Background/Objectives: Laryngeal cancer (LC), predominantly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), represents a considerable health burden worldwide. Tumour subsite heterogeneity (supraglottic, glottic, subglottic) influences clinical behavior and outcomes. This review synthesizes current knowledge on epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostics, histological variants, biomarkers, treatment modalities, and survival. Results: This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, histological variants, biomarkers, and prognosis of LC. The review highlights the critical influence of tumour sites (supraglottic, glottic, subglottic) on metastatic patterns and survival. Key risk factors of LC include tobacco and alcohol use, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and occupational exposures. The diagnostic process encompasses clinical examination, endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging. Several biomarkers that aid in diagnosis, treatment plan determination, and prognosis prediction have been established. These biomarkers include long noncoding RNAs, cell cycle regulators, apoptosis regulators, oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, growth factor pathway components, angiogenic factors, structural proteins, sex hormone receptors, and immunological markers. Current treatment modalities range from organ-preserving surgery and radiotherapy to combined chemoradiotherapy and total laryngectomy. Finally, survival data are presented and stratified by stage and subsite. Conclusions: The review underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to LC management, integrating clinical, pathological, and molecular information to optimize patient outcomes.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of bilateral cochlear implantation in patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss at the Timisoara Municipal Emergency Clinical Hospital ENT Clinic. The study involved 77 participants, divided into four groups based on their hearing loss characteristics and implantation history. Assessments were conducted pre- and post-implantation, focusing on speech perception, speech production, and reading achievement. Standard surgical procedures were performed, and participants were provided with a comprehensive rehabilitation program involving auditory training and communication therapy. The variables considered for analysis included demographic factors, implantation period, and quality of life assessment, with no statistically significant differences pre-implantation between the four study groups. Results revealed significant improvements in speech perception, speech production, and reading achievement after cochlear implantation. In adult patients, speech perception scores increased from 21.3% to 73.4% for WIPI and from 22.7% to 68.4% for HINT after 12 months of rehabilitation. Speech production scores improved from 33.5% to 76.8% and reading achievement scores increased from 76.2 to 106.3. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in patients’ quality of life following cochlear implantation, with mean scores increasing from 2.0 to 4.2. Although it is known that bilateral cochlear implantation significantly improves speech perception, speech production, reading achievement, and quality of life in patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, this is the first study of its kind from Romania. Further research is warranted to optimize patient selection and rehabilitation strategies to maximize outcomes and determine better policies towards funding and access of cochlear implants for a wider range of patients in need.

Background: Laryngeal cancer affects quality of life (QoL), speech, and swallowing. Total laryngectomy (TL) causes severe impairments, while partial laryngectomy (PL) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) preserve the organ but yield variable outcomes. This study assesses QoL, speech rehabilitation, swallowing, and social reintegration across these treatments. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted at the ENT Clinic, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara; recruitment was conducted between October 2019 and January 2024. Seventy-five patients diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) were initially enrolled but only 15 patients (20%) completed the 12-month follow-up, with an attrition rate of 80%. Tumor stages ranged from T1 to T4a, with TL patients having a higher proportion of advanced-stage disease (Stage III–IV: 76%) compared to PL (45%) and CRT (50%). Validated instruments, including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for Head and Neck Cancer (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), the Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS), were used to assess QoL, voice function, swallowing function, and psychological impact. Results: At 12 months, the global QoL score from the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 was lowest in TL patients (49.8 ± 10.9), significantly lower than both PL (61.2 ± 9.6, p = 0.002) and CRT (64.1 ± 7.8, p < 0.001). Post hoc Bonferroni analysis confirmed significant pairwise differences between TL vs. PL (p = 0.002) and TL vs. CRT (p < 0.001), while the difference between PL and CRT was non-significant (p = 0.14). TL patients had higher speech-related disability (VHI: 88.3 ± 12.6) and dysphagia prevalence (DOSS: 4.0 ± 1.2), with 16% remaining enteral feeding-dependent. Anxiety (HADS-A: 7.5 ± 2.9) and depression (HADS-D: 9.0 ± 3.2) were highest in TL patients, with 36% meeting clinical depression criteria at 12 months. Multivariable regression identified TL (OR = 3.92, 95% CI: 2.14–5.79, p < 0.001) and advanced tumor stage (OR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.79–4.21, p = 0.002) as strong predictors of poor QoL. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no significant OS differences (p = 0.12), but CRT patients had lower DFS (78%) compared to TL (82%) and PL (85%) (p = 0.048). Conclusions: TL patients experience the most significant impairments in QoL, speech, and social reintegration despite rehabilitation. CRT patients show higher recurrence rates but better QoL, while PL offers the best balance of function and survival. These findings highlight the need for long-term survivorship support tailored to treatment type.

