The OTO Journals’ Must-Reads of 2024

In 2024, standout articles published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and OTO Open, the official journals of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF), gained significant attention within and beyond the medical community.

Here we highlight the year’s top papers based on both traditional citations and altmetric scores. Traditional metrics measure how frequently a paper has been cited by others, considering the total number of papers published in the field. In contrast, altmetrics measure digital engagement across many different channels—from social media, press releases, news, blogs, policy documents, and, recently, clinical practice guidelines. These scores provide a broader view of research impact, showcasing the reach and influence of these publications beyond traditional citations. There are different tools that measure altmetrics—here, we have used the Altmetric Attention Score, published by Digital Science. Below is an example of an Altmetric Attention Score charted over time.

Figure 1. Altmetric Attention Score chart for Clinical Consensus Statement: Ankyloglossia in Children, published in April 2020.

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Keep in mind that altmetrics may reflect the popularity of the subject matter rather than scientific rigor—particularly for open access articles—and their significance can vary depending on the source and type of engagement. Thus, altmetrics are best used alongside traditional citation measures and other data to evaluate research impact.

Highest Impact Articles by Citation

Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update)
Decreasing Incidence of Chemosensory Changes by COVID-19 Variant
Clinical Practice Guideline: Opioid Prescribing for Analgesia After Common Otolaryngology Operations
Tackling the Minority Tax: A Roadmap to Redistributing Engagement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
Portable HEPA Purifiers to Eliminate Airborne SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review

OTO Open
Overemphasis of USMLE and Its Potential Impact on Diversity in Otolaryngology
Effect of Radiofrequency Neurolysis on the Symptoms of Chronic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Patient and Provider Satisfaction With Telemedicine in Otolaryngology
Postacute COVID-19 Laryngeal Injury and Dysfunction
Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Vestibular Schwannoma and Relationship to Hearing

Most Engaged-with Articles by Altmetric Attention Scores

Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Clinical Consensus Statement: Ankyloglossia in Children
Clinical Practice Guideline (Update): Earwax (Cerumen Impaction)
COVID-19 Vaccines May Not Prevent Nasal SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Asymptomatic Transmission
Hearing Loss, Loneliness, and Social Isolation: A Systematic Review
Ankyloglossia and Lingual Frenotomy: National Trends in Inpatient Diagnosis and Management in the United States, 1997-2012

OTO Open
Inability to Belch and Associated Symptoms Due to Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak from COVID-19 Swab
The Long-Term Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Injection to Treat Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction
Association of Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status With Esthesioneuroblastoma Presentation, Treatment, and Survival
Retracted Publications in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery: What Mistakes Are Being Made?

Don’t have time to catch up on reading? Many of the above articles have been covered in the Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery monthly podcast series. Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, convenes a panel for a roughly 30-minute, in-depth discussion of each month’s selected article, including the lead or senior authors and the associate editor. Subscribe for free to receive immediate notification when new podcasts are published as the series continues in 2025!