The long-term effect of COVID-19 infection on olfaction and taste; a prospective analysis.

PURPOSE: To estimate long-term prognosis of chemosensory dysfunctions among patients recovering from COVID-19 disease. METHODS: Between April 2020 and July 2022, we conducted a prospective, observational study enrolling 48 patients who experienced smell and/or taste dysfunction during the acute-phase of COVID-19. Patients were evaluated for chemosensory function up to 24 months after disease onset. RESULTS: During the acute-phase of COVID-19, 80% of patients reported anosmia, 15% hyposmia, 63% ageusia, and 33% hypogeusia. At two years' follow-up, 53% still experienced smell impairment, and 42% suffered from taste impairment. Moreover, 63% of patients who reported parosmia remained with olfactory disturbance. Interestingly, we found a negative correlation between visual analogue scale scores for smell and taste impairments during the acute-phase of COVID-19 and the likelihood of long-term recovery. CONCLUSION: Our study sheds light on the natural history and long-term follow-up of chemosensory dysfunction in patients recovering from COVID-19 disease. Most patients who initially suffered from smell and/or taste disturbance did not reach full recovery after 2 years follow-up. The severity of impairment may serve as a prognostic indicator for full recovery.

Patterns of recurrence in patients with CRSwNP who underwent complete FESS.

PURPOSE: To analyze recurrence patterns of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in patients who underwent complete FESS and identify predisposing factors for different patterns of recurrence. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients with CRSwNP who underwent complete FESS at our tertiary medical center. Recurrence patterns were classified into edema, polyp and normal endoscopy, as well as into early (within 6 months) and late recurrence. Statistical analysis to identify risk factors for recurrence included univariate, multivariate logistic regression and cox regression models. RESULTS: 114 patients were included with an average follow-up of 27 months. 91% were categorized as type-2 inflammation. Recurrence was observed in 65.8% of patients within a mean of 12.9 months. 46.7% had polyp recurrence while 53.3% had edema recurrence. Early recurrence was observed in 41%. Serum eosinophilia > 500 cells/uL was found to be significantly associated with recurrence (RR = 1.62, p-value = 0.046), and particularly with polyp recurrence (RR = 3.9, p-value = 0.001). No predictive factors for early recurrence were identified. Edema recurrence was managed with intranasal corticosteroids while polyp recurrence required systemic therapy including biologic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, two thirds of patients experienced post operative recurrence, either mucosal edema or nasal polyps, with similar frequency during an average follow up of over 2 years. Early recurrence was noted in 41% of recurrent cases. Serum eosinophils > 500 cells/uL was the only risk factor for recurrence on multivariate analysis, more accurate markers are needed for improved treatment allocation to CRSwNP patients.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Post Radiation Complete Sinus Opacification in Sinonasal Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of sinonasal malignancies most often requires primary or postoperative radiation treatment. Post radiation sinonasal morbidity has been previously described; however, none addressed post-radiation sinus obstruction. Our objective was to investigate the long-term outcomes of post radiation complete isolated sinus opacification (CISO). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of sinonasal cancer patients treated with radiation therapy during the years 2002 to 2022. Clinical, imaging and treatment data were collected from patients' medical records. Only patients with at least 12 months of follow-up and available imaging for review were included. RESULTS: Out of 109 patients, 37 patients were identified to meet the inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 58 months. 35% of patients were diagnosed with persistent post radiation CISO with a mean onset of 4 months. All these patients remained asymptomatic, and their imaging remained stable during follow-up with none developing an expanding mucocele. Ethmoid sinus tumor involvement was found to be more prevalent in the CISO group (62% vs. 25%, p-value = 0.048) as well as chemotherapy/immunotherapy (54% vs. 38%, p-value = 0.046). Multivariant analysis revealed that ethmoid sinus involvement (OR = 9.516, p-value = 0.047) and adjuvant therapy, either chemotherapy/immunotherapy (OR = 10.75, p-value = 0.036) were found to be a predictive factor for complete opacification. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that a substantial number of post-radiation patients develop a stable and persistent CISO, often in the frontal and sphenoid sinuses. These patients remained asymptomatic, and none required surgical intervention during nearly 5 years of follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Post-radiation middle ear effusion in NPC patients: Analysis of patient, tumour, and radiation factors.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patient, tumour and radiation therapy factors are associated with development of middle ear effusion (MEE) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. DEIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective review of NPC patients treated between January 2000 and June 2018 at Rabin Medical Center. Patient factors, tumour factors, radiation doses, and radiation fields were collected and outlined if needed (middle ear, eustachian tube [ET], tensor veli palatini [TVP], and levator palatini [LVP] muscles), then analysed and compared between patients with MEE and those without and between sides in patients with unilateral MEE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were enrolled. Most were males (71.2%) with advanced-stage diseases (78%). At the time of diagnosis 14 patients (19.2%) presented with MEE. Following radiation, 18 patients, with no evidence of MEE at presentation, developed MEE. Tumour stage, histology, and laterality were not associated with development of MEE. Comparison of mean radiation field dosages including-gross target volume, clinical target volume, and patient target volume showed no association with post-radiation MEE. In addition, no difference was found in the radiation doses to the middle ear, ET or the LVP nor the TVP between ears with and without MEE. CONCLUSIONS: Post-irradiation MEE remains a common adverse effect in NPC patients. Surprisingly, tumour stage, tumour laterality, and histology were not associated with MEE. Similar findings were observed for total radiation doses and specific doses to the middle ear, ET, and ET muscles.

