OTO Journal

Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Ameen Amanian, MD, and Associate Editor Anand Devaiah, MD, to discuss the necessity of transforming the direction of how otolaryngologists uses multimodal AI systems for their advancement, in the paper "Clinical Applications of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence in Otolaryngology: A State‐of‐the‐Art Review", which published in the August 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Jennifer L. Spiegel, MD, and Associate Editor Jacob Hunter, MD, to discuss the significance of advanced standard software tools for cochlear implants that allows a detailed analysis, as outlined in the paper "Angular Insertion Depth for Cochlear Implantation: A Comparative Analysis on Precision of CT, MRI, and x-Ray" which published in the July 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Ahmad Sedaghat, MD, and Associate Editor Jakob Fischer, MD, to discuss the overall symptom severity score that provides a global assessment of symptom burden associated with chronic rhinosinusitis, as outlined in the paper "Psychometric Validation of the Overall Symptom Severity Score for Chronic Rhinosinusitis" which published in the June 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Lee P. Smith, MD, and Associate Editor Christopher Johnson, MD, to discuss the study and approach used to establish a reliable rabbit model of airway stenosis and test how effective nebulized ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone is at reducing airway obstruction , as outlined in the paper "Evaluating the Efficacy of Nebulized Ciprofloxacin-Dexamethasone Using a Novel Model of Airway Stenosis" which published in the May 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Saikrishna Gourishetti, MD, and Associate Editor Michael Brenner, MD, to discuss the investigation of whether performing cleft lip repair at an earlier age affects the likelihood of developing hypertrophic scarring, as outlined in the paper "Optimal Timing of Cleft Lip Repair: Correlation With Scar Formation and Revision Rates" which published in the March 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Kyle M. Hatten, MD, and Associate Editor Patrick Tassone, MD, to discuss the importance of the investigation findings in HPV associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and smoking risk factors in oropharyngeal cancers, as outlined in the paper "Does Smoking Influence Outcomes in Human Papillomavirus—Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated with Transoral Robotic Surgery?" which published in the April 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Romaine F. Johnson, MD, MPH, and Associate Editor M. Boyd Gillespie, MD, to discuss whether childhood obesity is associated with increased severity of obstructive sleep apnea during adolescence, as outlined in the paper "Association Between Weight Gain Trajectories and Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Adolescents" which published in the February 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Mohamad R. Chaaban, MD, and Associate Editor Dana L. Crosby, MD, to discuss the growing evidence that suggests there may be a meaningful connection between chronic rhinosinusitis and obesity as outlined in the paper "Assessing the Impact of GLP-1R Agonists in Post-sinus Surgery Management," which published in the January 2026 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Michael J. Brenner, MD, and Associate Editor Christipher M. Johnson, MD, to discuss the challenges of financial stress patients face when they undergo common otolaryngology procedures, as outlined in the paper "Out-of-Pocket Costs and Surprise Billing in Otolaryngology: A National Database Analysis," which published in the December 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author John P. Dahl, MD, PhD, MBA, and Associate Editor Marissa Ryan, MD, to discuss their findings in "TI-RADS and Bethesda Classification System Correlate With Predicting Pediatric Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma," which was published in the October 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Rick Friedman, MD, PhD, and Associate Editor James G. Naples, MD, to discuss their findings in "Microsurgical Outcomes in 1000 Patients With Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors: A Comprehensive Cohort Analysis," which was published in the November 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Colin T. Huntley, MD, and Associate Editor Boyd Gillespie, MD, to discuss how long-term changes in body mass index (BMI) following hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) impact surgical success as outlined in the paper "Impact of Postoperative Weight Changes on Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Success for Obstructive Sleep Apnea," which published in the September 2025 issue of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc is joined by co-authors Margo McKenna, MD, and Maria Colandrea, DNP NP-C, to discuss the implications for non-otolaryngologists of the Clinical Practice Guideline "Adult Sinusitis Update," which published as a supplement to the August 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.A plain language summary of the guideline was published in the August 2025 issue as a companion to the full guideline.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc is joined by co-authors Marc G. Dubin, MD, and Spencer C. Payne, MD, to discuss the Clinical Practice Guideline "Adult Sinusitis Update," which published as a supplement to the August 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. The guideline addresses diagnostic accuracy for adult rhinosinusitis, use of ancillary tests to confirm diagnosis and guide management, and systemic and topical therapy.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc is joined by author Omar Karadaghy, MD, MSCI, and Associate Editor Sean Massa, MD, to discuss impact of surgical margin status in HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in "Impact of Margins on Outcomes in HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Surgery Only," which published in the July 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They talk about the potential for improved patient care by re-examining the standards for surgical margins.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc is joined by the guideline group's chair Jennifer J. Shin, MD, SM, and co-author Dana Crosby, MD, MPH, for a discussion of key points from the "Clinical Practice Guideline: Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis," which published as a supplement to the June 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. The guideline addresses critical questions about patient selection, timing of surgery, and the extent of surgical intervention needed for different chronic rhinosinusitis subtypes.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc is joined by co-authors Meghan Wilson, MD, and Jason Blakeley Hensler, MD, to discuss the implications for non-otolaryngologists of the Clinical Practice Guideline "Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis," which published as a supplement to the June 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.A plain language summary of the guideline was published in the June 2025 issue as a companion to the full guideline.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Bradford A. Woodworth, MD, and Associate Editor Dana L. Crosby, MD, MPH, to discuss how lipopolysaccharide can be used to generate a model of acquired cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) dysfunction in murine nasal airways as outlined in the paper "Lipopolysaccharide Causes Acquired CFTR Dysfunction in Murine Nasal Airways," which published in the May 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They talk about CFTR as a potential driving process in recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis.

