Gross tumour volume has been proposed as a complementary prognostic marker in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the prognostic value of pre-treatment gross tumour volume.

MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus were systematically searched according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies reporting pre-treatment gross tumour volume and survival outcomes in laryngeal cancer were included. The primary outcome was overall survival, and the secondary outcome was disease-free survival. Hazard ratios were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool, and certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.

Eight retrospective studies including 1351 patients were included. Increasing gross tumour volume was significantly associated with worse overall survival (pooled hazard ratio per 1 cm3 increase: 1.03; 95 per cent confidence interval: 1.02–1.05), with a similar association observed for disease-free survival. Overall risk of bias was moderate.

Higher gross tumour volume is independently associated with poorer survival in laryngeal cancer and may provide prognostic information beyond tumour-node-metastasis staging.

Sialocele and parotid fistula are complications following parotidectomy. Botulinum toxin type A has emerged as a less invasive alternative to prevent or treat them. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence regarding the preventive and therapeutic use of botulinum toxin type A.

Studies involving patients with salivary gland fistulas or sialocele prevented or treated were included. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar.

Thirty-five studies, including 681 patients, were analysed. Most were case reports or case series. Among prophylactic studies, the sialocele rate in botulinum toxin type A groups was 3.4 per cent versus 16.4 per cent in controls, without statistical significance. Among patients treated, resolution was achieved in 92 per cent of cases. Methodological limitations included small sample sizes, heterogeneity in protocols and lack of standardised outcome measures.

Botulinum toxin type A shows a physiological effect on salivary flow reduction; however, available evidence does not yet support definitive conclusions on efficacy.

Vagal schwannomas of the parapharyngeal space are rare benign tumours and the optimal surgical approach remains debated. This study aimed to identify clinical and tumour-related factors associated with different surgical strategies.

A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (‘PRISMA’) 2020 guidelines. Studies published between January 1997 and March 2026 were identified, and analyses were restricted to surgically treated patients.

Twenty-five studies including 87 patients were analysed. The transcervical approach was most frequently used, followed by transoral and combined approaches. Tumour size was not associated with surgical approach selection. Pre-operative hoarseness and oropharyngeal bulging were more common in transoral cases, whereas cervical mass predominated in transcervical and combined approaches. Overall, complications were infrequent and recurrence was rare.

Selection of the surgical approach appeared to be influenced by anatomical considerations rather than tumour size. These findings describe contemporary surgical decision-making patterns without demonstrating superiority between approaches.

This review evaluates contemporary therapeutic strategies for rhinophyma, emphasising evidence-based treatment selection according to disease severity and clinical grading.

A structured literature search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science was performed for studies published between 1990 and 2025 evaluating medical, surgical and laser-based rhinophyma treatments.

Medical therapy, including doxycycline and isotretinoin, is primarily beneficial in early inflammatory disease (Clark Grade I). Established fibrotic rhinophyma (Grades II–IV) generally requires surgical intervention. Current Level III–IV evidence supports partial-thickness sharp excision combined with adjunctive laser contouring using CO₂, Er:YAG and emerging blue laser technologies to improve haemostasis, tissue preservation and cosmetic outcomes. Histopathological assessment remains essential because occult malignancies may coexist within rhinophymatous tissue.

Treatment should be individualised according to clinical severity. Combined excisional and laser-based approaches currently provide the most favourable functional and aesthetic outcomes, although prospective comparative studies remain limited.

This study presents a retrospective single-centre clinical comparison of the bone-anchored hearing aid BAHA Connect and BAHA Attract systems with long-term follow-up data spanning 12 years.

The manuscript evaluates audiological outcomes, complication profiles and revision surgery rates associated with both systems in a cohort of 43 patients.

Our findings provide clinically relevant information regarding hearing gain relative to pre-operative bone-conduction thresholds and offer a re-evaluation of previously reported analytical approaches in the literature.

We believe that these results may contribute to improved clinical decision-making in the selection of implantable bone-conduction hearing devices and may be of interest to clinicians involved in hearing rehabilitation.

To investigate the prevalence, characteristics and predictors of taste dysfunction following stapedectomy in patients with otosclerosis.

This study was conducted on 320 patients who underwent primary stapedectomy. Demographic data, audiometric outcomes and taste function were assessed pre-operatively, one week, six weeks and one year post-operatively.

Taste disturbance occurred in 35.6 per cent of patients at 1 week, 7.8 per cent at 6 weeks, and 0.9 per cent at 1 year (p < 0.001). The most frequent symptoms were reduced taste sensation (66.6 per cent), metallic taste (60.5 per cent), and altered perception of salty (53.5 per cent) and sweet (41.2 per cent) flavours. Chorda tympani nerve stretching (odds ratio = 6.30, p < 0.001) and prosthesis diameter of 0.6 mm (odds ratio = 2.51, p < 0.001) were identified as the strongest independent predictors of taste disturbance.

Taste disturbance is a relatively common but transient complication of stapedectomy. Chorda tympani nerve stretching, prosthesis diameter and older age are significant predictors.

Developmental mentoring is widely advocated within Otolaryngology training, yet programmes are often poorly defined and may not reflect its intended distinction from traditional hierarchical models. This study explored participant understanding of mentoring within a national Otolaryngology mentoring programme.

Prospective participants completed open-ended questionnaires prior to mentor training. Responses were analysed using grounded theory with iterative coding and constant comparison.

Twenty-seven participants responded. Many identified features consistent with developmental mentoring, including empowerment, goal exploration, reflection and psychological safety. However, there was notable variability in interpretation; some uncertain of the concept, others describing supervision or patronage. Broader personal, professional and value-based elements relevant to Otolaryngology training were also emphasised.

