[Nanomedicine in otorhinolaryngology--future prospects].
BACKGROUND
Nanotechnology becomes more and more important in the world of today. Equally, it does generally in medicine and of course specifically in otorhinolaryngology. Essentially, there are the following fields: Diagnostics, new therapies and agents, drug delivery and medical implants.


METHODS
An extensive literature research on nanomedicine in otorhinolaryngology was carried out in the standard online medical reference databases “PubMed/Medline” and “Web of Science”. Furthermore, we are giving an overview of the work of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON), University Hospital Erlangen.


RESULTS
A lot of new and innovative studies on nanotechnology in diagnostics and therapy were recovered. Depending on the variety in otorhinolaryngology, there are numerous versatile approaches, according to the different areas. The main part is engaged in drug delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
The efforts to exploit the potential of nanotechnology in otorhinolaryngology are multifaceted, innovative and seminal. The best perspective of success is attributed to nanoparticulate drug delivery systems.
Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik , Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Sektion für Experimentelle Onkologie und Nanomedizin (SEON), Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftungsprofessur, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. stephan.duerr@uk-erlangen.de
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D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques / Q000639:trends; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000639:trends*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000639:trends*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy