This study aimed to evaluate the association of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-33 protein (‘ADAM-33’) expression in vocal polyp formation and to determine its correlation with clinical characteristics.

Medical charts and histological sections of 32 patients diagnosed with vocal polyps who underwent surgery were analysed. Controls were histopathologically normal vocal fold tissues obtained from 36 patients who underwent surgery for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect ADAM-33 expression in epithelial cells, stroma and vessels.

All epithelial, stromal and vascular staining scores were significantly greater in polyp tissue than in controls (p < 0.001). Stromal ADAM-33 staining scores were higher in vocal polyp patients with a symptom duration of less than six months (p < 0.05). Vocal overuse or the presence of reflux symptoms, sinonasal symptoms or allergy did not affect ADAM-33 immunostaining scores (p = 0.05).

In this study, ADAM-33 immunostaining was significantly increased in vocal polyps. Therefore, over-expression of this protein may be associated with vocal polyp pathogenesis.

The Montgomery T-tube is used in a number of conditions that require safe tracheal stenting. Specific lengths of T-tube limbs are occasionally needed in patients with complex airway anatomy or differing neck proportions; this requires customisation of the T-tube limbs. This is done either by pre-ordering customised T-tubes from the manufacturer (which needs to be planned ahead of time) or using a tube cutter in the operating theatre. However, the latter does not provide a ‘factory like’ bevelled edge when shortened, which increases the risk of mucosal trauma and granulation formation.

This paper reports a novel technique for customising the length of existing Montgomery T-tubes, with preservation of the bevelled edges. This technique can be easily performed with basic equipment available in operating theatres.

With the increasing use of chemoradiotherapy protocols, total laryngectomy carries increasing risks such as pharyngocutaneous fistula. There is little reference to the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in salvage surgery. This study aimed to determine the current practice in antibiotic prophylaxis for total laryngectomy in the UK.

A questionnaire was designed using SurveyMonkey software, and distributed to all ENT-UK registered head and neck surgeons.

The survey revealed that 19 surgeons (51 per cent) follow a protocol for antibiotic prophylaxis in primary total laryngectomy and 17 (46 per cent) follow a protocol in salvage total laryngectomy. Only 11 (30 per cent) use anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus agents in their antibiotic prophylaxis. The duration of prophylaxis varies considerably. Nineteen surgeons (51 per cent) revealed that their choice of antibiotic prophylaxis reflected non-evidence-based practices.

There appears to be little evidence-based guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis in primary and salvage total laryngectomy. The survey highlights the need for more research in order to inform national guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis in primary and salvage total laryngectomy.

The two-week wait referral system for suspected cancer was introduced in the National Health Service in 2000. This study aimed to identify areas for improvement to the two-week wait system by seeking the opinions of doctors working in primary and secondary care.

A questionnaire was distributed to general practitioners and head and neck surgeons within North West England with ethical consent.

Twenty-seven general practitioners and 15 head and neck surgeons responded. Of the general practitioners, 59.3 per cent declared that they never attend training on referrals in this specialty. Overall, 59.3 per cent of general practitioners and 86.7 per cent of head and neck surgeons felt that the two-week wait system could be improved.

The main areas for further work are development of pre-referral communication between primary and secondary care along with development of practical educational measures for general practitioners.

To investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among elementary and middle school students and examine its impact on their quality of life.

Stratified sampling and cluster sampling surveys were performed among 10–17-year-old students in Changsha city from June 2011 to April 2012.

In the stratified sampling survey, the self-reported allergic rhinitis rate was 42.5 per cent. Further examination demonstrated that the average prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 19.4 per cent. The cluster sampling survey demonstrated that 214 of 814 students appeared to be atopic (26.3 per cent). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma was 17.2 and 2.1 per cent, respectively. In total, 71 atopic individuals (8.7 per cent) were without any symptoms of allergic disease. Further analysis showed that allergic rhinitis influenced the students' sleep, emotions and memory (p < 0.001).

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 15.8 –19.4 per cent, showing an increase with age. Allergic rhinitis affected students' sleep, emotions and memory.

To evaluate the histopathological findings from post-treatment neck dissection of p16 positive and negative oropharyngeal carcinoma cases, after completion of chemoradiotherapy, and to question the role of neck dissection after a ‘clinically complete response’ to chemoradiotherapy.

Data were collected retrospectively from a cohort of patients treated with curative intent using chemoradiotherapy and post-treatment neck dissection. Primary tumours underwent p16 immunohistochemistry. Neck dissection specimens were examined for viable cancer cells.

A total of 76 cases were assessed. Viable cancer cells were detected from neck dissection in 29 per cent of p16 negative cases. Locoregional recurrence occurred in 12.9 per cent of p16 negative cases. The association between p16 positivity in the primary tumour and histopathologically negative neck dissection was significant (p < 0.05).

p16 status appeared to be an independent marker of disease control for the cohort in this study. The data raise questions about the role of post-treatment neck dissection in p16 positive cases with a ‘clinically complete response’ to chemoradiotherapy.

