. Although input from infectious diseases, microbiology, plastic surgery and tissue viability was commendable, there was room for optimising this further. Early patient referral to a tertiary centre where on-site input was available from maxillofacial surgery and plastic surgery would have been beneficial; a set-up commonly seen in regional trauma networks. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the intricacies surrounding a rare occurrence of necrotising fasciitis of the neck crossing the midline. Multi-disciplinary team involvement is imperative and should be encouraged at an early stage.

Laryngeal granular cell tumour: a very rare diagnosis for a child presenting with hoarse voice in the UK.

We present a rare case of a paediatric laryngeal granular cell tumour (GCT) of the vocal cord. GCTs are rare clinical entities, thought to arise from Schwann cells. There are only a handful of paediatric laryngeal GCTs in the literature, and therefore, little is known regarding their natural history or preferred management strategies. In this case report, we discuss the incidence, aetiopathogenesis, presentation and management of a laryngeal GCT in an 11-year-old girl, who presented with dysphonia. We believe that this case will aid otolaryngologists in the management of paediatric patients with the common dysphonia.

An Analysis of Complaints in Two Large Tertiary University Teaching Hospital ENT Departments: A Two-Year Retrospective Review.

Introduction. Complaints relating to patient care are known to correlate with surgical complication rates and malpractice lawsuits. In a continually evolving health service and on-going financial pressures, identifying current complaint themes could drive future improvements in healthcare delivery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to review and analyse complaints received by the ENT department of two large teaching hospitals in London in order to determine current trends and mitigate future challenges. METHOD: All complaints registered with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) from the ENT Department at our institution were collected between June 2016 and August 2018. Demographic information was collated and complaints were analysed and interpreted as per a standardised coding taxonomy. RESULTS: A total of 242 complaints were collected. Most (91.7%) were logged by patients themselves with a mean age of 48.3 (range 3-98 years). The majority were directed at the administrative team (52%) followed by management (23.5%) and then clinicians (16.9%). Administrative issues were the most common (50.1%) followed by clinical (25.1%) and relationship/communication (24.7%). The bulk of complaints focused on delays in access to services and treatment in the form of cancellations and long appointment waiting times (37%). CONCLUSION: There has been a significant shift in complaints themes from clinical issues to administrative issues. This may reflect increasing financial and staffing pressures in the NHS. Complaints analysis is key in quality improvement and a cross-specialty integrated filing system in concordance with the recently proposed taxonomy would ease future collection and analysis of data.

Rare and unusual case of familial focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome) presenting to otolaryngology in the UK.

Goltz syndrome or focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH), is an X-linked dominant condition which predominantly involves the skin, limbs and eyes. In otolaryngology, FDH has been poorly described, but can result in increased symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea requiring surgery. There have also been documented cases of mixed severe hearing loss secondary to congenital ossicular anomalies. More frequently, patients present to the ear-nose-throat clinic with symptoms of dysphagia, secondary to papillomatosis. A 36-year-old woman presented with pain, irritation and dysphagia with a known diagnosis of FDH. She was subsequently investigated with an oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, Barium Swallow and an MRI neck scan with contrast. Lymphoid hyperplasia was found on investigation and the patient underwent a panendoscopy with CO2 laser to the lesion with good clinical outcome. This case report highlights the need for multidisciplinary team involvement to ensure full consideration of management options.

Specialty Showcase Days: Can Specialist Careers Workshops Improve The Consideration Of ENT For Medical Students?

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that poor consideration of specialist surgery is due to a lack of exposure to information about careers and practice itself. Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgery is given little weight in medical school curricula, despite ENT problems being extremely common. Our objective is to assess whether a specialty showcase day was sufficient to boost informed consideration of this career. DESIGN: We designed a half-day course involving an interactive careers workshop exploring ENT as a specialty choice, alongside simulation stations of commonly presenting ENT problems led by ENT doctors. We used pre- and post-course evaluation sheets to explore factors that encourage and discourage students from surgical careers and perceptions of ENT. SETTING: A large proportion of UK medical schools do not offer ENT placements, and of those that do, nearly half are not compulsory. This leaves students unaware of ENT as a career option and unclear about what an ENT career comprises. Our half-day course took place in the simulation suite at St Mary's Hospital, London. PARTICIPANTS: Medical students were mainly in their third year of study and had aspirations towards a variety of surgical and non-surgical careers, with a minority aspiring towards ENT before the course. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that all students found the session useful and had a much better understanding of ENT practice, with almost all students leaving more likely to consider a career in ENT. CONCLUSION: We would like to repeat this session in different student year groups and compare their perceptions with our results. We find our results a good case for including informative careers workshops as part of medical school teaching. We pose that interactive workshops exploring specialist surgical careers are a valid way to enable students in making informed career decisions - particularly in specialties that are under-represented at medical school.

