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A relationship between microvascular disorders and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been widely proposed. The vascular hypothesis, theorized for the onset of sudden SNHL (SSNHL), is among the most acknowledged: a localized acute cochlear damage, of ischemic or haemorrhagic nature, could be considered a causative factor of SSNHL. The aim of this review is to assess (i) the effect on hearing in patients affected by blood coagulation disorders (prothrombotic or haemorrhagic) and (ii) the possible etiopathogenetic mechanisms of the related hearing loss. A PRISMA-compliant review was performed. Medline, Embase, and Cinahl databases were searched from inception to 31 January 2023, and a total of 14 studies have been included in the review. The available data suggest that it is possible to consider clotting disorders as a potential condition at risk for sensorineural hearing loss; in particular, coagulation tests and eventually the assessment of genetic and acquired prothrombotic factors should be recommended in patients with SSNHL. Also, an audiological evaluation should be recommended for patients with blood coagulation disorders presenting cochlear symptoms, especially in those suffering from clotting diseases.

The aim of this review is to assess the utility of circulating HPV tumor DNA (ctHPVDNA) clearance in the monitoring of molecular residual disease in HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients. Recently, ctHPVDNA in patient plasma was found to be a promising biomarker for HPV OPSCC. Changes in this biomarker appear to be associated with treatment response and may be useful for identifying molecular residual disease. A review of the literature was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases according to the PRISMA criteria for scoping reviews (from 2017 to July 2024). A total of 5 articles and 562 patients have been included. Three studies examine the role of ctHPVDNA clearance in CRT, while the remaining two studies consider surgery as a treatment option. The results of this scoping review indicate that ctHPVDNA has a potential role to serve as a valuable biomarker in the assessment of molecular residual disease. Further studies are required to confirm the efficacy of this marker for stratifying this group of patients.

Background/Objectives: Tracheoesophageal voice is the most commonly used voice rehabilitation technique after a total laryngectomy. The placement of the tracheoesophageal prosthesis can be performed at the same time as the total laryngectomy (primary placement) or in a second procedure after surgery (secondary placement). The purpose of this study is to analyze the substitution voice in patients with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis, considering the influence of radiotherapy and timing of prosthesis placement (primary or secondary) on voice quality. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients who received a tracheoesophageal phonatory prosthesis after a total laryngectomy was performed. We assessed whether patients received radiotherapy and whether they had a primary or secondary tracheoesophageal prosthesis. For the voice analysis, maximum phonation time (MPT), INFVo, SECEL, AVQI, CPPS, harmonic to noise ratio (HNR), unvoiced fraction (UVF), and number of voice breaks (NVB) were evaluated. Results: A total of 15 patients (14 males and 1 female) with a mean age of 71.8 years (SD ± 7.5) were enrolled. Eight had a primary prosthesis placement and five did not receive radiotherapy. INFVo parameters I and Vo were higher in patients with a primary placement of the phonatory prosthesis (p = 0.046 and p = 0.047). Patients who received the prosthesis secondarily had a higher mean CPPS and lower mean AVQI. Conclusions: A secondary placement of the prostheses seems to result in a minimal advantage in voice quality compared to a primary placement. Radiation therapy, on the other hand, has no effect on voice quality, according to these preliminary data.

Background/Objectives: Chiari malformation (CM) type I is an uncommon condition that can be associated with a variety of neurological and otoneurological symptoms, including sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of this paper is to analyze the association between type I CM and hearing loss. Methods: A review of the literature was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, according to PRISMA criteria for scoping review (from 2000 to April 2025). Results: A total of 8 articles and 139 patients with type I CM have been included; the majority of studies focused on women, with a mean age of 38.5 years (range: 10–44 years). In two cases, surgery was necessary for restoring normal hearing thresholds. Conclusions: To date, the pathophysiological mechanisms related to type I CM and hearing loss are not fully understood yet; further studies are necessary to clarify these features and to evaluate the correct management of these patients.

