Long-term outcome of primary clival chordomas: a single-center retrospective study with an emphasis on the timing of recurrences based on the primary treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide data on extended outcomes in primary clival chordomas, focusing on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). METHODS: A retrospective single-center analysis was conducted on patients with clival chordoma treated between 1987 and 2022 using surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, or proton radiation therapy (PRT). RESULTS: The study included 100 patients (median age 44 years, 51% male). Surgery was performed using the endoscopic endonasal approach in 71 patients (71%). Gross-total resection (GTR) or near-total resection (NTR) was attained in 39 patients (39%). Postoperatively, new cranial nerve deficits occurred in 7%, CSF leak in 4%, and meningitis in none of the patients. Radiation therapy was performed in 79 patients (79%), with PRT in 50 patients (50%) as the primary treatment. During the median follow-up period of 73 (interquartile range [IQR] 38-132) months, 41 recurrences (41%) and 31 deaths (31%) were confirmed. Patients with GTR/NTR had a median PFS of 41 (IQR 24-70) months. Patients with subtotal resection or biopsy had a median PFS of 38 (IQR 16-97) months. The median PFS of patients who received radiation therapy was 43 (IQR 26-86) months, while that of patients who did not receive radiation therapy was 18 (IQR 5-62) months. The Kaplan-Meier method showed that patients with GTR/NTR (p = 0.007) and those who received radiation therapy (p < 0.001) had longer PFS than their counterparts. The PFS rates following primary treatment at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 51%, 25%, 17%, and 7%, respectively. The OS rates at the same intervals were 84%, 60%, 42%, and 34%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age < 44 years (p = 0.02), greater extent of resection (EOR; p = 0.03), and radiation therapy (p < 0.001) were associated with lower recurrence rates. Another multivariate analysis showed that age < 44 years (p = 0.01), greater EOR (p = 0.04), and freedom from recurrence (p = 0.02) were associated with lower mortality rates. Regarding pathology data, brachyury was positive in 98%, pan-cytokeratin in 93%, epithelial membrane antigen in 85%, and S100 in 74%. No immunohistochemical markers were associated with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, younger age, maximal safe resection, and radiation therapy were important factors for longer PFS in patients with primary clival chordomas. Preventing recurrences played a crucial role in achieving longer OS.

Anesthetic recovery outcomes after 2 methods of nasal mucosal preparation for endoscopic sinus surgery.

PURPOSE: Our institution uses two approaches for nasal mucosal preparation during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to improve surgical field visualization: topical epinephrine (TE) versus topical cocaine with injection of lidocaine containing epinephrine (TCLE). We aimed to compare anesthetic outcomes after ESS using these techniques. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively identified adult patients at our institution who underwent ESS from May 2018 through January 2023 under general anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil infusions. Postoperative anesthetic outcomes, including pain and recovery time, were compared between patients who had mucosal preparation with TE versus TCLE using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 1449 patients who underwent ESS, 585 had TE, and 864 had TCLE. Compared with TE, during anesthetic recovery, the TCLE group had fewer episodes of severe pain (numeric pain score ≥ 7) (IPTW-adjusted odds ratio, 0.65; 95 % CI, 0.49-0.85; P = .002), less opioid analgesic administration (IPTW-adjusted odds ratio, 0.55; 95 % CI, 0.44-0.69; P < .001), and shorter recovery room stay (IPTW-adjusted ratio of the geometric mean, 0.90; 95 % CI, 0.85-0.96; P = .002). Postoperative nausea and vomiting and postoperative sedation were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received preparation of the nasal mucosa with TCLE, compared with TE, were less likely to report severe pain or receive an opioid analgesic in the postanesthesia recovery room and had faster anesthetic recovery. This observation from our large clinical practice indicates that use topical and local anesthetic during endoscopic sinus surgery may have benefit for ambulatory ESS patients.

A Unique Case of Bilateral Recurrent Sphenoid Sinus Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks: Primary Acquired Leak Within the Lateral Sphenoid Sinus Recess, Followed by a Leak via Sternberg's Canal.

