The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and clinical impact of utilizing low-field portable MRI in a remote setting in Canada.

This was a single-site prospective cohort study. An ultra-low-field (0.064 T) portable MRI was installed in Weeneebayko General Hospital, Moose Factory, Ontario. Adults presenting with any indication for neuroimaging between November 2021 and June 2023 were eligible for study inclusion. Clinical presentation, indication for imaging,and radiology report turnaround time were recorded. Images were evaluated for diagnostic quality, and radiology reports were analyzed to determine the diagnostic utility of ultra-low-field MRI.

An ultra-low-field portable MRI was successfully installed in a remote Canadian location. Fifty patients received a portable MRI scan. Comments on suboptimal image quality were made for 12 (24%) of the portable MRI examinations; however, only 2 (4%) of these were deemed nondiagnostic requiring conventional imaging for further evaluation. Clinically significant pathology was identified in 5 (10%) of the examinations.

This first-of-its-kind study demonstrates the application of ultra-low-field portable MRI in a remote setting in Canada is feasible and offers clinical information that may help triage which patients require transfer to a center with conventional high-field MRI availability.

Temporal bone osteoradionecrosis is a rare but significant complication of radiation for head and neck malignancies. Various management techniques have been described, but no clear protocol exists.

A retrospective case review of patients with temporal bone osteoradionecrosis managed over 15 years was carried out to highlight multidisciplinary team (MDT) management. The review findings were compared with the published literature and a protocol was derived for the management of future cases.

A total of 20 patients were included. The sites of osteoradionecrosis included the external auditory canal, the middle ear and the lateral skull base, presenting with features including recalcitrant pain, infection, neuropathies and intracranial sepsis. Treatments included hyperbaric oxygen, antibiotics, debridement and, in advanced cases, lateral temporal bone resection with vascularised tissue transfer. Post-operative and long-term outcomes were discussed.

Early temporal bone osteoradionecrosis may be managed conservatively. Refractory osteoradionecrosis can be life-threatening because of intracranial complications and sepsis. Such cases need an MDT approach with radical skull-base surgery for removal of necrotic foci and reconstruction using vascularised tissue transfer.

The 2014 British Thyroid Association guidelines acknowledged the value of risk-stratifying thyroid nodules by utilising an ultrasound reporting system (‘U’ classification). This study assessed whether using pre-existing parameters in combination can better stratify patients’ malignancy and completion thyroidectomy risks.

A multicentre, retrospective, observational review identified 936 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde patients from pathology records who underwent hemithyroidectomy between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019.

A total of 308 patients had thyroid malignancy, 180 (58.4 per cent) progressed to completion thyroidectomy. A nodule classified as ‘U3’ (indeterminate) was associated with a 35.4 per cent chance of malignancy and a 21.6 per cent risk of requiring completion surgery. Amalgamation of ‘U’ score with Thy score enhanced risk prediction. The malignancy rate in U3, Thy-3f nodules was 38 per cent, and 21 per cent required completion surgery. The malignancy and completion thyroidectomy rates were comparatively lower for U3, Thy-3a nodules (22 per cent and 14.3 per cent, respectively).

Combining ultrasound ‘U’ score and Thy score improves pre-operative thyroid nodule risk stratification, leading to better informed patients regarding the risks of malignancy and completion surgery. A move towards an integrated assessment approach should be considered.

This study aimed to determine if pre-operative radiological scoring can reliably predict intra-operative difficulty and final cochlear electrode position in patients with advanced otosclerosis.

A retrospective cohort study of advanced otosclerosis patients who underwent cochlear implantation (n = 48, 52 ears) was compared with a larger cohort of post-lingually deaf adult patients (n = 1414) with bilateral hearing loss and normal cochlear anatomy. Pre-operative imaging for advanced otosclerosis patients and final electrode position were scored and correlated with intra-operative difficulty and speech outcomes.

Advanced otosclerosis patients benefit significantly from cochlear implantation. Mean duration of deafness was longer in the advanced otosclerosis group (19.5 vs 14.3 years; p < 0.05).

Anatomical changes in advanced otosclerosis can result in increased difficulty of surgery. Evidence of pre-operative cochlear luminal changes was associated with intra-operative difficult insertion and final non-scala tympani position. Nearly all electrodes implanted in the advanced otosclerosis cohort were peri-modiolar. No reports of facial nerve stimulation were observed.

