To observe the long-term effect of laser occlusion of the posterior semicircular canal for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Case report and review of the relevant world literature.

We treated a patient with refractory benign paroxysmal positional vertigo using laser occlusion of the posterior semicircular canal, and achieved satisfactory results. Three months after the operation, the patient was able to lead a normal life. There was no recurrence over five years of follow up.

To our knowledge, this is the first report in the world literature of a patient with refractory benign paroxysmal positional vertigo being treated with laser occlusion of the posterior semicircular canal. This method had long-term effectiveness, and may be one of the most effective methods of treating patients with refractory benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Paragangliomas are rare tumours arising from the paraganglia of the autonomic nervous system.

We present a case of a paraganglioma arising from the hypoglossal nerve and producing an unusual clinical picture at presentation.

We supply radiological evidence of a paraganglioma originating from the hypoglossal nerve, and thus extend the evidence base for this rare site of origin. Our patient presented as an emergency with long tract neurological symptoms and progressive brainstem involvement. This presentation is not characteristic of paragangliomas in general, which usually have an indolent growth pattern and often demonstrate benign symptoms for a number of years prior to diagnosis. The location of a hypoglossal paraganglioma differs significantly from more common paragangliomas described in the neck and skull base, and this should inform the surgical approach undertaken.

Citrobacter freundii is a rare but potentially aggressive cause of pharyngitis which may progress to retropharyngeal abscess with diaphragmatic extension.

To raise awareness of: (1) citrobacter as a potential cause of head and neck infection, including retropharyngeal abscess; (2) a novel surgical approach to draining such an abscess; and (3) citrobacter's particular biological properties which may affect the clinical course.

Case report.

The abscess was drained via a minimally invasive posterior pharyngeal wall incision and placement of a suction catheter into the mediastinum through this incision. Residual intrathoracic collections were drained by the cardiothoracic team via percutaneous aspiration. The patient made a full recovery.

Early recognition of citrobacter head and neck infections, an awareness of the peculiarities of the clinical course of such infections, and timely surgical intervention can prevent catastrophic outcomes. A minimally invasive approach to mediastinal collections can be considered as a viable alternative to open thoracotomy, which carries a high morbidity rate.

At the turn of the twentieth century, ultraviolet light was successfully used to treat tuberculosis of the skin. Upper respiratory tract infections had been inversely associated with sun exposure. During the last decade, basic scientific research demonstrated that vitamin D has an important anti-infective role.

Review of the relevant literature on the influence of vitamin D on innate immunity and respiratory tract infection.

Vitamin D is involved in the production of defensins and cathelicidin – antimicrobial peptides that provide a natural defence against potential microbiological pathogens. Vitamin D supplementation increases cathelicidin production. Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections.

Vitamin D appears to play an important role in the regulation of innate immunity in the upper respiratory tract. Optimal vitamin D levels and appropriate dosing schedules have yet to be determined.

To formulate a management plan for spontaneous tonsillar bleeding.

A Medline search was performed and all literature reviewed.

Seventeen publications were identified worldwide, describing 55 cases of spontaneous tonsillar bleeding.

Although spontaneous tonsillar bleeding is a rare presentation, it is documented in the literature. Reported cases indicate an increased incidence in young patients, associated with a higher mortality rate. We propose a management plan for this potentially fatal condition.

Tinnitus is usually associated with hearing loss, and patients with tinnitus and normal hearing are unusual. Neuro-otological findings have not previously been described in tinnitus patients with normal hearing.

To analyse neuro-otological examination results from a group of tinnitus patients with normal hearing.

Seventeen normal-hearing tinnitus patients seen over a 10-year period were retrospectively evaluated. Their results were compared with those of a control group of 17 normal subjects without tinnitus.

The main neuro-otological finding in the tinnitus patients was caloric test abnormality: a unilateral canal paresis was present in 15 of the 17 patients. Caloric tests were normal in 15 of the 17 control subjects.

We may infer from these results that tinnitus could be the only clinical manifestation of a cochlear – and presumably cochleo-vestibular – lesion, and that unilateral canal paresis may be the only abnormal finding on neuro-otological examination.

To report eight cases of inferior vestibular neuritis, in order to raise awareness of this new subtype of vestibular neuritis.

