The relationship between survey-based subjective olfactory awareness and objective olfactory function.

KEY POINTS: Correlation between symptom-based surveys and objective olfactory testing is variable. For diagnosis and symptom monitoring, surveys should correlate with objective testing. The Odor Awareness Scale (OAS) and Affective Importance of Odor Scale (AIO) showed significant but moderate positive correlations with University of Pennsylvania Scent Identification Test (UPSIT) score.

Detection of plagiarism among rhinology scientific journals.

KEY POINTS: Automated plagiarism-checking software can be a valuable tool for detecting plagiarism in manuscripts. Twenty-five of 60 articles (42%) had at least one incidence of plagiarism, predominately text recycling. A "similarity score" ranging from 22% to 35% could be a potential cut-off value when screening submitted manuscripts.

Large Nasopharyngeal Hairy Polyp Causing Immediate Respiratory Distress at Birth.

This article presents a rare case of a large hairy polyp, a developmental malformation causing a benign tumor, within the nasopharynx. The patient, born with the polyp obstructing the airway, required immediate intubation and a combined transnasal-transoral surgical approach for excision. The case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing such polyps, emphasizing the importance of imaging for surgical planning, and the consideration of multiple approaches to ensure complete resection and prevent recurrence. Laryngoscope, 2024.

Surgical smoke and its components, effects, and mitigation: a contemporary review.

Energy-based surgical instruments produce surgical smoke, which contains harmful byproducts, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and viable microorganisms. The research setting has shifted from the laboratory to the operating room. However, significant heterogeneity in the methods of detection and placement of samplers, diversity in the tissue operated on, and types of surgeries tested has resulted in variability in detected levels and composition of surgical smoke. State regulation limiting surgical smoke exposure through local evacuators is expanding but has yet to reach the national regulatory level. However, most studies have not shown levels above standard established limits but relatively short bursts of high concentrations of these harmful by-products. This review highlights the limitations of the current research and unsupported conclusions while also suggesting further areas of interest that need more focus to improve Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines.

High-intensity focused ultrasound for benign thyroid nodules: Systemic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a less invasive option offered for the treatment of large, compressive, benign thyroid nodules. METHODS: Observational studies of more than five participants using HIFU in the management of benign thyroid nodules from 2000 to 2021 were identified using predefined inclusion criteria. The primary outcome was an estimate of the effectiveness of HIFU. RESULTS: Out of 158 studies reviewed, 8 articles were included with 297 patients and 300 nodules. HIFU significantly reduced nodule volume from 1 to 24 months following therapy (weighted mean difference [WMD], 47.68, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 34.13-59.66, p < 0.0001) and achieved favorable success rates (risk ratio [RR], 1.49, 95 % CI, 1.15-1.84, p < 0.001) for 50 % volume reduction. CONCLUSIONS: HIFU appears to be a feasible, safe, and effective treatment modality for patients with benign thyroid nodules. Future research, including randomized controlled trials, is needed to determine therapy optimization, and patient selection to identify the potential role of this new therapy.

Comparison of institutional guidelines with established early onset sepsis risk calculator in reducing antibiotic use in an inner-city NICU in US.

OBJECTIVES: Early onset sepsis (EOS) incidence has decreased since national guidelines and intrapartum prophylaxis were introduced. However, there has been a rising concern in antibiotic overtreatment for suspicion of EOS. A web-based EOS calculator has recently been used to evaluate the risk in newborns ≥34 weeks. Our purpose was to compare local strategies with the EOS calculator in our setting with an EOS incidence of 2/1000 live births. METHODS: A retrospective review of all newborns born ≥34 weeks from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017 was completed after receiving IRB approval. We applied the calculator to those eligible using an EOS incidence of 0.6/1000 and 2/1000 live births and divided the patients into four cohorts. The rate of antibiotic use was compared between local evidence-based guidelines and the EOS calculator. RESULTS: Of the 1367 newborns included in the study, 679 received antibiotics. Over the 2 years, antibiotic utilization decreased by 38%. The calculator would have recommended antibiotics for 468 patients (31% decrease) for an EOS incidence of 0.6/1000, but with a 2/1000 incidence rate the calculator recommended antibiotics for 673 patients (1% decrease). CONCLUSIONS: The EOS calculator has been helpful in optimizing antibiotic use, but its use may result in suboptimal treatment without the knowledge of local EOS incidence. Our local antibiotic stewardship guidelines seemed to be comparable to the EOS calculator, especially by the last 6 months of the study period.