{"title":"Propriety of various examinations for subjective symptoms of olfactory disorders.","authors":"Tomotaka Hemmi, Kazuhiro Nomura, Yuta Kobayashi, Yuki Numano, Ryoukichi Ikeda, Mitsuru Sugawara","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08803-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08803-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In Japan, two types of tests for diagnosing olfactory disorders, T and T (T&T) olfactometry and intravenous olfactory tests, are covered by insurance and performed on patients with olfactory disorders. This study examined the validity of these olfactory tests and whether psychophysical or morphological tests are more helpful in evaluating olfactory disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated patients who visited our department and underwent two types of olfaction tests and sinus computed tomography (CT). Data regarding the age, sex, peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, presence of bronchial asthma, diagnoses, olfactory symptom score, results of the two olfactory tests, and CT findings in eligible patients were extracted from medical records and retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One hundred and sixty-three patients underwent all tests during the study period. The results of the T&T olfactometry and intravenous olfactory tests were significantly correlated. However, only the results of T&T olfactometry and olfactory cleft opacification on CT were statistically significant predictors of the olfactory symptom scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>T&T olfactometry and CT evaluations of olfactory cleft opacification helped evaluate olfactory dysfunction. It is important to note that intravenous olfactory tests are best performed with careful control and not blindly to assess olfactory disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11512881/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antonino Maniaci, Matteo Lazzeroni, Anna Cozzi, Francesca Fraccaroli, Michele Gaffuri, Carlos Chiesa-Estomba, Pasquale Capaccio
{"title":"Can chatbots enhance the management of pediatric sialadenitis in clinical practice?","authors":"Antonino Maniaci, Matteo Lazzeroni, Anna Cozzi, Francesca Fraccaroli, Michele Gaffuri, Carlos Chiesa-Estomba, Pasquale Capaccio","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08798-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08798-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this study was to assess how well ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, performed in helping to manage pediatric sialadenitis and identify when sialendoscopy was necessary.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>49 clinical cases of pediatric sialadenitis were retrospectively reviewed. ChatGPT was given patient data, and it offered differential diagnoses, proposed further tests, and suggested treatments. The decisions made by the treating otolaryngologists were contrasted with the answers provided by ChatGPT. Analysis was done on ChatGPT response consistency and interrater reliability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ChatGPT showed 78.57% accuracy in primary diagnosis, and 17.35% of cases were considered likely. On the other hand, otolaryngologists recommended fewer further examinations than ChatGPT (111 vs. 60, p < 0.001). For additional exams, poor agreement was found between ChatGPT and otolaryngologists. Only 28.57% of cases received a pertinent and essential treatment plan via ChatGPT, indicating that the platform's treatment recommendations were frequently lacking. For treatment ratings, judges' interrater reliability was greatest (Kendall's tau = 0.824, p < 0.001). For the most part, ChatGPT's response constancy was high.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although ChatGPT has the potential to correctly diagnose pediatric sialadenitis, there are a number of noteworthy limitations with regard to its ability to suggest further testing and treatment regimens. Before widespread clinical use, more research and confirmation are required. To guarantee that chatbots are utilized properly and effectively to supplement human expertise rather than to replace it, a critical viewpoint is required.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141491377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tomer Boldes, Amit Ritter, Ethan Soudry, Dror Diker, Ella Reifen, Eyal Yosefof
{"title":"The long-term effect of COVID-19 infection on olfaction and taste; a prospective analysis.","authors":"Tomer Boldes, Amit Ritter, Ethan Soudry, Dror Diker, Ella Reifen, Eyal Yosefof","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08827-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08827-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To estimate long-term prognosis of chemosensory dysfunctions among patients recovering from COVID-19 disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between April 2020 and July 2022, we conducted a prospective, observational study enrolling 48 patients who experienced smell and/or taste dysfunction during the acute-phase of COVID-19. Patients were evaluated for chemosensory function up to 24 months after disease onset.