To evaluate the impact of a two-week otolaryngology rotation incorporating entrustable professional activities, human factors and simulation on medical students’ knowledge, perceptions and career aspirations.

The curriculum included six small-group sessions on compassion, communication, resilience, teamwork and professionalism, and three simulations: suturing, flexible nasendoscopy and grommet insertion. These were delivered alongside standard teaching. Pre- and post-rotation questionnaires assessed otolaryngology knowledge, career interest, surgical confidence and attitudes toward simulation and human factors.

While students’ interest in surgical careers remained unchanged, they reported improved comfort with otolaryngology knowledge, operating theatre environments and recognition of non-technical skills. Perceptions of simulation and essential surgeon qualities significantly improved.

Integrating entrustable professional activities, human factors education and simulation into short surgical rotations enhances both technical and non-technical skills. This approach may help address challenges in attracting students to surgery by enriching their educational experience and building confidence.

Rosai–Dorfman disease is a rare histiocytic disorder typically presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy. Sinonasal involvement is uncommon and presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This scoping review synthesises literature on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, management and outcomes of sinonasal Rosai–Dorfman disease.

We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and Embase. Articles were screened using Endnote. Studies reporting sinonasal Rosai–Dorfman disease were included. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-ScR (Scoping Review) guidelines.

Thirty studies comprising 36 patients were included. Common symptoms were nasal obstruction (80.6 per cent) and epistaxis (41.7 per cent). Computed tomography (75 per cent) and magnetic resonance imaging (36.1 per cent) were primary imaging modalities. Histopathology showed emperipolesis (66.7 per cent), S-100 (69.4 per cent) and CD68 (47.2 per cent) positivity. Management was mainly surgical (72.2 per cent), with corticosteroids (44.4 per cent), radiotherapy (5.6 per cent) and chemotherapy (5.6 per cent) used less frequently. Outcomes included complete resolution (38.9 per cent), stable disease (38.9 per cent) and recurrence (16.7 per cent).

Diagnosis relies on histopathology and imaging. Surgical procedures, often with corticosteroids, remain the primary treatment. Future research should guide diagnostic and treatment protocols.

Necrotising otitis externa is a serious infective condition with significant risk of complications and a profound impact on patients’ quality of life.

A quantitative descriptive study was undertaken using epidemiological data from the National Health Service Hospital Episode Statistics database and other national databases. Data correlating with reported cases 2002-2024 were compiled and analysed.

The national incidence of necrotising otitis externa has demonstrated a sustained increase 2002-2024. The 30 per cent incidence drop during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic may be attributable to reduced exposure to risk factors, reduced contact between susceptible patients and health professionals and pandemic-related deaths of at-risk populations. There remains a strong correlation between growths in necrotising otitis externa incidence, the ageing population and national incidence of diabetes mellitus. These are all projected to continue to rise. Antibiotic resistance is not a significant contributing factor.

This study demonstrates several significant trends, offering a strong foundation for deeper exploration in future studies.

Few studies have investigated stapedotomy using 1470 nm diode laser, and the present article contributes with clinical experience.

A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate hearing performance of 22 patients undergoing 1470 nm diode laser-assisted primary stapedotomy.

In 8/22 cases, accidental breaches to the inner ear by the laser and in 14/22 cases the stapedotomy was performed as planned only by drill. Air–bone gap and loss of sensorineural hearing were low and with no significant differences for groups at follow-up. No patients with breaches by laser reported new or worse tinnitus.

Accidental breaches in the stapes footplate using this diode laser did not appear to equate with inner ear damage within this limited cohort. Hearing outcomes were not significantly affected. These findings should be interpreted with caution. Further studies evaluating this laser wavelength in stapedotomy is required.

To evaluate the experiences and perspectives of otolaryngology residents regarding current parental leave (PL) practices, incorporating insights from both male and female trainees to assess institutional policies and support mechanisms.

A 43-item anonymous survey was distributed to 125 ACGME-accredited otolaryngology residency programs, yielding responses from 105 residents (response rate: 29%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to evaluate perceptions of PL policies, barriers to leave, and postpartum support.

