Chinese Expert Consensus on the Use of Biologics in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis (2022, Zhuhai).

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammatory disease in otolaryngology, mainly manifested as nasal congestion, nasal discharge, facial pain/pressure, and smell disorder. CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), an important phenotype of CRS, has a high recurrence rate even after receiving corticosteroids and/or functional endoscopic sinus surgery. In recent years, clinicians have focused on the application of biological agents in CRSwNP. However, it has not reached a consensus on the timing and selection of biologics for the treatment of CRS so far. SUMMARY: We reviewed the previous studies of biologics in CRS and summarized the indications, contraindications, efficacy assessment, prognosis, and adverse effects of biologics. Also, we evaluated the treatment response and adverse reactions of dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab in the management of CRS and made recommendations. KEY MESSAGES: Dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab have been approved for the treatment of CRSwNP by the US Food and Drug Administration. Type 2 and eosinophilic inflammation, need for systemic steroids or contraindication to systemic steroids, significantly impaired quality of life, anosmia, and comorbid asthma are required for the use of biologics. Based on current evidence, dupilumab has the prominent advantage in improving quality of life and reducing the risk of comorbid asthma in CRSwNP among the approved monoclonal antibodies. Most patients tolerate biological agents well in general with few major or severe adverse effects. Biologics have provided more options for severe uncontrolled CRSwNP patients or patients who refuse to have surgery. In the future, more novel biologics will be assessed in high-quality clinical trials and applied clinically.

The changes of clinical and histological characteristics of chronic rhinosinusitis in 18 years: Was there an inflammatory pattern shift in southern China?

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the heterogeneity of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has attracted extensive attention. The histological patterns and clinical characteristics may vary greatly in different areas and among different groups of people. Prior studies found a shift from the neutrophilic inflammatory pattern to the eosinophilic inflammatory pattern in Asian cities. This study set out with the aim of investigating the changes that have occurred in the past 18 years of southern China and exploring the causes. METHODS: Tissues, clinical, and demographic characteristics were obtained from 473 patients (91 in 2000-2001, 170 in 2010-2011, 212 in 2017-2018) who satisfied the criteria of diffuse (bilateral) chronic rhinosinusitis. The clinical characteristics, including the previous history of allergic rhinitis and asthma, and the major symptoms of rhinosinusitis, were collected. Formalin-fixed nasal tissue was obtained from each patient for calculating inflammatory cells. We also performed immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression levels of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), IgE, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and other Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 related inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: The comorbidity of asthma and atopic disease was higher in 2017-2018 compared to 2000-2001. The histological characteristics revealed a significant increase in tissue eosinophils and decrease in neutrophils in 2017-2018 as compared with 2000-2001. Meanwhile, the proportion of eosinophilic CRS (eCRS) increased significantly from 2000 to 2001 to 2017-2018 (P = 0.03). The tissue eosinophil increase was higher in overweight patients (Body Mass Index, BMI≥24) as compared with non-overweight. There was an increasing trend of ECP, IL-13 and IL-17. Besides, IFN-γ and TNF-α decreased. CONCLUSIONS: There was an eosinophilic shift of diffuse rhinosinusitis inflammatory pattern in southern China over the last 18 years. The proportion of eCRS and difficult-to-treat rhinosinusitis has steadily increased, which is associated with the increase of Type 2, Type 3 cytokines and the decrease of Type 1 cytokines. This study also provided firstly evidence of a strong relationship between overweight and eosinophil shift in the southern Chinese population.

Effect of Cellulose Powder on Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Activity and Ciliary Beat Frequency.

BACKGROUND: Cellulose powder (CP) has been reported as a safe and effective complementary treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR). Currently, CP has gained increasing application for clinical management worldwide, particularly in China. However, studies focusing on the effect of CP on normal human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) and ciliary function are lacking. Here, we aimed to explore the adverse effects of CP on the activity and ciliary function of hNECs. METHODS: We biopsied ethmoid sinus or middle turbinate tissues during surgical resection from control subjects who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for diseases other than AR. Cells were isolated and passaged, followed by differentiation in an air-liquid interface (ALI). Flow cytometry and cell viability test (cell counting kit-8) were performed to detect the cytotoxicity of CP (effects on cell proliferation) on normal hNECs. By using the ALI culture model, we investigated the effects of CP on ciliary beat frequency (CBF). RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in hNEC count at high concentrations of CP (2.5 mg/mL) at days 3 and 7 (both p < 0.05). As the concentration increased, cell death increased progressively from day 3 to day 7. However, these effects were not evident at low concentrations (0.25 mg/mL, p > 0.05). High-dose CP (2.5 mg) significantly reduced the CBF (p < 0.05). At lower concentrations (0.25-2.5 mg/mL), CP initially increased but subsequently reduced the CBF of hNECs compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS: Cytotoxicity and the suppression of ciliary beat at high concentrations justify more prudent use of CP for the management of AR.

