The aim of this paper was to propose a guideline for the management of intrinsic facial nerve tumours based on our practice and findings in the literature.

A retrospective review of intrinsic facial nerve tumours over the last 15 years was performed. Parameters measured included age, presenting symptoms, pre- and post-treatment hearing and House–Brackmann grading, tumour position, treatment and duration of follow up.

A total of 15 patients presented with intrinsic facial nerve tumours over the study period. The most common presenting complaint was facial symptoms (93.3 per cent), followed by hearing loss (46.7 per cent). Three patients with stable facial nerve function (House–Brackmann grades II–III) were treated conservatively. Twelve patients underwent surgery to treat progressive or recurrent symptoms. Facial function was maintained or improved in 60.0 per cent of patients and hearing was preserved in 66.7 per cent.

We propose that all stable tumours associated with good facial function of grade III or below should be treated conservatively. For symptomatic or progressive lesions, tailored surgery depending on the tumour site and hearing level should be offered to preserve native nerve function and facial musculature. For patients with prolonged paralysis, tumours can be monitored and other forms of facial reanimation and support offered.

To describe a method of using real patients in teaching ENT to undergraduates and to examine whether being a case patient affected patient satisfaction.

In a cross-sectional study, 68 teaching-involved patients (case patients) with a suspected common ENT illness and 68 matched (in terms of age, sex and region of complaint) control patients evaluated the health service and their encounter with the physician. The students saw the case patients first independently and then saw the patient with the teacher physician. The controls were treated in a normal way.

Fifty-eight case patients (84 per cent) and 65 control patients (95 per cent) answered the questionnaire. The median duration of the visit was significantly longer for the case patients than the controls (115 vs 60 minutes). Almost all patients in both groups graded the overall quality of the health service, and the variables describing various aspects of the setting and the encounter with the physician, as either good or excellent.

Patients who took part in the undergraduate teaching of ENT diseases were equally content with their primary visit as the control patients, even though their visit took a markedly longer time.

This study assessed the utility of current sialendoscopes in the paranasal sinuses in a cadaveric model and evaluated novel uses for sialendoscopes.

Currently available sialendoscopes were used for visualisation and performing interventions in the paranasal sinuses. Ten cadaver heads were studied before and after dissection. Outcomes included ostia identification, sinus cannulation, success of mucosal biopsy collection and image clarity.

Marchal and Erlangen sialendoscopes were found to be effective for both visualising and cannulating the sphenoid sinuses before and after dissection. Both types demonstrated poor maxillary ostia visualisation without dissection, but did allow treatment after antrostomy. Larger diameter sialendoscopes were associated with the lowest image distortion during maxillary ostia assessment. Mucosal biopsy collection within the sphenoid sinus, but not in the maxillary sinus, was possible before dissection.

Sialendoscopes can be used for visualisation and performing interventions in the sinonasal cavity, but their utility is mainly limited to the sphenoid sinus. They may be considered a minimally invasive method for drug delivery and/or biopsy collection in the post-operative setting for all sinuses. Design improvements are suggested.

To study the presence of bacterial biofilm on the sinus mucosa of healthy individuals (controls) and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis.

An analytical, prospective and observational study was conducted. Tissue samples were obtained from the sinus mucosa. The bacteria were isolated and typified, and the material was examined for biofilm formation using tissue culture plate, Congo red agar detection and tube methods.

A total of 100 cases were analysed for the presence of biofilm. Bacterial biofilm was present in 26 of 50 disease group cases (52 per cent) and in 4 of 50 control group cases (8 per cent) (p < 0.01).

The presence of biofilm on the mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis patients offers a possible cause for the persistent inflammation, and for antibiotics resistance and antimicrobial therapy failure. These findings could change the approach to treatment.

This study aimed to characterise the geometry of the human bilateral spiral cochlea by measuring curvature and length.

Eight subjects were recruited in this study. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to visualise the right and left cochlea. Visualisation of the cochlear spiral was enhanced by T2 weighting and further processing of the raw images. The spirals were divided into three segments: the basal turn, the middle turn and the apex turn. The length and curvature of each segment were non-invasively measured.

The mean left and right cochlear lengths were 3.11 cm and 3.95 cm, respectively. The measured lengths of the cochlear spiral are consistent with data in the literature derived from anatomical dissections. Overall, the apex turn segment of the cochlea had the greatest degree of curvature (p < 0.05). The mean apex turn segment curvatures for left and right cochleae were 9.65 cm−1 and 10.09 cm−1, respectively.