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Editor-in-Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author David Goldenberg, MD, to discuss role of estrogen in developing thyroid malignancy as outlined in the paper "Elevated Risk of Thyroid Malignancy in Biological Males Taking Estrogen Hormone Therapy" which published in the April 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They talk about the risk of thyroid cancer for biological males taking estrogen compared to men not undergoing hormone therapy and women.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Gresham T. Richter MD, and Associate Editor John P. Dahl, MD, PhD, MBA, to discuss the outcomes of not admitting pediatric supraglottoplasty patients as outlined in the paper "Is Outpatient Supraglottoplasty Possible? Examination of Perioperative Comorbidities and Outcomes" which published in the March 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They talk about the necessity of keeping patients at the hospital for different comorbidities and situations.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Lee M. Akst, MD, and Associate Editor Christopher M. Johnson, MD, to discuss diagnosis of, treatments, and solutions for refractory chronic cough as outlined in the paper "Refractory Chronic Cough: A State-of-the-Art Review for Otolaryngologists" which published in the February 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss both the paper's findings and their own experiences caring for patients with this condition.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by first author Shiven Sharma, JD, and Associate Editor Michael J. Brenner, MD, to discuss what the specialty can learn about medical malpractice in the field for quality improvement as outlined in the paper "Medical Malpractice in Otolaryngology within the United States: A LexisNexis-Based Demographic Analysis" which published in the January 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They talk about the database used, how trends were identified, and how the findings can influence change in otolaryngology practices.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Priyesh N. Patel, MD, and Associate Editor Peter M. Vila, MD, MSPH, to discuss the role of the operating room and its necessity in treating skin cancer defects as outlined in the paper "Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Operating Room and In-Office Reconstruction of Skin Cancer Defects" which published in the December 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They weigh the effects of operating room on efficiency, patient satisfaction, and procedure success.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by author Rohani Omar MRCP, MD(Res) and Associate Editor John P. Dahl, MD, PhD, MBA, to discuss causes, especially genetic causes, of pediatric hearing loss as outlined in the paper "Etiology of Childhood Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss: The Role of Hearing Loss Gene Panel Testing" which published in the November 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the paper's investigation of gene panel testing for hearing loss in children.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Julie E. Strychowsky MD, MAS, FRCSC, and Associate Editor Michael J. Brenner, MD, to discuss methods for improving the efficiency of ORs for surgeons as outlined in the paper "Improving Operating Room Efficiency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery: A Scoping Review" which published in the October 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the importance of finding ways to save time and cost for operating rooms in order to serve more patients and reduce physician burnout.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by author Ahmad R. Sedaghat MD, PhD, and Associate Editor Dana L. Crosby, MD, MPH, to discuss the possibility of chronic rhinosinusitis when allergies are assumed as outlined in the paper "When It's Not Allergic Rhinitis: Clinical Signs to Raise a Patient's Suspicion for Chronic Rhinosinusitis" which published in the September 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They compare the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis to those of allergies or related conditions, and where there is overlap.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by author John Pang, MD, and Associate Editor Tristan Tham, MD, to discuss circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection as a new technique to identify minimal residual disease in patients with solid tumors as outlined in the paper "ctDNA as an Adjunct to Posttreatment PET for Head and Neck Cancer Recurrence Risk Assessment" which published in the August 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They compare ctDNA to the traditional PET to assess best methods.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Jonathon O. Russell MD, and Associate Editor Raymond Liu Chai, MD, to discuss the pros and cons of two approaches to thyroidectomy as outlined in the paper "Long-term Quality of Life After Thyroidectomy: Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach Versus Transcervical Approach" which published in the July 2024 of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They compare the quality of life for patients under two methods including scarring and self consciousness.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Diana N. Kirke, MD, MPhil, and Associate Editor Lee M. Akst, MD, to discuss the potential for deep learning models to detect voice disorders as outlined in the paper "The Use of Deep Learning Software in the Detection of Voice Disorders: A Systematic Review" which published in the June 2024 special issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They compare the accuracy of different models and inputs and ponder the possibility of real-world implementation.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by lead authors Heather M. Weinreich, MD, MPH and Carrie L. Nieman, MD, MPH to provide a patient and primary care provider-focused overview of the "Clinical Practice Guideline: Age-Related Hearing Loss" which published in the May 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the pearls and pitfalls in screening and treating hearing loss for the patient and non-otolaryngologist providers.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by lead authors Betty S. Tsai Do, MD, and Matthew L. Bush MD, PhD, MBA, for a discussion of some key points of the "Clinical Practice Guideline: Age-Related Hearing Loss" which published in the May 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the recommendations for screening of hearing loss and the pros and cons for different treatment options of age-related hearing loss.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Anne C. Kane, MD, and Associate Editor Michael J. Brenner, MD for a discussion of the article "Otolaryngology Applicant Perspectives on In-person and Virtual Residency Interviews", which published in the April 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the pros and cons of conducting residency interviews either in-person or virtually, including the impacts of in-person interviews on underrepresented applicants.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by author Cecelia C Damask, DO and author Christine M. Reger, DNP, CRNP for a discussion of the implications for non-otolaryngologists of the "Clinical Practice Guideline on Immunotherapy for Inhalant Allergy," which published in the March 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss how allergies impact patients' lives and how immunotherapy can improve their symptoms.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by lead author Richard K. Gurgel, MD, MSC, and author Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH for a discussion of the implications for otolaryngologists of the "Clinical Practice Guideline on Immunotherapy for Inhalant Allergy," which published in the March 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss how the CPG came together over two years and what they discovered comparing different types of immunotherapy and the effects on different patient populations.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by Associate Editor Michael J. Brenner, MD and Associate Editor and senior author John P. Dahl, MD, PhD, MBA for a discussion of the article "Reducing Pediatric Posttonsillectomy Opioid Prescribing: A Quality Improvement Initiative," which published in the February 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss how the researchers were able to reduce the numbers of opioid doses given to pediatric patients after adenotonsillectomy through standardized processes for prescribing.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by Associate Editor Jacob Hunter, MD, and senior author Jay F. Piccirillo, MD, for a discussion of the article "Identifying Predictors of Treatment Response in Meniere's Disease: A Clinical Severity Staging System," which published in the January 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Their conversation highlights how decreased vertigo severity, reduced comorbidity burden, and absence of hearing loss are associated with conservative treatment response in Meniere's disease.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by Associate Editor Jacob Hunter, MD, and co-author Anil K. Lalwani MD, for a discussion of the article "The Association of Hearing Loss With Active Music Enjoyment in Hearing Aid Users," which published in the December 2023 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Their conversation highlights the effect of hearing aids on active music enjoyment in individuals with varying levels of hearing loss.