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During the acute-phase of COVID-19, 80% of patients reported anosmia, 15% hyposmia, 63% ageusia, and 33% hypogeusia. At two years' follow-up, 53% still experienced smell impairment, and 42% suffered from taste impairment. Moreover, 63% of patients who reported parosmia remained with olfactory disturbance. Interestingly, we found a negative correlation between visual analogue scale scores for smell and taste impairments during the acute-phase of COVID-19 and the likelihood of long-term recovery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study sheds light on the natural history and long-term follow-up of chemosensory dysfunction in patients recovering from COVID-19 disease. Most patients who initially suffered from smell and/or taste disturbance did not reach full recovery after 2 years follow-up. The severity of impairment may serve as a prognostic indicator for full recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11512859/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141554435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natascha Cidlinsky, Tim Tobias Arndt, Stefan Schiele, Rubens Thölken, Eric Treutlein, Gernot Müller, Johannes Zenk, Johannes Doescher
{"title":"Therapeutic management of peritonsillar abscess during COVID-19.","authors":"Natascha Cidlinsky, Tim Tobias Arndt, Stefan Schiele, Rubens Thölken, Eric Treutlein, Gernot Müller, Johannes Zenk, Johannes Doescher","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08772-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08772-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown policies in Germany on frequency and treatment of peritonsillar abscess at a tertiary referral center in Germany.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective case-control study analyzed all cases of peritonsillar abscess treated from 03/01/2018 until 08/30/2022 at Augsburg ENT University Hospital, Germany, through abscess tonsillectomy and/ or incisional drainage. Data was collected and correlated to Covid-19 Stringency Index using codes based on the Institute for Hospital Remuneration System in Germany. After excluding 303 cases, 975 abscess tonsillectomy and incisional drainage cases were studied, with the first German lockdown serving as cutoff date. Treatment algorithm was maintained regardless of co-infection with Covid-19.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 174 patients received abscess tonsillectomy as therapy, while 801 patients underwent incisional drainage. Before the first German lockdown, 452 patients received incisional drainage. Since the pandemic, 349 cases of incisional drainage were registered (OR = 0.54, 95%-CI [0.27-0.86], p = 0.04), despite no significant change in the percentage of peritonsillar abscess of all ENT emergencies. The mean age at presentation with PTA was 39.8 years, and the rate of relapse was 4.0%. The study found no association between the scale of policy measures and treatment (OR = 1.00, 95%-CI [0.99-1.01], p = 0.52).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results indicate that, despite the reduction in capacities due to Covid-19, the proportion of patients with peritonsillar abscess treated through abscess tonsillectomy increased at Augsburg ENT University Hospital since the first German lockdown. Hospitalization times could still be reduced with comparable relapse rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11512908/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141558456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sunil Sam Varghese, Ashish Varghese, Navneet Kumar
{"title":"Adoption of the international classification of vestibular disorders criteria in cases of Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo: a single-center experience.","authors":"Sunil Sam Varghese, Ashish Varghese, Navneet Kumar","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08794-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08794-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) stands as the commonest cause for vertigo. It accounts for 20% of all cases of vertigo, even with its high prevalence rate it often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated. Development of the consensus document by the Bárány society's International Classification of Vestibular Disorders (ICVD)significantly facilitates the diagnosis of BPPV and its variants. This study assesses the utilisation of ICVD criteria for managing BPPV.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Northern India spanning from November 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023. A total of 110 participants diagnosed with BPPV were enrolled consecutively. All participants underwent Dix-Hallpike and supine log roll positional maneuvers. Diagnosis was made based on the history and type of nystagmus seen, and classified as per the ICVD criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Posterior semicircular canalolithiasis (pc-BPPV) accounted for 25.45% of cases and horizontal canal canalolithiasis (hc-BPPV) accounted for 20.91% of cases. Probable BPPV, spontaneously resolved (pBPPVsr) was diagnosed in 16.36% of participants and possible BPPV(pBPPV) was diagnosed in 18.18% of participants. Multiple canal BPPV (mc-BPPV) accounted for 17.27% of cases. One participant was diagnosed with horizontal canal cupulolithiasis and anterior canal canalolithiasis respectively. No participant was diagnosed with posterior canal cupulolithiasis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The most common type of BPPV was pc-BPPV followed by hc-BPPV. The affected canal in possible BPPV, can be identified, and appropriate repositioning maneuvers are effective in treating them as well as aids in confirming the diagnosis. The diagnostic clarity provided by ICVD, aids in effective management of BPPV. More studies with larger sample size are required to further validate its clinical utility.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141558413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohamed H Abdelazim, Faisal Alsenani, Mohammed Alnuhait, Abdullah S Alshammari, Abdullah H Altemani, Eyad A Althagafi, Dania S Waggas, Ahmed H Abdelazim, Adnan Alharbi
