Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and allergic rhinitis (AR) are common upper-airway inflammatory disorders that often coexist, significantly decrease quality of life, and recur even when treated with intranasal or systemic therapy or surgery. Growing mechanistic insights, such as the role of type 2 inflammation driven by epithelial “alarmins” (TSLP, IL-25, IL-33) and downstream cytokines (IL-4/IL-13, IL-5), together with IgE-mediated effector pathways, have led to the accelerated clinical use of targeted biologics. Here, we summarize the shared immunopathogenesis of CRSwNP and AR, highlight treatable endotypes and practical biomarkers (e.g., blood eosinophils, total IgE, FeNO, and disease-specific symptom and quality-of-life scores), and map these features to therapeutic targets. We summarize evidence for approved agents, including anti-IgE omalizumab; anti-IL-5/IL-5R therapies mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab; and anti-IL-4R therapy dupilumab, focusing on clinically significant outcomes such as nasal polyp burden, nasal obstruction, olfaction, SNOT-22/TNSS improvement, reduction in systemic corticosteroid use, surgery rates, safety, and limitations. Given that many patients have multimorbidity with asthma or atopic dermatitis, we also outline how unified airway management can guide multidisciplinary decision-making and the use of shared endpoints. Practical considerations such as initiation criteria, response assessment, treatment switching, and economic or access barriers are summarized to inform real-world implementation and future research.

Nicotine is a stimulant that affects the ganglia. Similar to capsaicin, it also activates sensory nerves in the airways, which leads to secretion and coughing in human subjects. The nasal mucosa can be exposed to the drug through either nasal or oral administration. The study investigated the effects of nicotine on electrically stimulated contractions of human nasal mucosa, resting tension of human nasal mucosa, and contractions induced by 10−6 M norepinephrine (NE) or 10−6 M methoxamine, a sympathetic mimetic. The purpose was to assess the direct impact of nicotine on human nasal mucosa in an in vitro laboratory setting. The findings demonstrated that the nasal mucosa contracted in a dose-dependent manner upon the addition of methoxamine to the incubation medium. Addition of nicotine at doses of 10−4 M elicited a significant relaxation response to 10–6 M methoxamine-induced mucosal strip contraction. Nicotine could inhibit electrical field stimulation-induced spike contraction and had a negligible effect on the basal tension of the nasal mucosa as the concentration increased. Adding 10−6 M nicotine to the 10−6 M NE-induced contraction, it initially induced a small reduction of the contraction, then it potentiated the contractions. This study demonstrated that high nicotine concentrations had a significant spasmolytic effect via antagonistically binding to α-adrenoceptors. Moreover, people with nasal allergies and stuffy noses who additionally utilize an α-adrenergic agonist nasal spray, oral or smoked nicotine, or both concurrently may not get relief from nasal obstruction.

Mastoiditis, a serious complication of acute otitis media, primarily affects the pediatric population and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe complications. This review explores the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic approaches for mastoiditis, focusing on the role of amoxicillin in its management. The anatomical connection between the middle ear and mastoid air cells facilitates the spread of infection, which is further influenced by inflammatory processes, bacterial biofilms, and host immune responses. Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical findings, imaging studies such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and microbiological cultures to guide targeted antibiotic therapy. Amoxicillin remains the first-line treatment for non-resistant cases owing to its effectiveness against common pathogens, safety profile, and cost efficiency. However, the increasing prevalence of β-lactamase-producing bacteria necessitates the use of amoxicillin-clavulanate in resistant cases. Antibiotic selection should be based on local resistance patterns and patient-specific factors, such as allergies and comorbidities. Surgical interventions, including mastoidectomy, are required in advanced or refractory cases. Future research should focus on developing novel diagnostic tools, optimizing antibiotic regimens, and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs to combat drug resistance. Global collaboration is essential for establishing standardized guidelines and improving access to high-quality care in resource-limited settings.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting millions globally, causing significant morbidity and economic burden. Despite advances in treatment, many patients experience uncontrolled symptoms and exacerbations, particularly those with corticosteroid resistance or neutrophilic inflammation. Roflumilast, an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, may offer additional benefits by targeting inflammatory pathways that are not fully controlled by standard therapy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of roflumilast in patients with asthma. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from January 2015 to August 2025. We included randomized controlled trials and pooled analyses evaluating roflumilast in patients with asthma. The primary outcome was the mean difference in the forced expiratory volume in one second between the intervention and control groups. Secondary outcomes included risk of exacerbation, symptom control, and adverse events. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, with 2845 participants. Roflumilast showed a modest improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (Mean difference: +0.04 L; 95% confidence interval: −0.01 to +0.09; heterogeneity = 41%), which was not statistically significant. Exacerbation risk reduction was inconsistent across studies (Risk ratio: 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 0.83–1.12; heterogeneity = 35%). Adverse events, particularly gastrointestinal issues and weight loss, were more frequent with roflumilast, leading to higher rates of discontinuation. Subgroup analysis suggested potential benefits in patients with persistent airway inflammation or corticosteroid resistance, whereas harm was observed in obese patients. The limited number of trials and heterogeneity among studies restricted the conclusiveness of our findings.

