Primary Surgical Repair of Paediatric Unilateral Choanal Atresia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Introduction Unilateral choanal atresia (UCA) is a congenital posterior nasal obstruction with an incidence of 1 in 5,000–8,000 live births. Despite being twice as common as bilateral disease, optimal surgical technique and outcomes remain poorly defined. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness and safety of surgical repair for UCA. Methods A PRISMA-compliant systematic […]
Ultra-low dose CT for suspected paediatric foreign body aspiration: comparison with conventional radiograph
Main Theme: Innovation Introduction: An aspirated foreign body in a child can represent a potentially life-threatening emergency. Methods: This retrospective study, carried out from 2014 to 2024, compares the estimated effective radiation dose children received during ultra-low dose computed tomography (CT) scans with that received with traditional cumulative radiographic investigations. Results: Of the 44 patients […]
A systematic review of the impact of material design and reprocessing on biofilm formation on tracheostomy tubes
Theme. Airway. Introduction. Tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure associated with increased respiratory tract infections, contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilisation. Biofilm formation on tracheostomy tube surfaces is a likely contributor, as biofilms detach and seed into the airway. There is limited consensus in the literature and clinical guidelines regarding how material design […]
The Paediatric Trojan Horse: Head and neck rhabdomyosarcomas presenting as inconspicuous diagnoses in the paediatric population
Main theme: Head and Neck Background: Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are the most common sarcoma subtype found in the paediatric population; most commonly occurring within the head and neck region. They account for approximately 5% of paediatric malignancies and are found most often in children under five. Prognosis is dependent on the subtype, with embryonal RMS being […]
Systemic Corticosteroid Use in Paediatric Orbital Cellulitis: A Two-Cycle Audit
Main Theme: General Introduction: Orbital cellulitis is an infection of tissues posterior to the orbital septum, most commonly arising from sinusitis in children. If untreated, it can lead to complications including cavernous sinus thrombosis, visual loss, and death. Although intravenous antibiotics remain the mainstay of treatment, the role of systemic corticosteroids is less well established. […]
Intrafamilial Variable Expressivity in Waardenburg Syndrome: Bilateral Hearing Loss in Two Siblings Against a Background of Unilateral Involvement Across Three Generations
Main Theme: Otology Introduction: Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition that is commonly inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Hallmark presentations of WS include congenital hearing loss, heterochromia, hypertelorism and a white forelock. There are four types of Waardenburg syndrome, usually distinguished by their presentation and genetic cause. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a […]
The Role of Inhaled Corticosteroids in Preventing Hospital Attendance and Improving Clinical Outcomes in Children with Recurrent Croup: A Systematic Review
Introduction: Recurrent croup is a common cause of repeated healthcare utilisation in children. Although corticosteroids are widely used in acute croup, their role in reducing hospital attendance and improving outcomes in recurrent croup remains unclear. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across major medical databases. Studies were selected using predefined PICO-based inclusion and exclusion […]
Making Noise About Misophonia: Improving staff awareness and action about Misophonia in paedatric settings
Otology Misophonia is a disorder characterised by intense emotional and physiological responses to specific trigger sounds. Despite increasing recognition in the literature, its awareness and management within paediatric hearing health services remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate clinicians' awareness, experience and documentation practices relating to misophonia in paediatric ENT and audiology settings. Methods A […]
Paediatric Voice: reflections and insights from a 7-year clinical evaluation of a joint paediatric voice clinic
Main theme: paediatric laryngology Introduction Voice disorders affect an estimated 6–23% of children and young people (CYP) with a lifetime prevalence of 12% (Carding, Roulstone and Northstone, 2006; Fujiki, et al. 2024), and may significantly impact quality of life, educational attainment, social and classroom participation, confidence and emotional wellbeing (Stojanovic et al., 2023). Multidisciplinary paediatric voice services, […]
Quality Improvement: Improving Paediatric Airway Emergency Skills through Refresher Training in a District General Hospital
Main Theme: Airway IntroductionPaediatric airway emergencies are high-stakes, infrequent events that generate significant anxiety among ENT surgeons across all grades. [1] Limited exposure during training compounds this, particularly in District General Hospitals (DGHs). A regional face-to-face refresher course was developed and delivered to ENT and anaesthetic colleagues at Walsall Manor Hospital to address technical proficiency […]