Intranasal packs and haemostatic agents for the management of adult epistaxis: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The mainstay of management of epistaxis refractory to first aid and cautery is intranasal packing. This review aimed to identify evidence surrounding nasal pack use. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature was performed using standardised methodology. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eligible articles were identified relating to non-dissolvable packs and nine to dissolvable packs. Nasal packing appears to be more effective when applied by trained professionals. For non-dissolvable packs, the re-bleed rates for Rapid Rhino and Merocel were similar, but were higher with bismuth iodoform paraffin paste packing. Rapid Rhino packs were the most tolerated non-dissolvable packs. Evidence indicates that 96 per cent of re-bleeding occurs within the first 4 hours after nasal pack removal. Limited evidence suggests that dissolvable packs are effective and well tolerated by patients. There was a lack of evidence relating to: the duration of pack use, the economic effects of pack choice and the appropriate care setting for non-dissolvable packs. CONCLUSION: Rapid Rhino packs are the best tolerated, with efficacy equivalent to nasal tampons. FloSeal is easy to use, causes less discomfort and may be superior to Merocel in anterior epistaxis cases. There is no strong evidence to support prophylactic antibiotic use.

Functional swallowing outcomes following treatment for oropharyngeal carcinoma: a systematic review of the evidence comparing trans-oral surgery versus non-surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Trans-oral surgical and non-surgical management options for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) appear to offer similar survival outcomes. Functional outcomes, in particular swallowing, have become of increasing interest in the debate regarding treatment options. Contemporary reviews on function following treatment frequently include surrogate markers and limit the value of comparative analysis. OBJECTIVES OF REVIEW: A systematic review was performed to establish whether direct comparisons of swallowing outcomes could be made between trans-oral surgical approaches (trans-oral laser microsurgery (TLM)/trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS)) and (chemo)radiotherapy ((C)RT). TYPE OF REVIEW: Systematic review. SEARCH STRATEGY: MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases were interrogated using the following MeSH terms: antineoplastic protocols, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, deglutition disorders, swallowing, lasers, and trans-oral surgery. EVALUATION METHOD: Two authors performed independent systematic reviews and consensus was sought if opinions differed. The WHO ICF classification was applied to generate analysis based around body functions and structure, activity limitations and participation restriction. RESULTS: Thirty-seven citations were included in the analysis. Twenty-six papers reported the outcomes for OPSCC treatment following primary (C)RT in 1377 patients, and 15 papers following contemporary trans-oral approaches in 768 patients. Meta-analysis was not feasible due to varying methodology and heterogeneity of outcome measures. Instrumental swallowing assessments were presented in 13/26 (C)RT versus 2/15 TLM/TORS papers. However, reporting methods of these studies were not standardised. This variety of outcome measures and the wide-ranging intentions of authors applying the measures in individual studies limit any practical direct comparisons of the effects of treatment on swallowing outcomes between interventions. CONCLUSIONS: From the current evidence, no direct comparisons could be made of swallowing outcomes between the surgical and non-surgical modalities. Swallowing is a multidimensional construct, and the range of assessments utilised by authors reflects the variety of available reporting methods. The MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory is a subjective measure that allows limited comparison between the currently available heterogeneous data, and is explored in detail. The findings highlight that further research may identify the most appropriate tools for measuring swallowing in patients with OPSCC. Consensus should allow their standardised integration into future studies and randomised control trials.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis: a systematic review for otolaryngologists.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated oesophageal disease, only recently, but increasingly, recognised in the world literature. It is diagnosed and managed primarily by medical gastroenterologists and allergy specialists, and is a distinct disease entity, affecting both children and adults. Few studies have been published in otolaryngology journals, although otolaryngologists will encounter patients with undiagnosed eosinophilic oesophagitis. Patients may present with dysphagia, bolus obstruction or with other ENT disorders, such as atopic rhinitis, reflecting the underlying systemic allergic disorder. OBJECTIVE: This paper systematically reviews the evidence base published on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of eosinophilic oesophagitis, particularly as it relates to otolaryngology practice.

Targeted use of endoscopic CO2 laser cricopharyngeal myotomy for improving swallowing function following head and neck cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: Cricopharyngeal dysfunction following head and neck cancer treatment may lead to a significant reduction in oral intake. Carbon dioxide laser is an established procedure for the treatment of non-malignant cricopharyngeal disorders. We report our experience of laser cricopharyngeal myotomy with objective swallowing outcome measures, before and after treatment. METHODS: We identified 11 patients who had undergone carbon dioxide laser cricopharyngeal myotomy for dysphagia following radiotherapy, with or without chemotheraphy between January 2006 and July 2011. We analysed the swallowing outcomes following carbon dioxide laser cricopharyngeal myotomy by retrospective grading of pre- and post-procedure videofluoroscopic swallowing study of liquids, using the validated Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile. RESULTS: The median Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile score was 13 pre-myotomy and 10 post-myotomy. This difference between scores was non-significant (p = 0.41). The median, cricopharyngeal-specific Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile variables (14 and 17) improved from 3 to 2, but were similarly non-significant (p = 0.16). We observed the improved Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile scores post-procedure in the majority of patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic carbon dioxide laser cricopharyngeal myotomy remains a viable option in treatment-related cricopharyngeal dysfunction; its targeted role requires further prospective study. Objective analysis of the technique can be reported using the validated Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile.

Unwitnessed lithium ion disc battery ingestion: case report and review of best practice management of an increasing clinical concern.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of unwitnessed lithium ion disc battery ingestion, with a review of radiology findings and current best practice management. CASE REPORT: A three-year-old girl presented following ingestion of a foreign body, which her four-year-old brother claimed was a one pound coin. The patient was managed non-urgently and transferred for specialist ENT assessment 6 hours following the initial ingestion, with no evidence of airway compromise. A corroded battery was removed from the level of the cricopharyngeus after 8 hours, with an associated circumferential mucosal burn. CONCLUSION: There is increasing concern regarding the acknowledged rising incidence of lithium ion disc battery ingestion. The lack of a high index of suspicion and the inability to recognise subtleties on imaging may lead to suboptimal management with a higher degree of unnecessary immediate and delayed morbidity. The recently published American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines may guide the approach to managing battery ingestions.

Estimating the size of a transient population.

Migratory populations often stop over for short periods of time at predictable sites along their migration routes. These staging areas can be heavily used and are potentially critical to the survival of the migrants. This paper presents a method for estimating the number of individuals using such an area and their average residence time. The estimator is based on daily population estimates and records of repeat sightings of identifiable individuals. Its application is illustrated with observations on a population of migrating birds, some of which could be identified from bands that were readable from a distance.