📄 Category

otolaryngology

11 papers

Otolaryngology focuses on the complex interplay between the ears, nose, and throat, covering everything from hearing loss and balance disorders to sleep apnea and head and neck cancers. This vital medical specialty ensures our ability to hear, breathe, and speak, yet the rapid pace of new discoveries can often feel overwhelming for those outside the field.

Gist.Science bridges this gap by processing every new preprint uploaded to medRxiv within this category. We transform dense, technical research into accessible plain-language summaries alongside detailed technical breakdowns, making cutting-edge findings available to patients, students, and clinicians alike. Below are the latest papers in otolaryngology, freshly summarized to help you stay informed on the latest breakthroughs.

📄 otolaryngology

Developing an open-source framework for LLM evaluation of patients using EHR clinical documentation; performance of LLMs relative to medical professionals

This study demonstrates that current large language models fail to achieve inter-rater reliability comparable to medical professionals when extracting structured clinical information from ENT electronic health records, suggesting they are best suited for initial data extraction requiring human verification rather than autonomous clinical deployment.

Barrett, L., Joshi, N., North, A. S., Dimitrov, L., Maughan, E. F., Ross, T., Pankhania, R., Paramjothy, K., Minty, I. (…)2026-08-24
📄 otolaryngology

Protocol for: mixed methods study on diversity of children with cochlear implants and their families engaging with the BEARS (Both Ears) virtual reality training games: improving clinical trial diversity and scale-up inclusiveness

This mixed-methods study protocol outlines a plan to evaluate and improve the sociodemographic diversity of participants in the BEARS virtual reality clinical trial for deaf children with bilateral cochlear implants by analyzing recruitment data, identifying barriers through qualitative research, and implementing targeted interventions to ensure the trial better represents the UK population.

Cullington, H. E., Driver, S., Nightingale, R., Somerset, S., Corbett, F., Jepson, M., Conefrey, C., Chauhan, T., Vicker (…)2026-08-06
📄 otolaryngology

Positive long-term outcomes of functional nasal surgery and histological findings in post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction

This study demonstrates that functional septorhinoplasty provides sustained 12-month improvements in olfactory function and nasal airflow for patients with persistent post-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction, supported by histological evidence of preserved olfactory sensory neurons and regenerative capacity in the olfactory epithelium.

Sharma Khatiwada, A., Pendolino, A. L., Liu, Z., Scarpa, B., Grubb, M. S., Andrews, P. J.2026-07-23
📄 otolaryngology

Protocol for a Modified Delphi Consensus Study on the * Clinical Assessment of Children with Suspected Olfactory Dysfunction

This paper outlines the protocol for a prospectively registered, multi-round modified Delphi study involving international experts and a patient advisory group to establish the first internationally endorsed clinical guidelines for assessing children with suspected olfactory dysfunction, addressing current gaps in detection and standardized practice.

Bhargava, E. K., Whitcroft, K. L., Gellrich, J., Fishman, G., Propst, E. J., Zou, L., Hummel, T.2026-07-04
📄 otolaryngology

Comparative genomic analysis reveals shared and distinct mechanisms of nasal polyps and chronic rhinosinusitis

This multi-population genome-wide association meta-analysis identifies shared and distinct genetic architectures between chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps, revealing substantial shared liability while highlighting that immune-driven mechanisms play a more dominant role in nasal polyp heritability than epithelial factors.

Yuan, S., McVey, J. C., Hartmann, K., Abramowitz, S., Woerner, J., Shakt, G., Judy, R., Douglas, J. E., Voight, B. F., K (…)2026-04-08
📄 otolaryngology

SMELL-RS: A Self-administered, Digital Test for Olfactory Dysfunction that is Rapid, Reliable, and Accurate

This study demonstrates that SMELL-RS, a rapid, self-administered, and digital olfactory test, offers reliable and accurate assessment of smell dysfunction with significantly shorter completion times compared to traditional Sniffin' Sticks tests.

Hsieh, J. W., Dougherty, M., Poulopoulou, A., Blidariu, D., Senn, P., Hopper, R., Patel, D., Maggioni, E., Obrist, M., V (…)2026-03-31
📄 otolaryngology

A meta-analysis of bone conduction 80 Hz auditory steady state response thresholds in adults and infants

This meta-analysis of 27 studies concludes that while bone conduction auditory steady-state responses (BC ASSRs) are a reliable method for estimating hearing thresholds in adults and infants, significant variations based on age and frequency necessitate the development of specific correction factors to accurately predict behavioral thresholds.

Perugia, E., Georga, C.2026-02-23