Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Am J Emerg Med 2021 Apr 27;46:150-155. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, United States of America.

Background: Acute otitis media is often misdiagnosed. Pediatric trainees learn otoscopy from supervisors who cannot concurrently view the eardrum. Digital, smartphone otoscopes show promise to improve the visibility and learning due to a concurrent view by trainees and supervisors. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021 May 4:1945998211008916. Epub 2021 May 4.

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Objective: To evaluate how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected tympanostomy tube placement and practice patterns.

Study Design: A retrospective review of billing data.

Setting: A large-volume practice with both community and tertiary care providers. Read More

Int J Lang Commun Disord 2021 May 3. Epub 2021 May 3.

Speech and Language Sciences Section, School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Background: The current literature suggests a link between dummy (or pacifier) use and a number of both positive and detrimental consequences. Positive consequences include soothing effect and protection from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), while negative ones include increased risk of otitis media and dental malformation. However, there is little research surrounding the impact of dummy use on the development of speech sounds. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021 May 3. Epub 2021 May 3.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stepping Hill Hospital, Greater Manchester, UK.

Objective: To provide an overview of the current status regarding the parallel use of the endoscope and the laser in middle ear surgery.

Methods: Comprehensive Pubmed search from 1975 to 2020 including clinical articles, of any type, reporting the combined use of a laser and an endoscope. Purely experimental and non-human studies were excluded. Read More

J Infect Chemother 2021 Apr 29. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Department of Otolaryngology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address:

This study aimed to assess the clinical presentation, antibiotic therapy, surgery, and outcomes in patients with otitis media caused by Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus and discuss the efficacy of surgery. This is a retrospective case review of three patients diagnosed with otomastoiditis caused by M. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021 May 1. Epub 2021 May 1.

Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Public Health, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju, Gangwon-do, 26493, South Korea.

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) contains different components that can elicit varying adverse health effects in humans and animals. Studies on PM toxicity and its underlying mechanisms in the middle ear are limited, and they generally use a PM standard. However, as PM composition varies temporally and geographically, it is crucial to identify the toxic PM constituents according to season and region and investigate their associated health effects. Read More

Vestn Otorinolaringol 2021 ;86(2):21-27

Central State Medical Academy of Department of Presidential Affairs, Moscow, Russia.

Chronic otitis media is one of the most common ear pathologies among children. This article provides a short overview of publications on surgical techniques. Currently, the most effective treatment is the surgical sanitation of the middle ear cavities. Read More

Ear Hear 2021 Apr 29. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Department of Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, USA Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, USA Department of Otolaryngology, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

Objectives: The objective of this work is to determine whether there is a systematic effect of middle ear effusion volume on wideband acoustic immittance in children with surgically confirmed otitis media with effusion.

Design: Wideband acoustic immittance was measured in 49 ears from children (9 months to 11 years) who had a diagnosis of otitis media with effusion and compared to 14 ears from children (10 months to 10 years) without a recent history of otitis media. For children with otitis media with effusion, wideband acoustic immittance testing took place in the child's preoperative waiting room before surgical placement of tympanostomy tubes. Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2021 Apr 28;57(5). Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Ostrava, 70852 Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Several theories describe the development of the retraction pocket of the tympanic membrane (RP). Many authors suggest that the negative middle ear pressure is the main reason responsible for developing this condition. A narrative review has been undertaken, and conclusions are drawn reflecting a current knowledge with our new observations in the histological and immunohistochemical study. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2021 Apr 24;11(5). Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the sensitivity advantage of intradermal dilutional testing (IDT) is clinically relevant in patients with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) or otitis media with effusion (OME). This retrospective, private-practice cohort study compared the sensitivity of skin prick tests (SPT) vs. IDT in 110 adults and children with suspected allergy and OME. Read More

Life (Basel) 2021 Apr 22;11(5). Epub 2021 Apr 22.

World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, 02-042 Warsaw, Poland.

This study presents the preliminary results of a new otosurgical method in patients after canal wall down (CWD) surgery; it involves the implantation of the Bonebridge BCI 602 implant after obliteration of the mastoid cavity with S53P4 bioactive glass. The study involved eight adult patients who had a history of chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma in one or both ears and who had had prior radical surgery. The mean follow-up period was 12 months, with routine follow-up visits according to the schedule. Read More

Healthcare (Basel) 2021 Apr 14;9(4). Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Pediatrics Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania.