A detailed description of the cochlear spiral is provided, using measurements of curvature and length. These data will provide a valuable reference in the development of cochlear implantation procedures for minimising the potential damage during implantation.

This study investigated whether patients who remain symptomatic more than a year following idiopathic facial paralysis gain benefit from tailored facial physiotherapy.

A two-year retrospective review was conducted of all symptomatic patients. Data collected included: age, gender, duration of symptoms, Sunnybrook facial grading system scores pre-treatment and at last visit, and duration of treatment.

The study comprised 22 patients (with a mean age of 50.5 years (range, 22–75 years)) who had been symptomatic for more than a year following idiopathic facial paralysis. The mean duration of symptoms was 45 months (range, 12–240 months). The mean duration of follow up was 10.4 months (range, 2–36 months). Prior to treatment, the mean Sunnybrook facial grading system score was 59 (standard deviation = 3.5); this had increased to 83 (standard deviation = 2.7) at the last visit, with an average improvement in score of 23 (standard deviation = 2.9). This increase was significant (p < 0.001).

Tailored facial therapy can improve facial grading scores in patients who remain symptomatic for prolonged periods.

To evaluate the chance of improvement and risk of decline in olfaction among patients with post-traumatic olfactory loss.

This study comprised 80 patients. Changes in olfaction were determined using a visual analogue scale and the ‘Sniffin’ Sticks' test. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors for olfactory changes.

Olfactory changes were observed in 9–35 per cent of patients. The rates of improvement and decline according to visual analogue scale scores were 35 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, whereas those in the Sniffin’ Sticks test were 9 per cent and 11 per cent respectively. There was a predictive link between non-anosmia and decline in Sniffin’ Sticks test scores (odds ratio = 16.61, p = 0.003). A positive correlation was observed between the scores in the first and last examinations (rho = 0.532, p < 0.001).

Patients should be informed that they may experience an improvement or decline in olfaction following post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction. This study provides evidence to support comprehensive counselling regarding prognosis as an integral part of management strategies.

Nasal polyposis is one of the most common inflammatory pathologies of the nasal cavity. Eosinophilic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand levels and eosinophil count in nasal polyposis patients.

The study was performed on 24 adult nasal polyposis patients and 24 age-matched healthy individuals. The patients had not received any medical or surgical treatment. Pre-operative computed tomography scans were assessed using the Lund–MacKay grading system, and soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand levels were measured with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Compared with controls, eosinophil levels in nasal polyposis patients were increased (p = 0.024), but there was no significant difference in soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand levels (p = 0.529). The Lund–Mackay mean grading was 12.43 ± 6.9. There was no correlation between soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand level and Lund–Mackay grading and eosinophil count.

There was no relationship between soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand level and blood eosinophil or clinical markers; however, soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand level remains of interest for future studies.

To establish whether nasal bony landmarks on computed tomography could be utilised reliably in endoscopic approaches to the sphenopalatine foramen.

A prospective analysis of 102 consecutive helical computed tomography scans of the paranasal sinuses was carried out by 2 senior ENT surgeons. Distances from the sphenopalatine foramen to endoscopically palpable bony landmarks were measured.

There were a total of 102 patients (45 females and 57 males), with a mean age of 62 years. The mean distance from the posterior fontanelle to the sphenopalatine foramen was 14.1 mm (standard deviation = 2.13). The average vertical distance of the sphenopalatine foramen opening from the bony attachment of the inferior turbinate was 14.13 mm. There were no statistically significant differences between any of these measurements (foramen width p-value = 0.714, distance from fontanelle p-value = 0.43 and distance from inferior turbinate p-value = 0.48).

Determination of reliable bony landmarks is clinically useful in endoscopic surgery and can aid identification of the sphenopalatine foramen. The inferior turbinate concha and posterior fontanelle may be used as reliable computed tomography landmarks for endoscopic approaches to the sphenopalatine foramen.

Since the development of intratympanic aminoglycoside in the 1950s, otologists have been able to chemically ablate the vestibule. We present the results of using low-dose intratympanic gentamicin to treat Ménière's disease.

A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent low-dose intratympanic gentamicin therapy over seven years. Data on gender, age, number of procedures, pure tone audiometry and symptom control were analysed.

In all, 38 patients underwent low-dose intratympanic gentamicin therapy. These comprised 25 females and 13 males, with an average age of 58.4 years. Hearing was preserved in 87.5 per cent of patients, with no significant difference before and after treatment (p = 0.744). In all, 85.7 per cent of patients had complete or substantial symptom control (classes A and B, respectively).

