Predictors of Subjective Olfactory Dysfunction and Sinonasal Quality-of-Life After Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery.

BACKGROUND: This is the largest study in North America investigating olfactory outcomes after pituitary surgery to date. OBJECTIVE: Characterize factors associated with subjective olfactory dysfunction (OD) and worsened sinonasal quality-of-life (QOL) after endoscopic TSA. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary TSA for secreting and non-secreting pituitary adenomas between 2017 and 2021 with pre- and post-operative SNOT-22 scores were included. Subjective OD was determined by the smell/taste dysfunction question on the SNOT-22 (smell-SNOT). RESULTS: 159 patients with pre- and post-operative SNOT-22 scores were included. Average total SNOT-22 scores worsened from pre-operative (16.91 ± 16.91) to POM1 (25.15 ± 20.83, P < .001), with no difference from pre-operative (16.40 ± 15.88) to POM6 (16.27 ± 17.92, P = .936) or pre-operative (13.63 ± 13.54) to POM12 (12.60 ± 16.45, P = .651). Average smell-SNOT scores worsened from pre-operative (0.40 ± 1.27) to POM1 (2.09 ± 2.01, P < .001), and pre-operative (0.46 ± 1.29) to POM6 (1.13 ± 2.45, P = .002), with no difference from pre-operative (0.40 ± 1.07) to POM12 (0.71 ± 1.32, P = .100). Female gender had a 0.9-point (95% CI 0.1 to 1.6) P = .021, increase in smell-SNOT at POM1, resolving by POM6 (0.1 [-0.9 to 1.1], P = .800) and POM12 (0.0 [-1.0 to 0.9], P = .942). Septoplasty with tunnel approach had a 1.1 [0.2 to 2.0] out of 5-point (P = .023) increase in smell-SNOT at POM1, resolving by POM6 (0.2 [-1.1 to 1.6], P = .764) and POM12 (0.4 [-0.9 to 1.6], P = .567). Female gender had a 9.5 (4.0 to 15.1)-point (P = .001) increase in SNOT-22 scores at POM1, resolving by POM6 (3.4 [-3.0 to 9.8], P = .292) and POM12 (6.4 [-5.4 to 18.2], P = .276). Intra-operative CSF leak had an 8.6 [2.1 to 15.1]-point (P = .009) increase in SNOT-22 scores at POM1, resolving by POM6 (5.4 [-1.7 to 12.5], P = .135), and POM12 (1.1 [-12.9 to 15.1], P = .873). CONCLUSION: Changes in subjective olfaction and sinonasal QOL after TSA may be associated with gender, operative approach, and intra-operative CSF leak, resolving 6-12 months post-operatively.

Safety of Ambulatory Surgery For Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Retrospective Review.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the safety of ambulatory surgery performed for obstructive sleep apnea. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Demographic data including age, gender, race, body mass index, insurance status, socioeconomic status, and distance traveled for surgery was collected, as well as comorbidities, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Outcome variables included continuous positive airway pressure reinitiation, planned/unplanned postoperative admission, emergency department (ED) presentation, or readmission within 7 and 14 days of surgery. RESULTS: A total of 601 patients were included, who underwent sleep surgery between 2017 and 2022. The median age was 55 years [interquartile range: 19]. A total of 437 patients (73%) were male, 502 (84%) were Caucasian, and the median distance traveled was 20 miles [27]. The median AHI was 27.1 [26]. A total of 286 hypoglossal nerve stimulators, 12 tonsillectomies, 160 expansion sphincteroplasties (ESP), and 201 nasal procedures were performed. There were 9 (1%) planned and 23 (4%) total admissions postoperatively. Sixteen patients (2%) presented to ED within 7 days, and 22 (3%) within 14 days. Nine (1%) were readmitted within 7 days, and 12 (2%) within 14 days. There were significantly more planned admissions, unplanned admissions, ED presentations, and readmissions for ESP. There were no significant differences in demographic or clinical data between patients who underwent single versus multiple surgeries. CONCLUSION: Outpatient sleep surgery is generally safe. Close postoperative monitoring is necessary and overnight observation should be considered in those with very severe sleep apnea and/or significant comorbidities. The distance a patient travels should also be considered for overnight admission.