We retrospectively analysed 216 patients (104 males and 112 females; age range 10–64 years; mean age 38.4 years) with full clinical documentation who had attended our hospital's vertigo clinic between May 2007 and December 2008. All patients underwent systematic investigation, including hearing tests, radiology, caloric testing and vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing.

Of 216 patients with vestibular neuritis, eight cases were diagnosed as inferior vestibular neuritis, based on comprehensive analysis of test data. The clinical features of these eight patients were consistent with the characteristics of vestibular neuritis. The results of pure tone audiometry and caloric testing were normal, and the possibility of central lesions was excluded by cerebral computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging on admission. Six cases had unilateral loss of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, whereas two had a unilateral lower amplitude of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

Inferior vestibular neuritis is a novel subtype of vestibular neuritis, which involves the inferior vestibular nerve alone. Vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing is a useful aid to the diagnosis of inferior vestibular neuritis.

We aimed to evaluate bilateral hearing function in patients undergoing primary unilateral stapedotomy, according to the 1995 American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery guidelines and the Glasgow benefit plot. We also aimed to analyse the effect of pre-operative hearing impairment type on post-stapedotomy hearing.

Retrospective chart review.

Medical records relating to 1369 stapedotomies performed by the senior author (JJH) from 1991 to 2006 were reviewed. Seven hundred and fifty-one patients undergoing primary unilateral stapedotomy were included. Hearing results for these patients were evaluated according to the criteria of the 1995 American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium guidelines, and the Glasgow benefit plot. Subgroups of patients with pre-operative unilateral, bilateral symmetrical and bilateral asymmetrical hearing loss were separately analysed.

The most successful results, as regards the achievement of bilateral, socially serviceable hearing, were demonstrated in patients with unilateral hearing loss; 78 per cent of these patients had normal hearing post-operatively. Overall, patients' achievement of bilateral, socially serviceable hearing correlated highly with their type of pre-operative hearing impairment (r = 0.74). Normal post-operative hearing levels also correlated with pre-operative bone conduction (r = 0.61).

This study represents the largest reported series of primary stapedotomy cases evaluated with the Glasgow benefit plot. Patients' bilateral post-operative hearing function depended on their type of pre-operative hearing impairment. Pre-operative bone conduction thresholds, corrected for Carhart's effect, were useful in predicting achievable post-operative air conduction.

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of both hearing level (at various frequencies) and speech discrimination for forecasting hearing outcome after a period of observation, in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Over a 33-year period, 1144 patients with vestibular schwannoma were allocated to ‘wait and scan’ management, with annual magnetic resonance imaging and audiological examination. Two complete pure tone and speech discrimination audiograms were available for 932 patients.

The predictive value of initial hearing level better than 10 dB for forecasting hearing outcome after observation increased from 59 per cent at 250 Hz to 94 percent at 4000 Hz. At diagnosis, hearing level of 10 dB or better at 4000 Hz was found in only 18 of the 932 VS ears, while good speech discrimination was found in 159 patients (17 per cent). Of the latter patients, 138 maintained good hearing after observation.

In vestibular schwannoma patients, good high frequency hearing and good speech discrimination at diagnosis are useful tools in predicting good hearing after observation.

Bacterial biofilms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis. In the laboratory setting, ultrasound is effective in disrupting such biofilms; however, few clinical studies have evaluated the role of therapeutic ultrasound in chronic rhinosinusitis.

This study was performed to investigate the short-term effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound as a treatment modality for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Twenty-two patients with a positive history of chronic rhinosinusitis, according to the criteria set out by the Rhinosinusitis Task Force, together with a previous computed tomography scan compatible with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis, and who had failed previous, aggressive medical management, were treated with therapeutic pulsed ultrasound at 1 MHz two to three days per week for six sessions. Patients completed an assessment of individual sinus symptom severity and the 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test questionnaire before treatment, prior to session four and after completion of session six.

Two patients were unable to complete the study protocol. After completion of session six, 18 patients had experienced improvement in symptoms, while two patients noted a worsening of symptoms. Median percentage improvement of the total overall symptom score was 16.7 per cent (Wilcoxon signed rank, p < 0.001). The 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test score improved by 34.1 per cent (Wilcoxon signed rank, p < 0.0001).

This study demonstrated a significant improvement in chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms after a six-session course of pulsed ultrasound therapy. Treatment with ultrasound alone or combined with antibiotics may provide a strategy to target biofilms on the sinus mucosa. Therapeutic ultrasound warrants further investigation as a potential treatment modality for chronic rhinosinusitis.

