Prescribing Practices and Barriers of Biologics for Chronic Rhinosinusitis Amongst Otolaryngologists.

OBJECTIVE(S): Biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) are an evolving therapeutic option, but there are limited data on physician experiences in prescribing them. The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of these experiences including prescribing practices, patient factors which guide prescriber decision, and physician and patient-reported issues which might limit cost-effectiveness of these therapies. METHODS: A survey was distributed to attending otolaryngologists using the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology (CSOHNS) email distribution and eSurvey program. Responses were tabulated for the entire cohort and compared between rhinologists and non-rhinologists where appropriate. Frequencies and proportions were expressed as a percentage of total respondents. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis between groups. RESULTS: Seventy-nine total survey responses were recorded representing a response rate of 43%. Significantly more rhinologists reported prescribing biologic medications on their own (100% vs. 50%; p < 0.001) and a higher proportion (1 to 10% vs. <1%) of their patients were on biologics compared with non-rhinologists (p = 0.023). Rhinologists were more likely to consider poor response to medical therapies, need for rescue steroids, and comorbid type 2 conditions in their decision to pursue biologics than non-rhinologists, but they also experienced poorer assistance from patient support programs and less availability to medications. CONCLUSION: Rhinologists are more comfortable with prescribing and managing biologics for CRSwNP compared with non-rhinologist colleagues. Clinicians prescribing biologic medications for CRSwNP should be familiar with guidelines, indications, and potential adverse events. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A Laryngoscope, 2024.

Examining the utility of a photorealistic virtual ear in otologic education.

BACKGROUND: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgical (OHNS) trainees' operating exposure is supplemented by a combination of didactic teaching, textbook reading, and cadaveric dissections. Conventional teaching, however, may not adequately equip trainees with an understanding of complex visuospatial relationships of the middle ear. Both face and content validation were assessed of a novel three-dimensional (3D) photorealistic virtual ear simulation tool underwent face and content validation as an educational tool for OHNS trainees. METHODS: A three-dimensional mesh reconstruction of open access imaging was generated using geometric modeling, which underwent global illumination, subsurface scattering, and texturing to create photorealistic virtual reality (VR) ear models were created from open access imaging and comiled into a educational platform. This was compiled into an educational VR platform which was explored to validate the face and content validity questionnaires in a prospective manner. OHNS post-graduate trainees were recruited from University of Toronto and University of Calgary OHNS programs. Participation was on a voluntary basis. RESULTS: Total of 23 OHNS post-graduate trainees from the two universities were included in this study. The mean comfort level of otologic anatomy was rated 4.8 (± 2.2) out of 10. Senior residents possessed more otologic surgical experience (P < 0.001) and higher average comfort when compared to junior residents [6.7 (± 0.7) vs. 3.6 (± 1.9); P = 0.001]. Face and content validities were achieved in all respective domains with no significant difference between the two groups. Overall, respondents believed OtoVIS was a useful tool to learn otologic anatomy with a median score of 10.0 (8.3-10.0) and strongly agreed that OtoVIS should be added to OHNS training with a score of 10.0 (9.3-10.0). CONCLUSIONS: OtoVIS achieved both face and content validity as a photorealistic VR otologic simulator for teaching otologic anatomy in the postgraduate setting. As an immersive learning tool, it may supplement trainees' understanding and residents endorsed its use.

Intraoperative Resuscitation by Specialized Trauma Nurse Clinicians Improves Adherence to Massive Transfusion Protocol.