Medication utilization for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and asthma in 12 months pre- and post-dupilumab initiation.

KEY POINTS: This study examines the impact of dupilumab on medication use for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) and asthma patients. Patients on dupilumab had a reduction in oral/inhaled/topical steroids, antibiotics, and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs). The reduction in medication use had no impact on total polyp or SNOT-22 scores.

Optimizing the timing of biologic and surgical therapy for patients with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is often treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS); however, patients may require revision surgery due to recurrence. To date, no studies have compared outcomes for combined surgery and biologic therapy for CRSwNP compared with biologic therapy alone. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study of CRSwNP patients who underwent ESS while on dupilumab or mepolizumab (ESS-biologic cohort) compared with CRSwNP patients on biologic therapy (biologic-only controls). Cohorts were matched according to indication, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22), and total polyp scores. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent ESS while on biologic therapy (13 dupilumab and 3 mepolizumab). Sixteen patients were biologic-only controls. There were no significant differences between indication, baseline SNOT-22 scores, polyp scores, and AERD status between cohorts. Patients underwent surgery a median of 33 days after starting biologic therapy. After 12 months of follow-up, the total polyp score for the ESS-biologic cohort decreased from 4.73 to 0.09 compared with a decrease from 5.22 to 3.38 for the biologic-only controls (95% confidence interval [CI] of difference: -5.37 to -1.38, Cohen's d: 2.40, p = 0.005). In the ESS-dupilumab subanalysis, the ESS-dupilumab cohort had a significant reduction in polyp burden from 4.85 to 0.00 compared with 4.88 to 3.50 for the controls (95% CI of difference: -5.68 to -1.32, Cohen's d: -1.69, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: In CRSwNP patients, combined ESS and biologic therapy results in a significant and sustained decrease in polyp burden compared with biologic therapy alone. Larger studies are warranted to further examine the impact of combined therapy.

Benefits of Immunoglobulin (Ig) Replacement Therapy for Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency in Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

This is the first study to examine chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) outcomes after starting immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy for patients with primary (PID) and secondary immunodeficiency (SID). This is a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with CRS from 2018 to 2022 prior to initiating Ig therapy for the treatment of PID or SID. Outcomes included medication use and Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores. Ten patients met the inclusion criteria. PID and SID patients had a decrease in antibiotics (PID: 9.40 to 3.20, P = .05, SID: 8.20 to 2.00, P = .04) and steroids (PID: (5.40 to 0.60; P = .06; SID: 2.20 to 0.20, P = .047) prescribed in the year after Ig compared to the year prior. Patients with SID had a decrease in mean SNOT-22 scores by 12 months after Ig (47.50 to 20.50, P = 0.03). Patients receiving Ig for PID and SID showed decreased medication use and SID patients experienced subjective improvement in CRS symptoms in year-over-year comparison.

Trends in Endoscopic and Microscopic Approaches to Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery in the US.