To compare the complication rates and outcome of computer-assisted versus non-computer-assisted functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 276 patients who had undergone sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with (n = 108) or without (n = 168) computer assistance, from 1996 to 2004, to determine the incidence of complications and need for revision surgery.

The incidence of complications was 6.5 per cent in the computer-assisted group and 6.0 per cent in the non-computer-assisted group (p = 1.00). In the computer-assisted group, 9.2 per cent needed revision surgery, compared with 10.7 per cent in the non-assisted group (p = 0.84).

Although our study found no significant difference in complications or revision rates, computer-assisted surgery serves as an important orientation aid during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

To compare the gross and microscopic appearance of antrochoanal polyps associated with recurrent epistaxis, with those with a more typical presentation.

Prospective, controlled study.

All patients underwent clinical and endoscopic examination, computed tomography scanning, and examination under anaesthesia, in order to detect the gross diagnostic criteria for antrochoanal polyp. Histological findings on light microscopy were compared for polyps presenting with epistaxis versus those without. The number of predominant inflammatory cells in the corium was determined in both groups and statistically compared using the Student t-test.

Recurrent epistaxis was a presenting symptom in 10/84 (11.9 per cent) patients with gross diagnostic criteria for antrochoanal polyp. Grossly, these patients' polyps had a reddish, vascular surface in parts. Histologically, these polyps showed a highly vascular stroma with multiple dilated blood vessels, the typical appearance of an angiomatous antrochoanal polyp. Thrombi at different stages of development were detected, with no infarcts. The remaining cases (88.1 per cent) had no history of epistaxis; histologically, these patients' polyps showed an oedematous connective tissue core with few inflammatory cells. Plasma cells were predominant in the angiomatous polyps, being significantly more prevalent than in the ordinary antrochoanal polyps (p < 0.00).

It would appear that only angiomatous antrochoanal polyps present with epistaxis. Detection of the characteristic gross appearance of these polyps may help avoid unwanted surgery. Histopathological analysis confirms the diagnosis. A significantly increased number of plasma cells may be the underlying cause of the histological changes seen in angiomatous antrochoanal polyps.

A variety of treatment modalities are currently used to treat recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. We aimed to study the efficacy of radiofrequency cold ablation (coblation) for the treatment of laryngotracheal recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, by comparing treatment intervals for coblation and CO2 laser vaporisation.

Retrospective case series of adult patients with advanced laryngotracheal recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Six patients were treated for at least two years by CO2 laser vaporisation with or without intralesional cidofovir. All six subsequently underwent treatment with radiofrequency coblation with or without intralesional cidofovir. Coblation resulted in longer periods between interventions, compared with CO2 laser (p = 0.03).

Radiofrequency coblation appears to be an attractive alternative technique to CO2 laser for the surgical treatment of advanced laryngotracheal papillomata.

There is growing interest in the long term outcomes of critical care. The degree of vocal morbidity suffered by patients surviving intensive care admission has not previously been reported.

To determine the degree of subjective, patient-reported vocal morbidity following discharge from intensive care.

A prospective study was undertaken of patients admitted to intensive care. A total of 273 consecutive admissions were assessed; 181 patients were suitable for inclusion.

The Voice Symptom Scale questionnaire.

Eighty-three patients responded. Twenty-seven patients (33 per cent) reported a degree of vocal morbidity greater than that suffered by patients treated for early laryngeal cancer. Thirteen patients (16 per cent) reported a degree of morbidity greater than that suffered by patients attending voice clinics.

Up to one-third of patients who survived admission to an intensive care unit reported suffering significant vocal morbidity. The Voice Symptom Scale could be used in an intensive care follow-up setting to identify and ensure the referral of such patients.

The electroglottogram approximate entropy value is a numerical variable which gives an overall measure of voice quality. It is derived by analysing the complexity of the electroglottogram waveform using regulatory statistics.

(1) To use electroglottogram approximate entropy to measure voice quality in patients with glottic pathology and in normal subjects, to ascertain whether this parameter can distinguish between pathological and normal voices. (2) To ascertain whether electroglottogram approximate entropy can measure voice change over time within individual subjects. (3) To determine any correlation between electroglottogram approximate entropy and the grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenia–strain scale.

