Objectives: The average life expectancy in the United Kingdom is currently nearly 80 years for a newborn baby with nearly 15% of the population, by 2040, being >75 years old. Hearing impairment is a common disability in the elderly individual, and there have been significant drives to support this population to lead longer and healthier working lives. We aimed to assess the long-term audiological and health-related quality-of-life benefits of cochlear implants (CI) in elderly individuals. Methods: A retrospective and cross-sectional study of patients who received a CI at ≥70 years. Data extracted included speech perception scores, adverse events, telephone use, and patient-reported outcome measures using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire with a minimum of 12 months follow-up. Results: Sixty-four patients aged ≥70 years received a unilateral CI. A significant improvement in speech perception scores in all conditions was noted with no significant difference between differing age groups. Glasgow Benefit Inventory scores showed a significant positive impact on patients’ lives and their health status, with no significant difference between the differing age groups. Conclusions: Cochlear implantation is a safe and well-tolerated procedure in the elderly patients with significant improvements observed in audiological performance, health status, and social interactions.

Salivary bypass tubes (SBT) are increasingly used to prevent pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) following laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy. There is minimal evidence as to their efficacy and literature is limited. The aim of the study was to determine if SBT prevent PCF. The study was a multicentre retrospective case control series (level of evidence 3b). Patients who underwent laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy for cancer or following cancer treatment between 2011 and 2014 were included in the study. The primary outcome was development of a PCF. Other variables recorded were age, sex, prior radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, prior tracheostomy, type of procedure, concurrent neck dissection, use of flap reconstruction, use of prophylactic antibiotics, the suture material used for the anastomosis, tumour T stage, histological margins, day one post-operative haemoglobin and whether a salivary bypass tube was used. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. A total of 199 patients were included and 24 received salivary bypass tubes. Fistula rates were 8.3% in the SBT group (2/24) and 24.6% in the control group (43/175). This was not statistically significant on univariate (p value 0.115) or multivariate analysis (p value 0.076). In addition, no other co-variables were found to be significant. No group has proven a benefit of salivary bypass tubes on multivariate analysis. The study was limited by a small case group, variations in tube duration and subjects given a tube may have been identified as high risk of fistula. Further prospective studies are warranted prior to recommendation of salivary bypass tubes following laryngectomy.

A 55-year-old lady with a 6 month history of hoarse voice presented to our ENT department. Endoscopic examination displayed a white left arytenoid lesion. Biopsy of this lesion displayed a nodule covered with non-keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium, with a central core of polygonal cells, positive for S-100 staining. This confirmed a granular cell tumour. CO2 laser was utilised to excise this benign tumour. Granular cell tumours of the head and neck are common, but are infrequently found in the larynx. This case report highlights the importance for the otolaryngologist to be aware of this differential diagnosis, particularly as histologically they may be confused with squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Periorbital cellulitis is a potential sightthreatening complication of sinusitis. The majority of patients improve with medical management. Previous studies have suggested significant variations in practice and lack of evidence regarding the optimal management of this condition. Methods:A prospective study was conducted over a 12month period at 8 centers in the United Kingdom assessing the management of patients requiring inpatient treatment for periorbital cellulitis secondary to sinonasal infections. Results:A total of 143 patients were recruited, of whom 40 were excluded. Of the remaining 103 patients, 5 (4.9%) were diagnosed with neurosurgical complications. This resulted in 98 patients admi ed with periorbital cellulitis secondary to an upper respiratory tract infection/sinusitis. A total of 72 were children, of whom 12 (16.7%) required surgical intervention; and of 26 adults, 5 (19.2%) required surgery: the most common antimicrobial regimes administered were intravenous ce riaxone (with or without metronidazole), and co-amoxiclav. The use of both ce riaxone and metronidazole from admission was associated with the shortest duration of inpatient stay (3.8 days) in com-parison to ce riaxone alone (5.8 days) or co-amoxiclav (4.5 days) and a reduction in number of patients requiring surgical intervention. There was also an association between the early use of intranasal decongestants and steroids and reduction in requirement for surgical intervention. Conclusion:For a condition where swab and blood cultures are o en negative, this study supports the use of ce riaxone in combination with metronidazole. The administration of intranasal decongestants and corticosteroids correlated with a smaller percentage of those progressing to surgery in those with and without periorbital abscesses. C 2020 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

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