Understanding of developmental mentoring is heterogeneous and often diverges from its intended model. This lack of shared understanding may undermine programme effectiveness and efforts to support the Otolaryngology workforce. Clear definition and participant training are essential for successful implementation.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the severity of nasal obstruction and carotid intima–media thickness in patients with nasal septal deviation.

This prospective study included 60 patients scheduled for septoplasty and 50 age-, sex- and body mass index–matched healthy controls. Correlation analyses and receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were performed to determine associations and optimal cutoff values.

Both right (0.62 ± 0.12 mm) and left (0.63 ± 0.12 mm) common carotid artery intima–media thickness values were significantly higher in the nasal septal deviation group compared to controls (0.51 ± 0.09 mm and 0.51 ± 0.07 mm, respectively; p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristics analyses revealed that Visual Analogue Scale greater than or equal to 7.5 (sensitivity 85.7 per cent; specificity 67.4 per cent) and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation greater than or equal to 72.5 (sensitivity 92.9per cen; specificity 65.1 per cent) reliably predicted elevated carotid intima–media thickness (>0.7 mm).

Nasal septal deviation–related nasal obstruction was significantly associated with increased carotid intima–media thickness, suggesting a possible contribution to cardiovascular risk. Larger multicenter studies are warranted to validate these findings. The Australian New Zealand CTN: ACTRN12619000347167

This study investigated whether the inflammatory potential of diet, assessed by the Dietary Inflammatory Index, is associated with sudden sensorineural hearing loss by comparing patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and healthy controls.

This retrospective case–control study included 30 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and 32 matched controls. Dietary intake in the preceding 12 months was assessed by food frequency questionnaire, and Dietary Inflammatory Index scores were calculated. Between-group comparisons and receiver operating characteristics analysis were performed.

Mean Dietary Inflammatory Index score was significantly higher in the sudden sensorineural hearing loss group than in controls (2.27 ± 1.21 vs. 1.46 ± 1.14; p = 0.01). Patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss had higher energy, saturated fat and cholesterol intake, while omega-3 fatty acid and fibre intake were lower (p < 0.05). Dietary Inflammatory Index scores demonstrated moderate discriminative ability for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (area under the curve = 0.690; p = 0.005).

A pro-inflammatory dietary profile may be associated with increased sudden sensorineural hearing loss risk and may contribute to understanding modifiable risk factors.

Intranasal melanoma is a rare, aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, with five-year survival rates of 6–30 per cent. We hypothesised that intranasal melanoma confined to the nasal septum may have a more favourable outcome if detected early and treated with wide local excision or septectomy. This case series reviews management at a regional head and neck centre.

Intranasal melanoma cases were identified from a list of those with International Classification of Diseases – Revision 10 code C30.0 (“neoplasm of nasal cavity”) and analysed retrospectively for survival time and treatment modality.

Eleven patients (May 2010–December 2024) were identified. Eight (72.7 per cent) underwent surgery. Patients treated with subtotal septectomy or rhinectomy had longer mean survival (250 weeks) compared to those receiving endoscopic debulking and chemoradiotherapy (104 weeks).

Our findings may identify utility of early septectomy in patients with septal disease. Furthermore, larger studies are required to elucidate the role of septectomy in septal intranasal melanoma.

This study aimed to design and evaluate a low-cost, high-fidelity nasal cautery model (CauterClay) for increasing user confidence in carrying out nasal cautery.

We created CauterClay with an air-dry clay scaffold, simulated nasal mucosal lining and bleeding point. We carried out single-centre assessment with a variety of nasal cautery-naive and experienced doctors. Doctors were asked to complete pre- and post-induction surveys regarding confidence, prior experience and model fidelity.

CauterClay use was associated with a statistically significant increase in user confidence in carrying out nasal cautery. All nasal cautery-naive users reported an increase in self-reported confidence following model use. Users rated the fidelity of our model highly, here we demonstrate how others can create their own CauterClay model.

Here we outline the first published low-cost, high-fidelity nasal cautery model. Our findings demonstrate it is associated with increased user confidence, suggesting it may be valuable for training nasal cautery-naive clinicians.

Nasal specula such as Thudichum and Killian have been in use in rhinology for over 100 years. They serve to widen the nasal alar and retract nasal hairs when performing rhinoscopy.

We describe a novel nasal speculum: the repurposing of the Lieberman eye speculum for use in rhinological procedures. This speculum is adjusted to fit the individual and is self-retaining, achieving equivalent retraction to traditional specula and enabling use of a second hand for intra-nasal surgery.

The Lieberman speculum can reach a maximal diameter of 14mm and has successfully been utilised in over 50 rhinological procedures to facilitate bimanual operating. No complications or side effects have occured with use.

Our approach has been successfully trialled under local and general anaesthesia for a range of procedures at similar cost to current practice.

Head and neck cancer is one of the common cancers worldwide. Despite comprehensive treatment programmes, the recurrence rate of these cancers is high with loco-regional recurrence rates of 40–50 per cent. Current salvage options have limited efficacy and significant morbidity. Intra-operative radiotherapy or intra-operative electron radiotherapy offers a potential for improved locoregional control when combined with surgical salvage with less morbidity.

We report the implementation of intra-operative electron radiotherapy treatment and a case of management of a patient with locoregional recurrence after previous external beam radiotherapy treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil.

This is the first UK head and neck cancer case treated with MOBETRON™ intra-operative radiotherapy. The patient remained disease free for over three years with no adverse side-effects. Intra-operative electron radiotherapy as adjuvant treatment to surgical salvage for recurrent head and neck cancer HNC may improve locoregional control, survival and quality of life.