This paper reports the authors' technique of manubrio-stapedioplasty using glass ionomer cement for malleus and incus fixation due to tympanosclerosis.

A retrospective case review was conducted of five patients with conductive hearing loss (mean pre-operative air–bone gap of 42.75 dB) treated in a tertiary referral centre. The hearing results of a manubrio-stapedial bone cement ossiculoplasty technique, utilised on the five patients, were analysed. All cases were Wielinga and Kerr tympanosclerosis classification type 2 (attic fixation of the malleus-incus complex with a mobile stapes). The incus and head of the malleus were removed in all patients, and the manubrium was directly connected to the head of the mobile stapes using glass ionomer cement. Patients were evaluated in terms of pre- and post-operative audiometric results; hearing gain and post-operative air–bone gap were the main outcome measures.

Mean post-operative air–bone gap was 5.25 dB. Four patients had an air–bone gap of less than 10 dB; the remaining patient had an air–bone of 12.50 dB.

Manubrio-stapedioplasty is an effective method for ossicular reconstruction in cases of malleus and incus fixation due to tympanosclerosis.

To assess the efficacy of endoscopic-guided botulinum toxin injection into the cricopharyngeus muscle and evaluate the duration of its effects.

A 3-year prospective study of 12 patients undergoing injection of botulinum toxin was conducted, with a telephone survey to assess dysphagia pre-operatively, and at 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment, using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory.

Median age was 66.2 years. Causes of cricopharyngeal dysphagia included idiopathic cricopharyngeal hypertrophy (67 per cent), previous cerebrovascular accident (17 per cent), cranial nerve palsy (8 per cent) and previous chemoradiotherapy to the neck (8 per cent). There were no complications. Two patients had repeat injections after six months. There was significant improvement in MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory scores at one and three months versus pre-operative scores (73.1 ± 14.9 vs 46.9 ± 7.6, p = 0.0001, and 65.1 ± 11.5 vs 46.9 ± 7.6, p = 0.0001), but not at six months (51.0 ± 11.0 vs 46.9 ± 7.6, p = 0.14).

Endoscopic-guided injection of botulinum toxin into the cricopharyngeus muscle is a safe and effective method for treating cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction, lasting up to six months.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in neck dissection procedures over time in a tertiary university hospital to determine their influence on residency training.

Neck dissections performed in a recent decade (2003–2012) were retrospectively analysed and compared with those of an earlier decade (1981–1990).

Nowadays, neck dissections are most frequently performed for thyroid (2003–2012 vs 1981–1990: 60.7 per cent vs 25 per cent, p = 0.002) and less often for epithelial malignancies (23.2 per cent vs 53.5 per cent, p = 0.002). Compared with dissections for thyroid spread, more dissections for epithelial malignancies are extensive (epithelial vs thyroid malignancies, 66 per cent vs 4.9 per cent) and more are performed after chemoradiation failures (25.6 per cent vs 0 per cent).

This study demonstrates changes in neck dissection procedures over time. There is an increasing preference for conservative treatment for epithelial cancers. In addition, there is a large increase in both the diagnosis and surgical treatment of thyroid cancer. This shift may have a great effect on residents’ learning curves and on their ability to achieve competency in performing neck dissections.

Bone contouring is currently the best treatment for fibro-osseous lesions after bone growth arrest. Navigation systems available for this surgery allow intra-operative visualisation with improved cosmetic outcomes. However, conventional navigation systems using superficial skin registration cannot prevent subtle discrepancies.

To address this problem, we used a non-invasive cranial bone registration that uses patient-specific dental templates to maintain exact registration. We created the preset goal using the mirror image of the unaffected side for unilateral lesions, and using images obtained before the onset of symptoms for bilateral lesions. This system achieved precise pre-operative simulation. A sound aid in the navigation system provided information regarding proximity to critical structures and to the preset goal.

We used this system to contour fibro-osseous lesions in three patients. All patients achieved good facial contours and improvement in symptoms.

This method offers a safe, rapid surgical aid in treating orbital fibro-osseous lesions.

Acute rhinosinusitis arises as a consequence of viral rhinitis, and bacterial infection can subsequently occur. Intranasal antibiotics as an adjunct to corticosteroids usually demonstrate the greatest symptom relief.

We wanted to clinically evaluate the effects of a topical antibiotic and steroid combination administered intranasally, versus an oral antibiotic alone when treating acute rhinosinusitis.

Forty patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis were divided into two groups. Group A received an antibiotic and steroid combination (ofloxacin 0.26 per cent and dexamethasone 0.053 per cent nasal drops) for 10 days, administered intranasally (5 drops in each nostril/8 hours). Group B, the control group, received an oral antibiotic alone (amoxicillin 90 mg/kg).

Eight hours after commencing treatment, facial pain was more severe in group B and nasal obstruction was reduced in both groups. Ten days after commencing treatment, anterior nasal discharge was 0.15 per cent in group A and absent in group B.