Article: https://aao-hnsfjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ohn.473

Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by Associate Editor Babak Givi, MD, and lead author Leila J. Mady MD, PhD, MPH, to discuss "Gender Differences Among Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstructive Surgeons," which published in the November 2023 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. The research used a survey that was sent to facial plastic and maxillofacial surgeons, in addition to microvascular surgeons, to gain a comprehensive understanding of what causes gender differences in the subspecialty. One takeaway of note was that there were no gender differences when it came to training and practice patterns. Another revealed gender differences when explaining changes in practice—for men, the reasons related to career advancement; for women, the reasons related to burnout, usually related to work-life balance and especially if they have children.

Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by Associate Editor Raymond L. Chai, MD, and lead author Julia E. Noel, MD, to discuss "Time-Driven Activity-Based Cost Comparison of Thyroid Lobectomy and Radiofrequency Ablation," which published in the October 2023 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Noel and her coauthors used time-driven activity-based cost methodology to drill down the details that reveal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a more cost-effective treatment modality. They looked at the entire treatment cycle for both lobectomy and RFA— from initial visit in clinic through the procedure and postoperative visit—to determine cost data for the hospital.

Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, hosts Associate Editor Michael J. Brenner, MD, and lead author Ryan N. Heffelfinger, MD, for a conversation about the article "Recovery Benefit With Total Intravenous Anesthesia in Patients Receiving Rhinoplasty," which published in the September 2023 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. This wide-ranging discussion covers outcomes of less nausea and vomiting for patients receiving TIVA, cost of TIVA, and data related to the environmental impact of TIVA vs. inhalational agents.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by Associate Editor Thomas Q. Gallagher, DO, and lead author Sarah Nuss, BS, for a discussion of the article "Developing Consensus on Priority Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Conditions and Procedures," which published in the August 2023 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. This study was done in collaboration with the Global OHNS Initiative and used the Delphi method to capture consensus lists through survey participants representative of the seven World Bank regions.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, Associate Editor James "Whit" Mims, MD, and lead author Ameen Amanian, MD, MSE, discuss "The Evolution and Application of Artificial Intelligence in Rhinology: A State of the Art Review." The article, published in the July 2023 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, provides a good introduction to what AI can do within the context of rhinology. One podcast highlight fleshes out the AI nomenclature and provides examples within rhinology of machine learning and deep learning, both of which fall under the AI domain. AI for diagnosis and AI for treatment outcomes are explained as are the limits of AI within the high stakes of patient care, including how AI will never replace the personal touch only clinicians can provide.

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Join Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, for a compelling discussion of "Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review of Otolaryngology-Related Health Needs and Community-Based Interventions," which published in the June 2023 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Associate Editor Michael J. Brenner, MD; senior author Antoine Eskander MD, ScM, FRCSC; and lead author and recent graduate Dorsa Mavedatnia, MD, take part in the discussion of this literature review on otolaryngology health needs and interventions for populations, both adult and pediatric, experiencing homelessness.

Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, hosts a rich discussion of "Current Management of Subcondylar Fractures: A Systematic Review," which published in the May 2023 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Lead author Kalpesh Vakharia, MD, and Associate Editor Babak Givi, MD, join Dr. Schmalbach in a conversation that delves into the approaches used for subcondylar fractures when treating facial trauma. This systematic review provides a resource for surgeons and demonstrates a need for more research in this area.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, hosts a discussion on "Expert Consensus Statement: Management of Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients," which published in the April 2023 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Joining the conversation are authors Maggie A. Kuhn MD, MAS, and M. Boyd Gillespie MD, MSc, and Associate Editor Lee M. Akst, MD. This ECS is the result of a multidisciplinary team comprising experts who reached consensus on recommendations that fill existing clinical practice knowledge gaps. Also discussed are the statements that did not reach consensus, particularly those around the use of reactive and prophylactic feeding tubes.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, hosts this podcast on the article "Sponsorship and Negotiation for Women Otolaryngologists at Midcareer: A Content Analysis," which published in the March 2023 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Coauthors Janice L. Farlow, MD, PhD, and Sonya Malekzadeh, MD, along with Associate Editor Chau T. Nguyen, MD, join Dr. Schmalbach for a compelling discussion around the need for midcareer women otolaryngologists to gain knowledge about sponsorship and negotiation. Click here to read the full article.

Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, hosts this podcast on "Expert Consensus Statement: Management of Pediatric Persistent Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Adenotonsillectomy," which published in the February 2023 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Joining Dr. Schmalbach in conversation are lead author and chair of the expert panel, Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH, and coauthor Stephen C. Maturo, MD. This ECS focuses on pediatric patients (between ages 2 and 18) with persistent OSA and on those with recurrent OSA who underwent previous tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy, but OSA came back. Rich discussion occurs around how consensus statements concentrate on quality opportunities that exist and areas on which experts agree to put forth best practices.

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Join Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery's Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, as she discusses the article "Reimbursement Trends in Pediatric Otolaryngology From 2000 to 2020: A CMS Physician Fee Schedule Analysis" with senior author Jay R. Shah, MD, and Associate Editor Thomas Q. Gallagher, DO. This engaging conversation touches on Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, relative value units, reevaluation of CPT codes, and trends in reimbursements.

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This podcast highlights a systematic review to determine safety of cochlear implantation in pediatric patients 12 months and younger. This research was published in the December 2022 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery,the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF)

The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis involving 269 studies suggest that cochlear implantation in patients 12 months and younger is safe with similar rates of complications to older cohorts.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the April 2016 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of wire-bristle grill brush injury. The study found that injury from wire-bristle grill brush is uncommon but prevalent during certain seasons. Otolaryngologists play an important in the diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. Awareness among consumers and product manufacturers is necessary to promote safety.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the March 2016 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The indications for neck dissection concurrent with salvage laryngectomy in the clinically N0 setting remain unclear. The goals of this study are to determine the prevalence of occult nodal disease, analyze nodal disease distribution patterns, and identify predictors of occult nodal disease in a salvage laryngectomy cohort. Histologically positive occult nodes are identified in 17% of cN0 patients undergoing salvage laryngectomy with neck dissection. Occult nodal disease varies in frequency and distribution based on tumor subsite. Predictors of high (>20%) occult nodal positivity include T4 tumors and supraglottic subsite. In glottic LSCC, the most frequent sites of occult nodal disease are the paratracheal nodal basins.

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This podcast discusses the implications for otolaryngologists of ‘Clinical Practice Guideline: Otitis Media Effusion (Update),’ published as a supplement to the February 2016 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The clinical practice guideline on otitis media with effusion (OME) provides evidence-based recommendations on diagnosing and managing OME in children. This is an update of the 1994 clinical practice guideline “Otitis Media With Effusion in Young Children,” which was developed by the Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research (now the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). In contrast to the earlier guideline, which was limited to children aged 1 to 3 years with no craniofacial or neurologic abnormalities or sensory deficits, the updated guideline applies to children aged 2 months through 12 years with or without developmental disabilities or underlying conditions that predispose to OME and its sequelae. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery selected a subcommittee composed of experts in the fields of primary care, otolaryngology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, hearing, speech and language, and advanced practice nursing to revise the OME guideline

Click here to read the Guideline.

This podcast discusses the implications for primary care providers and patients of ‘Clinical Practice Guideline: Otitis Media Effusion (Update),’ published as a supplement to the February 2016 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The clinical practice guideline on otitis media with effusion (OME) provides evidence-based recommendations on diagnosing and managing OME in children. This is an update of the 1994 clinical practice guideline “Otitis Media With Effusion in Young Children,” which was developed by the Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research (now the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). In contrast to the earlier guideline, which was limited to children aged 1 to 3 years with no craniofacial or neurologic abnormalities or sensory deficits, the updated guideline applies to children aged 2 months through 12 years with or without developmental disabilities or underlying conditions that predispose to OME and its sequelae. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery selected a subcommittee composed of experts in the fields of primary care, otolaryngology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, hearing, speech and language, and advanced practice nursing to revise the OME guideline.

Click here to read the Guideline.

This podcast highlights original research published in the February 2016 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. The objective of this retrospective review was to determine the variability of ratings given to students on the otolaryngology standardized letter of recommendation (SLOR)

The review found that the explosion of applications being sent out by candidates for otolaryngology residency programs has prompted the implementation of the SLOR. The lack of variation in the ratings across the 10 domains does not allow for differentiation among student applicants. Reliance on the narrative letter of recommendation attached to the SLOR still remains the most significant way to differentiate among applicants. Refinements will need to be made in either the structure or use of the SLOR for it to be a more useful tool.

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This podcast highlights a systematic review published in the January 2016 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objectives of this study were to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in distinguishing benign from malignant parotid disease, and to determine the anticipated posttest probability of malignancy and probability of nondiagnostic and indeterminate cytology with parotid FNA.