Long-Term outcomes of pediatric dacryocystorhinostomy in a single medical center- a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To examine the long-term success rate of pediatric endoscopic DCR surgery via telephone questionnaires, as determined by patients and their parents. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent DCR surgery at the Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel between 2010 and 2020. We performed long-term follow-ups to assess the quality of life, surgical complications, and satisfaction with surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Our study includes seventy-nine patients with a total of 108 eyes. The mean age at the time of DCR was 7.05 years (Std = 4, min = 0.3, max = 17.7) Mean follow-up time was 5.7 years (Std =2.5, min = 1.4, max = 11.1). Tubes were inserted for a mean of 129 days (Std = 101). Fifty-seven patients (72%) declared they had no complications after surgery, three patients (4%) reported pain after surgery, and 14 patients (17.7%) reported tube extrusion, which occurred 7-21 days after surgery. Forty-four patients (56%) reported no recurrence of symptoms, 29 (37%) complained of mild epiphora, and 18 (23%) reported some ocular discharge. Sixty-eight patients (86%) stated that they did not undergo additional surgery, while the remaining 11 (14%) reported undergoing a revision operation for symptom control. Satisfaction rate (1-7) mean score reported was 6.15 (Std = 1.6). Sixty-two (78%) reported improved quality of life, while 17 (22%) reported no improvement. Our questionnaire results have been compared with the TEARS scores with similar findings. CONCLUSION: Regardless of its etiology, endoscopic DCR surgery in the pediatric population is safe and efficient, with a high long-term patient satisfaction rate, as reported via a telephone questionnaire.

The implications of concomitant mucosal inflammation on clinical manifestations and outcomes of sinonasal inverted papilloma.

PURPOSE: This study examines the impact of concomitant mucosal inflammation on clinical manifestations and long-term outcomes of Inverted Papilloma (IP). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in five tertiary medical centers. The included patients underwent an attachment-oriented surgical resection for IP with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. RESULTS: Of 185 patients with IP, 65 patients (35.1%) had synchronous mucosal inflammation with polypoid changes. The mean age was 56.7 years, and 69% were males. Most tumors originated from the maxillary sinus. Age, gender, Krouse stage, and tumor attachment site did not differ between the mucosal inflammation and IP-only groups. IP recurrence rate was twofold in the patients with mucosal inflammation (15.4% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.092). However, the difference was not significant, with a similar median time to recurrence between the two groups [15.5 (3-36) months vs. 16(6-96) months, p = 0.712]. In revision cases, IP recurred only in patients with mucosal inflammation (19% vs. 0%, p = 0.07). This group had a significantly worse 5-years recurrence-free survival than revision cases without mucosal inflammation (80.6% vs. 100%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: IP in the setting of mucosal inflammation might be associated with a higher recurrence rate, predominantly after revision surgery. Otolaryngologists should consider this during these patients' diagnosis, surgical planning, and follow-up.

