ObjectiveTo survey members of the otolaryngology community about their personal and observed experiences of being treated differently because of one's physical attributes, cultural norms, or preferences in the workplace.Study DesignCross‐sectional survey.SettingInternational Electronic Survey.MethodsWe invited members of the international otolaryngology community including 3 European or American otorhinolaryngological Societies to complete a survey about personal/observed experience of differential treatment in the workplace related to age, biological sex; disability, gender identity, language proficiency, military experience, citizenship, ethnicity/race, political belief, and sexual orientation. Results were analyzed according to participant ethnicity/race (white vs non‐white) and gender (male vs female)ResultsFour hundred seven participants completed the evaluations: 301 white (74%) and 106 non‐white (26%) participants. Non‐white participants reported significantly more experiences of differential treatment (microaggressions) than white participants (p < .05). Non‐white participants more frequently felt that they needed to work harder for the same opportunities as their peers and were more likely to consider leaving a position because of an unsupportive environment. In general, females reported more frequent experiences with differential treatment related to sexual orientation, biological sex, and gender identity than males.ConclusionWe recognized reports of differential treatment as a proxy for microaggressions. Non‐white members of the otolaryngology community self‐report experiencing or observing more microaggressions than white members in the workplace. Acknowledging the existence and impact of microaggressions in the field of Otolaryngology is the first step towards cultivating an inclusive, diverse workforce where all members feel supported, validated, and welcomed.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, virtual interviews are planned for the 2021-2022 residency application cycle. The virtual interview will remain novel to applicants for each match cycle until the graduating medical student class has experience from virtual interviews during their medical school admissions. The virtual interview poses unique challenges that are unique from in-person formats. Given the lack of experience of applicants in the 2022 match, practicing interviewing skills prior to the actual date is vital to success. We describe a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1)–run mock interview session for applicants preparing for the 2021-2022 otolaryngology interview cycle and discuss the methodology. Deliberate practice with PGY1 residents who have just recently undergone the virtual interview process can better prepare applicants for their virtual interviews, improve on-camera behaviors, and ameliorate mental health challenges unique to the virtual format.

Objective: Laryngeal abscesses are rare in the modern antibiotic era. Historically, they were associated with systemic infections including typhoid fever, measles, gonorrhea, syphilis, and tuberculosis. More recent authors have described cases resulting from iatrogenic injury and immunosuppression. This report presents a novel case of laryngeal abscess in the setting of uncontrolled diabetes and a detailed review of modern, reported cases of spontaneous laryngeal abscess. Methods: Report of a single case. Also, PubMed was queried for cases of laryngeal abscess since 1985. Case report: A 58-year-old male with poorly controlled diabetes presented with odynophagia, dysphagia, and dyspnea. He had biphasic stridor, and flexible laryngoscopy showed reduced mobility of bilateral vocal folds and narrowed glottic airway. He was taken urgently for awake tracheostomy and microdirect laryngoscopy. Laryngoscopy demonstrated fullness and fluctuance of the right hemilarynx. The abscess cavity was entered endoscopically via paraglottic incision extending into the subglottis. The patient was treated with an 8-week course of ampicillin-sulbactam with resolution of infection. Results: Seven additional cases of spontaneous laryngeal abscesses published after 1985 were identified. In total, 6 of 8 had some form of immunodeficiency (75%). The most common presenting symptoms were dysphonia (8/8, 100%), odynophagia (5/8, 62.5%), and dyspnea/stridor (4/8, 50%). All cases were treated with surgical incision and drainage. Conclusions: Laryngeal abscesses are rare in the era of modern antibiotics. This review confirms that the majority of recent episodes occurred in the setting of immunodeficiency and are caused by non-tubercular bacteria. These infections are commonly associated with impaired vocal fold mobility which may contribute to dyspnea, stridor, and airway compromise. Surgical intervention is necessary for treatment and culture-directed antimicrobial therapy. Poorly controlled diabetes is a newly described context for development of spontaneous laryngeal abscess.