FNA has moderate sensitivity and high specificity in differentiating malignant from benign parotid lesions. Considerable heterogeneity is present among studies.

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This podcast highlights a systematic review published in the December 2015 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation.

The objective of this study was to critically review published literature for treatment-related outcomes for bilateral inferior turbinate reduction (IFTR) via either microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty (MAT) or radiofrequency turbinoplasty. The primary outcomes were relief of nasal obstruction according to visual analog scale and nasal airflow, volume, and resistance measures based on acoustic rhinomanometry.

This review found that IFTR produces a significant subjective and objective improvement in nasal airflow in the short term. This change does not appear to be related to the technique used for IFTR.

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This podcast highlights a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the November 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by senior author Luke Rudmik and associate editor Gordon Sun in discussing geographic variation in the use of endoscopic sinus surgery.

The phenomenon of geographic variation in the delivery of health care has been recognized for decades. Variation in small areas can be a driver of health care costs and is associated with differences in the utilization of both medical and surgical services. The importance of variation in both the cost and the quality of care has been highlighted by many, including several impactful publications by Atul Gawande. In the present study, Dr. Rudmik and colleagues review differences in the number of endoscopic sinus surgical procedures in the province of Alberta, Canada, and demonstrate that significant differences can occur in proximate geographic areas, much as the authors have previously noted in the United States. In this podcast, Dr. Rudmik discusses the measurement of geographic variation, the findings from his important study, and the implications for both practice and further investigation. Drs. Rudmik and Sun then discuss the implications of these interesting observations for health care delivery and some of their potential causes, as well as examining the importance of additional research in further characterizing the nature of surgical variation in otolaryngology.

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This podcast highlights a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the October 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by senior author Nausheen Jamal and associate editor Kenneth Altman in discussing partial epiglottoplasty for specific forms of pharyngeal dysphagia.

Patients commonly experience difficulty swallowing due to structural abnormalities that impinge on their normal pharyngeal anatomy. In these patients various pathologies, such as severe cervical osteophytes or the presence of cervical spinal hardware, can interfere with their ability to swallow smoothly and successfully. In this study, Dr. Jamal describes a simple transoral procedure that was demonstrated to significantly improve swallowing in this select group of 12 individuals with pharyngeal dysphagia. In this podcast, she discusses this procedure as well as the outcomes of its use to treat dysphagia. Drs. Jamal and Altman then discuss the implications of these interesting findings and the potential complications that could arise, as well as examining the need for additional research in expanding and further demonstrating the role for this innovative procedure.

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This podcast highlights a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the September 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by senior author Lisa Ishii and associate editor Eric Kezirian in discussing the role of nasal surgery in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

When considering treatment for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), patients frequently inquire about the role of nasal obstruction in leading to the symptoms of OSA. In addition, patients often ask if there is a role for nasal surgery in lessening these symptoms and in improving control of their OSA. In the current paper, in examining the role of isolated nasal surgery in patients with OSA, the authors note that among patients with nasal obstruction, nasal surgery improved several sleep parameters, including scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Respiratory Disturbance Index. Based on their results, the authors review the role of nasal surgery in the overall multi-level treatment of patients with OSA. Drs. Ishii and Kezirian discuss the implications of these interesting findings, as well as exploring the need for further research in examining the type and site of nasal surgery and its effect on sleepiness and OSA.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the August 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by senior author Stacey Ishman and associate editor David Darrow in discussing the association of tonsillar size in children, the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the response to surgical treatment for OSA in these children.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem of increasing concern for children and their parents. Many otolaryngologists may believe that OSA is worse in children with very large tonsils than it is in children with smaller tonsils. The present paper, however, suggests that the severity of OSA is independent of tonsillar size, and that children with both small and large tonsils appear to have similar reductions in objective indicators of OSA after adenotonsillectomy. An important message from this study is that even children with small tonsils on physical examination may have clinically significant OSA, and that surgical treatment might be of benefit even in this patient population. In addition, the participants discuss the role of polysomnography as a diagnostic modality in these children, as well as other diagnostic considerations that may be important. Drs. Ishman and Darrow discuss the implications of these observations for the medical and surgical management of children with obstructive sleep apnea.

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This podcast highlights a state of the art review published in the July 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by senior author Ryan Bransky and associate editor Cristina Baldassari in discussing the growing use of electronic cigarettes in the United States.

Over the past decade there has been a rapid expansion in the use of and types of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, among the US population. In 2009 less than 1% of the American population had tried using e-cigarettes, and by 2013 over 8% of Americans had used them. The sales of e-cigarettes are predicted to surpass $10 billion by 2017. There has also been a rapid expansion in use among teenagers, who enter the use of oral nicotine in early life as their first cigarette experience through “vaping.” There are establishments that are dedicated to the use of these products, and this use is currently unregulated. Drs. Bransky and Baldassari discuss the implications of this rapid growth in electronic cigarettes, especially among children during their school-age years, and look at the range of potential concerns for both present and future use.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the June 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by senior author Seth Dailey and associate editor Matthew Brigger in discussing the topic of office-based photoangiolytic laser therapy of Reinke’s edema.