OBJECTIVES: This case presents a previously undescribed clinical scenario of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks secondary to a lateral sphenoid sinus recess skull base dehiscence and contralateral Sternberg's canal. This case report aims to characterize the presentation and successful management of these lesions. METHODS: The electronic medical record was used to collect information pertaining to the patient's clinical history. RESULTS: The patient was a middle-aged, obese female with persistent clear rhinorrhea as her only presenting symptom. Neuroradiologic studies localized the defect to the lateral sphenoid sinus recess. CSF opening pressures were within normal limits, but radiographic findings were consistent with elevated intracranial pressure. After an endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach failed to resolve the CSF leak, a transpterygoid approach facilitated CSF leak resolution. The patient then did well for the following 2 years, but later developed a CSF leak through a contralateral Sternberg's canal. An endoscopic suprapterygoid procedure and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement led to CSF leak resolution. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates one of the only published examples of a sphenoid sinus CSF leak secondary to Sternberg's canal as it was originally described in the literature. Wide endoscopic surgical exposure and intracranial pressure management ultimately led to CSF leak resolution.

Myhre-LAPs syndrome and intubation related airway stenosis: keys to diagnosis and critical therapeutic interventions.

OBJECTIVES: Myhre-LAPS syndrome is a recently recognized disease caused by a mutation in the SMAD4 gene. This results in a range of pathology including laryngotracheal stenosis, arthropathy, prognathism and short stature, or LAPS syndrome. We aim to delineate the role of intubation in development of airway stenosis in these patients as well as provide insight into diagnosis and management of this syndrome. Herein we present four patients with Myhre-LAPS syndrome complicated by airway stenosis and perform a systematic review of all cases of Myhre-LAPS syndrome with reported airway pathology. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review METHODS: All patients diagnosed with Myhre-LAPS syndrome and airway stenosis at a single institution from 1981 to 2014 were reviewed. RESULTS: Four patients (4F, median age 42) were identified that met inclusion criteria. Initial presenting signs included progressive shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion and respiratory distress. All four (100%) patients had multi-level airway stenosis most commonly in the subglottic and glottic regions and all patients had undergone at least one endotracheal intubation prior to presentation. One patient with a history of nasal tracheal intubation presented with nasal obstruction and was found to have choanal as well as subglottic stenosis. Two of the four (50%) patients are tracheostomy tube dependent, 1/4 (25%) died of a fatal cardiac arrhythmia and 1/4 (25%) has had 6 endoscopic treatments for subglottic stenosis in 4 years with rapid symptom recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Myhre-LAPS syndrome is characterized by progressive systemic fibrosis and patients are diagnosed by characteristic findings of prognathism, short stature, abnormal facies, and thick skin among other abnormalities. Airway management is complicated by recurrent, refractory subglottic stenosis often preceded by elective intubation as well as maxillary hypoplasia, trismus, and limited neck extension. Endotracheal intubation and surgical intervention should be approached with caution in these patients and multidisciplinary care teams are necessary to address all manifestations of this syndrome.

Transnasal odontoid resection: is there an anatomic explanation for differing swallowing outcomes?

OBJECT: Swallowing dysfunction is common following transoral (TO) odontoidectomy. Preliminary experience with newer endoscopic transnasal (TN) approaches suggests that dysphagia may be reduced with this alternative. However, the reasons for this are unclear. The authors hypothesized that the TN approach results in less disruption of the pharyngeal plexus and anatomical structures associated with swallowing. The authors investigate the histological and gross surgical anatomical relationship between pharyngeal plexus innervation of the upper aerodigestive tract and the surgical approaches used (TN and TO). They also review the TN literature to evaluate swallowing outcomes following this approach. METHODS: Seven cadaveric specimens were used for histological (n = 3) and gross anatomical (n = 4) examination of the pharyngeal plexus with the TO and TN surgical approaches. Particular attention was given to identifying the location of cranial nerves (CNs) IX and X and the sympathetic chain and their contributions to the pharyngeal plexus. S100 staining was performed to assess for the presence of neural tissue in proximity to the midline, and fiber density counts were performed within 1 cm of midline. The relationship between the pharyngeal plexus, clivus, and upper cervical spine (C1-3) was defined. RESULTS: Histological analysis revealed the presence of pharyngeal plexus fibers in the midline and a significant reduction in paramedian fiber density from C-2 to the lower clivus (p < 0.001). None of these paramedian fibers, however, could be visualized with gross inspection or layer-by-layer dissection. Laterally based primary pharyngeal plexus nerves were identified by tracing their origins from CNs IX and X and the sympathetic chain at the skull base and following them to the pharyngeal musculature. In addition, the authors found 15 studies presenting 52 patients undergoing TN odontoidectomy. Of these patients, only 48 had been swallowing preoperatively. When looking only at this population, 83% (40 of 48) were swallowing by Day 3 and 92% (44 of 48) were swallowing by Day 7. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the midline approach, both TO and TN approaches may injure a portion of the pharyngeal plexus. By limiting the TN incision to above the palatal plane, the surgeon avoids the high-density neural plexus found in the oropharyngeal wall and limits injury to oropharyngeal musculature involved in swallowing. This may explain the decreased incidence of postoperative dysphagia seen in TN approaches. However, further clinical investigation is warranted.

