The tumour–node–metastasis staging system has a dynamic structure that is continuously being updated as scientific data develops. This review discusses some suggested revisions on tumour–node–metastasis staging of human papillomavirus negative upper aerodigestive tract cancers.

The seventh edition of The American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual was reviewed and important issues that could be considered for revision were identified and discussed.

According to our assessment of the oncological outcomes of previous studies, the following factors should be considered for revision: anterior commissure involvement and subglottic extension in laryngeal cancers; underlying bone involvement in hard palate and upper alveolar ridge cancers; tumour thickness in oral cancers; and extracapsular spread and carotid artery involvement in neck metastases.

Sufficient data on the prognostic importance of these issues have been reported. Suggested revisions in line with current knowledge on the clinical behaviour of upper aerodigestive tract cancers would improve the relevancy of staging.

Multimodal treatment options in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have allowed for greater control of locoregional disease, but this has not translated into a significant overall survival advantage for patients. This is partially because these treatment modalities have no influence over the rate of development of distant metastases.

This article summarises the current methods of detecting circulating and disseminated tumour cells. It also discusses how these cells can offer prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and considers questions posed by the identification of these cells.

A literature search of relevant journal articles was performed using ScienceDirect and PubMed databases, and a general article search was conducted using the online search engine Google.

The evidence presented in this article indicates that circulating tumour cells and disseminated tumour cells may be clinically useful as prognostic markers or in the assessment of response to treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

There are currently no guidelines in the UK for the specific management of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia related epistaxis. The authors aimed to review the literature and provide an algorithm for the management of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia related epistaxis.

The Medline and Embase databases were interrogated on 15 November 2013 using the search items ‘hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia’ (title), ‘epistaxis’ (title) and ‘treatment’ (title and abstract), and limiting the search to articles published in English.

A total of 46 publications were identified, comprising 1 systematic review, 2 randomised, controlled trials, 27 case series, 9 case reports, 4 questionnaire studies and 3 in vitro studies.

There is a lack of high-level evidence for the use of many of the available treatments for the specific management of epistaxis in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. Current management should be based on a multidisciplinary team approach involving both a hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia physician and an ENT surgeon, especially when systemic therapy is being considered. The suggested treatment algorithm considers that the severity of epistaxis merits intervention at different levels of the treatment ladder. The patient should be assessed using a reproducible validated assessment tool, for example an epistaxis severity score, to guide treatment. More research is required, particularly in the investigation of topical agents targeting the development and fragility of telangiectasiae in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

To review the literature on the outcomes of ENT operations in order to assess whether ENT operations are effective.

The value of evidence-based medicine in relation to ENT was appraised, as was the perception of effectiveness. Literature on common ENT operations, including grommet insertion, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, and correction of the nasal septum, was evaluated.

When evaluating the effectiveness of ENT operations, the patient's overall condition and improvements after surgery should be measured. Objective and subjective factors should both be considered as good evidence, especially with the increasing role that evidence-based medicine plays in decisions of whether to operate. The literature review provides evidence that ENT operations are effective.

Biomarkers are increasingly being used in many cancers to select patients for oncological treatment paradigms based on their inherent genetic properties. However, in head and neck cancers, there are no personalised therapies available outside the context of a clinical trial. A number of studies suggest there are intrinsic tumour properties of head and neck cancers that affect their response to chemotherapeutic agents. This paper aimed to review their evidence base.

A narrative review was conducted following a search of the PubMed database.

The review identified a number of biomarkers predicting response to chemotherapy in head and neck cancers. The paper discusses these in detail, and explores where future research could be directed in order to deliver personalised therapies for patients with head and neck cancers.

To systematically review outcomes of adults with obstructive sleep apnoea treated with nasopharyngeal airway stenting devices.

Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases were searched, and data on device use and tolerability, sleepiness, oxygen saturation, apnoea index, apnoea–hypopnoea index, and sleep quality were collected.

Of 573 potential studies, 29 were retrieved for detailed evaluation and 16 met the study criteria. Polysomnography data for patients treated with nasal trumpets as an isolated therapy were pooled for meta-analysis. The mean apnoea index ± standard deviation, for 53 patients, decreased from 32.4 ± 15.9 to 9.0 ± 7.2 episodes per hour (p < 0.00001). The mean apnoea–hypopnoea index, for 193 patients, decreased from 44.1 ± 18.9 to 22.7 ± 19.3 episodes per hour (p < 0.00001). The mean lowest oxygen saturation, for 193 patients, increased from 66.5 ± 14.2 to 75.5 ± 13.9 per cent (p < 0.00001).