The article titled “Relationship between Carotid Body Tumor and Thyroid Papillary Cancer” has been formally retracted. Following its publication, the publisher received a complaint indicating that the article had significant problems regarding the accuracy of the reported clinical case details and inconsistencies in author contribution attribution. In accordance with our complaints procedure, the editorial office and the Editorial Board conducted an investigation, which confirmed that these problems make the research results unreliable. Consequently, the Editorial Board has decided to retract the article. This retraction has been approved by the Editor-in-Chief of ENT Updates. All authors have agreed to the retraction. Original Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.54963/entu.v15i1.889 Retraction Date: 5 December 2025

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a major global health challenge, highlighting the demand for reliable biomarkers to enable earlier detection and improve patient survival. This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of RAD54-like Protein 2 (RAD54L2) in HNSCC. RAD54L2 expression was assessed across multiple cancer types, including HNSCC, using data sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Through R-based analysis of RNA-seq data from TCGA-HNSCC, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between tumors with high and low RAD54L2 expression. RAD54L2 may be a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HNSCC. Using various statistical methods, we explored the relationship between RAD54L2 levels and immune cell infiltration, DNA methylation patterns and genetic alterations in RAD54L2, RAD54L2 expression with clinicopathological features of HNSCC patients, and the diagnostic and prognostic utility of RAD54L2. Its expression was markedly upregulated in tumor tissues versus controls. RAD54L2 expression exhibited significant correlations with immune infiltration, cell cycle genes, and androgen receptor (AR) in HNSCC. DNA methylation levels at three CpG sites within the RAD54L2 gene were linked to patient prognosis. Furthermore, RAD54L2 expression was associated with multiple clinicopathological variables, including M, N, and T stages, age, gender, race, tumor status, and overall stage. ROC analysis and nomogram model indicated that RAD54L2 effectively discriminated HNSCC from non-tumor tissues. These findings underscore the potential diagnostic and prognostic utility of RAD54L2, supporting its promise as a therapeutic target in HNSCC.

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, is driven by the accumulation of lipid peroxides and shaped by mitochondrial metabolism. However, the role of BCL2L10 (B-cell lymphoma 2-like 10)—a gene previously implicated in ferroptosis—in affecting the immune microenvironment and clinical progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. Using RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we compared BCL2L10 expression in HNSCC tumors and matched normal tissues and corroborated the results with immunohistochemistry images from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). Logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses were then applied to assess the relationship between BCL2L10 levels and clinical outcomes. The protein–protein interaction network centered on BCL2L10 was constructed with the STRING database, and the immunological relevance of BCL2L10 was explored through three complementary approaches: Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA). BCL2L10 mRNA levels were markedly higher in HNSCC tumors than in adjacent normal tissues. Nevertheless, univariate survival analysis revealed no significant difference in overall survival between patients with high versus low BCL2L10 expression (p > 0.05). Mechanistically, BCL2L11 emerged as a key interactor of BCL2L10, and tumors overexpressing BCL2L10 exhibited reduced infiltration by immune cells. Overall, elevated BCL2L10 expression in HNSCC is associated with an unfavorable prognosis and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