An extremely rare and atypical paediatric presentation of a maxillary sinus haemangioma in the UK.

We present a rare and unusual case of a 16-year-old girl, with no significant medical history, presenting with right nasal obstruction and suspected sinusitis with occasional epistaxis and haemoptysis. On examination, she had a mass lesion in the right nasal cavity, with no evidence of other pathology on assessment of the ears, nose, throat or head and neck. A CT scan revealed an opacified right maxillary sinus with polypoidal mucosa, extending and passing through the accessory ostium into the right nasal cavity. Examination under anaesthesia with functional endoscopic sinus surgery and excision of the lesion was subsequently undertaken. Histological analysis confirmed the mass lesion as a haemangioma. This case report is the first to present a maxillary haemangioma presenting as nasal obstruction with intermittent sinusitis symptoms in a child. The authors discuss the incidence, presentation and management of maxillary haemangiomas in the paediatric population.

Acute presentation of an intraoral dermoid cyst causing airway compromise in a young child.

A 4-month-old boy presented with a cystic swelling at the floor of the mouth causing acute airway compromise. The only previous history of note, was a tongue tie release at 3 days old. CT scan suggested a dermoid cyst with extensive floor of mouth abscess. He had an excision of the cyst and drainage of the superimposed abscess and made a good recovery. The histology report revealed a dermoid cyst which is a rare diagnosis in a child, particularly within the oral cavity. Early treatment is required to remove these lesions especially when they cause airway compromise or swallowing difficulties. This is the first case to our knowledge which suggests tongue tie release procedures causes a predisposition to the development of dermoid cysts in the oral cavity.

Hands-on teaching, shadowing, and supported learning through acute clinics to help improve the confidence of and meet training needs for junior doctors working in ear, nose, and throat surgery.

BACKGROUND: Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery is a niche and unique specialty that has been recognized as being poorly taught throughout medical school and postgraduate training. Junior doctors who rotate into this specialty often find it hard and struggle to manage patients. Aims: The aim of this study was to devise a junior doctor-focused induction program with specific emphasis on shadowing and partnered working to improve confidence and competence. METHODS: Feedback from previous trainees was used to identify valuable training opportunities within the 4-month rotation. Trainers identified clinical areas where supported learning could be delivered. Trainees were allocated to rotate between theater, ward, on-call shifts, and acute clinics. The degree of time spent in each area was analyzed in order to balance service provision vs learning needs. Furthermore, novel strategies were introduced in each session to maximize learning experiences. Junior doctors were aware of the opportunities that would be available to them at the start of the rotation. In order to assess whether the aims were met, a questionnaire survey was used to assess exposure to core ENT practical skills and junior doctors' confidence levels in carrying them out unsupervised. RESULTS: Junior doctors spent 40% of their time assessing new acute admissions. Twenty percent of time was spent in ENT clinic, but novel practical methods of induction were introduced such as 1 week of directly supervised shadowing, followed by a transition period with regular debrief. A three-stage model was used to offer training in practical procedures in the clinical setting. Over half of the trainees felt confident in undertaking 50% of the core ENT procedures unsupervised. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that giving junior doctors a relevant, focused and appropriate induction helps orientate them, give them the opportunity to ask questions, and also find their grounding in order to begin working. Having dedicated time to shadow and be with a colleague to assess and treat patients initially, with ongoing telephone and in person support, ensured that their confidence and competence improved very quickly. It also improved workplace satisfaction and motivated doctors to undertake self-directed learning and improve and enhance their skills beyond the minimum.

Does focused and dedicated teaching improve the confidence of GP trainees to diagnose and manage common acute ENT pathologies in primary care?

