Women’s representation at an academic dermatology conference: trending upwards, but not equal yet

Although women make up a significant portion of the workforce in dermatology, they remain underrepresented in academia. This study investigates the number of male and female symposium speakers at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meetings over a three-year period and compares research productivity and academic rank between the men and women invited to speak. The results demonstrate a steady increase in the representation of female symposium speakers at the conference from 2016 to 2018, although a higher proportion of invited male speakers hold professorships and leadership positions. This upward trend in women's representation may translate to more opportunities for female engagement in academic dermatology. Although women make up over 60% of residents in dermatology, they are not proportionally represented in this conference sample. This imbalance in representation demonstrates that further interventions to increase the representation of female professors and chairs may be necessary

Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine Induced Skin Necrosis of Nose, Ears, and Extremities: Case Report

Levamisole is an immunomodulatory and antihelminthic drug, previously removed from the United States market, and now estimated to be present in the vast majority of cocaine distributed in the United States. Levamisole-adulterated cocaine (LAC) exposure can result in neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and vasculitis with a predilection for subsites of the face. The objective of this review is to increase awareness among otolaryngologists of the manifestations of LAC exposure. We present the case of a 33-year-old woman with a history of cocaine use, consulted for purpuric, necrotic lesions of the nose, cheeks, and ears, with accompanying leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). The effects of levamisole are immune mediated, with antibodies directed against neutrophils causing neutropenia, and vasculitis caused by antibody deposition or secondary to induction of antiphospholipid antibodies causing thrombosis. LAC exposure can be differentiated from other similar appearing pathologies by evaluating serology for specific ANCA. The most important treatment is cessation of cocaine use, which most often results in complete resolution of symptoms. Awareness of the presentation, complications, and treatment of LAC exposure may be especially important for otolaryngologists, who may be one of the firsts to evaluate an affected patient

Fibrosarcomas of the Paranasal Sinuses: A Systematic Review

Fibrosarcomas are rare, malignant neoplasms of mesenchymal origin. Fibrosarcomas appear to be sporadic, but cases of fibrosarcomas secondary to radiation of nasopharyngeal carcinomas have been reported. Paranasal sinus fibrosarcomas (PNFS) are even rarer with few cases being reported since the 1950s. There have been several retrospective cohort studies examining PNFS; however, to our knowledge, no comprehensive review exists. This review aims to summarize the findings of all published cases of PNFS from the 1950s to the 2020s. We hope that a comprehensive review will assist in accurate and early diagnoses of PNFS, and help guide treatment as early treatment is associated with a favorable prognosis.This systematic review reports results following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Studies were screened using established inclusion/exclusion criteria. A total of 26 studies were included for data extraction, and relevant data were collected and analyzed.In our study, the most common study type was case reports (n = 19). The most common presentation for PNFS included male gender (n = 17) with maxillary sinus (n = 57) involvement. Patients commonly presented with complaints of nasal obstruction (n = 15), epistaxis (n = 11), and facial fullness/pain (n = 9). Surgical resection was the mainstay treatment, with the use of chemotherapy or radiation depending on surgical margins and resectability. The diagnosis was commonly made with histological analysis. This review of the literature provides a summary and reference of important presenting factors, elements of diagnosis, and treatment options regarding PNFS to help bring awareness and guide the treatment of such a rare disease. Moving forward, there is a greater need for larger standardized studies that can further complement our findings, as well as more consistent reporting of cases

Academic Benchmarks for Otolaryngology Leaders

This study aimed to characterize current benchmarks for academic otolaryngologists serving in positions of leadership and identify factors potentially associated with promotion to these positions. Information regarding chairs (or division chiefs), vice chairs, and residency program directors was obtained from faculty listings and organized by degree(s) obtained, academic rank, fellowship training status, sex, and experience. Research productivity was characterized by (a) successful procurement of active grants from the National Institutes of Health and prior grants from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts program and (b) scholarly impact, as measured by the h-index. Chairs had the greatest amount of experience (32.4 years) and were the least likely to have multiple degrees, with 75.8% having an MD degree only. Program directors were the most likely to be fellowship trained (84.8%). Women represented 16% of program directors, 3% of chairs, and no vice chairs. Chairs had the highest scholarly impact (as measured by the h-index) and the greatest external grant funding. This analysis characterizes the current picture of leadership in academic otolaryngology. Chairs, when compared to their vice chair and program director counterparts, had more experience and greater research impact. Women were poorly represented among all academic leadership positions

Image-guidance in endoscopic sinus surgery: is it associated with decreased medicolegal liability?

BackgroundThe use of image-guidance (IG) in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has escalated over the last decade despite a lack of consensus that its use improves outcomes or decreases complications. One theoretical reason for using IG in ESS is its potential to minimize legal liability should an adverse outcome occur. In this study, we aimed to characterize the role of IG in ESS litigation, and further detail other factors in pertinent cases. A secondary objective was to characterize recent malpractice litigation for other relevant factors. MethodsRelevant cases from Westlaw were examined to determine whether the use of IG played a role in initiating litigation in ESS malpractice suits. Factors such as patient demographics and alleged cause(s) of malpractice litigation were examined. ResultsOut of 30 malpractice cases from 2004 to April 2013, 4 (13.3%) mentioned the use of IG during ESS, although this did not appear to be a factor affecting the plaintiff's decision to initiate litigation, nor the case outcomes. In the 26 cases (86.7%) in which IG was not used, its non-use was not specified as an alleged cause of negligence. Eleven (36.7%) cases were resolved in the defendant's favor. Frequently-cited factors included iatrogenic injury (83.3%), permanent deficits (66.7%), needing additional surgery (63.3%), orbital and intracranial injury, and perceived deficits in informed consent (40.0%). ConclusionThe use of IG was not found to be a factor in ESS litigation. This suggests that not using IG does not necessarily make one more vulnerable to malpractice litigation

Modified Subtotal Lothrop Procedure for Extended Frontal Sinus and Anterior Skull Base Access: A Cadaveric Feasibility Study with Clinical Correlates

Objective The endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) is an established approach for recalcitrant frontal sinus disease and anterior skull base exposure. However, in select cases, this technique may involve unnecessary resection of sinonasal structures. In this study, we propose a modification of the EMLP, termed the modified subtotal-Lothrop procedure (MSLP), to access the anterior skull base and complex frontal sinus disease for which access to the bilateral frontal sinus posterior table is required. Methods A cadaveric dissection with photo documentation was performed at an academic medical center on four cadaver heads using standard endoscopic techniques to demonstrate the MSLP and its feasibility. Results The endoscopic MSLP allowed ample access for instrumentation in each of the dissections using a 30- or 70-degree endoscope. Adequate bilateral access to the posterior table of the frontal sinus was gained in all cases without the need for dissection of the contralateral frontal sinus recess (FSR). Conclusion The MSLP appears to be a feasible technique for exposure of the anterior skull base and accessing complex frontal sinus pathology. This modification provides similar anterior skull base exposure and surgical maneuverability as the EMLP while limiting surgical dissection to one FSR, thereby preserving as much of the natural mucociliary drainage pathways as possible