This study is part of the health project called "Health screening for the elderly in Ankara" for patients aged 65 and over, with 1200 participants. Patients with missing laboratory tests (n = 59), movement disorders and/or bedridden (n = 54) were excluded from the study. PE was performed by a geriatrician or an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, and ultrasonographic evaluation was performed by a radiologist. PE and USG findings were compared. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of physical examination (PE) of the thyroid gland (TG) in patients over 65 years of age and to assess the reliability by comparing PE with ultrasonographic (USG) examination. The median age of the patients participating in the study was 71.17. When the differences between thyroid nodules (TN), the number of TN size, and goiter detection were compared in terms of PE and USG, all values were statistically significant, and P values were <0.001. The sensitivity of PE of TG was calculated as 31.0%. In our study, the sensitivity of PE of TG in terms of TN and goiter was found to be low. The diagnostic accuracy of PE of TG is low, and therefore, its impact on clinical decision-making is limited. Furthermore, detected nodules rarely progress to clinically relevant disease, leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Especially in groups at risk for nodules and malignancy, PE must be combined with imaging methods and, if necessary, pathological examination, even if nodules or goiter are not palpable in PE.

Cuproptosis, a novel type of regulated cell death, is controlled through protein fatty acylation and has been linked to mitochondrial metabolic processes. Nonetheless, continued research efforts are essential to determine how CDKN2D (Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2D), a gene associated with cuproptosis, influences the tumor immune microenvironment and progression of esophageal cancer (EC). Gene expression levels of CDKN2D in EC and matched normal tissues were assessed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). To confirm these findings, we conducted validation analyses utilizing datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). To ascertain if CDKN2D expression levels were associated with clinical outcomes, we conducted a multivariable regression analysis supplemented by Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. The protein-protein interaction network related to CDKN2D was created using the STRING database (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins). To characterize the immunological relevance of CDKN2D in EC, we performed comprehensive bioinformatic analyses to assess its correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Three complementary computational approaches-Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation, conventional GSEA, and ssGSEA (single-sample GSEA) were integrated to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of CDKN2D in EC. Transcript abundance level of the CDKN2D in EC samples is considerably higher than in normal tissue samples. Analyses involving both single variables and multiple variables indicate that there is no significant statistical difference in overall survival (OS) between EC patients with high CDKN2D expression and those with low CDKN2D expression (p > 0.05). Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) is a critical protein that interacts with the CDKN2D gene, and ECs with high CDKN2D expression are bound to a considerable volume of infiltrating immunocytes. Elevated CDKN2D expression in EC correlated with disease progression and modified immune infiltration patterns.

Topical drug applications to the external auditory canal (EAC) are one of the most important applications in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) practice. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the histopathological, biochemical, and microbiological effects of oxygen-boric acid drops in the EAC. Eighteen albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The left ear was designated as the drop-treated ear, and the right ear was the control ear in each rat. Group 1 rats were treated with Oxygen-boric acid drops, group 2 with ciprofloxacin drops, and group 3 with hydrogen peroxide drops for two weeks. For biochemical evaluation, the pH of the EAC was measured. Microbiological analysis was performed by culturing samples from both EACs. Finally, both EACs underwent histopathological examination. Histopathologically, oxygen-boric acid ear drops had no adverse effect on the EAC mucosa. There was also no statistically significant difference amongst the groups in histopathological findings and bacterial growth. While there was a statistically significant difference in pH was observed between the groups during the first week of treatment, no significant difference was found between the groups during the second week of treatment. Topical oxygen-boric acid, ciprofloxacin, and hydrogen peroxide can be used safely for EAC diseases due to their topical efficacy and fewer side effects. Topical drops should be chosen according to the disease, the patient's comorbidities, and the cost-effectiveness of ear drops.