Management of Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease: What Does the Future Hold?

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP) and asthma with higher recurrence of nasal polyps after surgery and severe asthma. Patients with CRSwNP and asthma should be screened for AERD by detailed history of aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug reactions and review of medications that may mask aspirin reaction or directly by aspirin challenge. Treatment of AERD may require more intensive therapy, including endoscopic sinus surgery, daily aspirin therapy, leukotriene modifiers, or biologics.

Proteinase 3-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

Proteinase 3 (PR3)-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is one of two major ANCA-associated vasculitis variants and is pathogenically linked to granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). GPA is characterised by necrotising granulomatous inflammation that preferentially affects the respiratory tract. The small vessel vasculitis features of GPA are shared with microscopic polyangiitis. Necrotising granulomatous inflammation of GPA can lead to PR3-ANCA and small vessel vasculitis via activation of neutrophils and monocytes. B cells are central to the pathogenesis of PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis. They are targeted successfully by remission induction and maintenance therapy with rituximab. Relapses of PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis and toxicities associated with current standard therapy contribute substantially to remaining mortality and damage-associated morbidity. More effective and less toxic treatments are sought to address this unmet need. Advances with cellular and novel antigen-specific immunotherapies hold promise for application in autoimmune disease, including PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis. This Series paper describes the inter-related histopathological and clinical features, pathophysiology, as well as current and future targeted treatments for PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Longitudinal treatment outcomes of recurrent clival chordomas: a single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to clarify the detailed clinical course of recurrent clival chordoma and the outcomes of each treatment modality. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted on patients seen for recurrent clival chordoma. The cohort was identified from those who underwent surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, or proton therapy at the authors' institution between 1990 and 2022. RESULTS: A total of 95 recurrences in 40 patients with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up of 43 (18-79) months were identified. The median (IQR) age at the time of diagnosis was 48 (36-62) years, and 55% of patients were male. Twenty-three patients were treated with surgery followed by adjuvant radiation before the first recurrence. The median (range) number of recurrences per patient was 2 (1-8), and the median (IQR) time to the first recurrence was 29 (9-51) months. The recurrences were treated with one or more of the following therapies: surgery, radiation, systemic therapy, and laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). Surgery was performed for 44 recurrences in 25 patients. Radiation was used to treat 42 recurrences in 28 patients. Patients with recurrences treated with surgery plus radiation had the longest progression-free survival (PFS) (median [95% CI] overall survival [OS] 120 [0-245] months, p < 0.01, log-rank test). Patients with recurrences but without prior radiation had longer PFS than those patients with prior radiation. The median (95% CI) OS after the first recurrence was 68 (54-82) months, 5-year OS after the first recurrence was 48%, and 10-year OS was 27%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that mortality after the first recurrence was significantly associated with no adjuvant radiation (HR 0.149, 95% CI 0.038-0.59, p = 0.0067), older age at the time of the first recurrence (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, p = 0.021), and total number of recurrences (p = 0.032). Seven patients received systemic therapy, and the median (95% CI) OS of these patients since initiation of systemic therapy was 31 (11-51) months. Imatinib and/or nivolumab were used in 6 patients (15%). One patient (3%) was treated with LITT for his fourth recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the aggressive nature of recurrent chordoma, 14 of 29 patients (48%) survived for more than 5 years after the initial recurrence using combined therapies. Multiple treatment options may contribute to the long-term survival of patients with this intractable tumor.

Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease and the Unified Airway: A Contemporary Review.

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is characterized by abnormal arachidonic acid metabolism leading to chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), asthma, and upper and/or lower respiratory symptoms after ingestion of cyclooxygenase-1 inhibiting nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Diagnosis is clinical and may involve an aspirin challenge. Inflammatory biomarkers may be useful for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Conventional medical management for asthma and CRSwNP is often inadequate. Endoscopic sinus surgery followed by continued medical management with or without aspirin desensitization frequently improves symptoms and objective disease measures. Biological agents targeting eosinophilic inflammation are promising alternatives to conventional management.

