The incidence and epidemiology of necrotising otitis externa in England before, during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: an updated analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics data 2002-2024.

Objectives: Necrotising otitis externa is a serious infective condition with significant risk of complications and a profound impact on patients' quality of life.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive study was undertaken using epidemiological data from the National Health Service Hospital Episode Statistics database and other national databases. Data correlating with reported cases 2002-2024 were compiled and analysed.

Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in Otolaryngology research: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) entails working with patients and the public to shape research. The Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP2) checklist aims to improve the quality and consistency of the PPIE evidence base. This study reviews PPIE in Otolaryngology randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published since introduction of the GRIPP2.

"I always feel like I'm the first deaf person they have ever met:" Deaf Awareness, Accessibility and Communication in the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS): How can we do better?

Background: Barriers to communication significantly reduce access to health services for people with deafness or hearing loss (PDHL). These barriers contribute to reduced healthcare-seeking behaviour, poorer access to health information, and adverse health outcomes. In response, a multidisciplinary working group of patients, clinicians, researchers, and charity representatives was established to investigate accessibility, communication, and deaf awareness within the United Kingdom's (UK) National Health Service (NHS).

Residential fungal β-(1,3)-D-glucan exposure is associated with decreased pulmonary function in fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disease frequently affecting the lungs. It is thought to be mediated by gene-environment interaction; for example, epidemiological data show organic aerosol exposure increases risk of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Research Question: Does exposure to bioaerosol associate with worse lung disease in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis?

Research Question: Using an observational, cohort study design, we measured residential exposure to fungal and bacterial cell wall material, β-(1,3)-D-glucan (BDG) and endotoxin, respectively, in healthy control subjects and those with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Exposure to structurally unique β-d-glucans differentially affects inflammatory responses in male mouse lungs.

Pro-inflammatory fungal β-d-glucan (BDG) polysaccharides cause respiratory pathology. However, specific immunological effects of unique BDG structures on pulmonary inflammation are understudied. We characterized the effect of four unique fungal BDGs with unique branching patterns, solubility, and molecular weights in murine airways.

Diagnostic criteria and core outcome set development for necrotising otitis externa: the COSNOE Delphi consensus study.

Objective: Evidence for necrotising otitis externa (NOE) diagnosis and management is limited, and outcome reporting is heterogeneous. International best practice guidelines were used to develop consensus diagnostic criteria and a core outcome set (COS).

Methods: The study was pre-registered on the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) database.

Ultrasonography-guided drainage versus surgical drainage for deep neck space abscesses: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare ultrasonography-guided drainage versus conventional surgical incision and drainage in deep neck space abscesses.

Methods: The study was pre-registered on the National Institute of Health Research Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023466809) and adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Medline, Embase and Central databases were searched.

Improved Recovery after Vestibular Schwannoma Excision with Intratympanic Gentamicin Prehabilitation.

Objective: Translabyrinthine excision of a vestibular schwannoma is associated with acute vestibular failure. Preoperative intratympanic gentamicin (ITG) injections can improve objective balance function after surgery but its clinical benefits remain to be established.

Methods: Adult patients undergoing translabyrinthine removal of a vestibular schwannoma between January 2014 and February 2018 underwent preoperative vestibular function testing.

Increased ENaC-mediated liquid absorption across vitamin-D deficient human airway epithelia.

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for exacerbation of obstructive airway disease, a hallmark of which is mucus dehydration and plugging. Calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D) deficiency in cultured human airway epithelia resulted in increased and mRNAs encoding subunits of ENaC and the Na-K pump compared with supplemented epithelia. These drive the absorption of airway surface liquid.

A systematic review of antimicrobial treatment regimens and their outcomes in necrotising otitis externa.

Background: Necrotising otitis externa is a serious infection with minimal evidence underpinning its management. This review aims to synthesise published evidence of antimicrobial therapies and their outcomes in necrotising otitis externa.

Methods: The review was PROSPERO registered (CRD42022353244) and conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses ('PRISMA') guidelines.

Blinded comparison of computed tomography, ultrasound and needle methods to measure skin flap thickness for cochlear implantation.

Purpose: Patient suitability for cochlear implant (CI) devices compatible with magnetic resonance imaging and CI processor configuration is dependent on their retro-auricular skin flap thickness. This is typically measured intra-operatively using a needle and therefore patients are not guaranteed their implant of choice prior to surgery. We aimed to identify an accurate method to measure skin flap thickness pre-operatively to streamline CI selection and simplify the consent process.

