Systemic Steroids for Common ENT Diagnoses: Know the Evidence

Sunday, October 12, 2025

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT

Location: 240-241

Disclosure(s):

Uchechukwu C. Megwalu, MD, MPH:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Selena E. Briggs, MD, PhD, MBA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Raluca T. Gray, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Stephanie A. Joe, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Corticosteroids are among the most frequently prescribed medications by the otolaryngologist. The indications for treatment are well defined for some diagnoses, such as sudden sensorineural hearing loss and nasal polyposis. For other diagnoses, such as allergic rhinitis and acute upper respiratory infections, the evidence is lacking. Recent studies have shown wide variation in steroid prescribing across the United States, in many cases against the dictates of evidence-based medicine. This panel presentation will address the most common indications for use of oral or intramuscular steroids in the ear, nose, throat, head and neck. Focus will be specifically on systemic steroids as distinct from topical steroids such as sprays or drops. The concept of steroid stewardship will be introduced as a responsibility of the clinician in providing optimal patient outcomes and minimizing harms.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Understand the most common indications for oral and intramuscular steroid use in comprehensive otolaryngology practice.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Recognize where there are gaps in evidence for the use of systemic steroids.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Understand the rationale for stewardship of systemic steroids in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: There is a need for clinicians to understand the evidence supporting the use of systemic steroids in routine otolaryngologic practice and to engage in appropriate steroid stewardship.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement : Steroid prescribing is an intrinsic part of comprehensive otolaryngology practice. Thoughtful application of best practices in steroid stewardship is in the best interest of patient safety and efficacious care across the breadth of comprehensive otolaryngology practice.

Moderator(s)

Edward D. McCoul, MD, MPH

Professor and Vice Chair
Ochsner Health
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Panelist(s)

Uchechukwu C. Megwalu, MD, MPH

Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Stanford University
Stanford, CA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Selena E. Briggs, MD, PhD, MBA

Vice Chair of Otolaryngology, Director of Audiology and Professor
MedStar Washington Hospital Center & Georgetown University
Washington, DC, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
RG

Raluca T. Gray, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Stephanie A. Joe, MD

Professor
Univ of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.