One hundred and forty-one normal volunteers were recruited to characterise electroglottogram approximate entropy in the normal voice. One hundred and eighty-six patients with glottic squamous cell carcinoma underwent electroglottogram approximate entropy measurement prior to radiotherapy and then three to six months and one year after treatment. Subjects’ voices were categorised by a speech therapist using the grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenia–strain scale.

The mean electroglottogram approximate entropy of the normal volunteers was 0.302 (range 0.05–0.42). The mean electroglottogram approximate entropy of the glottic squamous cell carcinoma patients was significantly lower prior to treatment, at 0.227 (range 0.001–0.397; p < 0.0005), but improved after radiotherapy to 0.277 at three to six months and 0.282 at one year. Electroglottogram approximate entropy results correlated significantly with grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenia–strain scale results.

Electroglottogram approximate entropy can be used to assess change in voice quality resulting from glottic morphological abnormality. Electroglottogram approximate entropy values improve as voice quality improves after treatment. Electroglottogram approximate entropy values correlate significantly with grade–roughness–breathiness–asthenia–strain scale results.

To determine the prevalence and profile of patients who use complementary and alternative medicine, within a cohort of head and neck cancer patients.

Cross-sectional survey.

Ninety-three consecutive head and neck cancer patients being followed up at the department of otolaryngology head and neck surgery were surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.

The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use was 67.8 per cent. Patients who used complementary and alternative medicine were more likely to be female, better educated and younger, compared with non-users. A total of 82.5 per cent (52/63) perceived complementary and alternative medicine to be effective, even though they were aware of the lack of research and endorsement by their physician regarding such medicine.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by head and neck cancer patients is common, regardless of efficacy or cost. Clinicians should routinely ask patients about their use of complementary and alternative medicine, to facilitate communication and enable appropriate use of such medicine.

To evaluate endoscopic pharyngeal pouch surgery practice in north Glasgow by comparing it to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommendations.

We reviewed the case notes of patients who had undergone pharyngeal pouch surgery from 1998 to 2008. Data obtained included patient demographics, procedures performed, complications and outcomes.

One hundred patient case notes were reviewed. Surgical procedures performed included endoscopic stapling (n = 58), endoscopic laser surgery (26), external excision (one), cricopharyngeal myotomy (two) and pharyngoscopy with dilatation (three). Endoscopic stapling was abandoned in 10 patients (14.7 per cent), three of whom declined further surgery. There was a 2.2 per cent perforation rate for endoscopic procedures. Twenty-one per cent of patients required further surgery.

Our practice was not in keeping with National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommendations. Our complication rates were similar to other published series, although our rates for abandoned and revision procedures were higher. We suggest that pharyngeal pouch surgical procedures should be undertaken only by otolaryngologists with a primary head and neck interest.

To assess the efficacy of excision of nasal dermoids through a closed rhinoplasty incision. This is the first description of the use of this approach for excision of superficial nasal dermoids.

Three boys aged five, nine and 12 years presented with midline nasal dermoids with minimal cutaneous involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated distinct, cystic, superficial nasal masses. The cysts were excised through a closed rhinoplasty approach. In each case, completeness of extirpation was judged by histopathological examination of the excised specimen. Aesthetic outcome was recorded photographically.

All three patients' cysts were completely excised, with excellent cosmetic results.

The closed rhinoplasty incision is another approach in the surgeon's armamentarium for excision of small, superficial nasal dermoid cysts. In well selected cases, this approach gives optimal cosmetic results, provides adequate exposure with minimal dissection, and allows total extirpation.

To report a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone presenting with cerebrospinal fluid fistula.

A Caucasian woman presented to a tertiary care centre in Quebec, Canada, with a new onset of cerebrospinal fluid fistula. She had a significant destructive lesion of the temporal bone, and was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis on biopsy.

The patient underwent surgical resection with reconstruction of the posterior fossa and tegmen. She suffered a relapse less than one year after surgery, and was finally treated with chemotherapy.

The patient was free of disease at three-year follow up. No recurrence of the cerebrospinal fluid leak was observed after treatment.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone with intra-cranial involvement is rare in adults, with only two cases previously reported. Eleven paediatric cases have been reported. To our knowledge, this patient represents the first report of cerebrospinal fluid fistula as the initial presentation of the disease.