Some studies have demonstrated limited effectiveness and low tolerability of nasopharyngeal airway stenting devices, while other studies have shown a significant benefit in treating obstructive sleep apnoea, with a high level of patient acceptance. Nasal trumpets have been successful in decreasing airway obstruction in the short term.

Tissue engineering using biocompatible scaffolds, with or without cells, can permit surgeons to restore structure and function following tissue resection or in cases of congenital abnormality. Tracheal regeneration has emerged as a spearhead application of these technologies, whilst regenerative therapies are now being developed to treat most other diseases within otolaryngology.

A systematic review of the literature was performed using Ovid Medline and Ovid Embase, from database inception to 15 November 2014. A total of 561 papers matched the search criteria, with 76 fulfilling inclusion criteria. Articles were predominantly pre-clinical animal studies, reflecting the current status of research in this field. Several key human research articles were identified and discussed.

The main issues facing research in regenerative surgery are translation of animal model work into human models, increasing stem cell availability so it can be used to further research, and development of better facilities to enable implementation of these advances.

To investigate the characteristic physical properties of the oscillating system in the intact middle ear using a high-speed camera.

We analysed the oscillation of the guinea pig stapes using a high-speed camera. The specimens were prepared so that the middle-ear structures were intact. Tones of various frequencies were delivered into the external auditory canal.

We found that the stapes showed a damped oscillation after the sound stimulation had stopped. The damped oscillation after the sound stimulation showed a specimen-specific frequency that was independent of the frequency of the stimulating sound. An injury to the bony labyrinth, which removed most of the mass from the oscillating system, attenuated the damped oscillation. Therefore, this damped oscillation is likely a passive motion, rather than a reverberation of the stimulating sound.

Analysing the passive damped oscillation may reveal the characteristic physical properties of the oscillating system in the near-intact middle ear. Further refinement of this simple and straightforward system may enhance basic and clinical research on the middle ear in a more intuitive way.

Foreign body aspiration is common and potentially life threatening. Although rigid bronchoscopy has the potential for serious complications, it is the ‘gold standard’ of diagnosis. It is used frequently in light of the inaccuracy of clinical examination and chest radiography. Computed tomography is proposed as a non-invasive alternative to rigid bronchoscopy.

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of computed tomography used in the diagnosis of suspected foreign body aspiration, and compare this with the current gold standard, in order to examine the possibility of using computed tomography to reduce the number of diagnostic rigid bronchoscopies performed.

The study comprised a review of literature published from 1970 to 2013, using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Embase and Medline electronic databases.

The sensitivity for computed tomography ranged between 90 and 100 per cent, with four studies demonstrating 100 per cent sensitivity. Specificity was between 75 and 100 per cent. Radiation exposure doses averaged 2.16 mSv.

Computed tomography is a sensitive and specific modality in the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration, and its future use will reduce the number of unnecessary rigid bronchoscopies.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is characterised by persistent inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa. Multiple pathophysiological mechanisms are likely to exist. Previous research has focused predominantly on T-helper type cytokines to highlight the inflammatory mechanisms. However, proteins such as nuclear factor kappa B and transforming growth factor beta are increasingly recognised to have important roles in sinonasal inflammation and tissue remodelling.

This review article explores the roles of T-helper type cytokines, nuclear factor kappa B and transforming growth factor beta in the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic rhinosinusitis. An understanding of these mechanisms will allow for better identification and classification of chronic rhinosinusitis endotypes, and, ultimately, improved therapeutic strategies.

To investigate the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma, we planned to conduct a cohort study. As a first step, we conducted an epidemiological study in Fukuoka City, Japan to determine the incidence of cholesteatoma treated both with and without surgery. We also conducted a case–control study to investigate the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma.

The annual incidence of cholesteatoma, including cases treated without surgery, was 6.8–10.0 in a population of 100 000. The results of the case–control study suggested that a past history of otitis media and habitual sniffing caused by a patulous eustachian tube play a role in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma.

The annual incidence of cholesteatoma, including cases treated without surgery, was considered to not be high enough to perform a cohort study. The results of the case–control study suggest that otitis media and habitual sniffing due to a patulous eustachian tube, contribute to the onset of cholesteatoma.

The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death presents a detailed survey of practice, encompassing the care pathway for patients with a new tracheostomy formed in hospital, alongside a review of organisational aspects of care.

Tracheostomy formation has come to be regarded as a relatively low-risk procedure that can be carried out safely at the bedside, even in high-risk patients. Information on how many procedures are carried out percutaneously has been poor and not captured by existing UK data collection systems.

The study reinforces recommendations made by other healthcare groups, and presents new information which can be used as a basis for discussion and future planning to improve patient outcomes. The importance of meticulous ongoing care of a tracheostomy is recognised as important to prevent patient complications. Bedside staff must have the knowledge, competencies and confidence to deal with common and potentially life-threatening emergencies when they occur.

