New Trends in Otorhinolaryngology

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 11796

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00186 Rome, Italy
Interests: audiology; vestibular disordes; hearing loss; tinnitus; head and neck cancer; laryngology
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Guest Editor
Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina—Gemelli Isola Hospital, 00100 Rome, Italy
Interests: otolaryngology; smell and taste; head and neck cancer; pediatric otolaryngology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Research and innovation are two fundamental aspects in medicine. In otolaryngology and head and neck conditions, the identification of the causes as well as new methods of diagnosis and treatments are extremely relevant to improving outcomes and patient quality of life. This Special Issue aims to stimulate discussions among clinicians and researchers about new methods of diagnosis and innovative treatments. Both clinical and basic research papers will be accepted.

We are interested in any type of innovation in otolaryngology, including otology and neurotology, cancer, facial plastic, general ENT, pediatric ENT, and maxilla facial surgery.

We are interested in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, medical hypotheses, and clinical trials.

Dr. Arianna Di Stadio
Dr. Massimo Ralli
Dr. Pietro De Luca
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • head and neck
  • otolaryngology
  • hearing loss
  • speech disorders
  • swallowing disorders
  • cancer
  • microRNA
  • nose
  • plastic surgery

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1717 KiB  
Article
Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Function and Its Impact on Postural Stability and Quality of Life in Cochlear Implant Recipients: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Khalid A. Alahmari and Sarah Alshehri
Life 2025, 15(3), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030499 - 20 Mar 2025
Viewed by 383
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function, measured by the video head impulse test (vHIT) gains, plays a crucial role in postural stability and quality of life. Cochlear implant recipients often experience vestibular dysfunction, but its relationship with balance and patient-reported outcomes remains underexplored. This [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function, measured by the video head impulse test (vHIT) gains, plays a crucial role in postural stability and quality of life. Cochlear implant recipients often experience vestibular dysfunction, but its relationship with balance and patient-reported outcomes remains underexplored. This study aimed to (1) evaluate the relationship between vHIT gains and postural stability in cochlear implant recipients; (2) assess the impact of vHIT gains on quality-of-life metrics; and (3) identify key predictors of postural stability, including vHIT gains and demographic/clinical characteristics. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2023 and February 2024 and included 46 participants that comprised cochlear implant recipients and age-matched normal hearers who underwent the vHIT for lateral, anterior, and posterior semicircular canal function. Postural stability was assessed using dynamic posturography, and quality of life was measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Multiple linear regression and correlation analyses were performed. Results: The vHIT gains demonstrated significant positive correlations with postural stability, with the lateral canal showing the strongest association (r = 0.742, p = 0.001), followed by the posterior (r = 0.701, p = 0.003) and anterior canals (r = 0.684, p = 0.005). A multiple regression analysis identified the lateral canal as the most significant predictor of postural stability (β = 0.512, p = 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.47). Quality-of-life metrics were inversely correlated with the vHIT gains, particularly in the posterior canal (r = −0.712, p = 0.002), which explained 43–51% of the variance. Conclusions: This study highlighted the lateral semicircular canal as the primary determinant of postural stability in cochlear implant recipients, underscoring the importance of vestibular assessments in optimizing balance and functional outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Otorhinolaryngology)
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13 pages, 956 KiB  
Article
Associations of Voice Metrics with Postural Function in Parkinson’s Disease
by Anna Carolyna Gianlorenço, Valton Costa, Walter Fabris-Moraes, Paulo Eduardo Portes Teixeira, Paola Gonzalez, Kevin Pacheco-Barrios, Ciro Ramos-Estebanez, Arianna Di Stadio, Mirret M. El-Hagrassy, Deniz Durok Camsari, Tim Wagner, Laura Dipietro and Felipe Fregni
Life 2025, 15(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15010027 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 834
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to explore the potential associations between voice metrics of patients with PD and their motor symptoms. Methods: Motor and vocal data including the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III), Harmonic–Noise Ratio (HNR), jitter, shimmer, and smoothed cepstral [...] Read more.
Background: This study aimed to explore the potential associations between voice metrics of patients with PD and their motor symptoms. Methods: Motor and vocal data including the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III), Harmonic–Noise Ratio (HNR), jitter, shimmer, and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) were analyzed through exploratory correlations followed by univariate linear regression analyses. We employed these four voice metrics as independent variables and the total and sub-scores of the UPDRS-III as dependent variables. Results: Thirteen subjects were included, 76% males and 24% females, with a mean age of 62.9 ± 10.1 years, and a median Hoehn and Yahr stage of 2.3 ± 0.7. The regression analysis showed that CPPS is associated with posture (UPDRS-III posture scores: β = −0.196; F = 10.0; p = 0.01; R2 = 0.50) and UPDRS-III postural stability scores (β = −0.130; F = 5.57; p = 0.04; R2 = 0.35). Additionally, the associations between CPPS and rapid alternating movement (β = −0.297; p = 0.07), rigidity (β= −0.36; p = 0.11), and body bradykinesia (β = −0.16; p = 0.13) showed a trend towards significance. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential role of CPPS as a predictor of postural impairments secondary to PD, emphasizing the need for further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Otorhinolaryngology)
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12 pages, 586 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Genomic Profiles of Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Nasopharynx of Asymptomatic Children in Dhaka, Bangladesh
by Sufia Islam, Nishat Nasrin, Nigar Sultana Tithi, Farjana Khatun, Muhammad Asaduzzaman, Anika Fatema Topa, Md Farhad Kabir, Fahim Kabir Monjurul Haque, Mohammad Jubair, Mustafizur Rahman and Christian Lehmann
Life 2024, 14(8), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14080971 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 2034
Abstract
Children carrying Staphylococcus aureus in their nasopharynx are at a higher risk of contracting systemic infection. Due to lack of sufficient information regarding such carriage, this study was conducted to explore the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility, and genomic profiles of S. aureus isolated from [...] Read more.
Children carrying Staphylococcus aureus in their nasopharynx are at a higher risk of contracting systemic infection. Due to lack of sufficient information regarding such carriage, this study was conducted to explore the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility, and genomic profiles of S. aureus isolated from nasopharyngeal samples of 163 randomly selected asymptomatic Bangladeshi children aged from 5–<15 years. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern and genomic analysis of the samples were conducted using standard microbiological methods and genomic tools. The carriage was confirmed in 44 (27%) children who were mostly well nourished without respiratory symptoms in the last 3 months. Higher carriage was observed among the younger age group (5–<10 years) who completed vaccines for pneumonia (p = 0.002) and influenza (p = 0.004). Among the isolates, 84.1% were multidrug-resistant and 47.5% (n = 40) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). All the isolates (100%) were resistant to cefixime with higher resistance to ampicillin (95.5%) and penicillin (90.9%). Among the three investigated isolates, two were ST80 (ID-1 and ID-52) and one was a novel strain (ID-19) with the presence of aph-Stph, blaI, blaZ, dha1, fosB, lmrS, mepA, norA, and tet38 genes. The current research demonstrates a high incidence of multidrug-resistant S. aureus and reports the first instance of ST80 in asymptomatic children in Bangladesh. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Otorhinolaryngology)
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Review