Cochlear Implantation in Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma and Neurofibromatosis Type II.

Cochlear implantation offers significantly better hearing outcomes than auditory brainstem implantation in patients with vestibular schwannoma. Neither the primary treatment modality nor the cause of the tumor (neurofibromatosis type 2 related or sporadic) seems to have a significant effect on hearing outcome with cochlear implantation. Some uncertainty remains regarding long-term hearing outcomes; however, cochlear implantation in vestibular schwannoma serves to offer patients, with a functioning cochlear nerve, the probability of open set speech discrimination with a consequent positive impact on quality of life.

The experience of auditory implant recipients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging: Factors associated with pain.

Objective: Many patients with cochlear implants (CI) and auditory brainstem implants (ABI) require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following implantation. This study explores the patient experience of MRI, identifying factors associated with pain, and the effect of interventions designed to enhance comfort and safety.

Methods: A prospective observational case series from a tertiary referral unit.

UK consensus definitions for necrotising otitis externa: a Delphi study.

Objective: To establish consensus definitions for necrotising otitis externa (NOE) to facilitate the diagnosis and exclusion of NOE in clinical practice and expedite future high-quality study of this neglected condition.

Design: The work comprised of a systematic review of the literature, five iterative rounds of consultation via a Delphi process and open discussion within the collaborative. An expert panel analysed the results to produce the final outputs which were shared with and endorsed by national specialty bodies.

Imaging-based assessment of lung function in a population cooking indoors with biomass fuel: a pilot study.

Biomass fuels (wood) are commonly used indoors in underventilated environments for cooking in the developing world, but the impact on lung physiology is poorly understood. Quantitative computed tomography (qCT) can provide sensitive metrics to compare the lungs of women cooking with wood vs. liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

Auditory symptoms and autistic spectrum disorder: A scoping review and recommendations for future research.

Introduction: Auditory symptoms in individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are well described within the neurodevelopmental literature, yet there is minimal mention of ASD in Otolaryngology literature. This is surprising considering the potential clinical and diagnostic implications of this link, and the potential for ASD to present to Otolaryngologists in the form of unexplained auditory symptoms. The aims of this literature review were to explore the intersection of auditory symptoms and ASD from the perspective of clinical Otolaryngology, and to outline a clinically focused research agenda based on emerging themes relevant to Otolaryngology.

Vitamin D-mediated effects on airway innate immunity in vitro.

Introduction: Vitamin D supplementation has been suggested to enhance immunity during respiratory infection season. We tested the effect of active vitamin D (calcitriol) supplementation on key airway innate immune mechanisms in vitro.

Methods: Primary human airway epithelial cells (hAECs) grown at the air liquid interface were supplemented with 10-7 M calcitriol for 24 hours (or a time course) and their antimicrobial airway surface liquid (ASL) was tested for pH, viscoscity, and antibacterial and antiviral properties.

A comparison of imaging techniques to measure skin flap thickness in cochlear implant patients to enable pre-operative device selection.

Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible cochlear implants have weaker internal magnets than non-MRI-compatible devices. Their suitability for individual patients is limited by skin flap thickness, traditionally measured with a needle in the operating theatre. We aimed to establish the accuracy of imaging modalities to measure skin flap thickness pre-operatively, with the goal of streamlining device selection and simplifying the consent process.

Cochlear Implantation in Neurofibromatosis Type 2: Experience From the UK Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Service.

Objective: To review the outcomes of cochlear implants (CI) in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) in a large cohort, and identify factors associated with poor hearing benefit.

Study Design: Fifteen-year retrospective national observational case series.

Setting: United Kingdom regional NF2 multidisciplinary teams.

Prevalence and natural history of schwannomas in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2): the influence of pathogenic variants.

This study explores the natural history of vestibular, trigeminal and lower cranial nerve schwannomas (VS, TS, LCNS) in patients with Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), to understand how pathogenic variants (PVs) of the NF2 gene affect tumour burden and growth rate, via a retrospective analysis of a UK NF2 centre database and imaging. VS, TS and LCNS location and size were measured in accordance with a standardised protocol. PVs were categorised in accordance with the UK NF2 Genetic Severity Score (GSS).

Observed vs. self-reported agricultural activities: Evaluating 24-hr recall in a pilot study.

Few studies have evaluated the validity of self-report of work activities because of challenges in obtaining objective measures. In this study, farmers' recall of the previous day's agricultural activities was compared to activities observed by field staff during air monitoring. Recall was assessed in 32 farmers from the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture Study, a subset of a prospective cohort study.