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) are key members of the health care profession who are required to have a considerable breadth of knowledge to manage and treat patients effectively in the community. Their skills and experience varies depending on the medical school they attended and their foundation training and specialist GP training schemes. Exposure to ear, nose, and throat (ENT)-specific pathology is often insufficient due to the lack of formal otolaryngology rotations, minimal relevant teaching opportunities, and inconsistencies in curricula, despite ENT-related pathology presentations being one of the commonest consultations in primary care. METHODS: We undertook a learning needs assessment among Watford general practice vocational training scheme trainees to assess whether they lacked confidence in managing typical ENT pathology, as well as to ascertain whether they felt a formal and focused ENT teaching session would be beneficial to them. RESULTS: The results suggested they were interested in such a session, and therefore we organized a formal program on the assessment and management of acute and common ENT pathologies with a postteaching questionnaire to evaluate participant confidence in these domains. The results showed an improvement in participant knowledge and confidence regarding the assessment and management of ENT pathologies following the teaching session intervention. In addition, most attendees were overall very satisfied with the session. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for teaching specifically tailored to the learning needs of general practice vocational training scheme trainees, particularly in niche specialties, in order to prepare them adequately for clinical practice in the community setting.

Multidisciplinary approach to the management of a case of classical respiratory diphtheria requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding.

We present a case of a Caucasian woman aged 67 years referred with a 4-day history of sore throat, dysphagia, fever and nasal blockage. Examination revealed a swollen neck and pharyngeal pseudomembrane. A throat swab was positive on culture for Corynebacterium ulcerans, with toxin expression confirmed on PCR and Elek testing. A diagnosis of classical respiratory diphtheria was made, with subsequent confirmation of the patient's domesticated dog as the source of infection. The dog had recently been attacked by a wild badger and was being treated for an ear infection. The patient made a good recovery with intravenous antimicrobial and supportive therapy; however, she subsequently developed a diphtheritic polyneuropathy in the form of a severe bulbar palsy with frank aspiration necessitating percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding. A mild sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy was also diagnosed. The patient eventually made an almost complete recovery.

An interesting case report of vertebral artery dissection following polytrauma.

INTRODUCTION: The authors present an interesting case of a 19-year-old male who presented as a polytrauma patient following a fall from a height. PRESENTATION OF CASE: He was initially managed on the intensive care unit with intracranial pressure bolt monitoring after being intubated and sedated and having his other traumatic injuries stabilized. Upon attempting to wean sedation and extubation a repeat CT scan of the head was undertaken and showed a new area suggested of cerebral infarction, this was a new finding. Further imaging found that he had a cervical vertebral artery dissection following this polytrauma mode of injury. DISCUSSION: The incidence of vertebral artery dissection following generalized or local trauma is rising but routine imaging/screening in these patients is not undertaken. CONCLUSION: Our report displays select images related to this case report and emphasizes the consideration of routine imaging in head and neck traumatic injuries to diagnose internal carotid and/or vertebral artery dissections much earlier.

Do we need to overcome barriers to learning in the workplace for foundation trainees rotating in neurosurgery in order to improve training satisfaction?

Junior doctors go through a challenging transition upon qualification; this repeats every time they start a rotation in a new department. Foundation level doctors (first 2 years postqualification) in neurosurgery are often new to the specialty and face various challenges that may result in significant workplace dissatisfaction. The neurosurgical environment is a clinically demanding area with a high volume of unwell patients and frequent emergencies - this poses various barriers to learning in the workplace for junior doctors. We identify a number of key barriers and review ideas that can be trialed in the department to overcome them. Through an evaluation of current suggestions in the literature, we propose that learning opportunities need to be made explicit to junior doctors in order to encourage them to participate as a member of the team. We consider ideas for adjustments to the induction program and the postgraduate medical curriculum to shift the focus from medical knowledge to improving confidence and clinical skills in newly qualified doctors. Despite being a powerful window for opportunistic learning, the daily ward round is unfortunately not maximized and needs to be more learner focused while maintaining efficiency and time consumption. Finally, we put forward the idea of an open forum where trainees can talk about their learning experiences, identify subjective barriers, and suggest solutions to senior doctors. This would be achieved through departmental faculty development. These interventions are presented within the context of the neurosurgical ward; however, they are transferable and can be adapted in other specialties and departments.

