Microvascular compression of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

PURPOSE: Vascular compression of cranial nerves has been widely accepted as a cause for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. In contrast, vascular compression of the vestibulocochlear nerve remains controversial. METHOD: A comprehensive literature review including 175 articles between 1960 and 2020 was performed in an attempt to summarise the published hypotheses of the pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular compression of the vestibulocochlear nerve and their management strategies. RESULTS: Vascular loops in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and internal auditory meatus (IAM) are very common and should be regarded primarily as a normal variant. Advances in anatomical understanding with the development of models for the tonotopy of the vestibulocochlear nerve help explain the complexity of symptoms created by possible neurovascular interaction. CONCLUSION: Widely accepted, validated and sensitive diagnostic criteria and outcome measures need to be established in order to evaluate the role of surgery in vestibulocochlear nerve vascular compression.

The prevalence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in patients admitted with symptoms of peritonsillar abscess or cellulitis: A retrospective multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: Anecdotal evidence suggests that oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) should be suspected in patients presenting with symptoms of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) or cellulitis (PTC). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of OPSCC in patients presenting with symptoms of PTA/PTC. METHOD, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We retrospectively identified all adults with a coded diagnosis of PTA or PTC who presented between 2012 and 2016 inclusive, across six ENT units in Merseyside. Records were compared to that of the centralised regional head and neck cancer database. The clinical records of a subset of patients were reviewed for the purposes of data validation. RESULTS: A total of 1975 patients with PTA/PTC were identified. Three patients were subsequently diagnosed with OPSCC. None of the three actually had an objective underlying diagnosis of PTA/PTC on the same side. The prevalence of OPSCC in patients admitted with symptoms of PTA/PTC was 0.15% or approximately 1:650 admissions. The records of 510 patients who presented over a one-year period (2016) were reviewed in even greater detail. There were 298 patients with PTA (59.4%) and 151 with PTC (29.1%) and 61 had an alternative diagnosis (11.9%). High-risk features (age ≥40, tonsillar asymmetry or tonsillar lesion) were present in 106 patients (24%). Urgent follow-up was expedited for 77 patients (73%). CONCLUSION: This study estimates the risk of OPSCC in patients with peritonsillar symptoms. The prevalence is low, even in a region with a relatively heavy disease burden. Clinicians should, however, retain a high level of suspicion in patients with persistent symptoms.

A prospective multicentre external validation study of the Liverpool Peritonsillar abscess Score (LPS) with a no-examination COVID-19 modification.

OBJECTIVES: Our primary aim was to validate the Liverpool Peritonsillar abscess Score (LPS) externally in a new patient cohort. Our secondary aim was to modify the LPS in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic to produce a no-examination variant for use in this instance. DESIGN: Prospective multicentre external validation study. SETTING: Six different secondary care institutions across the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: Patients over 16 years old who were referred to ENT with any uncomplicated sore throat such a tonsillitis or peritonsillar abscess (PTA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for both the original LPS model and the modified model for COVID-19. RESULTS: The LPS model had sensitivity and specificity calculated at 98% and 79%, respectively. The LPS has a high negative predictive value (NPV) of 99%. The positive predictive value (PPV) was slightly lower at 63%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, including the area under the curve (AUROC), was 0.888 which indicates very good accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: External validation of the LPS against an independent geographically diverse population yields high NPV. This may support non-specialist colleagues who may have concerns about mis-diagnosing a PTA. The COVID-19 modification of the LPS has a similar NPV, which may be of use where routine oral examination is to be avoided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-term soft tissue outcomes for hydroxyapatite-coated bone-anchored hearing implant surgery.