{"title":"Efficacy of forskolin as a promising therapy for chronic olfactory dysfunction post COVID-19.","authors":"Mohamed H Abdelazim, Faisal Alsenani, Mohammed Alnuhait, Abdullah S Alshammari, Abdullah H Altemani, Eyad A Althagafi, Dania S Waggas, Ahmed H Abdelazim, Adnan Alharbi","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08802-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08802-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Olfactory dysfunction is increasingly common among COVID-19 patients, impacting their well-being. Reports have demonstrated decreased levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate among patients with chronic olfactory dysfunction. A prospective randomized clinical trial was developed to demonstrate the efficacy of an oral forskolin regimen treatment, an adenylyl cyclase activator that raises intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, for the treatment of olfactory dysfunction following COVID-19, compared to placebo regimen.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study enrolled 285 participants with persistent olfactory dysfunction post COVID-19 infection, randomly assigning them to receive either placebo capsules (n = 120) or oral forskolin capsules (n = 165). Follow-up was conducted to track progress, with 18 participants from the placebo group and 12 from the forskolin group lost during this period. Olfactory function was assessed using the \"Sniffin' Sticks\" test, measuring threshold, discrimination and identification scores before and after treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Subjects administered forskolin capsules demonstrated a significant enhancement in their composite TDI (threshold, discrimination and identification) score, suggesting a notable amelioration in olfactory functionality. Moreover, the discrimination and identification scores notably improved within the forskolin group. Conversely, no significant alterations were observed in the threshold scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study suggests that forskolin can contribute potentially to improve chronic olfactory dysfunction post COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>DFM-IRB00012367-23-10-001.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141603467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Intraoperative cryoanalgesia on reducing post-tonsillectomy pain scales: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Shipin Wang, Yaping Wu, Yingli Xiao, Yuedi Tang","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08817-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08817-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the effect of intraoperative cryoanalgesia on subjective pain scores of patients after tonsillectomy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review of PubMED, Web of Science, EMBASE was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. For the first time, we included and quantitative synthesized English-language randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating patients of all age groups with benign pathology who underwent tonsillectomy with intraoperative cryoanalgesia versus without.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 835 publications were identified, and 7 articles with 463 participants met our criteria were selected for meta-analysis. The standard mean difference for overall subjective pain score, subjective pain scores at postoperation Day1 (POD1), POD7 were -1.44 with 95% confidence interval (CI) [-2.17, -0.72], P = .0001; -1.20 with 95% CI [-1.89, -0.50], P = .0007; -0.90 with 95% CI [-1.46, -0.35], P = .001 respectively, both in favor of cryoanalgesia. Nevertheless, subgroup analysis by surgical technique showed no robust effect between hot technique and \"relative\" hot technique on overall pain: (-1.72, 95% CI [-2.71, -0.73]) vs. (-1.06, 95% CI [-2.20, 0.07]), p=.39; on POD1: (-1.56, 95% CI [-2.78, -0.33]) vs. (-0.97, 95% CI [-1.83, -0.11]), p=.39; and on POD7 (-1.11, 95% CI [-1.81, -0.40]) vs. (-0.89, 95% CI [-2.02, 0.25]), p=.13. The standard mean difference for postoperative secondary bleeding rate was 1.29 with 95% CI 0.37,4.52], p = .06, no difference in 2 groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Limited evidence suggests that intraoperative cryoanalgesia during tonsillectomy leads to lower subjective pain score on overall, POD1 and POD7 without differences on post-operation bleeding rate.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141787650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Su Il Kim, Young Chan Lee, Wonjae Cha, Ah Ra Jung, Jeon Yeob Jang, Jeong-Seok Choi, Dong Kun Lee, Hwan Ho Lee, Min Su Kwon, Yoon Se Lee, Young-Gyu Eun