Otitis media (OM) represents a public health matter, being the main cause of preventable hearing loss in pediatric patients. Besides well-established risk factors for developing OM, such as craniofacial abnormalities, prematurity, low birth weight, or tobacco exposure, there is evidence that obesity could be associated with a high incidence of OM. Our aim is to perform a literature review on the state of current published research on the relationship between OM and obesity and to discuss the interconnectivity between these two entities. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2021 Apr 29:1455613211010085. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Objectives: To analyze the role of factors that influence adenoid-related symptoms, and the influence of 3 months of isolation in preschool children who were qualified for adenoidectomy.

Methods: This was a cohort study of the impact of 3 months of isolation on children aged 3 to 6 years with adenoid-related symptoms and endoscopically confirmed grade II and III adenoid hypertrophy. The children had previously qualified for adenoidectomy. Read More

Biol Open 2021 Apr 23;10(4). Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK.

Otitis media (OM) is the most common paediatric disease and leads to significant morbidity. Although understanding of underlying disease mechanisms is hampered by complex pathophysiology, it is clear that epithelial abnormalities underpin the disease. The mechanisms underpinning epithelial remodelling in OM remain unclear. Read More

Turk Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021 Mar 26;59(1):43-48. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis/Minnesota, USA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological changes of round window membrane (RWM) in chinchillas with serotype 7F induced acute otitis media (AOM) by two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) measurements.

Methods: Temporal bone specimens taken from 12 chinchillas were divided into two groups. The control group consisted of healthy animals that were injected with intrabullar saline. Read More

Iran J Otorhinolaryngol 2021 Mar;33(115):65-70

Department Of Otolaryngology , Head and Neck Surgery, Government Medical College, Patiala, India.

Introduction: The ossicles of the middle ear are affected by the erosive effect of pathology in chronic otitis media. Ossicular reparation can be done via autologous incus or with alloplastic materials. Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is simple to use and saves considerable operative time and expenses especially in developing countries where costly ossicular prosthesis are not affordable for the majority of the patients. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Apr 27;14(4). Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

The authors report a case of fungal otitis media complicated by extension of the infection into adjacent structures causing apical petrositis and subsequently involvement of the jugular foramen in a 71-year-old diabetic man. First described in 1907, Gradenigo's syndrome is a serious but rare clinical triad of acute otitis media, unilateral pain in the distribution of cranial nerve V (trigeminal) and ipsilateral cranial nerve VI (abducens) palsy that commonly presents without all three features and is therefore often missed. In this report, our patient was initially misdiagnosed as having a diabetic cranial neuropathy, and later he developed Vernet's syndrome. Read More

J Infect Dis 2021 Apr 27. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: Reducing geographic disparities in antibiotic prescribing is a central public health priority to combat antibiotic resistance, but the drivers of this variation have been unclear.

Methods: We measured how variation in outpatient visit rates ('observed disease') and antibiotic prescribing rates per visit ('prescribing practices') each contributed to geographic variation in per capita antibiotic prescribing in Massachusetts residents under the age of 65 between 2011 and 2015.

Results: 45. Read More

JAMIA Open 2021 Apr 19;4(2):ooab024. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Objective: The overuse of antibiotics for acute otitis media (AOM) in children is a healthcare quality issue in part arising from conflicting parent and physician understanding of the risks and benefits of antibiotics for AOM. Our objective was to develop a conversation aid that supports shared decision making (SDM) with parents of children who are diagnosed with non-severe AOM in the acute care setting.

Materials And Methods: We developed a web-based encounter tool following a human-centered design approach that includes active collaboration with parents, clinicians, and designers using literature review, observations of clinical encounters, parental and clinician surveys, and interviews. Read More

J Feline Med Surg 2021 May;23(5):433-446

Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, 3900 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Practical Relevance: Chronic otitis can be one of the most frustrating diseases to manage for a small animal practitioner. While it occurs less commonly in the cat than the dog, it is no less challenging. The purpose of this review is to discuss the common and uncommon causes of chronic otitis in the cat within the clinical framework used for diagnosis and treatment. Read More

Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2021 Apr 24;20(1):28. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Resistance, prolonged therapy, and more adverse reactions made amoxicillin less preferred for treating otitis media. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of azithromycin and amoxicillin/clavulanate for the treatment of otitis media in children.