Low-dose intratympanic gentamicin therapy was effective in controlling the symptoms of Ménière's disease patients, while preserving hearing.

Fibrous dysplasia is a bone disorder of unknown origin in which normal bone is replaced with fibrotic tissue and disorganised bone trabeculae. The temporal bone is rarely affected. Because of the slowly progressive course of the disease, many mild cases may never be recognised and are found incidentally. We present a patient with fibrous dysplasia of the right temporal bone, who had few complaints.

A 62-year-old man was incidentally found to have fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone on routine computed tomography scan.

One case report.

Computed tomography showed a thickening of the right temporal bone with a ground-glass appearance. The 62-year-old man opted for watchful waiting.

We have presented an asymptomatic fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone. Mild cases may never be recognised and are found incidentally because of their slow progression.

To conduct a meta-analysis to compare the short-term outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy and conventional open thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer.

Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant literature. The evaluated endpoints were intra-operative and post-operative outcomes.

Twelve eligible, non-randomised comparative studies involving 2513 patients were included, with 923 patients in the robotic thyroidectomy group and 1590 patients in the conventional open thyroidectomy group. Meta-analysis results revealed that robotic thyroidectomy was associated with significantly longer operative time and a lower number of retrieved central lymph nodes, as compared with conventional open thyroidectomy. No significant differences were found between robotic thyroidectomy and conventional open thyroidectomy in terms of post-operative outcomes.

Robotic thyroidectomy appears to be a feasible and safe surgical procedure for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. However, more high-quality randomised clinical trials should be undertaken to confirm these findings.

This study investigated the effect of Betadine on ciliated human respiratory epithelial cells.

Epithelial cells from human sinonasal mucosa were cultured at the air–liquid interface. The cultures were tested with Hanks' balanced salt solution containing 10 mM HEPES (control), 100 µM ATP (positive control), 5 per cent Betadine or 10 per cent Betadine (clinical dose). Ciliary beat frequency was analysed using a high-speed camera on a computer imaging system.

Undiluted 10 per cent Betadine (n = 6) decreased the proportion of actively beating cilia over 1 minute (p < 0.01). Ciliary beat frequency decreased from 11.15 ± 4.64 Hz to no detectable activity. The result was similar with 5 per cent Betadine (n = 7), with no significant difference compared with the 10 per cent solution findings.

Betadine, at either 5 and 10 per cent, was ciliotoxic. Caution should be applied to the use of topical Betadine solution on the respiratory mucosal surface.

Otitis media is a more frequent occurrence in children, and the disease may progress from an acute to chronic state if appropriate and timely intervention is not initiated.

A total of 212 children aged 6 months to 10 years were examined and treated for otitis media, in a 13-month hospital-based study.

Acute otitis media was diagnosed in 130 (61.3 per cent) of the patients. There were 82 (38.7 per cent) chronic suppurative otitis media cases. The incidence of acute otitis media and chronic suppurative otitis media in the first year of life was 54.6 per cent and 45.1 per cent respectively. Chronic suppurative otitis media patients were assigned to one of three treatment groups. Recovery occurred in 70.4 per cent of amoxicillin-treated patients, in 88.9 per cent of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid treated patients and in 96.4 per cent of culture and antibiotic sensitivity test patients. Relapses were seen only in the amoxicillin (five cases) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (two cases) groups.

The success rate in patients treated with antibiotics makes this option mandatory for an established diagnosis.

To describe modification to endoscopic medial maxillectomy for treating extensive Krouse stage II or III inverted papilloma of the nasal and maxillary sinus.

Ten patients with inverted papilloma arising from the nasoantral area underwent diagnostic nasal endoscopy, contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning of the paranasal sinus and pre-operative biopsy of the nasal mass. They were all managed using endoscopic medial maxillectomy and followed up for seven months to three years without recurrence.

Most patients were aged 41–60 years at presentation, and most were male. Presenting symptoms were nasal obstruction, mass in the nasal cavity and epistaxis. In each case, computed tomography imaging showed a mass involving the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus, with bony remodelling. The endoscopic medial maxillectomy approach was modified by making an incision in the pyriform aperture and removing part of the anterolateral wall of the maxilla bone en bloc.

Modified endoscopic medial maxillectomy providing full access to the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses is described in detail. This effective, reproducible technique is associated with reduced operative time and morbidity.