Objectives: The present study aims to identify potential predictive factors for developing sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in individuals with congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 50 subjects with cCMV infection (symptomatic and asymptomatic), followed at the Audiology Service of Sant’Anna Hospital (University Hospital of Ferrara). The following data were analyzed: the type of maternal Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (primary versus non-primary), time of in utero infection, systemic signs and symptoms or laboratory test anomalies due to cCMV infection, and signs and symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) involvement at birth. In particular, brain ultrasonography and encephalic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated, searching for possible links between imaging findings and SNHL. Results: The statistical analysis showed a significantly higher risk of developing SNHL in subjects with signs and symptoms of CNS involvement at birth (p = 0.009 *). The presence of brain MRI abnormalities significantly influenced the onset of SNHL in patients with symptomatic cCMV infection (p = 0.012 *). Brain ultrasonography, the type of maternal CMV infection, systemic signs/symptoms and laboratory test anomalies at birth, and sex resulted in nonsignificant correlations in the analysis. Conclusions: The presence of neurological symptoms at birth and of detectable abnormalities in brain MRI are predictors of SNHL developing in symptomatic cCMV infection. Further investigation on this topic is necessary.

The aim of this review is to investigate the state of the art among the association between Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and laryngomalacia, analyzing the epidemiology, the diagnostic tools, and the possible treatments available to affected patients. Laryngomalacia, characterized by the malacic consistency of the epiglottis with a tendency to collapse during inspiratory acts, producing a characteristic noise known as stridor, is a common condition in infants and particularly in those affected by prematurity, genetic diseases, craniofacial anomalies, and neurological problems. Congenital laryngomalacia, presenting with stridor within the first 15 days of life, is often self-limiting and tends to resolve by 24 months. OSA is not only a consequence of laryngomalacia but also exacerbates and perpetuates the condition. Currently, the treatments reported in the literature are based (i) on medical therapies (including watchful waiting) and (ii) on surgical treatments. Among the surgical techniques, the most described is supraglottoplasty, performed with the use of cold instruments, CO2 LASER, transoral robotic surgery, or the microdebrider.

Hearing loss (HL) is one of the most frequent disorders in Turner syndrome (TS); HL can be present with a wide spectrum of manifestations and also evolve with age. The aim of this paper is to perform a review of the literature on the prevalence of HL in TS patients also analyzing the possible genetic alterations underlying the auditory features. A review of the literature was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses criteria for scoping reviews (from 2000 to December 2023). A total of 17 articles and 2129 patients with TS have been included; the majority of studies focused on young women/girls, with a mean age range from 2 to 43.6 years. External and middle ear problems, inducing conductive and mixed HL, have been reported to be more frequent in childhood, while sensorineural HL has been described since adolescence. Monosomy 45,X and loss of the X chromosome short arm (p) are the alterations most frequently associated with HL. To date, the pathophysiological mechanisms related to HL in TS are still not fully understood; further studies are necessary to clarify these features and to offer therapies or prevention strategies to avoid the progression of HL in TS subjects.

This prospective pilot study aimed to evaluate whether cerebral inflow and outflow abnormalities assessed by ultrasonographic examination could be associated with recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Twenty-four patients with recurrent BPPV, affected by at least two episodes, and diagnosed according to American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO–HNS) criteria, evaluated at our University Hospital, between 1 February 2020 and 30 November 2021, have been included. At the ultrasonographic examination, 22 of 24 patients (92%) reported one or more alterations of the extracranial venous circulation, among those considered for the diagnosis of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), although none of the studied patients were found to have alterations in the arterial circulation. The present study confirms the presence of alterations of the extracranial venous circulation in recurrent BPPV; these anomalies (such as stenosis, blockages or regurgitation of flow, or abnormal valves, as per the CCSVI) could cause a disruption in the venous inner ear drainage, hampering the inner ear microcirculation and then possibly causing recurrent otolith detachment.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is sexually transmitted and commonly widespread in the head and neck region; however, its role in tumor development and prognosis has only been demonstrated for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OPSCC). The aim of this review is to analyze the results of the most recent literature that has investigated the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a method for discerning HPV-positive from HPV-negative OPSCC tumors. A review of the literature was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, according to PRISMA for scoping review criteria (from 2017 to July 2024). A total of 15 articles and 4063 patients have been included. Eleven studies analyzed the role of radiomics, and four analyzed the role of AI in determining HPV histological positivity. The results of this scoping review indicate that AI has the potential to play a role in predicting HPV positivity or negativity in OPSCC. Further studies are required to confirm these results.

The Cochlear™ Osia® System is a hearing system indicated for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss or unilateral deafness. Given its recent introduction, this is one of the first cases in the literature of implant dehiscence with treatment using local flaps with excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes.