Is treatment with chemotherapy alone feasible for advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma? Background: A favorable response to induction chemotherapy has been shown to be predictive of response to chemoradiation in patients with advanced laryngeal squamous cell cancer. Because of the adverse long-term sequelae of radiation therapy, including fibrosis and dysphagia, this study sought to […]
Survival Rates Comparable in Children and Adults with Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Cancer
Does young age adversely affect prognosis for oral squamous cell carcinoma? Background: Squamous cell carcinoma in young patients (<40 years of age) is believed to have an etiology that is distinct from squamous cell cancer in older patients because these patients have had less exposure to risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use. Younger patients […]
Progress in Chronic Laryngitis: Improvement in diagnosis but continuing debate
Chronic laryngitis is a multifactorial disease with a large differential diagnosis for the patient who presents with hoarseness. Fortunately, the diagnosis of inflamed larynx has improved in recent years.
Bioabsorbable Miniplates for Subglottic Stenosis Are Safe and Effective
What is the efficacy and safety of bioabsorbable miniplates as an alternative to autologous grafts in single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction for subglottic stenosis? Background: Since the 1960s, the incidence of acquired subglottic stenosis has dramatically increased due to the improved survival of low birth weight infants and the increased use of long-term endotracheal intubation in neonates. The […]
Laryngeal Framework Surgery Has High Level of Efficacy
What are the success and complication rates of laryngeal framework surgery (LFS), including medialization laryngoplasty (ML) and arytenoid adduction (AA)? Background: Since its introduction in the 1970s, LFS, comprised of ML and AA, has been increasingly utilized for vocal fold paralysis and glottal incompetence. Little is known, however, about the incidence of ML/AA surgery nationwide or […]
Presbyphonia Voice Therapy Effective in Older Patients
Are factors such as age, gender, degree of vocal fold atrophy and the burden of medical problems associated with voice therapy outcomes for presbyphonia? Background: Although voice therapy is generally considered the mainstay of rehabilitation for the aging voice, there is little data on its efficacy for this indication, especially with regard to the effects of […]
Evaluating Dysphagia: Maximize exam and swallow studies for diagnostic success
Stroke, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), head and neck cancer, Zenker’s diverticulum—each of these disparate conditions can cause dysphagia.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: What Can Otolaryngologists Do?
Narrow-Band Imaging Helps Diagnose Barrett’s Esophagus, Study Shows
Patients who undergo a transnasal esophagoscopy using narrow-band imaging are more likely to have dysplasia diagnosed with a biopsy than those who have the exam using only white light, researchers have reported.
Trial Vocal Fold Injection Helps Predict Positive Outcomes
Patients who were allowed to test drive a vocal fold injection-and who later decided on a permanent augmentation-found that the trial treatment translated in positive outcomes, researchers have found.