Most respondents were female (57%) and married (77%), with an average age of 30 years. Only 26% were aware of the American Board of Otolaryngology’s 8-week PL policy. Female residents typically took 4-6 weeks of leave, while male residents took none. Concerns about program strain (29%) and lack of lactation support (60%) were significant barriers. Despite this, most respondents felt supported by co-residents and faculty.

Otolaryngology residents reported dissatisfaction with PL policies, inadequate lactation support, and poor awareness of institutional guidelines. Addressing these issues is critical to fostering a supportive environment for residents pursuing parenthood during training.

The virtues of the scapular tip free flap for reconstruction of complex midface oncologic defects have been claimed by many. To obtain optimal functional and aesthetic results, precise positioning of the free flap used for reconstruction is paramount.

Four cases illustrate our approach to midface reconstruction with angular branch-based scapular tip flaps. A standard surgical navigation device was used both to plan bone cuts for the oncologic resection and to optimise the positioning of the flap.

Case 1 illustrates the usefulness of navigation for reconstruction of total palato-septectomy defects, using a horizontally positioned flap. Optimal neo-palate height, alignment of the anterior nasal spine and nasal projection were obtained. For cases 2–4, vertical inset of the flap yielded optimal midface projection and orbital floor position.

Surgical navigation systems are useful adjuncts for midface reconstruction.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal is rare, with bilateral cases even rarer. We report the management of a patient with bilateral external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma related to radiotherapy and immunosuppression.

A 47-year-old woman with a history of radiotherapy 14 years prior and renal transplantation 6 years prior presented with bilateral external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma was excised with a purely surgical approach. The two operations included a tympanic membrane graft to preserve hearing on the left side. The patient remains disease-free six months post-op. She uses a bone-conduction hearing aid to good effect on the right side and has mild hearing loss on the left. The operative areas have healed well.

The patient’s previous radiotherapy and immunosuppression may have contributed to her bilateral external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma. Preventative positron emission tomography scans have the potential to identify second malignancies early, allowing more conservative treatment plans.

We report the surgical outcomes and functional results in a pediatric population following the use of the laryngotracheal LT-moldR prosthesis to treat complex glottic and subglottic stenosis.

A retrospective observational study in children following open and endoscopic surgical treatment for LT stenosis.

Among 46 patients, 91% received LT-mold during an open surgery and 9% had it following an endoscopic procedure. 93% patients were successfully decannulated and 80% needed stent placement for longer than 2 months. Mean time to decannulation was 229 days. Currently, 83% patients have normal breathing, 67% patients have normal voice or mild dysphonia and swallowing outcomes have remained similar in the pre- and post-operative period.

The LT-mold provided an adequate airway stenting, enabling decannulation in most patients with advanced grades of laryngotracheal stenosis. Duration of stenting and time to decannulation showed no correlation with the grade of stenosis or patient comorbidities. Functional results were optimal.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the Healthy Eating Index 2015 scores and hearing loss.

This study utilized cross-sectional data from individuals aged over 20 years (n = 5171) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2012 and 2015 to 2018. We collected information on their hearing, Healthy Eating Index 2015 scores and several other important covariates using multivariate regression analyses.

After adjusting for potential confounders, when hearing loss was defined as greater than or equal to 20 dB, the odds ratio for low-frequency hearing loss and high-frequency hearing loss was 0.99 (95 per cent confidence interval: 0.98–0.99; p < 0.001) and 0.99 (95 per cent confidence interval: 0.98–1; p = 0.006), respectively. When hearing loss was defined as greater than 25 dB, the odds ratio for low-frequency hearing loss and speech-frequency band hearing loss was 0.98 (95 per cent confidence interval: 0.98–0.99; p < 0.001) and 0.99 (95 per cent confidence interval: 0.98–1; p = 0.008), respectively.

In American adults, Healthy Eating Index scores are associated with hearing loss.

A range of chronic ear complaints may be attributed to Eustachian tube dysfunction. Eustachian tube dysfunction secondary to a deviated nasal septum has been described in several clinical studies, with symptomatic improvement demonstrated following septoplasty. However, uncertainty exists as to the size of the effect and consistency between studies.

