IT steroid administration after failed intravenous steroids is a safe and effective treatment in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

As the role of biofilms in human infection becomes better defined, ENT surgeons should be prepared to deal with their unique and tenacious nature.

It would appear that the complications associated with tympanostomy tube insertion are more frequent than anticipated, reaching 80% of operated ears under specific circumstances and in certain subgroups of children. These complications may resolve with conservative management, but in persistent cases surgical removal of the tubes is mandatory.

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This study demonstrated a significant relationship between rapid acetylator genotypes and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in a Greek population.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) is an objective sensitive test of cochlear function. The aim of this study was the evaluation of noise-induced hearing loss in a group of industrial workers, using this method in conjunction with standard puretone audiometry (PTA). One hundred and five subjects (210 ears) were included in the study. PTA, tympanometry, and DPOAEs were performed. Results were analyzed using a mixed analysis of variance model, and compared with the data of 34 normal persons of similar age and sex. We found statistically significant lower DPOAE levels in the noise-exposed group than in the control group. Additionally, the effect of frequency was significant, indicating that amplitude varied across frequency, with lower responses observed at 4 and 6 kHz, and maximum response found at 2 kHz. PTA showed a statistically significant effect of Group, owed to elevated puretone thresholds in the noise-exposed subjects, but a Frequency main effect was not found, although the interaction between Frequency and Group was statistically significant, as well as the interaction between Frequency and Ear. A main effect for Ear was found only in puretone thresholds, due to better thresholds in the left ears of the subjects, and not in DPOAE measurements. DPOAE levels were selectively affected at the higher frequencies, whereas puretone thresholds were affected at all frequencies. Direct comparison of the number of significantly affected ears between the two methods at 1, 2, and 4 kHz showed statistically significant differences at all comparisons, with more ears affected in PTA in comparison with DPOAEs at 4 kHz, whereas more ears were affected in DPOAEs at the lower frequencies (1 and 2 kHz). Therefore, it may be concluded that DPOAEs and PTA are both sensitive methods in detecting noise-induced hearing loss, with DPOAEs tending to be more sensitive at lower frequencies.

Ceruminous adenocarcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of the glandular structures of the external auditory canal. The true incidence and behavior of these rare tumors are still unclear due to confusing terminology, classification and histological definitions. Therefore, the ENT surgeon faces major difficulties in choosing the method of management – conservative or more radical surgery – with the addition or not of radiotherapy. We report a 57-year-old male patient with a recurrence of a previously excised (maybe partially) and irradiated ceruminous adenocarcinoma of the right external auditory canal. Aggressive surgery was considered as the treatment of choice. However, the patient refused this approach and, as a consequence, a conservative excision was performed but with histologically confirmed healthy margins. To our surprise, the patient showed an excellent response and he is disease free 3 years following the last operation. Although recurrences usually occur within months after inadequate management, some may happen even 7 years post treatment. Therefore, routine long-term follow-up was advised.