ObjectivesAs research in otolaryngology continues to expand rapidly, it is important to identify core journals to keep clinicians updated with the latest advances. This study is the first to characterize core journals in otolaryngology.MethodsUsing h‐index and impact factor (IF), the top 15 NLM‐indexed otolaryngology journals were selected for analysis. The references from all articles published in these journals in one randomized quarter were compiled into a citation rank list, with the most cited journal ranked the highest. Citation zonal distribution analysis was conducted to identify the zonal distribution of otolaryngology journals.ResultsA total of 3150 journals containing 26876 articles were cited in otolaryngology literature in April–June 2019. Laryngoscope was the most cited journal containing 1762 citations. IF is significantly associated with the h‐index for the top 10 otolaryngology journals (p = 0.032). Three core journal zones were identified, with Zone 1 containing 8 journals, Zone 2 containing 36 journals, and Zone 3 containing 189 journals. A linear relationship between the log journal rank for Zones 1–3 and a cumulative number of citations was found (R2 = 0.9948).ConclusionEight core journals for otolaryngology were identified: Laryngoscope, Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Otology & Neurotology, JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, Head & Neck, European Archives of Oto‐Rhino‐Laryngology, International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. In the face of rapidly evolving research and a multitude of journals, the high citation density within these core journals highlights their utility in updating busy clinicians.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 2023

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ObjectivesWe characterize occult lesion diagnosis rates after initial Bell's palsy diagnoses.MethodsA de‐identified database of all facial palsy patients who presented to an extensive health care system across 22 years was created using Epic SlicerDicer. Among patients with Bell's palsy diagnoses, we extracted demographic and any subsequent occult lesion diagnosis data across various clinical sites. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses comparing patients with occult lesion diagnoses made at different time points were included.ResultsAmong the total 3912 facial palsy patients, 2240 had Bell's palsy diagnoses, of which 217 (9.7%) had subsequent lesion diagnoses at a median (IQR) of 12.3 (4.2, 23.8) months, consisting of cranial nerve neoplasms (62.2%), parotid gland neoplasms (34.1%), and cholesteatomas (3.7%). Although a large proportion of total lesions were diagnosed within the first 3 months (19.8%), 69.5% were diagnosed after 6 months. There were no demographic differences among patients diagnosed with different lesion types, but Asian patients were more likely to be diagnosed with occult lesions after 12 months after Bell's palsy diagnosis compared with white patients (odds ratio = 6.2, p = 0.001).ConclusionsIn one of the largest Bell's palsy cohorts to date, we identified a 9.7% occult lesion diagnosis rate at a median of 12.3 months after Bell's palsy diagnosis. These data underscore the importance of timely workup for occult lesions in cases of facial palsy with no signs of recovery after 3–4 months.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 2023