Reinke’s edema is a common, benign condition of the vocal folds characterized by edema and vascular congestion in Reinke’s space. Multiple risk factors are associated with this condition, including tobacco use, vocal abuse, and laryngopharyngeal reflux. In this paper, the authors discuss an office-based procedure for treating Reinke’s edema using topical anesthesia and flexible transnasal endoscopy. They report their findings on 19 patients who completed this office-based therapy, and demonstrate improvement in both quality of life and acoustic and aerodynamic measures following the treatment. They also discuss patient characteristics that interfere with the successful completion of the procedure. Finally, the authors review the implications of their findings for clinical practice and further research.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the May 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by lead author Lauren Roland and associate editor Meredith Adams in discussing mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy for tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a common problem that affects millions of patients on a chronic basis. In general there have been few treatment options for patients with tinnitus, and symptoms can be frustrating and debilitating for many individuals. In this paper, the authors utilize a therapeutic method that includes a cognitive-behavioral approach with planned meditation to reduce stress among patients. They were able to not only facilitate reduction in bother from tinnitus among a single group of selected patients, but also demonstrated changes in neural connectivity on functional MRI that suggested some adaptation to tinnitus with treatment. The authors discuss the implications of their interesting findings for patients bothered by tinnitus, and examine ideas for future research that would expand on the encouraging results noted in this pilot study.

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This podcast highlights the updated clinical practice guideline on adult sinusitis that is published as an April 2015 supplement to Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. In the first of two podcasts for this supplement, Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by authors Ashok Kumar and Maggie Kramper in discussing key findings from the guideline in the diagnosis and treatment of adults with symptoms of sinusitis and their implications for primary care health providers and patients.

Sinusitis affects about 1 in 8 adults in the United States, resulting in more than 30 million annual diagnoses. More than 1 in 5 antibiotics prescribed in adults are for sinusitis, making it the fifth-most common diagnosis responsible for antibiotic therapy. Many symptoms of sinusitis can overlap with other common conditions such as allergic rhinitis, and can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of these individuals. Common symptoms of acute sinusitis include purulent nasal discharge accompanied by nasal obstruction, facial pain/pressure/fullness, or both. Patients and their health providers can utilize a variety of approaches in treating these symptoms, judiciously using antibiotics and other prescription and over-the-counter medications as indicated. These guidelines discuss recommendations and options for clinicians treating adult sinusitis and their patients.

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This podcast highlights the updated clinical practice guideline on adult sinusitis that is published as an April 2015 supplement to Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. In the first of two podcasts for this supplement, Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by lead author Richard Rosenfeld and co-author Richard Orlandi in discussing key findings from the guideline in the diagnosis and treatment of adults with symptoms of sinusitis.

Sinusitis affects about 1 in 8 adults in the United States, resulting in more than 30 million annual diagnoses. The direct cost of managing acute and chronic sinusitis exceeds $11 billion per year, with additional expense from lost productivity, reduced job effectiveness, and impaired quality of life. More than 1 in 5 antibiotics prescribed in adults are for sinusitis, making it the fifth-most common diagnosis responsible for antibiotic therapy. Rhinosinusitis may be classified by duration as acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) if less than 4 weeks’ duration or as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) if lasting more than 12 weeks, with or without acute exacerbations. ARS may be classified further by presumed etiology, based on symptoms and time course, into acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) or viral rhinosinusitis (VRS). Symptoms include purulent nasal discharge accompanied by nasal obstruction, facial pain/pressure/fullness, or both. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis can be differentiated from acute viral rhinosinusitis if symptoms persist for at least 10 days without improvement or if symptoms worsen within 10 days after initial improvement. In addition, clinicians should not obtain radiographic imaging for uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis. Furthermore, clinicians can consider watchful waiting without antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated acute sinusitis. Primary antibiotic therapy should include 5 to 10 days of amoxicillin with or without clavulate for most adults with sinusitis. These guidelines discuss additional recommendations and options for clinicians treating these adult patients with sinusitis.

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This podcast highlights original research published in the April 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by lead author Travis Lewis and associate editor Cristina Baldassari in discussing the issue of weight gain among patients who have undergone adenotonsillectomy.

Adenotonsillectomy remains a commonly performed operative procedure for both obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent infection. Change in weight following surgery has been discussed for many years, with recent evidence suggesting that some patients gain weight following removal of the tonsils. The current paper further investigates this clinical issue to try to determine the effective of adenotonsillar surgery on weight, height, and BMI. In this study, the authors utilized a case control methodology in which 154 patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy were compared with 182 demographically matched children enrolled in primary care practices over a two-year period. The authors noted that at each 6-month assessment, children who underwent adenotonsillectomy gained more weight than matched nonsurgical controls. In addition, obese children gained significantly greater amounts of weight following surgery than did nonobese children at 12-, 18-, and 24-months. The authors discuss the implications of their findings, especially the observation of significant weight gain among obese children after adenotonsillectomy, for clinical practice, patient counseling and further research.

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The highlighted articles for March 2015 are “Analysis of an online match discussion board: improving the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery match,” “The decline of tracheotomy amongst otolaryngologists: a 14-year review,” “Characteristics and intraoperative treatments associated with head and neck free tissue transfer complications and failures,” “TORP ossiculoplasty outcomes with and without a stapes footplate prosthesis.”

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This podcast highlights original research published in the March 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by lead author Kyle Stansifer and associate editor Daniel Deschler in discussing the topic of modifiable risk factors in patients with thyroid cancers.

