Frequent Use of Over-the-Counter Analgesics Linked to Persistent Tinnitus

Rendering of blue head with red radiating from ear, tinnitus concept

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have determined aspirin and other over-the-counter analgesics are associated with the risk of persistent tinnitus, although the direction and magnitude differ for individual agents.

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Dupilumab Use Associated With Increased IL-4 and IL-18 Production

Asian woman pinches her brow, highlighted red for concept of rhinosinusitis pain

Stella E. Lee, MD, of the Division of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and colleagues speculate that global IL-4Rα inhibition could have immune consequences. In a research note, they report preliminary data on how targeting IL-4Rα with dupilumab changes the local inflammatory milieu.

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Menopausal Hormone Therapy Linked to Increased Risk of Pituitary Adenoma

Woman sitting down holding a pack of menopausal hormone therapy pills

David J. Cote, MD, PhD, and Meir J. Stampfer, MD, DrPH, of the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and colleagues have conducted the first prospective study of associations between pituitary adenoma and the use of oral contraceptives or menopausal hormone therapy.

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Socioeconomic Disparities Evident in Access to Ambulatory Otolaryngologic Surgery

Male patient in hospital bed recovering

A new study of otolaryngologic procedures by Shekhar K. Gadkaree, MD, Regan W. Bergmark, MD, and colleagues shows socioeconomic factors—including race/ethnicity and type of insurance—are associated with surgical settings independent of comorbidity status.

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Respiratory Tract Diseases May Increase Risk of RA Years Before Onset

Close up of hands affected by rheumatoid arthritis

There is growing evidence that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) originates in mucosal surfaces and several respiratory tract diseases are associated with RA. Now, researchers have demonstrated that the timing of respiratory tract disease significantly affects the strength of each disease’s association with RA.

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Cranial Nerve Imaging Abnormalities in Patients With Hereditary Neuropathies Can Mimic Otolaryngologic Problems

Doctor points to brain scan images to detect abnormalities

C. Eduardo Corrales, MD, Ryan A. Bartholomew, MD, and colleagues detected a 21% prevalence of radiologic cranial nerves abnormalities in patients with hereditary neuropathies who underwent MRI. They caution physicians not to assume these findings represent pathologies requiring intervention by an otolaryngologist.

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Sinonasal and Asthma Symptom Severities Correlated in Aspirin-exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Woman with asthma uses inhaler

Using prospectively collected registry data, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital linked increased severity of sinonasal symptoms in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease to both worse patient-reported asthma control and worse objectively measured lung function.

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What Clinician Mentorship Programs Can Learn From Online Dating

Group of surgeons in operating room

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a blow to faculty membership and sponsorship programs at many healthcare institutions. In response, the Brigham is piloting a new Faculty Mentorship and Sponsorship Network Program. Laryngologist and associate surgeon Anju K. Patel, MD, who spearheads the program, discusses its impact.

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Case Report: Carotid Blowout With Massive Epistaxis in Patient With Skull Base Osteomyelitis

MRI non-contrast angiography of neck vessels, including internal carotid artery

A 77-year-old woman, whose past medical history included type 2 diabetes, end-stage renal disease and hypertension, presented to the emergency department with a two-month history of severe left ear and facial pain. Imaging demonstrated changes in soft tissue and bone that were concerning for skull base osteomyelitis.

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Incidental CT Findings Influence Subjective, Objective Chronic Rhinosinusitis Scores

Axial plain / sagittal cut of CT scan showing inflammation of both sides maxillary sinuses

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital sought to answer whether the association between SNOT-22 and CT results could be improved by rating partial opacification more precisely. Instead, they found the relationship between the two assessment methods is affected by incidental causes of opacification.

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