A massive transfusion protocol (MTP) was implemented at a Level I trauma center in 2007 for patients with massive blood loss. A goal ratio of plasma to pheresed platelets to packed red blood cells (PRBCs) of 1:1:1 was established. From 2007 to 2014, trauma nurse clinicians (TNCs) administered the MTP during initial resuscitation and anesthesia personnel administered the MTP intraoperatively. In 2015, TNCs began administering the MTP intraoperatively. This study evaluates intraoperative blood product ratios and crystalloid volume administered by anesthesia personnel or TNCs. A retrospective review of trauma registry patients requiring MTP from 2007 to 2017 was performed. Patient data were stratified according to MTP administration by either anesthesia personnel (2007-2015) or TNCs (2015-2017). Ninety-seven patients were included with 54 anesthesia patients and 44 TNC patients. Patients undergoing resuscitation by MTP administered by TNCs received less median crystalloid (3000 mL vs 1500 mL, P < 0.001). The ratio of plasma:PRBC (0.75 vs 0.93, P = 0.027) and platelets:PRBC (0.75 vs 1.04, P = 0.003) was found to be significantly closer to 1:1 for TNC patients. MTP intraoperative blood product administration by TNCs reduced the amount of infused crystalloid and improved adherence to MTP in achieving a 1:1:1 ratio of blood products.

The Role of Perceived Burden and Social Support in Suicide and Depression.

In a sample of 114 military veterans with depression histories, perceived burden was related to depression symptoms and suicide attempt history. After accounting for perceived burden, sense of belonging was negatively related to depression. Among the areas of social support, family support was inversely related to both depression and suicide history. After accounting for family support, personal meaning from relationships and friend support were related to depression. The results of this study suggest that perceived burdensomeness may be a stronger determinant of suicidality than sense of belonging or social support. This study highlights the contribution of perceived burdensomeness to suicide and depression.

The Ferguson Operating Anoscope for Resection of T1 Rectal Cancer.

The Ferguson Operating Anoscope (FOA) is a surgical instrument, which can facilitate transanal excision of appropriate rectal tumors within 15 cm of the anal verge. Previous work showed low recurrence (4.3%) for favorable T1 tumors (no lymphovascular invasion, well/moderate differentiation, negative margins). This follow-up study evaluates outcomes in rectal cancer excised with FOA at a tertiary care center. T1 rectal cancer patients were identified in a prospectively maintained database. Tumor pathology and patient characteristics were reviewed. Primary outcomes include tumor recurrence and patient and disease-free survival. Secondary outcomes are quality of excision (intact specimen). Twenty-eight patients had pathologic stage T1 rectal cancer (average 8 ± 2.6 cm from the anal verge). Final path demonstrated 14 per cent to be well differentiated, 82 per cent moderately differentiated, and 93 per cent without angiolymphatic invasion. All specimens removed were intact. One patient had a true local recurrence and underwent a salvage operation 24 months after her index operation. Patient survival was 96.4 per cent (n = one death from primary lung cancer) at median follow-up 64 ± 35 months. With appropriate tumor selection and quality of initial resection, FOA has demonstrated utility in achieving optimal oncologic resection of T1 rectal tumors.

Leveraging Cloud Computing to Address Public Health Disparities: An Analysis of the SPHPS.

As the use of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) has continued to gain prominence in hospitals and physician practices, public health agencies and health professionals have the ability to access health data through health information exchanges (HIE). With such knowledge health providers are well positioned to positively affect population health, and enhance health status or quality-of-life outcomes in at-risk populations. Through big data analytics, predictive analytics and cloud computing, public health agencies have the opportunity to observe emerging public health threats in real-time and provide more effective interventions addressing health disparities in our communities. The Smarter Public Health Prevention System (SPHPS) provides real-time reporting of potential public health threats to public health leaders through the use of a simple and efficient dashboard and links people with needed personal health services through mobile platforms for smartphones and tablets to promote and encourage healthy behaviors in our communities. The purpose of this working paper is to evaluate how a secure virtual private cloud (VPC) solution could facilitate the implementation of the SPHPS in order to address public health disparities.

The 'mill-wheel' murmur and computed tomography of intracardiac air emboli.

The 'water-wheel' or 'mill-wheel' murmur is classically associated with large intracardiac air emboli and described as a "characteristic splashing auscultatory sound due to the presence of gas in the cardiac chambers." We used 64-slice computed tomography (slice thickness, 0.5 mm; revolution time, 400 msec) and 3D fly-through software imagery to capture previously unreported intracardiac air-blood interface dynamics associated with this murmur and ineffective right ventricular contraction in a porcine model.