Orvidas, Laura J.

ObjectivesRacial disparities are pervasive in access to pediatric surgery. The goal of this study was to test the hypotheses that, compared with White children, non‐White and Hispanic children: (1) were less likely to attend evaluations by otolaryngologists after a diagnosis of otitis media (OM) eligible for surgical referral, and (2) these children were less likely to receive tympanostomy tube (TT) after surgical consultation.MethodsThe OptumLabs Data Warehouse is a de‐identified claims database of privately insured enrollees. Guidelines on the management of OMs suggest that children should be evaluated for surgery if they have recurrent acute OM or chronic OM with effusion. A cohort of children who were diagnosed with OM were constructed. For Hypothesis 1, the primary outcome was otolaryngology office visit within 6 months of a diagnosis of recurrent or chronic OM. For Hypothesis 2, the outcome was TT placement within 6 months following the otolaryngology office visit. Cox regression models were used to determine the relationship between race/ethnicity and the primary outcomes.ResultsAmong 187,776 children with OMs, 72,774 (38.8%) had otolaryngology visits. In a multivariate Cox model, the hazard ratios of attending otolaryngology visit for Black, Hispanic, and Asian children were 0.93 (95% CI,0.90, 0.96), 0.86 (0.83, 0.88), and 0.74 (0.71, 0.77), compared with White children. Among the children evaluated by otolaryngologists, 46,554 (63.97%) received TT. Black, Hispanic, and Asian children with recurrent acute OM had lower likelihood of receiving TT.ConclusionsRacial disparities in attending otolaryngology office visit contributed to the disparities in receiving TT.Quality of EvidenceLevel 3 Laryngoscope, 134:3846–3852, 2024

Although relatively rare, antrochoanal polyps represent one of the most common types of polyp diagnosed in children without cystic fibrosis. In an attempt to better define this entity and discuss treatment options, the histories and operative reports of all 25 children (aged 17 years and younger) diagnosed with an antrochoanal polyp between 1970 and 1997 at our institution were reviewed. All 25 children complained of nasal obstruction on presentation; other presenting symptoms included rhinorrhea (48%), snoring (36%), and mouth breathing (32%). All 25 patients were noted to have a mass in the nose on examination, and 16 (64%) also had a mass noted in the nasopharynx. All but 1 patient underwent surgical removal of the polyp: intranasal avulsion only, 2 patients; Caldwell-Luc procedures, 10 patients; intranasal procedures, 8 patients; and endoscopic procedures, 4 patients. Mean time to first recurrence was 44.5 months. Seven patients (29%) who underwent excision at our institution experienced recurrence, 3 after endoscopic procedures and 4 after intranasal procedures (with or without Caldwell-Luc; 1 of these patients had a second recurrence). Complications were unusual and included bleeding after pack removal (8.3%) and facial paresthesias (10%). Follow-up ranged from 2 days to almost 27 years and was aided by telephone interviews. We conclude that surgical treatment of these lesions is safe and effective. Endoscopic removal may result in a higher recurrence rate.

ObjectiveTo determine whether patient factors (eg, indication for initial surgery, medical comorbidity, or age) are associated with adenoid regrowth and subsequent need for revision adenoidectomy and whether surgical factors (eg, surgical technique or level of surgeon’s training) are associated with adenoid regrowth and subsequent need for revision adenoidectomy.Study DesignHistorical cohort study.SettingTertiary care academic medical center.Subjects and MethodsChildren (≤18 years) who underwent adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy between 1980 and May 2009 were identified. Medical and surgical records were reviewed for sex, age at surgery, indication for surgery, training level of surgeon, surgical technique, and history of allergies, asthma, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.ResultsOf 8245 surgical cases (53.8% male), 163 were revision adenoidectomies. Age at initial adenoidectomy was a significant factor for revision adenoidectomy, with younger ages associated with higher increased risk. Indication for adenoidectomy was also a significant risk factor; adjusted for age, patients with ear rather than infectious indications were about 10 times more likely to require revision. A diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease was a significant risk factor (hazard ratio, 2.23; P =. 002).ConclusionSeveral risk factors are associated with revision adenoidectomy: young age at initial procedure, indication for adenoidectomy, and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Surgical technique, level of experience of the initial surgeon, and diagnosis of asthma or allergies were not significant risk factors for revision adenoidectomy.

Hemorrhage into the soft tissues of the airway represents a potentially life-threatening complication of long-term anticoagulation. We report the case of a chronically anticoagulated 37-year-old male who developed a spontaneous hematoma of the epiglottis secondary to a supra-therapeutic INR. Epiglottic hematoma should be considered in the differential of any anticoagulated patient presenting with upper airway compromise. The airway should be secured in a controlled fashion, and the coagulopathy should be rapidly corrected.