While it is well known that the risk of thyroid cancer can be increased by factors that may be outside of the patient’s control, such as exposure to ionizing radiation, the risks of common patient characteristics such as smoking, drinking, and BMI are not well appreciated. In the present study, the authors examined 467 patients with thyroid cancer from a single institutional database and compared them with a control group of 255 patients without thyroid cancer. Their analyses demonstrated that none of these modifiable factors were associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer among their sample of patients. Interestingly, while there was no relationship with obesity, there appeared to be a small, although statistically significant, reduction in risk among current alcohol users and smokers. While not recommending the use of these substances in an attempt to reduce thyroid cancer risk, the authors do point out some potential theoretical mechanisms that might explain these observations. The authors discuss the implications of their findings for clinical practice and further research.

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This podcast highlights a clinical practice guideline on allergic rhinitis that is published as a February 2015 supplement to Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. In the first of two podcasts for this supplement, Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by lead author Michael Seidman and co-author Sandra Lin in discussing key findings from the guideline in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis is a common condition affecting both children and adults. It affects about 1 in 6 Americans and is responsible for $2 billion to $5 billion in direct healthcare expenditures annually. It is defined as an IgE-mediated inflammatory response of the nasal mucosa after exposure to inhaled antigens. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal itching, anterior or posterior nasal discharge, and nasal congestion. Allergic rhinitis can occur seasonally or can be present throughout the year. In the guideline, several key recommendations and options were offered. Clinicians should make a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis on the basis of history and physical examination, and utilize allergy testing when the diagnosis is uncertain or when patients do not respond to empiric therapy. Clinicians should not routinely perform imaging studies in patients whose symptoms correspond to a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. In addition, clinicians should primarily use intranasal corticosteroid medications or oral antihistamines for the primary treatment of allergic rhinitis, rather than leukotriene receptor antagonists. The guidelines discuss additional recommendations and options for clinicians treating these patients with allergic rhinitis.

This podcast highlights a clinical practice guideline on allergic rhinitis that is published as a February 2015 supplement to Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. In the second of two podcasts for this supplement, Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by co-authors Jesse Hackell and Mark Dykewicz in discussing implications of the guidelines for primary care physicians and pediatricians.

Allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic condition affecting children in the United States today. It is responsible for impaired quality of life and is associated with decreased work and school attendance and decreased productivity and efficiency. It is important for primary care clinicians to consider a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in all children who present with the classic symptoms of sneezing, nasal itching, anterior and posterior discharge, and nasal congestion. The authors also discuss the role for allergy testing and immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis, and look at issues such as prevention and environmental control measures in this podcast.

This podcast highlights a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the February 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by authors Carrie Liu and Joseph Dort and associate editor Jennifer Shin in discussing the issue of early vs. late tracheostomies and its impact on clinical indicators such as length of stay in intensive care units (ICUs).

One question that is often debated is whether it is preferential to perform tracheostomies early in the course of an illness among intubated ICU patients, or whether it is preferential to delay these procedures to avoid the potential complications that might occur following tracheostomy. In this paper, the authors performed a systemic review of the literature and selected 11 papers for inclusion. In a meta-analysis of these studies, the authors noted that there was a significant decrease in length of ICU stay among patients receiving an early tracheostomy. There was no difference noted in overall mortality between the two groups. The currently available data were considered insufficient to discuss differences in indices such as incidence of pneumonia or occurrence of laryngotracheal injury. The authors discuss the important implications of their findings and offer discussion about the need for further research in this important area.

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The highlighted articles for February 2015 are “A Population-Based Study on the Association

Between Statin Use and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss,” “Clinical Characteristics of Keratosis Obturans and External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma,” “Correlating Regional Aeroallergen Effects on Internet Search Activity,” “Lymphedema Outcomes in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer,” and “Readability Assessment of Online Tracheostomy Care Resources.”

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The highlighted articles for this month are “Ubiquitous Aspirin: A Systematic Review of Its Impact on Sensorineural Hearing Loss,” “Treatment of Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease with a Low Salicylate Diet: A Pilot Crossover Study,” “Current Trends in Perioperative Antibiotic Use: A Survey of Otolaryngologists,” “Surgical Fires in Laser Laryngeal Surgery: Are We Safe Enough?,” and “Endolymphatic Duct Blockage: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Surgical Technique for Ménière's Disease Treatment.”

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This podcast highlights original research in the January 2015 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by authors Soham Roy and Lee Smith and associate editor Kenneth Altman in discussing the issue of airway fires in the operating room during laser laryngeal surgery.

Airway fires continue to be a dreaded complication of laser laryngeal surgery. Prior work by the authors has demonstrated that endoscopic airway surgery remains the most frequent cause of operating room fires. In the current study, Roy and Smith employ a simulated laser surgical environment in which they utilize a mannequin model to vary the parameters of inspired oxygen concentration and examine various maneuvers designed to decrease the incidence and morbidity of airway fires. Their study demonstrates that sustained airway fires occur at 40% FiO2 and above, while O2 concentrations of 29% or lower demonstrate flaming briefly, if at all. In addition, the authors note that cuffs strikes are a significant risk for fires, and that wet pledgets are not an absolutely protection from these events. The authors discuss the important implications of their paper and provide guidance for decreasing the risk of airway fires during laser laryngeal surgery.

This podcast highlights original research in the December 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by lead author Matthew Carlson and associate editor Thomas Eby in discussing long-term dizziness among patients treated with varying modalities for vestibular schwannomas.

