Nasal congestion is an important symptom in nasal pathology and can be defined as an objective restriction of nasal cavity airflow because of mucosal pathology and/or increased mucus secretion (excluding anatomical variants). Using the new Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system, evidence‐based recommendations are made that will encompass different clinical questions regarding diagnostic modalities of nasal congestion: (i) their usefulness in assessment of presence and severity of congestion; (ii) their usefulness in assessment of etiological pathology responsible for congestion; and (iii) their usefulness in follow up and treatment effectiveness evaluation of nasal congestion.

In a general population-based sample of children, normative data of the Sniffin' Sticks screenings test are supplied as well as possible determinants of outcome.

The objective of the study was to evaluate postoperative hearing and disease control after cholesteatoma surgery for labyrinthine fistulas. In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated a consecutive cohort comprising 44 patients (45 ears) with labyrinthine fistulas associated with chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma who underwent surgery between 2002 and 2015. We looked at patient characteristics, pre- and postoperative bone conduction thresholds (BCT), operative approach and findings, extent of disease and the occurrence of residual disease. All deaf ears (24%) presented preoperatively with a large fistula. Opening the membranous labyrinth resulted in significantly worse postoperative BCT (p = 0.01). Neither the present study nor a literature search revealed a significant positive effect of corticosteroids on postoperative hearing preservation. Large fistulas were correlated with poorer preoperative BCTs, but not with poorer postoperative BCTs. Opening the membranous labyrinth during surgery is correlated with poorer postoperative BCTs and can be seen as a predictive parameter. The use of corticosteroids in the perioperative management of labyrinthine fistula was not found to result in any improvement in postoperative BCTs.

The Cochlear Implant Centers in The Netherlands (CI-ON) have agreed on a protocolized follow-up after bacterial meningitis to increase the chances of an early detection and possible intervention should profound hearing loss occur.

Ramsden's classification system is clinically relevant in predicting conservative treatment outcomes. Mastoid air cell destruction on computed tomography differentiates between the localized and diffuse forms of ORN. Given our results and experience with treating temporal bone ORN, we propose a treatment protocol.