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19 pages, 1471 KiB  
Review
Minimizing Narcotic Use in Rhinoplasty: An Updated Narrative Review and Protocol
by Madison Mai-Lan Cheung and Anil Shah
Life 2024, 14(10), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14101272 - 7 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2206
Abstract
Opioids are commonly used to reduce pain after surgery; however, there are severe side effects and complications associated with opioid use, with addiction being of particular concern. Recent practice has shifted to reduce opioid consumption in surgery, although a specific protocol for rhinoplasty [...] Read more.
Opioids are commonly used to reduce pain after surgery; however, there are severe side effects and complications associated with opioid use, with addiction being of particular concern. Recent practice has shifted to reduce opioid consumption in surgery, although a specific protocol for rhinoplasty is still in progress. This paper aims to expand on the protocol previously established by the senior author based on updated evidence and details. This was accomplished by first high-lighting and summarizing analgesic agents with known opioid-reducing effects in the surgical field, with a particular focus on rhinoplasty, then compiling these analgesic options into a recommended protocol based on the most effective timing of administration (preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative). The senior author’s previous article on the subject was referenced to compile a list of analgesic agents of importance. Each analgesic agent was then searched in PubMed in conjunction with “rhinoplasty” or “opioid sparing” to find relevant primary sources and systematic reviews. The preferred analgesic agents included, as follows: preoperative, 1000 mg oral acetaminophen, 200 mg of oral celecoxib twice daily for 5 days, and 1200 mg oral gabapentin; intraoperative, 0.75 μg/kg of intravenous dexmedetomidine and 1–2 mg/kg injected lidocaine with additional 2–4 mg/kg per hour or 1.5 cc total bupivacaine nerve block injected along the infraorbital area bilaterally and in the subnasal region; and postoperatively, 5 mg oral acetaminophen and 400 mg of oral celecoxib. When choosing specific analgesic agents, considerations include potential side effects, contraindications, and the drug-specific mode of administration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Otorhinolaryngology)
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12 pages, 855 KiB  
Review
Local Allergic Rhinitis—A Challenge for Allergology and Otorhinolaryngology Cooperation (Scoping Review)
by Ovidiu Berghi, Mihai Dumitru, Romica Cergan, Gabriela Musat, Crenguta Serboiu and Daniela Vrinceanu
Life 2024, 14(8), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14080965 - 31 Jul 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1648
Abstract
Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) represents a medical provocation for allergists and otorhinolaryngologists. LAR is considered to be a subtype of allergic rhinitis (AR) that affects a great percentage of patients who were, for decades, diagnosed as having chronic non-allergic rhinitis. The clinical picture [...] Read more.
Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) represents a medical provocation for allergists and otorhinolaryngologists. LAR is considered to be a subtype of allergic rhinitis (AR) that affects a great percentage of patients who were, for decades, diagnosed as having chronic non-allergic rhinitis. The clinical picture is represented by rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal itching correlated with specific pollen season or dust, mold, or pet interior exposure. Usual assessment of AR (skin prick testing and serum IgE assessment) produces negative results. Specialized centers in allergology and ENT around the globe use a nasal allergen challenge, assessment of local IgE, basophil activation test (BAT), and nasal cytology in the diagnostic approach to the disease, taking into account their current limitations. The impact of LAR on quality-of-life indicators is the same as in AR. Treatment for LAR is similar to that for AR and is the same as for AR: allergen exposure avoidance, drug therapy, and allergen immunotherapy. This scoping review gathers the current up-to-date open access evidence available on PubMed on the subject of LAR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Otorhinolaryngology)
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Other

