Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccination on Bell's Palsy: A Retrospective Comprehensive Analysis Using TriNetX Data.

Background: Bell's palsy (BP), a sudden onset of facial paralysis, has been reported in patients with COVID-19. The relationship between COVID-19 infection and BP remains unclear, as does the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on its incidence. This study aims to assess the occurrence of BP before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore any potential effects of COVID-19 vaccination on BP cases.

Outcomes in paediatric patients undergoing stapedotomy.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe outcomes of paediatric stapes surgery at an academic tertiary care centre.

Methods: Electronic medical records of patients younger than 21 years who underwent stapedotomy between September 2013 and July 2020 were reviewed.

Results: A total of 17 patients (7 male, 10 female) were included in our study; 14 underwent surgery on one ear while 3 underwent surgery on both ears (20 ears total).

Consideration of Hyoid Variability in the Diagnostic Workup of Fishbone Foreign Body Aspiration.

Fishbone foreign body (FFB) can lodge in the upper respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts and frequently cause discomfort. While FFBs are common, variations in the hyoid may present radiographically similarly. The authors present a case in which a 32-year-old woman presented with pain in the right neck with a globus sensation after eating fish.

Headache Diagnosis in Children and Adolescents.

Pediatric headache is a common medical complaint managed across multiple subspecialties with a myriad of unique factors (clinical presentation and disease phenotype) that make accurate diagnosis particularly elusive. A thorough understanding of the stepwise approach to headache disorders in children is essential to ensure appropriate evaluation, timely diagnosis, and efficacious treatment. This work aims to review key components of a comprehensive headache assessment as well as discuss primary and secondary headache disorders observed in children, with a particular focus on clinical pearls and "red flag" symptoms necessitating ancillary diagnostic testing.

Utility of Temporal Bone Computed Tomography in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.

Objective: Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) requires a relatively high radiation dose to produce high-resolution images required to define surgical anatomy. In the acute setting, the need for this detailed evaluation of temporal bone pathology may not be required for nonsurgical management and clinical decision-making. We performed a retrospective review of the clinical characteristics and subsequent management of children who underwent CT of the temporal bone with the goal of optimizing clinical decision-making and mitigating the risks of radiation exposure in children.

Predictive Patient Factors for Poor Outcomes Following Stapedotomy for Otosclerosis.

Objective: To assess patient-related risk factors associated with poor outcomes following stapedotomy for otosclerosis.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Academic tertiary care center.

Thyroid Dysfunction in Ménière's Disease: A Comprehensive Review.

Introduction: The precise etiology of Ménière's disease (MD) remains unknown; however, given the association of MD with serum antibodies and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex, several studies have proposed a relationship between MD and thyroid disorders. Similarly, multiple hypotheses exist regarding the metabolic disturbances of fluctuating thyroid hormone as a potential contributing agent in the development of MD.

Methods: A total of 171 abstracts were identified and screened by 2 independent reviewers.

Usage Patterns of CT and MRI in the Evaluation of Otologic Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the current trends and usage patterns of radiographic imaging for otologic disease by specialty, length of practice, practice setting, geographic region, and pediatric volume.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Survey of physicians.

Middle Ear Viral Load Considerations in the COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To systematically review the available medical literature to investigate the viral load in the middle ear and mastoid cavity and the potential risk of exposure to airborne viruses during otologic surgery.

Data Sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases.

Study Selection: This review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Protocol.

A Case of External Auditory Canal Sebaceous Carcinoma: Literature Review and Treatment Discussion.

Sebaceous neoplasms are a rare type of skin cancer that may occur in any area with sebaceous glands, including the outer third of the external auditory canal. However, documentation of the tumor originating in this location is limited to scarce case reports. In this location, malignancies can invade the temporal bone, typically requiring en bloc resection and radiation therapy.

Meningocele of the Internal Auditory Canal Requiring Facial-Nerve Decompression.

In this case report, we present the case of a 14-month-old boy with a history of left facial palsy which developed at a very young age. CT of the temporal bone revealed a cystic lesion of the left petrous apex, and sedated auditory testing revealed a profound hearing loss on the same side. Following his first episode of left facial palsy, his symptoms nearly fully resolved and he was lost to follow-up.

Best Practice Recommendations for Pediatric Otolaryngology during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To review the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pediatric otolaryngology and provide recommendations for the management of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data Sources: Clinical data were derived from peer-reviewed primary literature and published guidelines from national or international medical organizations. Preprint manuscripts and popular media articles provided background information and illustrative examples.

A Commentary on Safety Precautions for Otologic Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

There are insufficient data regarding the safety of otologic procedures in the setting of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Given the proclivity for respiratory pathogens to involve the middle ear and the significant aerosolization associated with many otologic procedures, safety precautions should follow current recommendations for procedures involving the upper airway. Until preoperative diagnostic testing becomes standardized and readily available, elective cases should be deferred and emergent/urgent cases should be treated as high risk for COVID-19 exposure.

Improving Microscopic Imaging in Otology and Neurotology.

Objective: Due to the microscopic nature of otologic surgery, photographic image quality suffers from an inherent inability to maintain all the planes of surgery in focus under binocular microscopy. Our goal was to perform simple editing techniques to create improved imaging for educational and research purposes in the field of Otology and Neurotology.

Patients/design: The study was a proof of concept performed with series of cases including patients undergoing transmastoid and transcanal otologic surgery over time period of December 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019 at an academic medical center.

The Effect of Patient Volume and Experience on Management of Menière's Disease.

Hypothesis: Treatment modalities administered by Otolaryngologists vary based on patient volume and years of experience.

Objective: It was our goal to evaluate the current trends in treatment modalities administered by Otolaryngologists based on patient volume and years of experience.

Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed to all General Otolaryngologists and fellowship-trained Neurotologist members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS).

Surgical Management of Vestibular Schwannoma: Practice Pattern Analysis via NSQIP.

Objective: Characterize current perspectives in the surgical management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) to guide otolaryngologists in understanding United States practice patterns.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of ACS-NSQIP database was performed to abstract all patients from 2008 to 2016 who underwent VS resection using ICD-9/10 codes 225.1 and D33.

Hearing Rehabilitation Implementing a Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Device: Single-Center Experience.

Bone conduction implants based on percutaneous abutment acoustic transmission have been implemented in patients with satisfactory outcomes. However, adverse soft tissue outcomes present a limitation. Transcutaneous bone conduction devices (t-BCDs) are an alternative that may mitigate these complications.

An Analysis of Safety and Adverse Events Following Cochlear Implantation in Children Under 12 Months of Age.

Objective: To determine perioperative morbidity of children ≤12 months undergoing cochlear implantation (CI).

Study Design: Retrospective analysis using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric Database (ACS-NSQIP-P).

Setting: General acute care children's hospitals, children's hospitals within larger hospitals, specialty children's hospitals, and general acute care hospitals with a pediatric wing.