Long-term complications associated with the management of sinonasal malignancies: a single center experience.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the long-term complications associated with treatment of patients with sinonasal malignancies (SNMs) and risk factors for these complications. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients treated for SNMs at a tertiary care center between 2001 and 2018. A total of 77 patients were included. The primary outcome measure was post-treatment long-term complications. Results: Overall, long-term complications were identified in 41 patients (53%), and the most common were sinonasal (22 patients, 29%) and orbital/ocular-related (18 patients, 23%). In a multivariate regression analysis, irradiation was the only significant predictor of long-term complications (p = 0.001, OR = 18.86, CI = 3.31-107.6). No association was observed between long-term complications and tumour stage, surgical modality, or radiation dose/modality. Mean radiation dose ≥ 50 Gy to the optic nerve was associated with grade ≥ 3 visual acuity impairment (100% vs 3%; p = 0.006). Radiation therapy for disease recurrence was associated with additional long-term complications (56% vs 11%; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Treatment of SNMs has substantial long-term complications, which are significantly associated with radiation therapy.

The Long-Term Implications of Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Young Adults.

BACKGROUND: The long-term impact of rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) on general health and medical services utilization in young adults have been limitedly studied. METHODS: A case-control study in the Israeli Defense Forces, between the years 2005 and 2019, of all individuals with either rhinitis or CRS and a matched cohort of healthy individuals with a minimum of 5 years of consecutive follow-up. RESULTS: The study groups included 617 patients with rhinitis and 296 patients with CRS and 2739 healthy controls with an average age of 28 years. During a mean follow-up of 8 years, a significant fraction of patients in both study groups were diagnosed with asthma compared to the control group, (26.1% and 23.3% vs. 3.7%, respectively; CI 95%: 12.1%-14.9%, p < 0.0001). 7.6% of patients with rhinitis developed CRS. Significantly increased loss of productivity and medical system utilization were noted in the study groups compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Moreover, deterioration in general health, manifested as loss of physical fitness for combative service was observed in a third of patients during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinitis and CRS significantly impact productivity and medical service utilization in young adults, as well as general health associated with development of asthma and impairment of physical fitness. A minority of rhinitis patients develop CRS overtime, further affecting this patient group. These patients should be followed up and managed to improve disease control and associated outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:3299-3303, 2023.

Predictors for surgical intervention in orbital complications of pediatric rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: Orbital complications are the most common complication of acute rhinosinusitis, especially among pediatric patients. While most cases are treated with antibiotics alone, severe presentation may demand surgical intervention. Our goal was to determine which factors predict the need for surgery and to investigate the role of computerized tomography in the decision process. METHODS: A retrospective review of all children hospitalized between 2001-2018 with orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis in a university-affiliated children's hospital. RESULTS: A total of 156 children were included. Mean age was 7.9 years (1-18 years). Twenty-three children (14.7%) were surgically treated, and the rest were conservatively treated. High fever, ophthalmoplegia and diplopia in association with minimal or no response to conservative treatment were predictive for surgical intervention, as well as higher inflammatory indices. Eighty-nine children (57%) underwent imaging during hospitalization. Presence of a subperiosteal abscess, as well as its size and its location were not found to be predictors for surgery. CONCLUSION: Clinical and laboratory findings in association with minimal or no response to conservative treatment predict the need for surgical intervention in cases of orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis. As Computerized Tomography scans can have long-term implications in the pediatric population, caution and patience should be practiced when deciding on the timing of imaging in this population. Thus, close clinical and laboratory monitoring should lead the decision-making process in these cases and imaging should be reserved for when the decision for surgery has been made.

Changing Trends in the Survival of Immunosuppressed Children with Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis has been associated with high mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the contribution of novel detection and treatment methods on the outcome of immunosuppressed children with acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. METHODS: The records of all children with a hematologic or oncologic disease who developed acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis between 2005-2020 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included. Aspergillosis and mucormycosis were diagnosed in 20 patients (59%) and 12 patients (35%), respectively. Panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was associated with a change of treatment in 36% of patients. A more aggressive surgical approach as well as treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and novel antifungals were adopted in recent years. Overall, 26% of patients died of disease, however no disease-specific death occurred since 2012. Diagnosis using panfungal PCR (p = .04) and treatment with novel antifungal medications (p = .017) were significantly associated with disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: Enhanced fungal detection using panfungal PCR and treatment with novel antifungal agents, combined with rapid diagnosis and treatment, aggressive surgical approach and better control over the underlying oncological disease, may significantly improve the outcome of immunosuppressed children with acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.