Venous thromboembolism is uncommon in ENT practice. There are no specific venous thromboembolism prophylaxis guidelines for ENT surgery, despite the bleeding risks associated with ENT surgery and the low incidence of venous thromboembolism.

An online poll of the ENT UK expert panel was conducted on the use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.

A total of 132 responses were received. Of the respondents, 84.5 per cent routinely assess all of their patients for venous thromboembolism risk. In addition, 75.4 per cent use local health trust guidelines, with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence being the most common source of national guidelines. There was significant heterogeneity in the use of low molecular weight heparin. Only 53.7 per cent of respondents felt that the guidelines they currently used reflect their practice.

There is significant heterogeneity in venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. There is therefore scope for revision of the ENT UK venous thromboembolism prophylaxis guidelines to reflect general ENT practice.

Virtual reality surgical simulation of mastoidectomy is a promising training tool for novices. Final-product analysis for assessing novice mastoidectomy performance could be limited by a peak or ceiling effect. These may be countered by simulator-integrated tutoring.

Twenty-two participants completed a single session of self-directed practice of the mastoidectomy procedure in a virtual reality simulator. Participants were randomised for additional simulator-integrated tutoring. Performances were assessed at 10-minute intervals using final-product analysis.

In all, 45.5 per cent of participants peaked before the 60-minute time limit. None of the participants achieved the maximum score, suggesting a ceiling effect. The tutored group performed better than the non-tutored group but tutoring did not eliminate the peak or ceiling effects.

Timing and adequate instruction is important when using final-product analysis to assess novice mastoidectomy performance. Improved real-time feedback and tutoring could address the limitations of final product based assessment.

The Fukuda stepping test is commonly used to assess peripheral vestibular function. It has, however, been suggested that its maximal sensitivity and specificity are 70 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively. This study was undertaken to evaluate environmental factors that may influence the reliability of this assessment and hence to ‘sharpen’ its use in a clinical setting.

Forty-four participants aged between 20 and 43 years were asked to perform the Fukuda stepping test in both a standard clinic room and a soundproofed room under the following conditions in a randomised order: on the floor versus on foam; with and without a sound-localising source; and with and without ear defenders.

Significant differences in the extent of rotation were found when comparing the results obtained in several settings, including standing on the floor in a standard room versus a soundproofed room (p = 0.036), and standing on foam in a standard room versus a soundproofed room (p = 0.015).

Our results suggest that certain alterations to the test environment may improve the sensitivity of this clinical examination.

There is no consensus as to whether all routine bilateral polypectomy specimens should be sent for formal histopathological diagnosis to exclude underlying neoplastic pathology. This study assessed the necessity for histopathological investigation as routine practice in cases of bilateral and unilateral nasal lesions by estimating the incidence of unexpected pathologies. It also evaluated the ability of computed tomography to predict histopathological diagnosis in patients with unilateral nasal lesions.

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 98 patients undergoing nasal polypectomy over a 12-month period.

Five of 23 patients with a unilateral lesion on nasendoscopy had inverted papillomas on histopathological examination. None of the 75 patients with clinically bilateral lesions on nasendoscopy showed evidence of neoplasia on histopathological examination. Patients with inverted papillomas had significantly lower total Lund–Mackay scores than those with bilateral polyps. Asymmetry scores of inverted papilloma patients were significantly higher compared to both bilateral and unilateral polyps patients.

The results suggest that histopathological diagnosis is only necessary in unilateral lesion patients as no unexpected histopathological diagnoses were made in bilateral lesion patients. Computed tomography imaging may have a role in predicting histopathological diagnosis by demonstrating asymmetry and less overall sinus opacification in patients with neoplastic lesions.

This study assessed the use of pulse oximetry testing in children with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea in a hospital setting.

A retrospective review of patients who underwent pulse oximetry testing between April 2013 and October 2013 was performed. Primary outcome measures included positive pulse oximetry results, defined as a McGill oximetry score of 2–4.

Thirty-seven test results were usable for analysis: from 21 pre- and 16 post-operative tests. Only four patients had positive test results. There was a significant difference between pre- and post-operative quality of life outcome scores in the surgical group (p < 0.0001).

Pre-operative pulse oximetry should be used as a guide to help triage patients who require specialist paediatric services, such as a paediatric intensive care unit. The use of pulse oximetry, particularly in the post-operative setting, is unlikely to change patient management and can incur unnecessary financial costs to UK National Health Service Hospital Trusts.