The ratio of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1/11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 predicts glucocorticoid response in nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are the first-line medical treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), whose local metabolism is catalyzed by 11ß-HSD1 and 11ß-HSD2. This study investigates the role of 11ß-HSD1 and 11ß-HSD2 on the glucocorticoid response of CRSwNP patients and the pathogenic mechanism of these polyps. METHODS: Forty-three adult CRSwNP patients were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the endoscopic scores by a nasal polyp grading system before and after treatment. We estimated the response to glucocorticoids by the total endoscopic scores. The logistic regression models and inflammatory characteristic curves were conducted to explore the prediction of the response to glucocorticoid in CRSwNP. The expression of 11ß-HSD1 and 11ß-HSD2 on human sinonasal epithelial cells (HSECS) was measured under the stimulation of toll-like receptor agonists and dexamethasone. RESULTS: The endoscopic scores in the CRSwNP group declined, the expression of 11ß-HSD1/11ß-HSD2 increased (r = 0.5276, P = 0.0011), and the cutoff value of the ratio of 11ß-HSD1/11ß-HSD2 was 0.4654 (sensitivity 79.17%, specificity 88.89%). Dexamethasone induced a decrease in the ratio of 11ß-HSD1/11ß-HSD2 (P = 0.049) by the stimulation of PGN-BS. CONCLUSION: We found a strong correlation between the response to glucocorticoids and the ratio of 11ß-HSD1/11ß-HSD2, which could be used as a marker in predicting the level of tissue response to glucocorticoid therapy in CRSwNP. In addition, PGN-BS could also be a therapeutic target, as it is the negative factor that will decrease the sensitivity of glucocorticoids by reducing the ratio of 11ß-HSD1/11ß-HSD2.

WDPCP regulates the ciliogenesis of human sinonasal epithelial cells in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Damage to the mucociliary clearance system is a typical change in the pathogenesis in chronic rhinosinusitis. However, the mechanisms underlying cilia loss remain unclear. WDPCP is a key protein essential for ciliogenesis, and is also an effector of the planar cell polarity signaling system. In this study, we sought to determine the role of WDPCP in cilia loss in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. We demonstrated the expression of WDPCP in human sinonasal epithelium from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and control subjects. We also used air-liquid interface to culture primary human sinonasal epithelial cells in-vitro model and to investigate WDPCP function. We then explored links between rhinosinusitis, WDPCP and inflammation. Accompanied with cilia loss, expression of WDPCP in human sinonasal epithelium from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis was decreased significantly compared with control subjects. In vitro study, we found that WDPCP level increased at first, and then decreased. Inhibiting WDPCP expression could lead to the poor quantity and length of cilia with reduced expression of Septin7. Also, Th1 type inflammatory mediators could decrease the expression of WDPCP. In conclusion, inflammatory cytokines cause reduced WDPCP expression, which contributes to impaired ciliogenesis in human rhinosinusitis.

[Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in nasal polyps and regulation by glucocorticoid].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression and possible modulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in nasal polyps of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). METHODS: Nasal polyps and uncinate process tissues were collected from 25 CRSwNP patients and 19 healthy controls with nasal septal deviation. HO-1 expression was examined using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistric staining and Western blot analysis. Moreover, additional uncinate process mucosal samples of 15 healthy controls with nasal septal deviation were harvested for nasal explant culture experiments. HO-1 expression was measured in cultured nasal explant in response to specific inflammatory and glucocorticoid stimulation. SPSS 20.0 software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of HO-1 was significantly increased in polyp tissues, 1.220±0.397 in mRNA and 1.409±0.701 in protein, compared with healthy controls 0.464±0.318 in mRNA and 0.017±0.1147 in protein (U=22.00 in mRNA and U=1.00 in protein, both P< 0.05). The immunohistochemical results showed that HO-1 was mainly distributed in the epithelial layer, submucosal glands and inflammatory cells in nasal tissues. Nasal explant culture experiments demonstrated that HO-1 mRNA was upregulated by IL-17A. The HO-1 mRNA level before the stimulation was 1.000, and 17.264±4.275 after the stimulation of 1 ng/ml IL-17A (U=0, P<0.05), 19.128±4.605 after the stimulation of 10 ng/ml IL-17A (U=0, P<0.05), but was significantly suppressed after stimulation with glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, DEX). The mRNA level after the glucocorticoids stimulation was 0.370±0.101 (U=0, P<0.05) and 0.316±0.167 (U=0, P<0.05) respectively. Furthermore, the HO-1 mRNA was inhibited by TGF-ß1, the mRNA level was 0.217±0.322 (U=0, P<0.05), 0.070±0.070 (U=0, P<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Increased HO-1 expression may play a role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP, which may be considered as the therapeutic target.