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15 pages, 2673 KiB  
Systematic Review
Timing of Tracheostomy in ICU Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
by Raffaele Merola, Carmine Iacovazzo, Stefania Troise, Annachiara Marra, Antonella Formichella, Giuseppe Servillo and Maria Vargas
Life 2024, 14(9), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14091165 - 14 Sep 2024
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3693
Abstract
Background: The ideal timing for tracheostomy in critically ill patients is still debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether early tracheostomy improves clinical outcomes compared to late tracheostomy or prolonged intubation in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation. Methods: We conducted a [...] Read more.
Background: The ideal timing for tracheostomy in critically ill patients is still debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether early tracheostomy improves clinical outcomes compared to late tracheostomy or prolonged intubation in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the risk of clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients who underwent early (within 7–10 days of intubation) versus late tracheostomy or prolonged intubation. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to June 2023. The primary outcome evaluated was mortality, while secondary outcomes included the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), ICU length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. No language restriction was applied. Eligible studies were RCTs comparing early to late tracheostomy or prolonged intubation in critically ill patients that reported on mortality. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs, and evidence certainty was assessed via the GRADE approach. Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 19 RCTs, covering 3586 critically ill patients. Early tracheostomy modestly decreased mortality compared to the control (RR −0.1511 [95% CI: −0.2951 to −0.0070], p = 0.0398). It also reduced ICU length of stay (SMD −0.6237 [95% CI: −0.9526 to −0.2948], p = 0.0002) and the duration of mechanical ventilation compared to late tracheostomy (SMD −0.3887 [95% CI: −0.7726 to −0.0048], p = 0.0472). However, early tracheostomy did not significantly reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation compared to prolonged intubation (SMD −0.1192 [95% CI: −0.2986 to 0.0601], p = 0.1927) or affect VAP incidence (RR −0.0986 [95% CI: −0.2272 to 0.0299], p = 0.1327). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) for each outcome indicated that additional trials are needed for conclusive evidence. Conclusions: Early tracheostomy appears to offer some benefits across all considered clinical outcomes when compared to late tracheostomy and prolonged intubation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Otorhinolaryngology)
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