Determinants of physician assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis disease control using EPOS 2020 criteria and the importance of incorporating patient perspectives of disease control.

BACKGROUND: We identify chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) manifestations associated with how rhinologists assess CRS control, with a focus on patient perspectives (patient-reported CRS control). METHODS: Fifteen rhinologists were provided with real-world data from 200 CRS patients. Participating rhinologists first classified patients' CRS control as "controlled," "partly controlled," and "uncontrolled" using seven CRS manifestations reflecting European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) CRS control criteria (nasal obstruction, drainage, impaired smell, facial pain/pressure, sleep disturbance, use of systemic antibiotics/corticosteroids in past 6 months, and nasal endoscopy findings) and patient-reported CRS control. They then classified patients' CRS control without knowledge of patient-reported CRS control. Interrater reliability and agreement of rhinologist-assessed CRS control with patient-reported CRS control and EPOS guidelines were determined. RESULTS: CRS control classification with and without knowledge of patient-reported CRS control was highly consistent across rhinologists (κw  = 0.758). Rhinologist-assessed CRS control agreed with patient-reported CRS control significantly better when rhinologists had knowledge of patient-reported CRS control (κw  = 0.736 vs. κw  = 0.554, p < 0.001). Patient-reported CRS control, nasal obstruction, drainage, and endoscopy findings were most strongly associated with rhinologists' assessment of CRS control. Rhinologists' CRS control assessments weakly agreed with EPOS CRS control guidelines with (κw  = 0.529) and without (κw  = 0.538) patient-reported CRS control. Rhinologists classified CRS as more controlled than EPOS guidelines in almost 50% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study directly demonstrates the importance of patient-reported CRS control as a dominant influence on rhinologists' CRS control assessment. Knowledge of patient-reported CRS control may better align rhinologists' CRS control assessments and treatment decisions with patients' perspectives.

Mayo Clinic Clival Chordoma Case Series: Impact of Endoscopic Training on Clinical Care.

The management of clival chordoma in our group shifted around 2013 to mostly endoscopic, and proton beam was introduced for our multidisciplinary team. Consecutive patients who had surgical resection from 1987 to 2021 were reviewed. A total of 58 patients (39 patients after 2013) were analyzed. The mean tumor size was 3.7 cm, and the most common location was the upper clivus (43%). Compared to before 2013, after 2013, the endoscopic endonasal approach was more common (90%, p < 0.001), and more gross or near total resections (64%, p = 0.002) were attained. Ten cases (17%) were revision surgeries referred from elsewhere, and three cases (5%) underwent additional surgery elsewhere before adjuvant radiation. The postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred in 7%. Post-operative new cranial nerve deficits occurred in 32% before 2013, compared to 2.6% after 2013 (p = 0.004). For cases before 2013, 10 patients (53%) recurred during the median follow-up of 144 months (mean, 142 months), whereas for cases after 2013, seven patients (18%) recurred with a median follow-up of 35 months (mean, 42 months). 5-year progression-free survival was 58%, and 5-year overall survival was 87%. A specialized multidisciplinary team improved the resection rate compared to a historical cohort with an excellent morbidity profile.

Patient factors associated with COVID-19 loss of taste or smell patient factors in smell/taste loss COVID-19.

Objectives: Dysfunction in smell or taste is well recognized phenomenon in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to quantify the incidence and associated co-morbidities of reported olfactory or gustatory dysfunction in patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Methods: From March 23, 2020 through July 31, 2020, 192,683 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 at Mayo Clinic. These patients with a positive test were contacted via telephone by physicians at Mayo Clinic and information gathered on patient demographics, comorbidities, symptoms and clinical risk stratification based on these factors. Results: Two thousand two hundred and fifty patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (1.2%). Six hundred and sixty-seven (29.6%) of these patients reported loss of smell or taste. Factors found to be correlated with reporting loss of smell or taste on multivariate analysis were: younger age, female sex, or symptoms of chest pain or tightness, cough, or headache and lower clinical risk category. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was associated with not reporting loss of taste or smell. Conclusion: Of 2250 patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at Mayo Clinic, 667 reported loss of taste and smell. Patients who reported loss of smell or taste were younger, female and more likely to report cough, chest pain, headache, or history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but overall had fewer high-risk comorbidities. Those who were older, male, and a reported history of CAD were less likely to report chemosensory dysfunction. Our data are the largest single institution data reporting COVID-19 associated loss of smell or taste, and the first to associate COPD and CAD as factors that affect rates of reported chemosensory dysfunction. Level of evidence: IIB.