PURPOSE: To investigate skin-related postoperative outcomes following a tissue preservation technique in percutaneous hydroxyapatite-coated bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) abutment implantation. METHODS: A retrospective medical records review of adult patients, who underwent single-stage BAHA implantation between July 2013 and November 2017 at a tertiary centre was conducted. Surgical procedures were performed by a single surgeon using a linear incision soft tissue preservation technique. Patients were reviewed at 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and annually postoperatively and soft tissue reactions were graded using Holger's score RESULTS: There were 102 patients included with a slight female preponderance (female:male 56:46). There were 586 follow-up episodes during the study period. From the recorded follow-up episodes, Holger's scores were documented as follows: Holger score 0 (89%); 1 (7%); 2 (2%); 3 (1.9%). Three patients (3%) required peri-abutment soft tissue excision (Holger 3) and insertion of longer abutments. One patient (1%) reported atraumatic implant loss. The BAHA was re-implanted in two patients (2%) due to traumatic dislodgement. There was a statistically significant association (p = 0.009) when the mean time to minor skin complications was compared with mean time to a significant skin reaction. CONCLUSION: Tissue preservation technique is the procedure of choice for BAHA abutment implant surgery. It confers excellent soft tissue outcomes and an excellent implant survival rate.

Day-case septoplasty: a default pathway or is case selection the key?

Septoplasty has been identified as suitable for day surgery, but is not commonly performed as such. Guidelines for day surgery stipulate that the unexpected re-admission rate should be 2-3 %; however previous studies have not attained this target. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the surgical and patient factors associated with re-admission following day-case septoplasty. A retrospective case-notes analysis of day-case septoplasties between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012 was undertaken. Data on patient demographics, surgeon grade and operative technique were examined using a univariate analysis model. A total of 256 septoplasties were performed. 23 patients were admitted, overwhelmingly due to bleeding in the immediate post-operative period, giving an overall admission rate of 9.0 % within the first 24 h. Factors associated with re-admission included the use of intranasal splints (relative risk (RR) 5.34, p < 0.001), the performance of additional operative procedures (RR 4.96, p < 0.001) and surgery on patients with co-morbidities (RR 3.37, p = 0.002). There was no correlation between unexpected admission and patient gender, age, surgeon grade, performance of revision surgery and operative factors including nasal preparation with cocaine, local anaesthetic infiltration, type of incision, number of mucoperichondrial flaps raised, extensive bony dissection, performance of a turbinate procedure, quilting, closure of incision and post-operative packing. Day-case septoplasty in patients with co-morbidities and where additional surgical procedures are performed may be associated with unexpected overnight admission. Thus, safe and efficient day-case septoplasty may not be suitable as a universal default pathway but one where case selection is key.

Immediate Facial Nerve Palsy Secondary to Otological Surgery: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis.

OBJECTIVES: Iatrogenic facial nerve palsy following otological surgery is a devastating complication that results in adverse aesthetic and functional outcomes. This study aims to review studies that have reported cases of immediate facial nerve palsy to learn why and where injuries occurred and to assess outcomes following management. DATABASES REVIEWED: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Pubmed up to June 20, 2023. METHODS: Clinical studies of immediate facial nerve palsies following middle ear and cochlear implantation surgery were included. Risk of bias was examined using the Brazzelli risk of bias tool. Due to the inconsistency in reporting of outcomes, we were unable to perform a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Of 234 studies identified, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The most common causes of injury were excessive drilling, use of sharp hooks to remove disease, or disorientation of the surgeon secondary to bleeding or inflammation. Variable usage of preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging and intraoperative facial nerve monitoring was reported. The tympanic segment was the most common site of injury. A variety of surgical techniques were employed to approach the facial nerve injury including facial nerve decompression, direct closure, and repair using an autologous nerve graft. CONCLUSIONS: Otological surgeons should consider utilizing preoperative CT imaging to establish a three-dimensional mental image of key landmarks and anatomical variations before embarking on surgery. Intraoperative FN monitoring enables safe practice. Despite these measures, complex disease processes and hostile intraoperative conditions can present difficulty. Multiple treatment options are available to treat the underlying injury.