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign slow-growing tumors that arise from the vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve. The majority of patients are diagnosed after experiencing audiovestibular symptoms including asymmetrical hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, or unsteadiness. The current study surveyed 538 respondents that were managed over a 10-year period with microsurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, or observation. At a mean follow-up of eight (8) years, more than half of patients continued to report significant dizziness, irrespective of the treatment modality that was used. Furthermore, there was a strong association between postoperative headaches and persistent dizziness. The author discusses implications of the study, as well as the role of concurrent and sustained migraine as a contributor to both headache and dizziness among patients with vestibular schwannoma. He also suggests the need for additional research to further define relationships observed in the current study.

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This podcast highlights original research in the November 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by lead author B. Tucker Woodson and associate editor Sonya Malekzadeh in discussing the efficacy of hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic condition that has been treated with a wide range of medical and surgical methods. The current study demonstrates that the sustained use of an implantable hypoglossal nerve stimulator results in persistent reduction in both symptoms and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). In addition, it demonstrates that when use of this treatment is suspended temporarily, its beneficial effects rapidly wane. The study also suggests that additional research is necessary to define specific populations that will achieve the greatest benefit from this treatment. The author discusses some of his thoughts about current and future applications of this new technique, and proposes additional research to further characterize the patient populations most amenable to this surgical intervention.

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This podcast highlights a clinical practice guideline on tinnitus that is published as an October 2014 supplement to Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. In the first of two podcasts for this supplement Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by lead author David Tunkel and co-author Carol Bauer in discussing implications of the guideline for clinicians who manage patients with tinnitus.

This podcast highlights a clinical practice guideline on tinnitus that is published as an October 2014 supplement to Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. In the second of two podcasts for this supplement Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by co-authors James Henry and Deena Hollingsworth in discussing the importance of rehabilitation and coping strategies in managing patients with tinnitus.

This podcast highlights original research in the October 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief John Krouse is joined by corresponding author Richard Gurgel and associate editor Matthew Ryan in discussing the impact of duty hours changes in otolaryngology residency training and their impact on case volumes in key indicator procedures.

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This podcast highlights original research in the September 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by lead author Michael Benninger and associate editor Neil Bhattacharyya in discussing the impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on the health care needs of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and respiratory comorbidities.

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This podcast highlights original research in the August 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by corresponding author Judith Lieu and associate editor Mark Boston in discussing the impact of recurrent and chronic otitis media on children’s health-related quality of life.

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This podcast highlights original research in the July 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by lead author Bruce Matt and associate editor David Stepnick in discussing how lean management principles can optimize ultrasound guided needle biopsy for patients with head and neck masses.

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This podcast highlights original research in the June 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by author Benjamin Judson and associate editor Vicente Resto in discussing the prevalence and outcomes of transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer.

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This podcast highlights original research in the May 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by author Rahul Shah and associate editor Matthew Brigger in discussing the progress over the past decade in dealing with medical errors and adverse events.

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This podcast highlights original research in the April 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by author Sunil Verma and associate editor Kenneth Altman in discussing the prevalence of swallowing disorders and opportunities to improve the quality of care for afflicted patients.

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This podcast highlights original research in the March 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by author Edward Weaver and associate editor Eric Kezirian in discussing why functional comorbidity is essential to understanding the impact of sleep apnea on quality of life.

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This podcast highlights an updated Clinical Practice Guideline on Acute Otitis Externa (swimmer’s ear) appearing as a February 2014 supplement in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by authors Geoffrey Simon, a pediatrician, and Kaparaboyna (Ashok) Kumar, a family physician, in discussing implications for primary care clinicians and how to optimize interaction with specialists.

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This podcast highlights an updated Clinical Practice Guideline on Acute Otitis Externa (swimmer’s ear) appearing as a February 2014 supplement in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by authors Peter Roland, an otologist, and William Huang, a dermatologist, in discussing the key quality improvement recommendations in the guideline.

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This podcast highlights original research in the January 2014 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by author Seth Cohen and associate editor Kenneth Altman in discussing how the diagnosis for voice-disordered patients can change over time.

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This podcast highlights a Clinical Practice Guideline on Bell’s Palsy appearing as a November 2013 supplement in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by authors John Halperin, a neurologist, and Kaparaboyna Ashok Kumar, a family physician, in discussing aspects of the guideline related to diagnosis and patient counseling.

This podcast highlights a Clinical Practice Guideline on Bell’s Palsy appearing as a November 2013 supplement in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by authors Lisa Ishii, assistant chair of the guideline development group, and Richard Gurgel, a neurotologist, in discussing aspects of the guideline related to medical and surgical management.

This podcast highlights a clinical practice guideline supplement in the July 2013 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief and lead author Richard Rosenfeld is joined by coauthors David Tunkel and Jesse Hackell in discussing novel aspects of the guideline and its implications for patient care.

This podcast highlights a clinical practice guideline supplement in the July 2013 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief and lead author Richard Rosenfeld is joined by coauthors Melissa Pynnonen and Denis Lafreniere in discussing novel aspects of the guideline and its implications for patient care.

This podcast highlights a clinical practice guideline supplement in the June 2013 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Editor in chief Richard Rosenfeld is joined by coauthors Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer and Michael S. Benninger in discussing a proactive approach to identifying voice problems after thyroid surgery and improving voice quality.

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