Intra-operative bleeding diminishes visualisation during functional endoscopic sinus surgery and can cause unfavourable outcomes. Dexmedetomidine is a potent alpha-2 agonist, with sympatholytic effects. This systematic review aimed to assess whether dexmedetomidine decreases intra-operative bleeding and improves operative field quality.

All randomised, controlled trials that assessed the ability of dexmedetomidine to provide good operative fields for functional endoscopic sinus surgery were identified from Medline and Embase. The outcomes of interest were: operative field quality, intra-operative bleeding, operative time and adverse events.

Five studies (254 patients) met the inclusion criteria. When compared to saline, dexmedetomidine improved the quality of the operative field. The operative time was similar between groups. When compared to other drugs, dexmedetomidine was as effective as esmolol and remifentanil. There were no adverse incidents.

Dexmedetomidine is beneficial in providing good visibility during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Controlled hypotensive anaesthesia with this medicine decreases intra-operative bleeding and enhances surgical field quality.

Litigation in surgery is increasing and liabilities are becoming unsustainable. This study aimed to analyse trends in claims, and identify areas for potential risk reduction, improved patient safety and a reduction in the number, and cost, of future claims.

Ten years of retrospective data on claims in otorhinolaryngology (2003–2013) were obtained from the National Health Service Litigation Authority via a Freedom of Information request. Data were re-entered into a spreadsheet and coded for analysis.

A total of 1031 claims were identified; of these, 604 were successful and 427 were unsuccessful. Successful claims cost a total of £41 000 000 (mean, £68 000). The most common areas for successful claims were: failure or delay in diagnosis (137 cases), intra-operative problems (116 cases), failure or delay in treatment (66 cases), failure to warn – informed consent issue (54 cases), and inappropriate treatment (47 cases).

Over half of the claims in ENT relate to the five most common areas of liability. Recent policy changes by the National Health Service Litigation Authority, over the level of information divulged, limits our learning from claims.

Lasers in stapes surgery are used to divide the anterior and posterior crus of the stapes, divide the stapedius tendon and perforate the footplate. The ideal laser should not penetrate deeply into the perilymph (thereby increasing its temperature). It should be conducted through optical fibres, allowing easy manipulation, and should have good water absorption, equating to high bone ablation efficiency.

This review discusses the various different lasers used in stapes surgery with regard to their properties and suitability for this type of surgery. In particular, the laser parameters used are discussed to facilitate their clinical use.

The identification and treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleep-related breathing issues demands nuanced clinical judgement to determine if surgery is appropriate and which surgery should be performed. No study to date has evaluated the sleep medicine curriculum from the perspective of the Australian ENT surgical trainee, or addressed potential strategies for improving levels of surgical skill and knowledge in this field.

A cross-sectional survey was used to assess knowledge of sleep surgery in trainees enlisted with the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. After a cadaver dissection workshop on the latest reconstructive surgical techniques in adult OSA, a second survey was used to assess changes in the likelihood of applying techniques.

Overall, trainee confidence, knowledge and exposure to sleep-disordered breathing cases averaged below 50 per cent. The cadaver dissection workshop achieved consistent improvements in all areas assessed.

Low confidence and lack of exposure to sleep surgery cases for ENT trainees supports a broadening of the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery curriculum. This paper outlines possible ways to improve this situation.

To review the literature on enhanced recovery programmes in head and neck surgery.

A systematic review was performed in May 2013.

Thirteen articles discussing enhanced recovery after laryngectomy, neck dissection, major ablative surgery and microvascular reconstruction were identified. Articles on general pre-operative preparation and post-operative care were also reviewed.

Considerable evidence is available supporting enhanced recovery in head and neck surgery that could be of benefit to patients and which surgeons should be aware of.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated oesophageal disease, only recently, but increasingly, recognised in the world literature. It is diagnosed and managed primarily by medical gastroenterologists and allergy specialists, and is a distinct disease entity, affecting both children and adults. Few studies have been published in otolaryngology journals, although otolaryngologists will encounter patients with undiagnosed eosinophilic oesophagitis. Patients may present with dysphagia, bolus obstruction or with other ENT disorders, such as atopic rhinitis, reflecting the underlying systemic allergic disorder.

This paper systematically reviews the evidence base published on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of eosinophilic oesophagitis, particularly as it relates to otolaryngology practice.

Olfactory dysfunction is a common condition that may in some cases require imaging to investigate a potential underlying cause.

This review describes the anatomy of normal olfaction and illustrates the pathological substrates of olfactory dysfunction amenable to imaging.