Can the transition process from foundation doctor to neurosurgical specialty trainee be improved through "learner-centered induction programs"?

The transition period from foundation program doctor to specialty trainee can be difficult for junior doctors. This difficult period often acts as a major obstacle for learning in the workplace. Existing induction programs are commonly seen as inadequate at easing this transition, and therefore, a pilot study intervention was undertaken to assess if the initiation of "learner-centered induction programs" could help improve the confidence, knowledge acquisition, and satisfaction of junior doctors as they begin specialty training in neurosurgery. Ethnographic and anecdotal evidences were collated from junior doctors, specialty trainees, and consultants in order to investigate if further work on this subject would be beneficial. All participants were working in the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK, over a 4-week period in March/April 2015. A review of the relevant literature was also undertaken. This report found that despite the reservations around the increased organizational demands of induction programs of this nature, as well as concerns around a single junior doctor covering the ward alone during the induction period, feedback following the intervention was largely positive. Junior doctors appreciated being taught about their roles and responsibilities from their predecessors as well as deciding among themselves what topics they wanted covering. As a result, the induction sessions tended to focus on clinical skills rather than theoretical knowledge, which most of the junior doctors believed they could cover adequately in their own time. The junior doctors felt that they benefited from learning/refreshing their relevant practical skills in a safe environment under senior supervision, prior to starting on the wards. Finally, as the induction program was of a greater duration than the traditional half day, they felt they had sufficient time to ask questions and address concerns while "on the job". Overall, "learner-centered induction programs" did appear to show promise in this pilot study with regards to increasing the confidence of junior doctors starting a neurosurgical placement and helped ease the transition process from foundation doctor to specialty trainee in neurosurgery. We believe further work to formalize and quantify these findings using questionnaires and a larger sample group as well as across successive is indicated and may help junior doctor learning and transition processes in future practice.

Do "trainee-centered ward rounds" help overcome barriers to learning and improve the learning satisfaction of junior doctors in the workplace?

Ward rounds are widely considered an underutilized resource with regard to medical education, and therefore, a project was undertaken to assess if the initiation of "trainee-centered ward rounds" would help improve the confidence, knowledge acquisition, and workplace satisfaction of junior doctors in the clinical environment. Data were collated from junior doctors, registrar grade doctors, and consultants working in the delivery suite at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital in Luton over a 4-week period in March-April 2013. A review of the relevant literature was also undertaken. This pilot study found that despite the reservations around time constraints held by both junior and senior clinicians alike, feedback following the intervention was largely positive. The junior doctors enjoyed having a defined role and responsibility during the ward round and felt they benefited from their senior colleagues' feedback. Both seniors and junior colleagues agreed that discussing learning objectives prior to commencing the round was beneficial and made the round more learner-orientated; this enabled maximal learner-focused outcomes to be addressed and met. The juniors were generally encouraged to participate more during the round and the consultants endeavored to narrate their decision-making, both were measures that led to greater satisfaction of both parties. This was in keeping with the concept of "Legitimate peripheral participation" as described by Lave and Wenger. Overall, trainee-centered ward rounds did appear to be effective in overcoming some of the traditional barriers to teaching in the ward environment, although further work to formalize and quantify these findings, as well as using greater sample sizes from different hospital departments and the inclusion of a control group, is needed.

A rare case of symmetrical four limb gangrene following emergency neurosurgery.

INTRODUCTION: The authors report a case of symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) following emergency neurosurgery. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 35-year-old female presented to hospital in Thailand with nausea, headache, and subsequent seizures. She was found to have a large intracranial space-occupying lesion with mass effect. Following emergency surgical debulking and decompression, she suffered from severe sepsis with multiple organ failure, treated with high dose intravenous vasopressors and developed secondary gangrene in all four limbs. She was repatriated to the UK with a baseline GCS of 8 and multiple postoperative medical complications. With initial conservative management, the patient made a prolonged but satisfactory progression to recovery prior to semi-elective debridement and selected digit amputation of the gangrene. DISCUSSION: This is the first reported case of four limb symmetrical peripheral gangrene following an emergency craniotomy. CONCLUSION: Although rare, SPG is a substantial complication with high mortality and morbidity and therefore should be especially taken into account for emergency intracranial pathologies in neurosurgical patients, particularly if they require emergency surgery.