Characterizing Medicare Reimbursements and Clinical Activity Among Female Otolaryngologists.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate geographic and temporal trends in Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) billing and reimbursements across female otolaryngologists (ORL). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of the 2017 Medicare Physician and Other Suppliers Aggregate File. We analyzed differences in the number of services, patients, reimbursements, unique Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used, and services billed per patient among female ORLs. RESULTS: Female ORLs accounted for 15.2% of the 8453 Medicare-reimbursed ORLs. Female ORLs who graduated between 2000 and 2010 were reimbursed a median of $58 031.9 (IQR: $32 286.5-$91 512.2) and performed a median of 702 (IQR: 359.5-1221.5) services, significantly less than those who graduated between 1990 and 1999 (median: $67 508.9; IQR: 37 018.0-110 471.5; P < .001; median: 1055.5; IQR: 497.3-1944; P < .001). Female ORLs who graduated between 2000 and 2010 saw a median of 232 patients (IQR: 130.5-368), significantly less than those who graduated between 1990 and 1999 (median: 308; IQR: 168.3-496; P < .001) patients, significantly more than those. Female ORLs in urban settings performed a median of 795 (IQR: 364-1494.3) services and billed for a median of 42 (IQR: 28-58) unique codes, significantly fewer than their counterparts in rural settings (median: 1096; IQR: 600-2192.5; P = .002; median: 54; IQR: 31.5-64.5; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Medicare reimbursements and billing patterns across female ORLs varied by graduation decade and geography. Female ORLs further along in their careers may be reimbursed more with greater clinical volume and productivity. Those practicing in urban settings may have practices with decreased procedural diversity and lower clinical volume compared to their counterparts in rural areas.

Urine Leukotriene E4: Implications as a Biomarker in Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of the emerging role of urine leukotriene E4 (uLTE4) as a biomarker in the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), and asthma. DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE(R), Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus. REVIEW METHODS: A state-of-the-art review was performed investigating the role of uLTE4 as a diagnostic biomarker, predictor of disease severity, and potential marker of selected therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: uLTE4 has been shown to be a reliable and clinically relevant biomarker for CRS, AERD, and asthma. uLTE4 is helpful in ongoing efforts to better endotype patients with CRS and to predict disease severity. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Aside from being a diagnostic biomarker, uLTE4 is also able to differentiate aspirin-tolerant patients from patients with AERD and has been associated with objective disease severity in patients with CRS with nasal polyposis. uLTE4 levels have also been shown to predict response to medical therapy, particularly leukotriene-modifying agents.

International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Olfaction.

BACKGROUND: The literature regarding clinical olfaction, olfactory loss, and olfactory dysfunction has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, with an exponential rise in the past year. There is substantial variability in the quality of this literature and a need to consolidate and critically review the evidence. It is with that aim that we have gathered experts from around the world to produce this International Consensus on Allergy and Rhinology: Olfaction (ICAR:O). METHODS: Using previously described methodology, specific topics were developed relating to olfaction. Each topic was assigned a literature review, evidence-based review, or evidence-based review with recommendations format as dictated by available evidence and scope within the ICAR:O document. Following iterative reviews of each topic, the ICAR:O document was integrated and reviewed by all authors for final consensus. RESULTS: The ICAR:O document reviews nearly 100 separate topics within the realm of olfaction, including diagnosis, epidemiology, disease burden, diagnosis, testing, etiology, treatment, and associated pathologies. CONCLUSION: This critical review of the existing clinical olfaction literature provides much needed insight and clarity into the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with olfactory dysfunction, while also clearly delineating gaps in our knowledge and evidence base that we should investigate further.

Increasing the Number of Black Otolaryngologists.

Otolaryngology continues to have one of the lowest percentages of black physicians of any surgical specialty, a number than has not improved in recent years. The history of exclusion of black students in medical education as well as ongoing bias affecting examination scores, clerkship grades and evaluations, and honors society acceptance of black students may factor into the disproportionately low number of black otolaryngology residents. In order to increase the number of black physicians in otolaryngology, intentional steps must be taken to actively recruit, mentor, and train black physicians specializing in otolaryngology.

