Recent Research Publications from the UPMC Department of Otolaryngology

Recent research from the UPMC Department of Otolaryngology explores a variety of topics in ototoxicity, oropharyngeal cancer, survivorship, computer tests to assess ear canals, and more.

José P. Zevallos, MD, MPH, FACS, Eugene N. Myers, MD Professor and Chair, and professor and chairman, Department of Otolaryngology, and Angela L. Mazul, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, collaborated with colleagues from other institutions to published research in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship titled “Trends in Ototoxicity Monitoring Among Cisplatin-treated Patients with Cancer.” The goal of this study was to characterize patterns in ototoxicity monitoring and identify potential barriers to audiologic follow-up. Results showed that ototoxicity monitoring is an inconsistent practice, particularly during chemotherapy and for long-term surveillance of hearing loss. Researchers believe that patients with non-head and neck cancer may be at increased risk for loss of audiologic follow-up.

Joseph M. Furman, MD, PhD, FACS, director, UPMC Center for Balance Disorders, and professor, Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Neurology, Bioengineering, and Physical Therapy, and Jillyn J. Roxberg, AUD, published a study in the Journal of Vestibular Research with colleagues from Neurolign USA titled “The Vertical Computerized Rotational Head Impulse Test.” The purpose of this study was to describe the computerized rotational head impulse test (crHIT) for vertical head plane rotations. Results indicated that the crHIT was well-tolerated for both horizontal head plane and vertical head plane stimuli.

In collaboration with external colleagues, Kevin J. Contrera, MD, MPH, assistant professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, FACS, director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and professor, Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Immunology, and Radiation Oncology, recently published a new commentary in Cancer titled “The Role of Surgery and De-escalation for HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer.” The team reviewed recently published and ongoing trials and how they are helping to define the role of transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer. They also discuss evidence supporting the use of surgery as a valuable tool in the multidisciplinary de-escalation of low-risk human papillomavirus–related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.