A. Werner

First bite syndrome.

Based on a review of the indexed medical literature (PubMed database), the authors describe the clinical features leading to the diagnosis of first bite syndrome, the pathophysiology of this syndrome and analyse the various treatment options available to otorhinolaryngologists to manage this syndrome.

Benefits, pitfalls and risks of phytotherapy in clinical practice in otorhinolaryngology

OBJECTIVESnTo elucidate the benefits, pitfalls and risks of phytotherapy in the clinical practice of otorhinolaryngology.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnThe PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched using the following keywords: phytotherapy, phytomedicine, herbs, otology, rhinology, laryngology, otitis, rhinitis, laryngitis and otorhinolaryngology. Seventy-two articles (18 prospective randomized studies, 4 Cochrane analyses, 4 meta-analysis and 15 reviews of the literature) devoted to clinical studies were analyzed. Articles devoted to in vitro or animal studies, biochemical analyses or case reports (including fewer than 10 patients) and articles dealing with honey, aromatherapy or minerals were excluded.nnnRESULTSnPer os ginkgo biloba has no indications in tinnitus, presbycusis or anosmia following viral rhinitis. Traditional Asian medicine has no proven benefit in sudden deafness or laryngeal papillomatosis. Per os mistletoe extracts associated to conventional treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma does not increase 5-year survival. Extracts of various herbs, notably echinacea, eucalyptus, petasites hybridus, pelargonium sidoides, rosemary, spirulina and thyme, show superiority over placebo for rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as does gingko biloba for selected vertigo. There have been encouraging preliminary results for intratumoral injection of mistletoe in head and neck carcinoma and acupoint herbal patching for allergic rhinitis. Herb intake should be screened for in case of certain unexplained symptoms such as epistaxis, headache or dizziness, or signs suggesting allergy. Phytotherapy should be interrupted ahead of surgery and/or chemotherapy.nnnCONCLUSIONnScientific proof of the benefit of phytotherapy in otorhinolaryngology remains to be established but, given its widespread use and the reported data, knowledge of this form of treatment needs to be developed.

Tobacco and otorhinolaryngology: epic and disaster.

More than 500 papers are retrieved from the PubMed database by the keywords Tobacco and Otorhinolaryngology, none of which, however, is devoted to the history of a plant that has a major impact on our specialty and practice. The present report describes and analyzes how tobacco conquered the world, the conflicts it triggered and the impact it has had in our field over the past centuries.

Abecedarium: Who Am I? H’…

European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases - Vol. 130 - N° 4 - p. 173-174

Abecedarium: Who am I? G'….

European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases - Vol. 130 - N° 3 - p. 113-114

Abecedarium: who am I? F'...

European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases - Vol. 130 - N° 2 - p. 47-48

Abecedarium: who am I? E'….

European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases - Vol. 130 - N° 1 - p. 1-2

Abecedarium. Who am I? B'….

European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases - Vol. 129 - N° 4 - p. 173-174

Abécédaire qui suis-je ? A’… ☆

Annales Francaises dOto-Rhino-Laryngologie et de pathologie cervico-faciale - Vol. 129 - N° 3 - p. 151-152