ENTtoday: April 2011

A Better Look: Emerging imaging technologies show promise in fighting head and neck tumors

When it comes to treating head and neck tumors, the more information that is available, the better. In the past, options for investigating these types of tumors and their aggressiveness were limited. But advances in optical imaging, positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescent and ultrasound imaging have some otolaryngologists excited about the prospect of getting a better look at head and neck cancer.

Women in Otolaryngology Are on the Move: AAO-HNS recognizes section status

A little over a year ago, I wrote an op-ed piece for ENT Today titled, “The Gender Gap in Otolaryngology: How do we make it disappear?” (February 2010). I challenged our specialty to find innovative and inclusive ways to tap into the extraordinary pool of talent found in our women otolaryngologists. And thanks to some extraordinarily enlightened leadership, we did it! Way beyond all hopes and expectations, the men and women of our specialty have paved the way for meaningful and fruitful change.

E(N)Tymologies:Explanations for some of the most commonly used medical terms

Ever wonder where some of the medical terms you use every day come from? Here’s a brief history.

Get Out There: Optimize your web identity to sell your otolaryngology services

If you think your patients are finding your otolaryngology practice by looking in the Yellow Pages, think again. Increasingly, patients are deciding which physician to call by visiting the web and reading feedback on sites like vitals.com, healthgrades.com, lifescript.com and drscore.com.

Baseball Foul Tip Causing Frontal Sinus Fracture

A 14-year-old boy sustained blunt trauma to the forehead from a foul-tipped baseball. Significant past medical history consisted of allergic rhinitis treated with over-the-counter cetirizine (Zyrtec). On examination, the patient had right frontal sinus depression with overlying edema. There were no palpable nasal bone or orbital rim abnormalities. Baseball threads were seen on the overlying skin as well as ecchymosis on the nasal dorsum and under both eyes.

Trio Transitions: The outgoing and incoming presidents share their goals for the society

At the Triological Society’s Annual Meeting in April, Robert H. Ossoff, DMD, MD, Maness Professor of Laryngology and Voice and assistant vice-chancellor for compliance and corporate integrity at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, will assume the presidency of the society. Dr. Ossoff will be filling the role currently held by Gerald Berke, MD, chief of head and neck surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Change of Course?: Studies point to antibiotics as optimal treatment for otitis media

The question of how soon to give antibiotics to children with acute otitis media (AOM) is receiving renewed attention with the publication of two studies that show the benefit of immediate treatment over the “wait-and-see” approach recommended in the 2004 guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAP/AAFP).

VR Simulator Training Improves Cadaveric Temporal Bone Dissection

Can supervised training with a virtual reality (VR) simulator improve performance in cadaver temporal bone dissection? Background: Cadaveric temporal bone dissection exercises are the cornerstones of otologic surgical training, but there is an increasing shortage of temporal bones worldwide and an increasing number of otorhinolaryngology trainees. The role of virtual reality (VR) is now recognized in […]

Socioeconomic Disparity Seen in Families of Hearing-Impaired Children

What are the disparities in socioeconomic status and health care utilization in hearing-impaired children? Background: Multiple barriers potentially contribute to health disparities experienced by children with hearing loss. These can include communication barriers, fear, mistrust and frustration with the health care system, medical and non-medical costs and the logistics of care. Although health disparities have been […]

Reviewers ID Reflux Disease Clinical Guidelines

What are the areas of agreement and controversy in clinical practice guidelines for reflux disease, and is it feasible to create a clinical protocol for otolaryngologists? Background: With the movement in health care toward evidence-based medicine, is it important to identify best practice guidelines for reflux disease, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)? […]

Patients Respond to Oral BRAF Inhibitor

In patients with stage IV melanoma with distant metastases, what is the response rate to an oral inhibitor of the protein kinase BRAF? Background: There are few effective therapies for patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma. Response rates to standard therapy (interleukin-2 or dacarbazine) are 10 to 20 percent, and complete responses are exceedingly rare. The […]

Transoral Robotic Surgery, Chemotherapy Outcomes Similar in Patients with AOC

What are the safety, toxicity and oncologic outcomes of patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS), neck dissection and adjuvant therapy for advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (AOC)? Background: Most patients with AOC in the U.S. are treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved TORS for surgical treatment of AOC. Study […]