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. 2023 Aug 22;7(3):e67. doi: 10.1002/oto2.67

Table 3.

ChatGPT‐Provided Treatment and Physician Agreement

Prompt Treatment Median (IQR) Range
1

Based on the given scenario, the most likely diagnosis is an orbital blowout fracture. Here's a suggested treatment plan:

Consults—ophthalmology, OMFS

Radiographic studies—CT scan of orbits and facial bones

Medical treatment—pain control, tetanus prophylaxis if immunization is not up to date, antibiotics may be prescribed

Surgical treatment—depending on the extent of the fracture, muscle entrapment, and any functional or cosmetic concerns, surgical repair may be necessary within 1‐2 weeks of injury. Surgery typically involves reconstruction of the orbital floor or wall with implants or grafts, as well as the release of any entrapped muscles

Follow‐up—regular follow‐up appointments with ophthalmology and maxillofacial surgery

4.00 (2.00) 1.00‐5.00
2

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is acute bacterial sinusitis. Here's a suggested treatment plan:

Consults—ENT if symptoms persist despite medical therapy

Radiographic studies—CT sinus if there is no significant improvement within 48‐72 hours of starting antibiotics

Medical treatment—antibiotics (amoxicillin‐clavulanate for 5‐10 days in adults; doxycycline or a respiratory fluoroquinolone if the patient has a penicillin allergy)

Symptomatic relief—pain relief, oral or topical nasal decongestant no longer than 3 days to avoid rebound congestion, nasal saline irrigation

Follow up—educate the patient on the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics, follow up in 10‐14 days

5.00 (1.00) 4.00‐5.00
3

Given the patient's history and presentation, the most likely diagnosis is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue. Here's a suggested treatment plan:

Consults—ENT and OMFS

Radiographic studies—contrast‐enhanced CT or MRI of the head and neck, CXR, or CT chest may be considered to rule out distant metastasis

Other studies—biopsy of the lesion should be performed, along with imaging can be used to stage the tumor for treatment

Treatment—may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy

5.00 (1.00) 4.00‐5.00
  • Surgery: resection with margins for early‐stage SCC of the tongue is the primary treatment; neck dissection if there is evidence of regional lymph node involvement or with advanced‐stage disease
  • Radiation: postoperative radiation for high‐risk or advanced stage; definitive radiation as an alternative for patients who are not surgical candidates
  • Chemotherapy: neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced stage or high risk of recurrence
Follow up—regular follow‐up with ENT, OMFS, and oncologist
4

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak. Here's a suggested treatment plan:

Consults—ENT and/or NSGY if CSF leak does not resolve with conservative measures

Radiographic studies—high‐resolution CT of sinuses, MRI with intrathecal gadolinium

Other studies—LP to measure opening pressure and obtain CSF for analysis

Medical treatment—bed rest with head elevation, analgesics, and prophylactic antibiotics to minimize the risk of meningitis if necessary

Surgical treatment—endoscopic surgical repair if the leak does not resolve with conservative measures, lumbar drain or shunt if the leak is not identifiable or if multiple leaks are present

Follow up—weight loss/obesity management, monitor recurrence of symptoms which if persist or worsen then consider repeat imaging and re‐evaluating treatment plan

5.00 (2.00) 2.00‐5.00
5

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Here's a suggested treatment plan:

Consults—rheumatology, ENT

Radiographic studies— CXR, CT Chest

Labs—CBC, CMP, ESR, CRP, ANCA, UA

Biopsy—nasal or sinus biopsy

Medical treatment—induction high‐dose corticosteroids with a DMARD; maintenance with less toxic DMARD

Follow up—rheumatology, monitor laboratory markers, assess for end organ complications

4.00 (4.00) 1.00‐5.00
6

Based on the patient's history and presentation, the most likely diagnosis is a vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). Here's a suggested treatment plan:

Consults—neuro‐otologist, NSGY, audiologist

Radiographic studies—MRI head w/contrast

Treatment options—observation (small tumors with mild symptoms), stereotactic radiosurgery (serviceable hearing and tumor < 3 cm), surgical resection (large tumors with significant symptoms or when hearing preservation is not possible)

Follow‐up—facial nerve rehabilitation, neuro‐otology, NSGY

5.00 (0) 1.00‐5.00
7

The most likely diagnosis is Chronic Otitis Media with Cholesteatoma. Here is a treatment plan for this condition:

Consults—ENT, audiologist

Radiographic studies—high‐resolution CT of the temporal bones

Medical treatment—treat concurrent infections with antibiotics and/or corticosteroid ear drops

Surgical treatment—excision which may include canal‐wall‐up or canal‐wall‐down mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty

Follow up—monitor for postoperative complications, regular follow up with otoscopic exams and audiograms, manage eustachian tube dysfunction and allergic rhinitis

5.00 (0) 1.00‐5.00
8

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is pheochromocytoma with a cervical paraganglioma. Here's a treatment plan for this patient:

Consults—endocrinology, ENT

Radiographic studies—CT or MRI of the neck with contrast, abdominal CT or MRI

Labs—plasma or 24‐hour urine metanephrines and catecholamines, CBC, renal function tests, and electrolytes

Medical treatment—alpha‐blockers and subsequently beta‐blockers

Surgical treatment—laparoscopic or open adrenalectomy and neck dissection

Follow‐up—monitor patient's blood pressure and catecholeamine levels, adjust antihypertensive medications, imaging and laboratory testing for recurrence

4.00 (1.00) 2.00‐5.00
9

For the most likely diagnosis of auricular hematoma, the treatment plan would include the following steps:

Consults—ENT

Treatment—cold compress, aspiration or incision and drainage, pressure dressing or bolster after drainage, antibiotic prophylaxis, pain management

Follow‐up—ENT within 1 week to monitor healing and removal of pressure dressing, avoid contact sports or other potentially traumatic activities until healing, and protective headgear in the future for prevention

5.00 (0) 4.00‐5.00
10

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Here's a treatment plan for this patient:

Consults—ENT

Radiographic studies—MRI brain and IAC with contrast

Labs—CBC, renal function tests, electrolytes, autoimmune labs, and infectious etiologies (eg, Lyme disease, syphilitic) if indicated

Treatment—oral corticosteroids preferably within 72 hours of onset with a 10‐14 day taper, intratympanic corticosteroid injections if oral treatment is contraindicated or ineffective, supportive care including hearing aids or assistive listening devices as necessary

Follow up—follow up audiograms and adjust treatments as necessary

4.00 (1.00) 3.00‐5.00
11

The most likely diagnosis in this case is subglottic stenosis. The treatment plan for subglottic stenosis includes the following:

Consults—ENT, pulmonology

Radiographic studies—CT neck and chest

Other studies—flexible laryngoscopy, pulmonary function tests

Medical treatment—inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators

Surgical options—endoscopic dilation, endoscopic lysis of adhesions, laser surgery, open surgical repair

Follow‐up—speech therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, regular follow‐up with ENT and pulmonology to monitor for recurrence

5.00 (1.00) 3.00‐5.00
12

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is Sjögren's syndrome. Here's a treatment plan for this patient:

Consults—rheumatology, ophthalmology

Radiographic studies—CXR or CT test, parotid gland ultrasound

Labs—CBC, renal function tests, electrolytes, liver function tests, ANA, anti‐Ro/SSA, anti‐La/SSB, ESR, CRP, immunoglobulins

Other studies—Schirmer's test, minor salivary gland biopsy if clinically indicated

Treatment—artificial tears and lubricating eye ointments, saliva substitutes, sugar‐free gum or lozenges, hydroxychloroquine, NSAIDs, pilocarpine, or cevimeline

Follow‐up—close monitoring for potential complications, regular dental care, and good oral hygiene

4.00 (3.00) 1.00‐5.00
13

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is a goiter associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The treatment plan for goiter in the context of Hashimoto's thyroiditis includes the following:

Consults—endocrinology

Radiographic studies—thyroid ultrasound

Labs—thyroid function tests

Other studies—fine‐needle aspiration biopsy

Medical treatment—levothyroxine for hypothyroidism and optionally for goiter size reduction

Surgical treatment—thyroidectomy (partial or total) if there are compressive symptoms, malignancy is confirmed or strongly suspected, goiter is cosmetically bothersome

Follow‐up—endocrinology, periodic thyroid ultrasound, and thyroid function tests

5.00 (1.00) 2.00‐5.00
14

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is orbital cellulitis. Here's a treatment plan for this patient:

Consults—ENT, ophthalmology

Radiographic studies—CT or orbit and sinuses with contrast

Labs—CBC, blood cultures, culture from sinus or conjunctival swab if possible

Medical treatment—hospital admission, broad‐spectrum intravenous antibiotics to cover staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus species, adjust antibiotics when culture results are available, analgesics and antipyretics, nasal decongestants