Is nurse-led telephone follow-up for post-operative obstructive sleep apnoea patients effective? A prospective observational study at a paediatric tertiary centre.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and patient satisfaction of a nurse-led telephone follow-up service in children following surgery for sleep disordered breathing (SDB)/obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in a tertiary paediatric hospital. DESIGN: Prospective observational uncontrolled study. PARTICIPANTS: Children under the age of 16 undergoing adenoid and/or tonsil surgery between June 2015 and June 2018 for SDB or OSA. Parents were contacted by telephone six weeks post-operatively by an ENT nurse specialist. The T-14 questionnaire was utilised to assess post-operative outcomes. Parents were subsequently asked to evaluate their experience of this nurse-led telephone consultation service between June 2016 and April 2017. RESULTS: 535 patients were included with an average post-operative T-14 score of 2.13 (95% CI 1.7-2.5). 430 patients were discharged following the nurse-led telephone consultation with a mean post-operative T-14 score 1.0 (95% CI 0.8-1.2). 105 patients were subsequently reviewed in clinic with an average T-14 score of 6.88 (95% CI 5.25-8.51). 36 (6.7%) patients had ongoing symptoms of SDB or OSA. 55 parents were invited to provide an evaluation of the nurse-led telephone FU clinic, which showed a 100% satisfaction rate with the service. CONCLUSION: A nurse-led telephone follow-up service is efficient and safe with high levels of parental satisfaction. It reduces unnecessary follow-up of uncomplicated patients whilst providing a robust safety net for those with ongoing problems.

Clinical outcomes of intracranial complications secondary to acute mastoiditis: The Alder Hey experience.

OBJECTIVE: Acute mastoiditis is the most common intra-temporal complication of acute otitis media. Its management remains a challenge due to potential extracranial and intracranial complications. This study was designed to evaluate the recent experience with acute mastoiditis and its associated intracranial complications at a tertiary paediatric centre. METHODS: A retrospective case note review was carried out for patients admitted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital between January 2006 and December 2016 with a diagnosis of acute mastoiditis. Patients were identified using ICD-10 codes H700, H701, H702, H708 and H709. A case note review was performed to identify patients with intracranial complications and data collected. RESULTS: 30 patients were identified with intracranial complications of acute mastoiditis, with 18 males and 12 females. The average age was 4 years and 2 months (range 2 months-15 years). The most common presenting complaint was otalgia and vomiting (63%), with only 27% patients presenting with mastoid swelling. 83% of patients were investigated with a combination of CT and MRI scans, 6.7% with CT scans only and 6.7% with MRI scans only. 73% were diagnosed with sinus thrombosis, 40% cerebral abscess and 33% postauricular subperiosteal abscess. 78% of the patients required surgical intervention. 27 of the 30 patients recovered fully with no significant long term sequalae following an average of 50 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Intracranial complications of acute mastoiditis remain a significant challenge. Most patients tend to present without mastoid swelling, necessitating a high index of suspicion in patients with picket fence fever, vomiting, drowsiness, headaches, seizures or cranial nerve involvement. Most cases treated at our institution required acute surgical intervention in addition to adjuvant medical treatment with majority patients recovering fully.

Implementing a standardised discharge analgesia guideline to reduce paediatric post tonsillectomy pain.

OBJECTIVES: To reduce readmission for pain control post-paediatric tonsillectomy. INTRODUCTION: Paediatric tonsillectomy is a common procedure in the UK. Uncontrolled pain at home is a common reason for re-admission and therefore adequate analgesic control following paediatric tonsillectomy is vital for a smooth post-operative recovery. Analgesic regimens at a district general hospital in England were audited and a standardised protocol was subsequently implemented. METHODS: A retrospective audit from September 2014 to August 2015 was completed. Discharge analgesic regimens and readmission rates post-tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis in 2-17 year-old children were studied in a large general hospital in the United Kingdom. A standardised weight-based algorithm was used to dose scheduled regular paracetamol for 2 weeks. Second cycle prospective audit ran from December 2015 to November 2016. RESULTS: In cycle 1, 151 children (mean age, 7.9 years) underwent tonsillectomy for tonsillitis, 25 (16.6%) of whom were readmitted. 12 (7.9%) experienced postoperative haemorrhage, 13 (8.6%) required pain control, and one (1.2%) had infection. The discharging analgesic regimen varied widely and often included purchase of over-the-counter ibuprofen and paracetamol. In cycle 2, 118 children (mean age, 8.8 years) underwent tonsillectomy, 17 (14.4%) were readmitted; 12 (10.2%) had post-operative haemorrhage, 0 needed pain control, 5 (4.2%) had other problems. There was a significant reduction in readmission for pain control (p = 0.0027) from 7.3% to 0% in the study. There was no significant change in overall readmission rate (16.6%-14.4%) or postoperative haemorrhage rate (8.9% overall). DISCUSSION: Analgesia prescription post tonsillectomy varies widely and over the counter prescriptions of ibuprofen and paracetamol is based on age rather than weight with patients receiving inadequate analgesic doses. A readily available standardised postoperative analgesic protocol can significantly reduce readmission rates for pain control following paediatric tonsillectomy.