Background and Objectives: The diagnosis of cholesteatoma is usually clinic, and the only efficient treatment is surgical. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is not considered absolutely necessary for the management of an uncomplicated cholesteatoma, but unsuspected situations from a clinical point of view can be discovered using the scans, warning the surgeon. Our objective is to compare HRCT scan information with intraoperative findings in patients with cholesteatoma and analyze the usefulness of a preoperative HRCT scan from a surgical point of view. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania, from May 2021 to April 2022. It was carried out on 46 patients with a clinical diagnosis of cholesteatoma who were consequently operated on in our department. All patients received full clinical and audiological examinations. In all cases, an HRCT scan was performed preoperatively as a mandatory investigation. Preoperative HRCT scans were analyzed, and their findings were compared to the intraoperative notes. The two sets of observations were analyzed using standard statistical methods. Results: Extensive cholesteatoma was the most common type of disease, involving 46% of the patients, followed by pars flaccida cholesteatoma (35%) and pars tensa cholesteatoma (19%). Eroded scutum was the most frequent lesion involving 70% of the patients, followed by incus erosion (67%). Comparison of the HRCT and intraoperative findings revealed a very good correlation for tegmen tympani erosion, sigmoid plate erosion, scutum and malleus erosion, and a moderate-to-good correlation for lateral semicircular canal erosion, incus and stapes erosion, and fallopian canal erosion. Conclusions: HRCT is a valuable tool in the preoperative assessment of cholesteatoma, helping in making surgical decisions. It can accurately predict the extent of disease and is helpful for detecting unapparent dangerous situations. However, it is not very accurate in detecting fallopian canal and stapes erosion.

Laryngeal cancer significantly affects not only survival but also core functions such as speech, swallowing, and breathing. These impairments often result in substantial psychological distress and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This review aims to synthesize current evidence regarding the psychological impact, quality of life outcomes, and system-level challenges faced by laryngeal cancer patients while identifying strategies for integrated survivorship care. Anxiety and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among laryngeal cancer patients, particularly those undergoing total laryngectomy or chemoradiotherapy. HRQoL outcomes vary significantly depending on treatment modality, with long-term deficits noted in domains such as voice, swallowing, and emotional well-being. Access to psychological support and rehabilitation remains inconsistent, hindered by institutional, socioeconomic, and cultural barriers. Structured survivorship models, psychological screening, and patient-centered rehabilitation have demonstrated benefits but are not universally implemented. Comprehensive care for laryngeal cancer must extend beyond tumor control to address persistent functional and psychological sequelae. A multidisciplinary, anticipatory, and personalized approach—centered on integrated rehabilitation and mental health support—is essential to optimize survivorship outcomes and improve long-term quality of life.

COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis has become a new clinical entity. This study’s aim was to evaluate the histopathological and ultramicroscopic morphological aspects of this fungal infection. This was an observational retrospective study on eight patients from three tertiary centers in Romania. The tissue samples collected during functional endoscopic sinus surgery were studied through histopathological examination, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In the histopathological examination, the morphological aspects characteristic of mucormycosis in all cases were identified: wide aseptate hyphae with right-angle ramifications, which invade blood vessels. One case presented perineural invasion into the perineural lymphatics. And in another case, mucormycosis–aspergillosis fungal coinfection was identified. Through scanning electron microscopy, long hyphae on the surface of the mucosa surrounded by cells belonging to the local immune system were identified in all samples, and bacterial biofilms were identified in half of the samples. Through transmission electron microscopy, aseptate hyphae and bacterial elements were identified in the majority of the samples. Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 produces nasal sinus dysbiosis, which favors the appearance of bacterial biofilms. The way in which the infection develops depends on the interaction of the fungi with cells of the immune system.