Objective To investigate 35‐year epidemiological trends in tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy. Study Design/Subjects Cross‐sectional survey. Subjects included all patients from birth to age 29 years who had tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy from 1970 to 2005. Results Study included 8106 patients (median age 8.0 years; range, 6 months to 29 years; male 3646 patients [45%]). Overall tonsillectomy incidence increased from 126 (95% confidence interval [CI], 111‐140) per 100,000 person‐years in 1970 through 1974 to 153 (95% CI, 139‐166) in 2000 through 2005. A dominant factor, adenotonsillectomy incidence rose sharply from 243 (95% CI, 223‐261) per 100,000 person‐years in 1970 through 1974 to 485 (95% CI, 462‐509) in 2000 through 2005. The indication of upper airway obstruction increased from 12 percent of patients in 1970 to 77 percent in 2005. Conclusions Epidemiological trends in tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy have shifted substantially. Overall numbers have increased, and surgical indications have shifted from infection to upper airway obstruction.

Objectives:This guideline provides evidence‐based recommendations on managing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is the most common vestibular disorder in adults, with a lifetime prevalence of 2.4 percent. The guideline targets patients aged 18 years or older with a potential diagnosis of BPPV, evaluated in any setting in which an adult with BPPV would be identified, monitored, or managed. This guideline is intended for all clinicians who are likely to diagnose and manage adults with BPPV.Purpose:The primary purposes of this guideline are to improve quality of care and outcomes for BPPV by improving the accurate and efficient diagnosis of BPPV, reducing the inappropriate use of vestibular suppressant medications, decreasing the inappropriate use of ancillary tests such as radiographic imaging and vestibular testing, and to promote the use of effective repositioning maneuvers for treatment. In creating this guideline, the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation selected a panel representing the fields of audiology, chiropractic medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, geriatric medicine, internal medicine, neurology, nursing, otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, physical therapy, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.ResultsThe panel made strong recommendations that 1) clinicians should diagnose posterior semicircular canal BPPV when vertigo associated with nystagmus is provoked by the Dix‐Hallpike maneuver.The panel made recommendations against 1) radiographic imaging, vestibular testing, or both in patients diagnosed with BPPV, unless the diagnosis is uncertain or there are additional symptoms or signs unrelated to BPPV that warrant testing; and 2) routinely treating BPPV with vestibular suppressant medications such as antihistamines or benzodiazepines.The panel made recommendations that 1) if the patient has a history compatible with BPPV and the Dix‐Hallpike test is negative, clinicians should perform a supine roll test to assess for lateral semicircular canal BPPV; 2) clinicians should differentiate BPPV from other causes of imbalance, dizziness, and vertigo; 3) clinicians should question patients with BPPV for factors that modify management including impaired mobility or balance, CNS disorders, lack of home support, and increased risk for falling; 4) clinicians should treat patients with posterior canal BPPV with a particle repositioning maneuver (PRM); 5) clinicians should reassess patients within 1 month after an initial period of observation or treatment to confirm symptom resolution; 6) clinicians should evaluate patients with BPPV who are initial treatment failures for persistent BPPV or underlying peripheral vestibular or CNS disorders; and 7) clinicians should counsel patients regarding the impact of BPPV on their safety, the potential for disease recurrence, and the importance of follow‐up.The panel offered as options that 1) clinicians may offer vestibular rehabilitation, either self‐administered or with a clinician, for the initial treatment of BPPV and 2) clinicians may offer observation as initial management for patients with BPPV and with assurance of follow‐up.The panel made no recommendation concerning audiometric testing in patients diagnosed with BPPV.Disclaimer:This clinical practice guideline is not intended as a sole source of guidance in managing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Rather, it is designed to assist clinicians by providing an evidence‐based framework for decision‐making strategies. The guideline is not intended to replace clinical judgement or establish a protocol for all individuals with this condition, and may not provide the only appropriate approach to diagnosing and managing this problem. ® 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.

ObjectiveTo identify the presentation of pediatric patients with head and neck manifestations of cat‐scratch disease, one of the most common causes of subacute or chronic lymphadenitis in children, and to determine surgical indications and outcomes.Study DesignCase series.Subjects and MethodsAll pediatric patients from infancy to age 19 years who presented with clinical symptoms of cat‐scratch disease and had an IgG serological test result of more than 1:128 for Bartonella henselae.ResultsNine patients had cat‐scratch disease of the head and neck. Median age at presentation was 4 years; median time from symptom onset to presentation was 20 days. Six (67%) children underwent surgical procedures, and median time from presentation to surgical procedure was 43 days.ConclusionDespite conservative treatment, a minority of pediatric patients with cat‐scratch disease may require surgical drainage of abscess and removal of lymph nodes. Surgical treatment provides tissue for diagnosis, is generally well tolerated, affords improved recovery, and has minimal complications. © 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.