Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jan 2012
Comparative StudyInterdisciplinary development and implementation of communication checklist for postoperative management of pediatric airway patients.
The authors describe their multidisciplinary experience in applying the Institute of Health Improvement methodology to develop a protocol and checklist to reduce communication error during transfer of care for postoperative pediatric surgical airway patients. Preliminary outcome data following implementation of the protocol and checklist are also presented. ⋯ There has been very little written in the quality and safety patient literature about coordinating effective transfer of care between the pediatric surgical and medical subspecialty realms. After design and implementation of a simple, electronically based transfer-of-care checklist and protocol, the number of postsurgical pediatric airway information transfer and communication errors decreased significantly.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jan 2012
Comparative StudyHead and neck manifestations of spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare disease entity that often manifests localized signs in the head and neck region. The thoracic features of SPM have been well described; however, there is a paucity of information on its otolaryngological characteristics. The authors describe the clinical management among SPM patients having primarily head and neck symptoms. ⋯ SPM is a benign entity that responds well to conservative treatment. The results of our investigation highlight the importance of an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinical examination as a guide for diagnosing SPM because of the high percentage of ENT manifestations in the initial clinical profiles. Secondary causes of SPM must be ruled out to avoid an unfavorable outcome.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2011
Comparative StudySleep medicine clinical and surgical training during otolaryngology residency: a national survey of otolaryngology residency programs.
The authors sought to assess the otolaryngology residency training experiences in adult sleep medicine and sleep surgery in the United States. ⋯ This survey provides a starting point to further assess the rigor of sleep medicine/sleep surgery training in US residency programs. Continued assessment and strengthening of the current curriculum are crucial to keep residents up to date with this evolving field. This result calls attention to the importance of bolstering sleep medicine and surgery curriculum to meet the academic requirements of otolaryngology training.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2011
Comparative StudyAssessing laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms with the Reflux Symptom Index: validation and prevalence in the Greek population.
To validate the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) in Greek patients and estimate the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms in the Greek population. ⋯ The authors evaluated the internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity of the RSI for the Greek population. Factor analysis of the Greek translation of the RSI demonstrated that it can be a reliable tool in the diagnostic approach of LPR patients. Using the RSI, the authors recorded that the prevalence of LPR in a representative sample of the Greek population is 8.5%.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2011
Pontine tegmental cap dysplasia: the neurotologic perspective.
Pontine tegmental cap dysplasia (PTCD) is a rare congenital malformation. Clinical and imaging findings in 3 patients and the authors' experience with bilateral cochlear implantation in 1 patient are described. ⋯ The authors report 3 cases of PTCD with emphasis on imaging of the seventh and eighth cranial nerves and clinical neurotologic findings. All patients manifested duplicated internal auditory canals, a previously unreported finding in PTCD. Bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss is due to absence of the cochleovestibular nerve. Prognosis for cochlear implantation is poor.