Electronic searches were carried out of Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for adult patients with complaints of nasal obstruction and/or impairment and/or complaints of ear fullness undergoing nasal surgery.

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies evaluated the effect of nasal surgery on Eustachian tube dysfunction using a variety of outcomes, including Eustachian tube function tests, the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7, tympanometry and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scores. The results demonstrated the positive impact of nasal surgery on various outcomes related to Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Nasal surgery has been demonstrated to have promising results as a therapeutic option for patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction and a deviated nasal septum, offering significant symptom relief and improved quality of life. Through the integration of the treatment of nasal symptoms in the management of Eustachian tube dysfunction, clinicians can adopt a comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying pathologies contributing to Eustachian tube dysfunction.

This study aimed to evaluate if there is a role for hypoglossal nerve stimulation outside the original Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction (STAR) trial criteria.

This review was conducted using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases.

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation led to improved outcomes in individuals who fell outside the STAR trial criteria for apnoea-hypopnoea index and body mass index. However, this improvement did not extend to patients with complete concentric palatal collapse or those with a significant central apnoea component.

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation can be effective in patients outside the original STAR trial criteria for certain parameters. Further research is needed to refine patient selection criteria for optimal outcomes.

This research aims to assess the prevalence, severity and underlying causes of hearing impairments.

This cross-sectional study used multistage stratified sampling to select 2148 individuals from Salyan and Surkhet, following the World Health Organization’s Ear and Hearing Survey Handbook.

Among 1946 participants, 38.9 per cent had hearing impairments, including 15.9 per cent with disabling hearing loss, with severity increasing with age. Ear diseases affected 34.3 per cent, including dull or retracted tympanic membranes (18 per cent), impacted wax (8 per cent), perforated tympanic membrane (6.1 per cent), and abnormal tympanometry (23.1 per cent). The major causes were age-related hearing loss (50.5 per cent), Eustachian tube dysfunction (23 per cent), chronic suppurative otitis media (10.8 per cent), and otitis media with effusion (4.7 per cent). Higher education and immunisation were associated with reduced risk, while chronic conditions, earaches, drainage and tinnitus increased the risk.

The high prevalence of hearing impairment, primarily from preventable causes, underscores the importance of early screening and strengthened primary health care.

Radiomics refers to converting medical images into high-quality quantitative data. This review examines applications of radiomics in vestibular schwannomas and future considerations for translation into clinical practice.

The review was pre-registered on Prospero (ID: CRD42024579319). A comprehensive systematic review-informed search of the Ovid Medline, Embase and Global Health online databases was undertaken using the keywords ‘acoustic neuroma’ or ‘vestibular schwannoma’ or ‘cerebellopontine angle tumour’ or ‘cerebellopontine tumour’ or ‘head and neck cancer’ were combined with ‘radiomic’ or ‘signature’ or ‘machine learning’ or ‘artificial intelligence’.

The studies (n = 6) were categorised into two groups: radiomics for pre-operative decision-making (n = 1) and radiomics for treatment outcomes (n = 5). Radiomic features were significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Radiomics-based predictive models were superior to expert vision.

Radiomics has potential for improving multiple aspects of vestibular schwannoma care, but lack of studies inhibited firm conclusions. Prospective studies are required to progress this field.

Transoral robotic surgery is a minimally invasive technique used in the management of head and neck cancer, though post-operative odynophagia can be a significant issue. There is debate about the necessity of elective nasogastric tube placement during the peri-operative period. This study examines the proportion of patients requiring elective nasogastric tube placement and evaluates whether pre-operative factors predict the need for nasogastric tube feeding.

Data from patients who underwent transoral robotic surgery in Oxford were analysed to assess correlations between pre-operative factors and nasogastric tube feeding.

Fifty-three patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery underwent elective nasogastric tube placement; 43 per cent required the nasogastric tube for feeding or medication. Multivariate analysis showed significant associations between nasogastric tube feeding and sex (p = 0.028), peri-neural invasion (p = 0.024), tumour size (p = 0.012) and concurrent neck dissection (p = 0.019).