Guidance for the management of thyroid nodules has evolved over time, from initial evaluation based predominantly on clinical grounds to now including the established role of ultrasound and fine needle aspiration cytology in their assessment. There is, however, significant variation in the management of thyroid nodules depending on which national guidelines are followed. In addition, there are certain clinical situations such as pregnancy and paediatric thyroid nodules that have differing evaluation priorities.

This review aimed to provide an overview of currently accepted practices for the initial investigation and subsequent management of patients with thyroid nodules for the non-specialist. The review also addresses areas of variance between the systems in common clinical use, as well as newer, evolving technologies, including molecular testing in the evaluation of malignancy in thyroid nodules.

Desmoid tumours (aggressive fibromatosis) are rare, locally invasive, benign tumours. The following case represented a diagnostic challenge, because of the uncommon nature of the lesion.

A 26-year-old woman, who had previously undergone middle-ear surgery for cholesteatoma, presented with a painful swelling involving the post-auricular area and the conchal bowl. Initially, it was believed to be an infective process related to the surgery or an unusual cholesteatoma recurrence. Following investigations, which involved imaging and histology, the swelling was diagnosed as a desmoid tumour, and the patient received chemotherapy.

Two incidences of paediatric desmoid tumours affecting the ear have been described in the literature, but there is no previous report of a desmoid tumour related to ear surgery. Desmoid tumours have, however, been reported following trauma, including surgery.

Odontogenic sinusitis is a common cause of rhinosinusitis that is often undiagnosed and overlooked. No single sign or symptom is specific for odontogenic sinusitis, and failure to focus on the specific radiological features can delay diagnosis.

This paper presents four cases of chronic sinusitis that had an odontogenic origin. Each case was referred for a second opinion. Three patients had previously undergone unsuccessful surgical management.

The literature, and the associated contributory clinical, radiological and microbiological features required for correct diagnosis and management, are reviewed.

Each case resulted in a positive patient outcome following the involvement of both otolaryngology and maxillofacial surgery departments.

A high index of suspicion is advocated for odontogenic sinusitis in cases not responding to standard management plans. Collaboration with a maxillofacial specialist is important for diagnosis and management. This should be considered where standard management fails, or clinical features and radiological signs of odontogenic sinusitis are present. This paper also highlights the need for otolaryngologists to incorporate, at the very least, a basic dental history and examination as part of their assessment in recalcitrant cases.

Paediatric otogenic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare, heterogeneous and life-threatening condition, with possible otological, neurological and ophthalmological sequelae. Its course and outcomes can be widely variable. The publications available often consider individual aspects of paediatric otogenic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis management. The condition itself and the nature of the currently available guidance can lead to uncertainties when holistically managing patients with paediatric otogenic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Clear recommendations for the comprehensive assessment and management of paediatric otogenic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis are presented, along with the literature review upon which they are based. Its clinical and radiological assessment are discussed.

A multidisciplinary approach to assessment and management is recommended, inclusive of infectious diseases, ENT surgery, neurology, ophthalmology and haematology. On balance, anticoagulation is recommended for three months. Follow-up imaging is not recommended in the absence of clinical concern. Follow up by ENT surgery, neurology and ophthalmology departments is recommended.

Imaging detects acoustic neuroma, a rare pathology associated with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, that is mostly managed conservatively. Scanning indication is debatable, without evaluation in primary care, despite the high burden of audiovestibular symptoms and commissioning of general practitioner imaging.

Cohort evaluation of two years' internal auditory meatus magnetic resonance imaging in primary care.

Of 200 scans requested by 77 general practitioners, only 33 per cent conformed to guideline indications. Most were referred to specialists, regardless of result. Only 10.5 per cent were appropriately imaged to rule out neuroma without specialist referral. One neuroma was detected (diagnostic yield 0.5 per cent) in a patient already referred. Incidental findings were shown in 44.5 per cent, triggering low-value cascades in 18 per cent. Whilst fewer than 1 in a 1000 imaged patients may improve through surgery, 1 in 5 can suffer negative imaging cascades.

Considering the bi-directional relationship between distress and audio-vestibular symptoms, anxiety-provoking imaging overuse should be minimised. In low-prevalence primary care, retrocochlear imaging could be limited to those with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss. Alternatively, assessment and imaging could be shifted to audiologist-led settings, with a wider therapeutic offer, likely more beneficial and cost-effective than conventional surgical pathways.