The application of a topical antibiotic and steroid combination into the nasal cavity is an effective way of treating uncomplicated, acute bacterial rhinosinusitis with the theoretical advantages of easy administration, high local drug concentration and minimal systemic adverse effects.

This study aimed to describe the results of a retrospective analysis of a specific cohort of patients with benign lip lesions encountered in the last 15 years in the School of Medicine at Karadeniz Technical University.

A total of 312 patients were managed for lip lesions during the period 2000–2014. Data from 160 samples of benign lip biopsies were retrieved from the pathology laboratory records.

The study group included 20 different histopathological types of lesions, with mucocele being the most frequent lesion (43.13 per cent). The other frequent lesions were chronic inflammatory infiltrate (11.25 per cent), intradermal naevus (5.63 per cent), pyogenic granuloma (5.63 per cent), fibroma (5 per cent) and papilloma (5 per cent). Mucocele was significantly more common in younger patients (p < 0.001).

Knowledge of the epidemiology and distribution of oral mucosal lesions is essential to promote early diagnosis and treatment. Further epidemiological studies exploring the causal relationships and risk factors for lip lesions are necessary for a better understanding of lip diseases.

A primary otological presentation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis is rare. We present four cases of granulomatosis with polyangiitis with different otological manifestations.

A literature review of granulomatosis with polyangiitis cases presenting to otolaryngologists was undertaken. A case series review of four patients presenting within a 12-month period was also performed. One patient had serous otitis media which worsened after myringotomy. Two patients presented with acute ear infection and facial palsy and one with acute mastoiditis. All were positive for antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody, and three had positive findings upon histological analysis.

When acute supposed ear infections fail to respond to treatment (antibiotics or surgery), rarer causes of the symptoms should be considered. By reporting this case series, we aim to improve the early diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis to enable timely treatment and prevent systemic involvement.

This study aimed to report our current practice of transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer against the standards outlined by the ENT UK Head and Neck Group and assess the oncological outcome.

A retrospective review of case notes of patients diagnosed with early glottic cancer (tumour stages Tis, T1 and T2) who underwent transoral laser microsurgery as a primary curative treatment. The minimum follow-up period was two years.

Thirty-one patients had transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer during the study period. Eighty-four per cent of cases were discussed by a multidisciplinary team prior to transoral laser microsurgery. Complete circumferential excision was achieved in 77 per cent of cases. Sixty-five per cent of specimens were subjected to histological analysis; they complied with standard pathology reporting for margins. Within 12 months of transoral laser microsurgery, there were 10 residual cases and 2 recurrences. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis gave disease-free survival rates of 96.8 per cent at 18 months and 93.5 per cent at 24 months. The laryngectomy-free survival rate was 96.8 per cent at two years.

The findings of this audit are encouraging and have highlighted areas for further discussions, recommendations, training and education.

To present the utility of the recently introduced Maniceps septum stitch device for suturing of the nasal septum.

This paper describes nasal septum suturing techniques using the Maniceps septum stitch device following septoplasty to prevent post-operative complications such as haematoma and nasal septum perforation.

Nasal septum suturing using the Maniceps septum stitch device appears to be a safe and easy surgical procedure to help prevent post-operative complications and may reduce the incidence of nasal septum perforation following septoplasty.

To evaluate the effect of body mass index and neck length on endotracheal tube movement during neck extension in thyroidectomy.

A prospective study was conducted of 30 patients undergoing thyroidectomy during an 8-month period. Patient characteristics were recorded and endotracheal tube displacement was determined.

Mean body mass index was 27.8 kg/m2 (range, 17.5–34.7 kg/m2) and mean neck circumference was 43.2 cm (range, 28–56 cm). The mean (± standard deviation) upward displacement of the endotracheal tube during neck extension was 7.17 ± 5.87 mm. Patients with a larger body mass index had a significantly greater amount of tube displacement (R2 = 0.67, p < 0.0001), as did patients with a smaller neck length (R2 = 0.48, p < 0.0001).

Neck extension results in upward displacement of the endotracheal tube. The amount of displacement is significantly higher in patients with a larger body mass index or shorter neck length. This has particular relevance for nerve monitoring in thyroidectomy.

The overlapping risk factors for lung and head and neck cancer present a definite risk of synchronous malignant pathology. This is the first study to specifically review incidental positron emission tomography computed tomography findings in the head and neck region in lung carcinoma patients.

A retrospective review was performed of all lung cancer patients who underwent positron emission tomography computed tomography imaging over a five-year period (January 2008 – December 2012), identified from the Liverpool thoracic multidisciplinary team database.

Six hundred and nine patients underwent positron emission tomography computed tomography imaging over this period. In 76 (12.5 per cent) scans, incidental regions of avid 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose uptake were reported in the head and neck region. In the 28 patients who were fully investigated, there were 4 incidental findings of malignancy.

In lung cancer patients undergoing investigative positron emission tomography computed tomography scanning, a significant number will also present with areas of clinically significant 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose uptake in the head and neck region. Of these, at least 5 per cent may have an undiagnosed malignancy.