Although nearly half of the patients benefited from elective nasogastric tube placement, the remainder did not. Benefits and risks of elective nasogastric tube placement should be carefully considered.

The relationship between clinical examination findings and objective nasal patency measures in structural nasal obstruction remains uncertain. This review aims to explore the relationship between clinical nasal examination findings and objective nasal patency measures using acoustic rhinometry, peak nasal inspiratory flow, rhinomanometry and rhinospirometry.

Qualitative systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 statement.

A total of 17 articles were included in the systematic review. Several studies showed a positive relationship between objective nasal patency measures and clinical nasal examination findings, however evidence in the literature is limited and confined to cohort studies. Objective nasal patency measures using acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry and rhinospirometry assessment correlate positively in severe anterior septal deviation but its role in assessing middle/posterior and mild/moderate septal deviation in isolation remains uncertain. There is limited evidence in the literature to assess the relationship between peak nasal inspiratory flow and clinical examination findings.

Objective nasal patency measures has a limited role in supporting clinical examination findings in severe structural nasal obstruction.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of unknown primary (MEC-UP) in the head and neck is a rare presentation of the most common salivary gland cancer. Cancers of unknown primary sites often have poorer prognoses than similar cancers with known primary. Few cases of MEC-UP have been reported; therefore, the objective of this report is an overview of the diagnosis and management of MEC-UP.

We present two patients with low-grade MEC-UP at a high-volume tertiary care institution in Ontario, and a database search returning 1560 citations of which five studies with seven MEC-UP cases were identified.

Review of the limited cases suggest many clinicians use positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in addition to panendoscopy and targeted biopsies with consideration for diagnostic tonsillectomy in diagnostic work-up.

Like other salivary gland cancers, primary therapeutic surgical resection is recommended with low threshold for adjuvant radiotherapy to regions at high risk for harbouring the primary malignancy, especially in cases of high-grade histopathology.

The posterior pharyngeal wall is an anatomical subsite of both the oropharynx and hypopharynx. The treatment outcomes of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of these sites are generally published together, which makes the interpretation of data challenging. The aim of this analysis was to determine if there is any difference in the treatment outcomes of these two rare disease entities.

Retrospetive analysis showed that the posterior pharyngeal wall was the primary subsite in 17 patients (1.65 per cent) out of 1031 patients with oropharyngeal SCC, and in 23 patients (11.73 per cent) out of 196 patients with hypopharyngeal SCC.

The five-year overall survival was 45 per cent for oropharyngeal origin and 53 per cent for hypopharyngeal origin patients. There was no significant difference in survival and locoregional control between these two groups of patients.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the posterior pharyngeal wall is a rare entity, which in our series represents 1.65 per cent of oropharyngeal cases and 11.73 per cent of hypopharyngeal tumours. There was no difference in treatment outcomes between the two groups.

The primary objective of our study was to survey ENT surgeons who perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery in the UK regarding their post-sinus surgery practices.

A 28-item questionnaire on post-functional endoscopic sinus surgery practices was distributed electronically to ENT UK members specialising in rhinology.

Ninety (90 per cent) surgeons prescribe saline nasal irrigation post-functional endoscopic sinus surgery but administration timing and methods vary. Following functional endoscopic sinus surgery, 17.7 per cent (n = 17) of respondents routinely prescribe antibiotics, whilst about a quarter (26.0 per cent, n = 25) do not prescribe antibiotics at all. The rest of the respondents only prescribe antibiotics in specific cases. Thirty-three (34.7 per cent) respondents do not prescribe oral steroids whilst most clinicians (83.9 per cent, n = 78) prescribe intranasal corticosteroids post-operatively.

Our study highlights homogeneous, evidence-based practices post-functional endoscopic sinus surgery from UK-based specialists, specifically in the use of saline irrigation and intranasal corticosteroids. However, our cohort displayed significant heterogeneity regarding oral antibiotics, oral steroids, and other specific aspects of post-operative care.