OBJECTIVES: Among the transsphenoidal (TSS) approaches to pituitary tumors, the microscopic approach (MA) has historically been the predominant technique with the increasing adoption of the endoscopic approach (EA). This study investigates national trends in TSS approaches and postoperative outcomes for MA and EA through 2021. METHODS: The TriNetX database was queried for patients undergoing TSS (MA and EA) between 2010 and 2021. Data were collected on demographics, geographic distribution of surgical centers, postoperative complications, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRT), repeat surgery, and postoperative emergency department (ED) visits. RESULTS: 8644 TSS cases were queried between 2010 and 2021. MA rates were highest until 2013 when rates of EA (52%) surpassed MA (48%) and continued to increase through 2021 (81%). From 2010 to 2015 EA had higher odds of a postoperative CSF leak (OR 3.40) and diabetes insipidus (DI (OR 2.30)) versus MA (p < 0.05); from 2016 to 2021 differences were not significant. Although there was no significant difference among approaches from 2010 to 2015 for syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), hyponatremia, or bacterial meningitis, from 2016 to 2021 EA had lower odds of SIADH (OR 0.54) and hyponatremia (OR 0.71), and higher odds of meningitis (OR 1.79) versus MA (p < 0.05). EA had higher odds of additional surgery (either EA or MA) after initial surgery from 2010 to 2021. From 2010 to 2015 EA had lower odds of postoperative SRT compared to MA, whereas in 2016-2021 there was no statistical difference among approaches. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates increasing EA adoption for TSS in the United States since 2013. Complication rates have overall improved for EA compared to MA, potentially as a result of improving surgeon familiarity and experience. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:2135-2140, 2023.

The Role of Gender-Concordant Mentorship in Women Premedical Students' Perception and Pursuit of Surgical Careers.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact of a 6-month structured mentorship program between women premedical student mentees paired with women medical students and surgical residents on mentees' interests and perceptions of surgical careers. DESIGN: Prospective qualitative and quantitative study. SETTING: This study took place at the Boston University School of Medicine, a single institution tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Self-identified women premedical students at Boston University were eligible for inclusion in this program (n=90). Participants were recruited and grouped with self-identified women medical student (n=52) and resident (n=19) mentors. Participants were provided with a monthly curriculum to guide discussions. Mentees completed pre- and postprogram surveys with 5-point Likert scale questions regarding interest and exposure to surgery, role models and mentorship, and effect of COVID-19 on their career interests. Pre- and postprogram responses were compared using a Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Of the 90 mentees, 63 (70%) completed preprogram surveys, and 53 (59%) completed postprogram surveys. Survey respondents indicated statistically significant increased exposure to positive role models (preprogram mean 3.15, postprogram mean 4.06, p=0.0003), increased exposure to women role models (preprogram 2.30, postprogram 3.79, p<0.0001), increased access to dedicated mentors (preprogram 2.11, postprogram 3.75, p<0.0001), and increased availability of support persons to answer their questions and concerns about careers in surgery (preprogram 3.03, postprogram 3.85, p=0.001). There was also a statistically significant increase in the reported effect that exposure to gender-concordant role models in surgery had on participants' decisions to consider a surgical career (preprogram 3.58, postprogram 4.23, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: This 6-month structured mentorship program for undergraduate premedical students increased mentees' exposure to positive women role models and mentors, and increased mentee's interest in pursuing a surgical career. This emphasizes the need for structured gender-concordant mentorship programs early in women's careers to encourage pursuit of surgical careers in an otherwise men-dominated field.

Report of a Novel Molecular Profile in Malignant Insulinoma.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or pNETs, represent a rare and clinically heterogenous subset of pancreatic neoplasms. One such pNET, the insulinoma, is found to be malignant in just 4% of all insulinomas. Due to the exceedingly uncommon occurrence of these tumors, there is controversy regarding the optimal evidence-based management for these patients. We therefore report on a 70-year-old male patient admitted with 3 months of episodic confusion with concurrent hypoglycemia. The patient was found to have inappropriately elevated endogenous insulin levels during these episodes, and somatostatin-receptor subtype 2 selective imaging revealed a pancreatic mass metastatic to local lymph nodes, spleen, and the liver. Fine needle aspiration of pancreatic and liver lesions confirmed the diagnosis of a low grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Molecular analysis of tumor tissue revealed a novel mutational profile consistent with pNET. The patient was initiated on octreotide therapy. However, treatment with octreotide alone demonstrated limited efficacy in controlling the patient's symptoms, prompting consideration of other therapies.