Recurrence Patterns and Efficacy of Surveillance Modalities for Sinonasal Malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited information regarding the recurrence patterns and efficacy of surveillance modalities in patients with sinonasal malignancies. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted between the years 2001-2018 at a tertiary care center. Included were all patients with sinonasal malignancies treated in our institution. Data regarding recurrence and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included. Multimodal treatment was administered to the majority of patients. 24 (35.3%) patients recurred with a median time of 17 months (range, 4-180). Although the majority of recurrences occurred within the first 5 years (83.3%), 4 (16.6%) recurred later on (5-15 years). Recurrences were local in 83.3%, regional in 20.8% and distant in 16.6%. All local recurrences occurred within the radiation treatment field and all patients with distant failure had mucosal melanoma. The majority of recurrences (70.6%) were diagnosed clinically or endoscopically, mainly in patients with SCC during the first 2 years of follow up. MRI or PET-CT were crucial in detecting extra-sinus and distant failures. Salvage surgery was feasible in the majority of patients (58.3%). Overall, 5 years survival (OS) rate was 60.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent clinic visits with nasal endoscopy combined with frequent imaging studies should be routinely practiced as part of a long-term surveillance plan. Longer follow up duration should be considered in these patients.

Simultaneous bilateral or sequential DCR? What to choose?

BACKGROUND: Dacryocystorhinostomy is used to treat nasolacrimal duct obstruction when conservative measures fail. It may be performed via an external or endoscopic-endonasal approach. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction treated with simultaneous bilateral or unilateral dacryocystorhinostomy. METHODS: The database of a tertiary medical center was retrospectively reviewed for all patients treated for nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 2012-2017. The study sample was divided into six groups by surgery type and approach: adults (>18 years) - external or endoscopic-endonasal sequential unilateral or simultaneous bilateral dacryocystorhinostomy (four subgroups); children (18 years) - endoscopic-endonasal unilateral or simultaneous bilateral dacryocystorhinostomy (two subgroups). Data were collected on patient age and sex, surgery and anesthesia type and duration, and complications. RESULTS: The cohort included 95 adults and 27 children who underwent 111 and 41 surgical procedures, respectively. Among the adults, the durations of anesthesia and surgery were significantly longer in the external bilateral dacryocystorhinostomy group than the others, but no such differences were found between simultaneous bilateral endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy and unilateral dacryocystorhinostomy by either approach. Among the children, there was no significant between-group difference in surgery duration.In neither age population was bilateral endoscopic surgery associated with an excess of intraoperative or postoperative complications of hemorrhage, infection, and epiphora. CONCLUSION: The lack of intergroup differences in clinical, surgical, and outcome parameters suggests that in cases of bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction in adults and children, simultaneous bilateral endoscopic-endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy may yield excellent therapeutic results.

Is intraoperative margin sampling necessary in inverted papilloma resection?

PURPOSE: To explore the association between intraoperative surgical margin sampling by the frozen sections and recurrence in inverted papilloma surgery. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective study of patients who underwent attachment-oriented IP resection in four tertiary care medical centers with a minimal follow-up of 36 months. RESULTS: The study included 220 surgeries with a mean follow-up period of 49 months (range 36-204). The endoscopic approach was used in all but 4 cases; 73% of procedures were primary. Overall recurrence was 10.45% (n = 23). Squamous cell carcinoma was found in 5 cases (2.2%). Intraoperative margin sampling was obtained in 145 cases. There was no difference in the recurrence rate between frozen section and no-frozen section groups (p = 0.44). Furthermore, margin sampling in various sites of tumor origin, in cases with concomitant nasal polyps (p = 0.53) and in revision cases (p = 0.08) showed no correlation with recurrence. In 26 cases when the surgery was extended following a positive frozen section, there was a significantly higher recurrence rate (OR = 6.94). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, intraoperative margin sampling did not affect the recurrence rate of IP, and therefore, its routine use should be questioned.

Safety of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in the Elderly-Are Octogenarian Patients at a Higher Risk?

BACKGROUND: Surgeons are often faced with concerns regarding the risks versus benefits of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in elderly patients. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk for complications of ESS in the elderly (age ≥70 years) compared to younger patients, with emphasis on octogenarians. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical charts of adult patients who underwent ESS at a tertiary referral center during the years 2014 to 2018. RESULTS: We compared 128 elderly patients with 276 matched younger patients. In the elderly group mean age was 76 years (range, 70-91 years ). Thirty-one elderly patients were 80 years or older. Surgical complications in the elderly patients were 3.9%. Minor complications were 2.3% and major complications were 1.7%. The surgical complications rate was similar in the younger group (8%, P value: .127). Medical complications were observed in 2.3% comparing to 0.7% in younger patients. Interestingly, age, revision surgery, extent and duration of surgery, and modality of anesthesia were not identified as risk factors. Only ischemic heart disease (IHD) was identified as a risk factor for complications in a multivariate analysis in elderly patients. Comparison of elderly patients younger than 80 years with octogenarians revealed no difference in complication rate between these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, ESS was found to be a safe procedure in elderly patients compared to younger patients. Octogenarian patients should not be denied upfront surgery. IHD is a risk factor for complications in elderly patients.

