Does Clot Size Matter? Rethinking Anticoagulation Duration in Paediatric Otogenic Sinus Thrombosis
Background and aimsOtogenic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (OCVST) is a rare complication of otitis media and mastoiditis, developing in an estimated 0–3% of cases, with a mortality rate of 5–10%. Despite widespread use of anticoagulation, no consensus exists on optimal treatment duration or how interval imaging should guide management. We aimed to determine whether the […]
Do patients require ongoing medication for drooling despite salivary gland surgery?
Main theme: General Introduction: Drooling is a common and distressing problem in children with neurological conditions, significantly impacting quality of life. Surgical interventions targeting the salivary glands are increasingly used when conservative measures fail, however the proportion of patients requiring ongoing medical therapy following surgery is not well characterised. Aims: To evaluate the rate of […]
Dynamic Four-Dimensional CT in the Evaluation of Paediatric Tracheobronchomalacia: A Ten-Year Single-Centre Retrospective Review
Background: Paediatric tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is a heterogeneous disorder of dynamic central airway collapse. Flexible bronchoscopy is the reference standard but is invasive, uninformative about extraluminal causes, and cannot be quantified. Dynamic four-dimensional CT (4DCT) is an increasingly used non-invasive adjunct whose role alongside bronchoscopy remains poorly defined. Objectives: To describe the diagnostic yield, concordance with […]
Microlaryngobronchoscopy in Children with Recurrent Croup: Are We Performing Too Many?
Introduction: Recurrent croup is a frequent indication for referral to paediatric ENT, yet the role of routine microlaryngobronchoscopy (MLB) remains uncertain. We evaluated the prevalence of airway abnormalities, associated risk factors, management and clinical outcomes in children undergoing MLB for recurrent croup. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of children undergoing MLB for recurrent croup […]
Cumulative corticosteroid exposure in paediatric subglottic stenosis
Main theme: Airway/General Introduction: Systemic glucocorticoids are integral to the management of acute exacerbations of subglottic stenosis (SGS), but long-term use carries well-documented adverse effects. Emerging adult evidence links cumulative lifetime doses of 500–1000 mg prednisolone-equivalent to increased systemic risk, while emerging paediatric literature proposes an annualised threshold of 100 mg/year, reflecting the greater relevance […]
Transitioning adolescent tracheostomy patients to adult care: A national survey of current practice
Main theme: General Introduction Transitioning adolescents with tracheostomies to adult care presents significant challenges, including variation in service provision, equipment and multidisciplinary support. This is, to our knowledge, the first study to explore tracheostomy transitioning practice. Methods We conducted a multi-centre questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. 30 clinicians from 21 centres across Great Britain completed a 13-item […]
Multidisciplinary Paediatric Airway Guide and Simulation Training
Main Theme: Airway Introduction Paediatric airway emergencies are low frequency but high risk. There exists a huge variation in clinician experience and confidence. Aside from optional infrequent courses, clinicians lack exposure to regular rigid bronchoscopy simulation training. Our aim is to create a clear concise video resource and app to improve multidisciplinary competence managing the […]
Endoscopic vs External Paediatric DCR: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
IntroductionThe optimal approach for paediatric dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) remains debated with increasing adoption of endoscopic techniques despite variable outcome reporting. This study compared success, revision and complication rates between endoscopic and external paediatric DCR. MethodsA PRISMA-guided systematic review identified studies reporting outcomes following primary paediatric (<18 years) endoscopic or external DCR. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to […]
Paediatric one stop neck lump clinic: A pilot service evaluation
Introduction:- Neck lumps are a common paediatric referral causing significant parental anxiety. One-stop clinics integrating same-day assessment and ultrasound reduce appointments and time to diagnosis. 1 Evidence derives predominantly from adult cohorts; paediatric data remain scarce. Biopsy underpins most adult models but is poorly tolerated and often unnecessary given the predominantly benign aetiology of paediatric […]
Are sterile drapes and gowns necessary for all paediatric ENT operations? Assessing the exposure of bodily fluids during adenotonsillectomy procedures
BACKGROUND Tonsillectomies account for 17% of the UK’s elective workload, costing the NHS £68 million and generating 41kg CO2e per operation, equivalent to the monthly electricity consumption for a three-bedroom house.1,2 At Cambridge University Hospitals, usage of sterile personal protective equipment (PPE) in selected ENT operations cost £6,176 annually. The rationale for gowning requires interrogation. […]