{"title":"Efficacy and safety of fexuprazan in patients with symptoms and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease: a randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Su Il Kim, Young Chan Lee, Wonjae Cha, Ah Ra Jung, Jeon Yeob Jang, Jeong-Seok Choi, Dong Kun Lee, Hwan Ho Lee, Min Su Kwon, Yoon Se Lee, Young-Gyu Eun","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08877-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08877-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is mainly treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) such as esomeprazole, which have shortcomings like delayed absorption and increased osteoporosis. Fexuprazan is a novel potent potassium-competitive acid blocker that inhibits gastric acid secretion with rapid onset and long duration of action. To assess the efficacy and safety of fexuprazan compared to esomeprazole in patients with LPRD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, active-controlled trial was conducted in nine otolaryngologic clinics. Patients with reflux symptom index (RSI) ≥ 13 and reflux finding score (RFS) ≥ 7 were randomly assigned to the fexuprazan or esomeprazole groups, and received fexuprazan 40-mg or esomeprazole 40-mg once daily for 8 weeks. The outcomes were (1) mean change, change rate, and valid rate in RSI, RFS, and LPR-related questionnaires; and (2) adverse events.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 136 patients (fexuprazan n = 68, esomeprazole n = 68) were followed up for ≥ 1 month. Each parameter significantly improved after 4 and 8 weeks in each group, with no significant differences between the two groups. For those with severe symptoms (RSI ≥ 18), the fexuprazan group (n = 32) showed more improvement in the mean change and change rate in the RSI than esomeprazole group (n = 31) after 4 weeks (p = .036 and .045, respectively). This phenomenon was especially observed in hoarseness and troublesome cough.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Fexuprazan improved symptoms and signs without no serious adverse events in patients with LPRD. In patients with severe symptoms, fexuprazan resulted in a faster symptom improvement than PPI.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>KCT0007251, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?seq=22100 .</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141901384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial letter: Artificial Intelligence can be used to improve the humanity of care.","authors":"Jerome R Lechien","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08691-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08691-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140853740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Changes in paranasal sinus volumes, temporal bone pneumatization, internal acoustic canal and olfactory cleft dimensions over the centuries: a comparison of skulls from different epochs in Anatolia.","authors":"Levent Yücel, Fatemeh Azizi, Salih Cengiz Meral, Çilem Sönmez Sözer, Ayla Sevim Erol, Zafer Ünsal Çoşkun, Timur Gültekin, Ceren Karaçaylı, Bülent Satar","doi":"10.1007/s00405-024-08804-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00405-024-08804-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Investigating changes in temporal bone pneumatization (TBP) and paranasal sinus volumes (PSV) across different eras may help understanding not only changes in skull anatomy but also pathophysiology of chronic otitis media and sinusitis, respectively, which are common health problems.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eight skulls from the second century AD, 20 skulls were from the 10th-11th centuries AD, 20 skulls from the 16th-19th centuries AD, and 60 contemporary skulls were included in this cross-sectional observational study. Using computerized tomography (CT) scans, the PSV were calculated by multiplying the height, width, and antero-posterior distance of the sinuses. TBP was divided into three types. Internal acoustic canal (IAC) length and width, and olfactory cleft (OC) width were measured.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No statistically significant differences were found between the paranasal sinus (frontal, maxillary, and sphenoid) volumes between the groups. However, TBP decreased statistically significantly over time on both sides of the skulls (p = 0.001). The contemporary IAC and OC measures were found to be significantly lower on both sides compared to the skulls from the other three eras (p < 0.001 for both).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although no significant change was observed in PSV, decreases were evident in TBP, OC width and IAC length and width over time. It appears a fair inference that changes in size of OC and IAC might be another indication of the fact that olfaction and hearing were more vital for survival in old eras. Since we do not know incidence of chronic ear problems in old eras, we cannot speculate outcome of increased TBP in terms of developing chronic ear diseases. On the contrary, increased TBP was likely to play a protective role in traumas in old ears. Additionally, the environmental influences may be crucial role in the development of paranasal sinuses.</p>","PeriodicalId":11952,"journal":{"name":"European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11512874/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141558414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}