Digital Twins in Healthcare and Their Applicability in Rhinology: A Narrative Review

Digital twins were initially introduced in the aerospace industry, but they have been applied to the medical field in the 2020s. The development of the Internet of Things, sensor technology, cloud computing, big data analysis, and simulation technology has made this idea feasible. Essentially, digital twins are virtual representations of real-world data that can generate virtual outcomes related to a patient based on their actual data. With this technology, doctors can predict treatment outcomes, plan surgery, and monitor patients’ medical conditions in real time. While digital twins have endless potential, challenges include the need to deal with vast amounts of data and ensure the security of personal information. In the field of rhinology, which deals with complex anatomy from the sinus to the skull base, the adoption of digital twins is just beginning. Digital twins have begun to be incorporated into surgical navigation and the management of chronic diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis. Despite the limitless potential of digital twins, challenges related to dealing with vast amounts of data and enhancing the security of personal data need to be surmounted for this method to be more widely applied.

Two Cases of Idiopathic Progressive Sensorineural Hearing Loss with Positional Nystagmus in Postpartum Period: Possible Spontaneous Perilymph Fistula? / 대한이비인후과학회지

Perilymph fistula (PLF) is defined as an abnormal communication between the middle ear cavity and perilymphatic space of the inner ear. Most cases of PLF are responsible for pressure change caused by internal trauma or external trauma. However, spontaneous PLF might occur without an obvious history of barotrauma. We report two cases of possible spontaneous PLF in the postpartum period: both cases involved progressive sensorineural hearing loss with positional dizziness. Although the leakage of perilymph was not found during exploration, both hearing loss and dizziness improved immediately after PLF repair. It is necessary to consider the possibility of PLF in patients who have sudden or progressive sensorineural hearing loss with positional nystagmus. Early surgical exploration is recommended even if the history of barotrauma is not clear.