Methodology: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis. Read More

J Pediatr 2021 Apr 21. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Zerifin, Israel.

Objective: To study time trends in all-cause acute otitis media (AOM) burden by calculating incidence rates of AOM episodes and recurrent AOM (rAOM) cases in highly immunized pediatric population during the pre- and post-pneumococcal conjugated vaccines (PCV) years.

Study Design: In this population-based study, AOM episodes and recurrent AOM (rAOM) cases were identified in Clalit Health Services insured Israeli children aged 0 to 10 years between 2005 to 2018, by using a data sharing platform. Because a near sequential implementation of PCV-7/PCV-13 occurred within a 1-year period (2009/2010), we compared AOM visits before (2005-July 2009) and after (August 2009-2018) PCVs introduction. Read More

J Int Adv Otol 2021 Mar;17(2):186-189

Departmenf of Otolaryngology, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey.

Aural atresia is a congenital disease that is characterized by an embryologic developmental defect of the external auditory canal (EAC). There is an erythematous, bulging tympanic membrane by otoscope in physical examination of acute otitis media (AOM). Children with aural atresia experience AOM as children have normal anatomy. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2021 Apr 19;145:110712. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of telehealth visits and compare office-based visits for pediatric patients undergoing evaluation of recurrent acute otitis media or sleep-disordered breathing.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study compared telehealth patients with matched controls seen in the office. The feasibility of a thorough patient evaluation in a single telehealth visit without a follow-up office visit was assessed. Read More

J Pediatr Intensive Care 2021 Jun 8;10(2):148-151. Epub 2020 May 8.

Division of Pediatric Immunology Diseases, Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children's Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

septicemia is rare in previously healthy children. Skin lesions such as subcutaneous nodules and ecthyma gangrenosum may be the first manifestation of infection that have rarely been reported. Herein we reported a previously healthy 6-month-old boy patient who presented with suppurative otitis media, multiple nodules, septic shock, and was identified in cultures of the blood, skin lesions, and purulent material of his ears. Read More

Neural Plast 2021 2;2021:5517209. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nanjing Tongren Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University Nanjing, China.

Objective: To treat children with acute nonsuppurative otitis media induced by acute upper respiratory tract infection of varying severity and evaluate its therapeutic effects.

Materials And Methods: Patients from the emergency department with acute nonsuppurative otitis media were followed up between September 2015 and December 2018. A total of 420 patients were classified into grades I to III according to tympanic membrane intactness and systemic reactions and treated according to grading. Read More

J Audiol Otol 2021 Apr 10;25(2):104-109. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background And Objectives: To assess whether the audiological and clinical outcomes of type 0 tympanoplasty (T0) performed using cartilage were comparable with those of ossiculoplasty in patients who underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM).

Subjects And Methods: This study included patients who had chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma and underwent CWDM with ossiculoplasty involving partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP), total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP), or T0. Anatomical success rates and hearing outcomes were analyzed. Read More

mSystems 2021 Apr 20;6(2). Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

Chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) has been associated with a shift in microbiome composition and microbial interaction in the upper respiratory tract (URT). While most studies have focused on potential pathogens, this study aimed to find bacteria that could be protective against OME through a case-control microbiome study and characterization of isolates from healthy subjects. The URT and ear microbiome profiles of 70 chronic OME patients and 53 controls were compared by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Read More

Rev Argent Microbiol 2021 Apr 16. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Grupo STREP de la Sociedad Argentina de Bacteriología, Micología y Parasitología Clínicas (SADEBAC), División de la Asociación Argentina de Microbiología, Argentina; Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important causal agent of pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, bacteremia, and otitis media. Penicillin resistance rates in S. pneumoniae have remained stable in Argentina in the last years. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021 Apr 20:1945998211004529. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Objective: To offer practical, evidence-informed knowledge on clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) and their utility in improving care and reducing costs in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. This primer on CDSSs introduces clinicians to both the capabilities and the limitations of this technology, reviews the literature on current state, and seeks to spur further progress in this area.

Data Sources: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. Read More