Surgical Site Reassessment: An Important Step in Improving Clinical Outcomes Following Pediatric Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: To report the authors' experience with endoscopic unpowered dacryocystorhinostomy in the treatment of pediatric nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and to evaluate whether surgical site reassessment (after the appropriate healing period) affects clinical outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included 47 children aged between 1.5 and 17.0 years (mean age: 6.9 years) who underwent endoscopic unpowered dacryocystorhinostomy between 2014 and 2019 at one tertiary care hospital. Twenty-six patients required unilateral and 21 required bilateral endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. The main outcome measures were duct patency on lacrimal irrigation ("anatomical success") and resolution of symptoms ("clinical success") over 6 months of postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-eight dacryocystorhinostomy procedures were performed. Surgical site reassessment during tube removal was performed in 52 of 68 cases. Five cases (9.6%) required treatment of local pathologies, only after which was symptomatic relief achieved. Overall anatomical success was observed in 49 (94.2%) of the 52 cases in which nasal endoscopy was performed, including the 5 cases treated during reevaluation. Clinical success was observed in 63 (92.6%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is an effective surgical procedure used to correct nasolacrimal system obstruction resistant to conservative measures. The unpowered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy technique is practical and safe in the pediatric population. Surgical site reassessment allows treating local pathologies threatening ostium patency and increases clinical success rates. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(3):168-173.].

The Impact of Traditional Anticoagulants, Novel Anticoagulants, and Antiplatelets on Epistaxis.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (ACAP) are known to be associated with an increased risk for epistaxis. There are conflicting results regarding the impact of Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) on epistaxis and its severity. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of patients who were admitted to the ED in our tertiary level hospital with a diagnosis of epistaxis during the years 2012 to 2018. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients presenting to tertiary level emergency otolaryngological care during the years 2012 to 2018. The impact of various ACAP medications on epistaxis severity, hospital admission, and recurrence was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 470 patients were identified. Two hundred and twenty-nine patients (49%), were not on any anticoagulant/antiplatelet (ACAP) medications (controls) and 241 patients (51%) were taking at least one ACAP medication (ACAP group). Patients in the ACAP group were at a higher risk for severe epistaxis (OR = 1.8, P < .05) and were more likely to be hospitalized (OR = 2.17, P < .05). Surprisingly, the risk for recurrence was similar in the ACAP and control groups (15%, P > .05). Compared to controls, Warfarin and Enoxaparin increased the overall risk for severe epistaxis (OR = 4.4, P < .05) and for hospital admission (OR = 2.1, P < .05). Specifically, an increased risk for posterior tamponade (OR = 19, P < .001), significant blood loss (OR = 4.4, P = .032), and blood transfusion (OR = 4.7, P = .007) were identified as well. Interestingly, NOACs were not associated with increased risk for severe epistaxis, hospital admission, tamponade, and significant blood loss or blood transfusion compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to older generation anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications, NOACs demonstrated an improved safety profile, in terms of epistaxis severity, need for hospital admission and outcomes. These results may suggest a more conservative approach and less hospitalization when treating epistaxis in patients receiving NOACs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1946-1951, 2021.

Can Computed Tomography Findings Predict the Recurrence of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between the ability to predict the attachment site of sinonasal inverted papilloma by computed tomography and the long-term surgical outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Five tertiary medical centers. METHODS: Study patients underwent attachment-oriented resection of inverted papilloma. The primary outcome was tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Among 195 patients eligible for the study, focal hyperostosis was recognized on computed tomography in 65% (n = 127), in 71% of primary cases (n = 101), and in 50% of revision procedures (n = 26). There was a trend for a higher incidence of squamous cell carcinoma among the patients without detectable hyperostosis (P = .051). Location of hyperostosis coincided with the actual tumor attachment site in 114 patients (90%). Discordance between these parameters did not differ significantly (P = .463) between 11 primary and 2 revision cases. The overall rate of recurrence was 9.7% (n = 19), with a mean time to recurrence of 20 months (range, 7-96 months). The rate of recurrence did not correlate with any of the following: tumor stage, surgical approach, presence of squamous cell carcinoma, whether the surgery was primary or revision, and the presence or location of focal hyperostosis on computed tomography. Inverted papilloma recurred significantly more often (38.5%) when the intraoperative findings of the tumor attachment site did not match the location of hyperostosis observed on computed tomography (odds ratio, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.78-23.66). CONCLUSION: Detectability of focal hyperostosis on preoperative computed tomography does not affect the long-term outcome of inverted papilloma resection.

