Objective: Pediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) addresses complex conditions in children, requiring a tailored approach for patients and families. With artificial intelligence (AI) gaining traction in medical applications, this study evaluates the quality of information provided by large language models (LLMs) in comparison to clinicians, identifying strengths and limitations in the field of pediatric ORL. Study Design: Comparative blinded study. Setting: Controlled research environment using LLMs. Methods: Fifty‐four items of increasing difficulty, namely 18 theoretical questions, 18 clinical scenarios, and 18 patient questions, were posed to ChatGPT‐3.5, ‐4.0, ‐4o, Claude‐3, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, a second‐year resident, and an expert in the field of pediatric ORL. The Quality Analysis of Medical Artificial Intelligence (QAMAI) tool was used for blinded evaluation of the quality of medical information by a panel of expert members from the Young Otolaryngologists Group of the Italian Society of ORL and the International Federation of ORL Societies. Results: LLMs performed comparably to specialist in theoretical and standardized clinical scenarios, with Bing Copilot achieving the highest QAMAI scores. However, AI responses lacked transparency in citing reliable sources and were less effective in addressing patient‐centered questions. Poor interrater agreement among reviewers highlighted challenges in distinguishing human‐generated from AI‐generated responses. Rhinology topics received the highest scores, whereas laryngology and patient‐centered questions showed lower agreement and performance. Conclusion: LLMs show promise as supportive resources in pediatric ORL, particularly in theoretical learning and standardized cases. However, significant limitations remain, including source transparency and contextual communication in patient interactions. Human oversight is essential to mitigate risks. Future developments should focus on refining AI capabilities for evidence‐based and empathetic communication to support both clinicians and families.
10 March 2023 in European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Objective: The local spread of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) follows pathways of dissemination along areas of lesser resistance. In more advanced scenarios, the tumor can extend beyond the hemi-tongue of origin, by passing through the lingual septum and following the fibers of the transverse muscle. This can lead to the invasion of the contralateral extrinsic muscles, the first being the genioglossus and more laterally the hyoglossus. An anatomically guided surgical resection of the tumor can be planned to ensure both oncological safety and an acceptable functional outcome. This approach aims to preserve the hyo-styloglossus unit (HSU) whenever feasible.Methods: Between January 2019 and November 2022, six patients received extended glossectomy Type B (EG Type B), with preservation of the HSU. Preliminary oncological results and functional results in terms of swallowing (FOIS score) and quality of life (MDADI) are presented.Results: Five out of the six patients are alive and disease-free, while one patient died due to other causes. All patients who were candidates for an EG Type B underwent a swallowing assessment prior to surgery and followed daily postoperative swallowing training. At discharge, the patients continued swallowing training in an outpatient clinic. Five out of the six patients reached a full oral diet within 1 year of follow-up.Conclusion: The oncological results confirm the safety of this technique. The importance of preserving the HSU, the minimal functional unit, shows very encouraging results in terms of swallowing rehabilitation.
22 October 2022 in European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Background: The Cochlear™ Osia® 2 System is an active transcutaneous bone-anchored hearing implant with a newly developed piezoelectric transducer that is fixed to a titanium implant (BI300). Methods: It uses digital piezoelectric stimulation to bypass non-functional areas of the natural hearing system and send sound directly to the cochlea. This device is designed to meet the needs of patients with unilateral and bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness. Conclusion: We show step by step how to place the new active transcutaneous bone conduction implant, Cochlear™ Osia® 2 System, which utilizes a piezoelectric actuator anchored to the mastoid bone through an osseointegrated screw.
The oral cavity is a primary site for malignant neoplasms of the head and neck region. Surgery, with or without adjuvant therapy, offers the highest probability of cure by focusing on radical tumour removal and organ function restoration. Reconstructive options are represented by local and free flaps, while small defects can be managed without reconstruction. For medium-sized defects without bone involvement, local flaps can be a good alternative to free flaps in selected patients. The purposes of this article are to analyse the main minimally-invasive reconstructive techniques in oral cancer surgery through a systematic review of the literature and develop a reconstructive algorithm based on the site and size of the defect. We defined minimally-invasive reconstruction as any reconstructive option not involving flap dissection from the neck or other distant areas from the oral cavity. Options considered include: local myo-mucosal or mucosal flaps (based on the facial or buccal arteries, and palatal flap), Bichat’s fat pad flap, and nasolabial flap. Use of biological or synthetic materials is also described. In selected patients with small to moderate-sized defects, the possibility of reconstruction with local flaps can be a viable option.