Mastoiditis is the most common intra-temporal complication of acute otitis media. Despite potentially lethal sequelae, optimal management remains poorly defined.

A retrospective case review was conducted of children diagnosed with mastoiditis at a tertiary referral centre, in North East England, between 2010 and 2017.

Fifty-one cases were identified, 49 without cholesteatoma. Median patient age was 42 months (2 months to 18 years) and median hospital stay was 4 days (range, 0–27 days). There was no incidence trend over time. Imaging was conducted in 15 out of 49 cases. Surgery was performed in 29 out of 49 cases, most commonly mastoidectomy with (9 out of 29) or without (9 out of 29) grommets. Complications included sigmoid sinus thrombosis (3 out of 49) and extradural abscess (2 out of 51), amongst others; no fatalities occurred.

A detailed contemporary description of paediatric mastoiditis presentation and management is presented. The findings broadly mirror those published by other UK centres, but suggest a higher rate of identified disease complications and surgical interventions.

Mastoiditis is an otological emergency, and cross-sectional imaging has a role in the diagnosis of complications and surgical planning. Advances in imaging technology are becoming increasingly sophisticated and, by the same token, the ability to accurately interpret findings is essential.

This paper reviews common and rare complications of mastoiditis using case-led examples. A radiologist-derived systematic checklist is proposed, to assist the ENT surgeon with interpreting cross-sectional imaging in emergency mastoiditis cases when the opinion of a head and neck radiologist may be difficult to obtain.

A 16-point checklist (the ‘mastoid 16’) was used on a case-led basis to review the radiological features of both common and rare complications of mastoiditis; this is complemented with imaging examples.

Acute mastoiditis has a range of serious complications that may be amenable to treatment, once diagnosed using appropriate imaging. The proposed checklist provides a systematic approach to identifying complications of mastoiditis.

The study primarily aimed to calculate the orientation of the cochlea pre-operatively, using high-resolution computed tomography of the temporal bone, and predict the ease of electrode insertion.

Pre-operatively, high-resolution computed tomography scans were conducted on children scheduled for cochlear implantation, and two angles, α and β, were calculated. The values of α and β were then correlated with intra-operative difficulty in insertion of the electrode array.

Ninety-six children were included in the study. Of the seven patients who had an α angle of less than 50 degrees, the surgeon experienced difficulties in electrode insertion. However, there were four patients with an α angle of more than 50 degrees for whom the surgeon also experienced difficulties in electrode insertion. In all these patients, the β angle was more than 20 degrees.

Calculation of cochlear orientation and its angle with the surgical axis (α and β) can aid the planning of surgery, particularly with regard to the cochleostomy site and preservation of residual hearing.

There is variation regarding the use of surgery and interventional radiological techniques in the management of epistaxis. This review evaluates the effectiveness of surgical artery ligation compared to direct treatments (nasal packing, cautery), and that of embolisation compared to direct treatments and surgery.

A systematic review of the literature was performed using a standardised published methodology and custom database search strategy.

Thirty-seven studies were identified relating to surgery, and 34 articles relating to interventional radiology. For patients with refractory epistaxis, endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation had the most favourable adverse effect profile and success rate compared to other forms of surgical artery ligation. Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation and embolisation had similar success rates (73–100 per cent and 75–92 per cent, respectively), although embolisation was associated with more serious adverse effects (risk of stroke, 1.1–1.5 per cent). No articles directly compared the two techniques.

Trials comparing endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation to embolisation are required to better evaluate the clinical and economic effects of intervention in epistaxis.

Pre-operative radiological identification of facial nerve anomalies can help prevent intra-operative facial nerve injury during cochlear implantation. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and configuration of facial nerve anomalies and their concurrence with inner-ear anomalies in cochlear implant candidates.

Inner-ear and concomitant facial nerve anomalies were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and temporal high-resolution computed tomography in 48 children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss who were cochlear implant candidates.

Inner-ear anomalies were present in 11 out of 48 patients (23 per cent) and concomitant facial nerve anomalies were present on 7 sides in 4 patients (7 per cent of the total). Facial nerve anomalies were accompanied by cochlear or vestibular malformation.

Potential facial nerve abnormalities should always be considered in patients with inner-ear anomalies. Pre-operative facial nerve imaging can increase the surgeon's confidence to plan and perform cochlear implantation. Magnetic resonance imaging should be used to detect inner-ear anomalies; if these are identified, temporal high-resolution computed tomography should be used to evaluate the facial nerve.