Surgical treatment—consider drainage of abscess or endoscopic sinus surgery in cases of severe infection, abscess, or lack of clinical improvement with conservative management

Follow‐up—monitor for complications including vision loss, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and intracranial spread of infection

5.00 (1.00) 1.00‐5.00
15

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is a peritonsillar abscess. Here is a suggested treatment plan:

Consults—ENT

Radiographic studies—CT neck with contrast

Labs—CBC, blood cultures

Medical treatment—intravenous hydration, intravenous broad‐spectrum antibiotics to cover group A Streptococcus and anaerobes, analgesics and antipyretics, adjust antibiotics based on culture and clinical response

Surgical treatment—needle aspiration, incision, and drainage, or tonsillectomy

Follow‐up—monitor patient's clinical response to treatment, follow up with ENT for recovery, and discuss elective tonsillectomy if recurrent tonsillitis is an issue

5.00 (1.00) 2.00‐5.00
16

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is vocal fold nodules. Here's a treatment plan for this patient:

Consults—ENT, speech‐language pathologist

Other studies—laryngoscopy, videostroboscopy

Medical treatment—voice therapy, vocal hygiene, voice rest, vocal warm‐ups and cool‐downs

Surgical treatment—microlaryngoscopy with excision or laser ablation if conservative management fails to yield improvement or in severe cases

Follow‐up—monitor for improvement with voice therapy and consider re‐evaluating diagnosis and exploring alternative treatments if there is no significant improvement in a few months

4.00 (1.00) 1.00‐5.00
17

Based on the most likely diagnosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or palsy following coronary artery bypass graft surgery, I can suggest a general approach for management:

Consults—ENT

Radiographic studies—CT or MRI of neck and chest

Other studies—laryngoscopy

Medical treatment—voice and swallow therapy

Surgical treatment—injection laryngoplasty, medialization thyroplasty, or arytenoid adduction

Follow‐up—aspiration precautions, pneumonia prevention, follow‐up with ENT and speech‐language pathology

5.00 (1.00) 4.00‐5.00
18

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is congenital muscular torticollis. Here's a treatment plan for this patient:

Consults—pediatrician, physical therapist

Radiographic studies—neck ultrasound

Medical treatment—physical therapy, parent education for strengthening and stretching exercises, head positioning techniques

Surgical treatment—surgical release of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in severe cases or cases where physical therapy fails to yield improvement

Follow‐up—pediatrician, physical therapist

5.00 (1.00) 2.00‐5.00
19

Based on the most likely diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis, I can suggest a general approach for management:

Consults—endocrinology, ENT

Radiographic studies—neck ultrasound, CT neck with contrast

Labs—CBC, thyroid function tests

Other studies—fine‐needle aspiration

Medical treatment—intravenous broad‐spectrum antibiotics until culture results are available after which adjust the antibiotics for a 2‐3 week course, pain and fever management

Surgical treatment—drainage of abscess or in rare cases thyroidectomy (partial or total)

Follow‐up—endocrinology, ENT

3.00 (3.00) 1.00‐5.00
20

The most likely diagnosis, in this case, is acute otitis media with complications. Here's a treatment plan for this patient:

Consults—ENT, audiology

Imaging studies—CT of the temporal bone

Other studies—CBC, CRP, ESR

Medical treatment—broad‐spectrum antibiotics, analgesics, antipyretics

Surgical treatment—myringotomy with or without tympanostomy tube placement or a mastoidectomy if complications such as mastoiditis or cholesteatoma are identified

Follow‐up—close monitoring for improvement, complications, and need for surgery

4.00 (2.00) 2.00‐5.00
Overall 5.00 (1.00) 1.00‐5.00

Abbreviations: ANA, antinuclear antibody; ANCA, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; CBC, complete blood count; ChatGPT, chat generative pretrained transformer; CMP, comprehensive metabolic panel; CRP, C‐reactive protein; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; CT, computed tomography; CXR, chest X‐ray; DMARD, disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug; ENT, otolaryngology; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IAC, internal auditory canal; IQR, interquartile range; LP, lumbar puncture; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs; NSGY, neurosurgery; OMFS, oral maxillofacial surgery; SCC, squamous cell carcinoma; UA, urinanalysis.