Topical Propranolol Improves Epistaxis Control in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT): A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Epistaxis is a common debilitating manifestation in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), due to mucocutaneous telangiectases. The epistaxis can be difficult to control despite available treatments. Dysregulated angiogenesis has been shown to be associated with telangiectases formation. Topical propranolol has demonstrated antiangiogenic properties. We performed a two-phase study, i.e., a double-blind placebo-controlled phase, followed by an open-label phase. The aim of the study was assessment of safety and efficacy of nasal propranolol gel in HHT-related epistaxis. Twenty participants with moderate-severe HHT-related epistaxis were randomized to eight weeks of propranolol gel 1.5%, or placebo 0.5 cc, applied to each nostril twice daily; and continued propranolol for eight weeks in an open-label study. For the propranolol group, the epistaxis severity score (ESS) improved significantly (-2.03 ± 1.7 as compared with -0.35 ± 0.68 for the placebo group, p = 0.009); hemoglobin levels improved significantly (10.5 ± 2.6 to 11.4 ± 2.02 g/dL, p = 0.009); and intravenous iron and blood transfusion requirement decreased. The change in nasal endoscopy findings was not significant. During the open-label period, the ESS score improved significantly in the former placebo group (-1.99 ± 1.41, p = 0.005). The most common adverse event was nasal mucosa burning sensation. No cardiovascular events were reported. Our results suggest that topical propranolol gel is safe and effective in HHT-related epistaxis.

The bacteriology of recurrent acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis: a longitudinal analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the microbiology of recurrent acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis over time. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with recurrent acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent endoscopic-guided cultures during acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis. RESULTS: 386 cultures were obtained from 112 patients during recurrent acute exacerbations of CRS. A change of bacterial isolates during the course of recurrent exacerbations was observed in 68% (76/112) of patients, necessitating a change of treatment in 40% (45/112). The main risk factor for the subsequent change in cultures was polymicrobial growth. Sinus surgery was not associated with subsequent change in cultured isolates. Resistant strains developed in 11.6% (13/112) of patients, of whom those with abnormal mucociliary clearance being at the highest risk. CONCLUSION: Repeated middle meatal cultures should be considered in patients with recurrent exacerbations of CRS, particularly in cases not responding to standard therapy.

Skull base chordomas review of current treatment paradigms.

BACKGROUND: Chordomas are locally invasive neoplasms, arising from notochordal remnants and can appear anywhere along the axial skeleton. Local recurrences are common, and distant metastases may occur years after the initial presentation. METHODS: Literature review of current treatment strategies for chordomas of the skull base. RESULTS: Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and complete resection has paramount importance for prognosis.When complete resection is not achieved recurrent disease is common. The anatomical complexity of the skull base makes resection complex. Endonasal endoscopic approaches to the clivus has become increasingly favored in recent years although addressing reconstruction of the skull base to prevent CSF leak may be challenging.Evidence suggests that radiotherapy should not be considered as a primary single modality when trying to achieve cure of the disease. Nonetheless, immediate post-operative radiotherapy improves survival. Many strategies have been suggested to preserve sensitive vital structures in the skull base during treatment but as for survival there is no evidence of advantage when comparing adjuvant therapy with photon radiotherapy, gamma knife surgery, proton beam therapy, and carbon ion radiation therapy.There is no evidence to support cytotoxic chemotherapy in the treatment of chordomas but targeted therapies have started to show promise. Several optional molecular targets exist. Brachyury is overexpressed in 95% of chordomas but not in other mesenchymal neoplasms. However, its precise role in chordoma pathogenesis is currently unclear, and its cellular location in the nucleus makes it difficult to target. The inhibition of brachyury in chordoma cell lines induces growth arrest and apoptosis. This does not have clinical application to date. There are retrospective results with different molecular targeted therapies for advanced chordomas with some effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Despite improvements made in the past 10 years in our knowledge of chordoma biology, available therapies still offer a limited benefit. There is an unmet need for new therapeutic options for patients with advanced disease. Therefore, patients with advanced disease should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials when and where available.