Semicircular canal morphology is fundamental to vestibular function and is implicated in disorders like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and Ménière’s disease. Manual morphometric analysis currently lacks standardisation and is labour-intensive. This review synthesises the evolution of semicircular canal morphometry, transitioning from foundational cadaveric studies to modern artificial intelligence-driven analysis.

The capabilities of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in depicting the bony and membranous labyrinth were evaluated. The review details the shift from manual measurement to deep learning-based segmentation architectures, such as U-Net, which significantly reduce observer variability. We address the critical role of intramodality comparison registration (e.g. longitudinal CT-to-CT and MRI-to-MRI alignment) in tracking structural changes over time. Clinical evidence links specific semicircular canal geometric variations to vestibular pathologies and surgical outcomes.

Semicircular canal morphometry is evolving into a quantitative diagnostic tool. Future progress necessitates multi-centre data standardisation and integration of structural and functional data for precision otology.

To evaluate the impact of a consultant-governed Advanced Nurse Practitioner-led tonsillectomy assessment pathway on patient access to care and service delivery.

A retrospective service evaluation was conducted using routinely collected data for patients referred for tonsillectomy assessment to one consultant service in 2018, prior to implementation, and during the subsequent four years, from 2019 to 2022.

Prior to implementation, 34 per cent of patients waited more than 36 months for assessment. By 2022, all patients were assessed within 18 months, with 89 per cent assessed within 12 months. Assessment activity increased substantially, overall referral-to-surgical procedure waiting times reduced and many patients were managed within the Advanced Nurse Practitioner-led pathway without onward consultant review.

This consultant-governed Advanced Nurse Practitioner-led pathway was associated with improved access to specialist assessment, increased out-patient capacity and more efficient patient flow within a regional tertiary ear, nose and throat service.

Hypopharyngeal cancer is characterised by low survival rates because of the prevalence of the advanced stage. This study aims to analyse the pathways to the diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer.

A retrospective observational cohort study of 434 patients diagnosed with hypopharyngeal cancer extracted from the Head and Neck cancer multidisciplinary team database in the West of Scotland over 14 years.

There were 434 patients with a mean age 67.3 years. The Urgent Suspicion of Cancer referral pathway had 237 patients (54.6 per cent), while 87 patients (20 per cent) had urgent or routine general practitioner referral, 101 (23.3 per cent) were referred by secondary care specialities and 55 (12.7 per cent) presented as emergencies. The majority of patients, 288 (66.3 per cent), experienced symptoms for 3 months before referral and 180 of patients (41.5 per cent) had an ENT clinic appointment within 2 weeks after referral.

Diagnostic pathways to hypopharyngeal cancer are efficient despite a variety of clinical presentations. However, most patients present with short symptom duration and advanced disease, highlighting its aggressive nature.

This review evaluates evidence-based criteria for selecting ideal candidates for biologic therapies in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

A narrative literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science (2016-2026) was performed, synthesising data from clinical trials, observational studies and European Position paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps/European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseasesguidelines.

Three United States Food and Drug Administration-approved biologics (dupilumab, mepolizumab and omalizumab) effectively target severe type 2 inflammation. Ideal candidates have prior sinus surgery and greater than or equal to three criteria: elevated T2 biomarkers, systemic corticosteroid dependence, severe anosmia, impaired quality of life or comorbid asthma. Drug selection must be endotype-driven: dupilumab for broad efficacy/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug exacerbated respiratory disease, mepolizumab for high eosinophilia/eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and omalizumab for severe allergic asthma. Therapeutic efficacy requires mandatory reassessment at six- and 12-month intervals using objective clinical thresholds.

Biologics act as a targeted, complementary strategy for refractory disease. Selecting patients demands a precision medicine approach based on accurate phenotyping within a collaborative multidisciplinary framework.

This study aimed to explore patients’ experience of active transcutaneous hearing implants and identify factors influencing outcomes and access to care.

A qualitative study was conducted at a tertiary referral centre. Adult recipients of active transcutaneous hearing implants were invited to complete open-ended questionnaires. Responses were analysed thematically using NVivo® software until saturation was achieved.