Presentation and outcomes of chronic rhinosinusitis following liver and kidney transplant.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe presenting characteristics of patients diagnosed with non-invasive chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) following liver or kidney transplant and determine factors associated with disease-related complications, selection of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and disease resolution in this population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: An academic tertiary care center (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Liver and kidney transplant recipients evaluated by Mayo Clinic otolaryngologists for CRS between 1998 and 2018 were identified. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine patient factors and treatment modalities associated with developing complications, selection of ESS, and disease resolution. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. No patients developed intraorbital or intracranial complications of their CRS. Multivariate modeling demonstrated that the presence of polyps (P = 0.036) was associated with undergoing ESS within one year of presentation. A higher Lund-Mackay (LM) computed tomography score (P = 0.023) and older age (P = 0.018) were significantly associated with decreased disease resolution. No other factors were significantly associated with the use of endoscopic sinus surgery within one year of otolaryngology presentation or resolution of CRS in this cohort. CONCLUSION: The risk of developing CRS-related intraorbital or intracranial complications in this immunecompromised patient cohort may be lower than originally thought. For liver- and kidney-recipients stable on immunosuppressive medication for many years, prognostic factors for CRS may mirror those for immunocompetent patients.

Benefits of biologic therapy administered for asthma on co-existent chronic rhinosinusitis: A real-world study.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and some chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) subtypes are mediated by similar pathophysiologic mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of biologic therapy for asthma on co-existent CRS in the "real-world" setting. METHODS: A review of electronic health records (2016-2019) at Mayo Clinic was conducted to identify asthma patients treated with biologics who had co-existent CRS. Matched-pair analyses compared pretherapy and posttherapy Lund-Mackay computed tomography (CT) scores and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores. Performance of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) after initiating biologics was studied. RESULTS: We identified 247 patients who received anti-asthma biologic therapy and had co-existent CRS. Of these, 181 patients (73.3%) had CRS with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) and 66 (26.7%) had CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP). The biologics utilized were omalizumab (51.0%), mepolizumab (46.6%), benralizumab (10.5%), reslizumab (1.6%), and dupilumab (2.4%). Anti-interleukin-5 (anti-IL-5) intervention was associated with significant improvement in CT scores (CRS overall, CRSwNP subgroup, CRSsNP subgroup) and SNOT-22 scores (CRS overall, CRSwNP subgroup). Patients on omalizumab had a decrease in CT scores, but not SNOT-22 scores. ESS was performed in 206 patients (84.1%); 55 (22.3%) underwent surgery post-biologic intervention (anti-IL-5: 16.5%; omalizumab 27.8% of patients). CONCLUSION: Anti-IL-5 agents were associated with improved CT and SNOT-22 scores in the overall CRS group and in CRSwNP subgroup; CRSsNP patients showed improved CT scores only. Omalizumab improved CT but not SNOT-22 scores. ESS was performed in 22% of patients after initiating biologics. These real-world results may influence future trial designs and clinical applications of biologics for CRS. ©2021 ARSAAOA, LLC.

An internally validated diagnostic tool for acute invasive fungal sinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS) is a potentially life-threatening diagnosis in immunocompromised patients. Identifying patients who could benefit from evaluation and intervention can be challenging for referring providers and otolaryngologists alike. We aimed to develop and validate an accessible diagnostic tool to estimate the probability of AIFS. METHODS: Retrospective chart review from 1999 to 2017 identified all patients evaluated for possible AIFS at a tertiary care center. AIFS was diagnosed by pathologic confirmation of fungal tissue angioinvasion. Stepwise selection and univariate logistic regression were used to screen risk factors for a multivariable predictive model. Model performance was assessed using Tukey's goodness-of-fit test and the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC). Model coefficients were internally validated using bootstrapping with 1000 iterations. RESULTS: A total of 283 patients (244 negative controls, 39 with AIFS) were included. Risk factors in our final diagnostic model included: fever ≥38°C (log-odds ratio [LOR] 1.72; 95% CI, 0.53 to 2.90), unilateral facial swelling, pain, or erythema (LOR 2.84; 95% CI, 1.46 to 4.23), involvement of the orbit or pterygopalatine fossa on imaging (LOR 3.02; 95% CI, 1.78 to 4.26), and mucosal necrosis seen on endoscopy (LOR 5.52; 95% CI, 3.81 to 7.24), with p < 0.01 for all factors. The model had adequate goodness of fit (p > 0.05) and discrimination (AUC = 0.96). CONCLUSION: We present an internally validated diagnostic tool to stratify the risk for AIFS. The estimated risk may help determine which patients can be observed with serial nasal endoscopy, which ones could be biopsied, and which ones would benefit from immediate surgical intervention.