Critical Care Admissions following Total Laryngectomy: Is It Time to Change Our Practice?

Critical Care Unit (CCU) beds are a limited resource and in increasing demand. Studies have shown that complex head and neck patients can be safely managed on a ward setting given the appropriate staffing and support. This retrospective case series aims to quantify the CCU care received by patients following total laryngectomy (TL) at a District General Hospital (DGH) and compare patient outcomes in an attempt to inform current practice. Data relating to TL were collected over a 5-year period from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015. A total of 22 patients were included. All patients were admitted to CCU postoperatively for an average length of stay of 25.5 hours. 95% of these patients were admitted to CCU for the purpose of close monitoring only, not requiring any active treatment prior to discharge to the ward. 73% of total complications were encountered after the first 24 hours postoperatively at which point patients had been stepped down to ward care. Avoiding the use of CCU beds and instead providing the appropriate level of care on the ward would result in a potential cost saving of approximately £8,000 with no influence on patient morbidity and mortality.

What Are the Trends in Tonsillectomy Techniques in Wales? A Prospective Observational Study of 19,195 Tonsillectomies over a 10-Year Period.

There are a multitude of techniques to undertake tonsillectomy, with hot techniques such as diathermy and coblation being associated with a higher risk of secondary haemorrhage. The UK National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit (2004) advocated cold steel dissection and ties to be the gold standard. This prospective observational study investigates the trends in tonsillectomy techniques across Wales in the last decade to establish if surgeons have adhered to this national guidance. Data relating to tonsillectomy were extracted over a 10-year period from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2012 from the Wales Surgical Instrument Surveillance Programme database. A total of 19,195 patients were included. Time-series analysis using linear regression showed there was an increase in the number of bipolar diathermy tonsillectomies by 84% (Pearson's r = 0.762, p = 0.010) and coblation tonsillectomies by 120% (r = 0.825, p = 0.003). In contrast, there was a fall in the number of cold steel dissection tonsillectomies with ties by 60% (r = -0.939, p < 0.001). This observational study suggests that the use of bipolar and coblation techniques for tonsillectomy has increased. This deviation from national guidance may be due to these techniques being faster with less intraoperative bleeding. Further study for the underlying reasons for the increase in these techniques is warranted.

Inverted Papilloma Originating Primarily from the Nasolacrimal Duct: A Case Report and Review of the Pertinent Literature.

Introduction. Inverted papilloma (IP) is an uncommon, benign yet aggressive neoplasm characterised by high recurrence rates and tendency towards malignant transformation. The majority of IP cases originate in the ethmoid region, lateral wall of the nasal fossa, and maxillary sinus. The authors report a case of an IP originating primarily from the nasolacrimal duct (NLD). Case. A 69-year-old Caucasian gentleman presented with a lump in his right medial canthal region, epiphora, and discharge bilaterally. Radiological investigation revealed a well-defined, heterogeneous mass within the proximal NLD eroding the bony canal, protruding into the middle meatus and into the right orbit. The tumour was excised en bloc utilizing a combined external and endoscopic approach based on its location. Histology revealed hyperplastic ribbons of basement membrane-enclosed epithelium growing endophytically into the underlying stroma with no evidence of invasive malignancy. The patient made an uneventful recovery with unchanged visual acuity and normal extraocular movements. Conclusion. The case demonstrates variability within the sinonasal tract that IP can develop and the individuality of each case necessitating tailored operative techniques for complete excision whilst minimising recurrence rates. We also present a combined endoscopic approach for the en bloc resection of a NLD IP with no clinical recurrence at 15-month follow-up.