Thirty-one responses were analysed (69 percent response rate). Six themes were identified: impact of hearing loss; pre-operative experience; positive impact of the hearing implant; associated drawbacks; variation in audiology support; and limited awareness of hearing implants. Most patients reported significant improvements in hearing, confidence and quality of life. However, experiences were influenced by prior device use, expectations and individual circumstances. Limited clinician awareness was repeatedly identified as a barrier to timely access.

Active transcutaneous hearing implants provide substantial patient-reported benefit. Improving clinician awareness and managing expectations may enhance patient experience and access to care.

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of combined olfactory training and pharmacotherapy for post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction.

Fifty-one patients with post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction treated at Mie University Hospital (2003–2022) were retrospectively analysed. Patients received either medication only (n = 33) or medication plus olfactory training (n = 18). Olfactory function was assessed using T&T olfactometry. Pharmacotherapy consisted of tokishakuyakusan (7.5 g/day), zinc (150 mg/day) and methylcobalamin (1500 µg/day).

The cure rate was significantly higher in the combination group (50 percent) than in the medication-only group (21 percent) (p = 0.037). The mean time to improvement was shorter with combination therapy (6 ± 3 vs 14 ± 7 months, p = 0.031). Among patients aged less than or equal to 35 years, the cure rate reached 100 percent.

Olfactory training enhances the therapeutic effect of pharmacotherapy in post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction, especially in younger patients. This simple and safe combination therapy may serve as a practical treatment option for post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction.

This retrospective observational study aimed to identify factors and predictors associated with the need for lifelong medication after total thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma.

A total of 96 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma from July 2017 to July 2023 at a tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Among the participants, 39 (40.6 per cent) of 96 required long-term calcium and calcitriol supplementation. A smaller number of preserved parathyroid glands during surgery was significantly correlated with the necessity to continue calcium supplementation. Poorly corrected calcium levels on the first post-operative day were significantly associated with the need to continue calcitriol and/or calcium supplementation.

In patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma, careful preservation of the parathyroid glands may reduce the risk of permanent calcium supplementation, whereas an early post-operative decline in serum calcium levels may help identify patients at a higher risk of requiring prolonged medication.

To assess the efficacy and safety of vitamin A and retinoid analogues for adult olfactory dysfunction.

A review conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from inception to September 2025 for clinical studies evaluating vitamin A or retinoids. Eligible designs included randomised trials, controlled trials, prospective cohorts and large case series.

Eight studies including 589 participants were identified. Findings were inconsistent: observational studies and pilot trials suggested possible benefit, particularly in post-infectious disease and with olfactory training, whereas two randomised trials found no significant added benefit. Safety reporting was limited.

Current evidence does not support routine vitamin A treatment for olfactory dysfunction. Any benefit is uncertain and may be phenotype-, route- or dose-specific; adequately powered trials using standardised endpoints and adverse-event reporting are required.

This study aimed to assess pre- and post-radiation therapy mandibular bone densities in head and neck cancer patients with osteoradionecrosis and factors associated with decreased bone densities.

Retrospective pilot study (2007–2017) of osteoradionecrosis patients after 66- to 70-gray radiation therapy. Cortical and cancellous mandibular bone densities ipsilateral/contralateral to tumour were measured on pre-radiation therapy and at three-month and one-year post-radiation therapy positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Two-way analysis of variance and linear regression were used as exploratory analyses, given the pilot nature of the study.

Sixteen of 67 head and neck cancer patients had osteoradionecrosis (41–67 years of age; nine African Americans, seven Caucasians). Bone density did not significantly change from baseline within either racial group. African Americans had higher bone densities than Caucasians (pre-radiation therapy ipsilateral cortical: 1044 ± 229.8 vs. 965.6± 278.7 Hounsfield units). At one year, African Americans had higher contralateral cortical (+35.5 per cent; p = 0.008) and cancellous (+109.4 per cent; p = 0.028) bone densities. Multivariable models showed lower contralateral cortical (p = 0.039) and cancellous (p = 0.005) bone densities in Caucasians.

In this small pilot study, mandibular bone densities appeared higher in African Americans, with a greater post-radiation therapy reduction observed in Caucasians; these findings are exploratory and require validation in larger cohorts.