Expression of leukotriene and its receptors in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Cysteinyl leukotriene (LT) has been proposed in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study sought to examine the expression of the LT receptor (LTR) in CRSwNP patients and evaluate the potential role of LTR antagonist (LTRA) in the management of eosinophilic CRSwNP (ECRS) patients. METHODS: Nasal polyps and uncinate process tissues were collected from 18 ECRS patients, 13 non-eosinophilic CRSwNP (non-ECRS) patients, and 16 control subjects. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of LTR (cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 [CysLT1R] and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2 [CysLT2R]) was examined using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. Moreover, the effects of LTRA and steroids on total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) of uncontrolled ECRS patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of CysLT1R and CysLT2R was significantly increased in polyp tissues compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). Compared with the non-ECRS subset, the ECRS subset showed significantly increased expression of CysLT1R and CysLT2R, as well as leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and leukotriene D4 (LTC4) levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, combined LTRA and steroids significantly decreased TNSS more than steroids alone in uncontrolled ECRS patients (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that LTR was differentially expressed between ECRS and non-ECRS patients, and that LTRA may be used as an additional therapy for ECRS patients.

[A national investigation on the application of Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (2008, Nanchang) on a national scale. METHODS: The contents of the guideline and its relevant applied indicators were designed into an initial questionnaire and, after a pre-survey, revised into a formal questionnaire. Then a stratified sampling was selected out of otolaryngology practitioners in the different level hospitals across the country. After a uniform training, the investigators were sent to these different hospitals to conduct questionnaire survey by face to face interview with otolaryngology respondents. Based on the summarized data, statistical analyses on the awareness and practice status of the guideline, together with their influencing factors, were made. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Issuing and withdrawing questionnaires were performed from December 2012 to June 2013 and 1 240 respondents in 350 hospitals from 30 different provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions were effectively investigated. An average awareness and practice rate of 48.7% and 40.8% upon the guideline was acquired, respectively. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.280, P = 0.000) between the two indicators. With linear regression, county-level hospitals, junior practitioners, non-rhino professionals were the risk factors of poor guideline adherence. In addition, respondents form western region showed lower awareness and practice rate than that of ones from central and eastern region. CONCLUSION: The adherence on Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis is nationally low, so popularization of activities should be urgently strengthened, especially in focus areas, focus hospitals, and focus groups.

Corticosteroid regulates epithelial occludin expression in nasal polyps through a MKP-1-dependent pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the regulatory effect of corticosteroid on occludin expression in polyp tissues of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients and in vitro. METHODS: Twenty CRSwNP patients were enrolled and subjected to prednisone (30 mg/day for 14 days). The expression of occludin in polyp tissues was examined before and after treatment using immunohistochemical staining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the expression of occludin in polyp-derived epithelial cells (PECs) and human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) was examined using Western blot analysis in the presence of corticosteroid and/or MKP-1 siRNA, respectively. RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression of occludin in polyp tissues was significantly upregulated after prednisone administration (p < 0.05). Corticosteroids significantly increased MKP-1 and occludin expression in cultured PECs (p < 0.05), and MKP-1 siRNA significantly decreased occludin expression in cultured BECs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that corticosteroid can promote epithelial occludin expression in nasal polyps through a MKP-1-dependent pathway.

[Expression and regulation of tight junction protein Occludin in nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible role of tight junction protein Occludin in nasal polyps. METHODS: The expression of Claudin-1, Occludin and ZO-1 in nasal polyps (n = 20) and healthy uncinate mucosa (n = 15) were examined using immunohistochemical staining, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis. The regulatory effects of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-17, TGF-ß, TGF-α) on the expression of Occludin in cultured human nasal epithelial cells were investigated. RESULTS: The immunohistochemical results showed that Claudin-1, Occludin and ZO-1 were detected both in the nasal polyp group and the control group. The expression sites were the cell membrane and cytoplasm of nasal mucosa epithelial cells. The mean optical density of Claudin-1, Occludin and ZO-1 were 0.187 ± 0.076,0.172 ± 0.109 and 0.098 ± 0.035 respectively in the nasal polyp group and were significantly lower than those in the control group (0.312 ± 0.101, 0.220 ± 0.069 and 0.233 ± 0.093 respectively), the differences were significant (t = 9.345, t = 3.301, t = 13.323, all P < 0.01).RT-PCR results showed that the relative expression of Occludin mRNA was 0.000 117 ± 0.000 035 in the nasal polyp group and was significantly lower than that in the control group(0.000 464 ± 0.000 134), and the difference was significant (Z = -5.0, P < 0.01) . There was no statistically significant difference in the relative expression of Claudin-1 and ZO-1 mRNA between the nasal polyp group and the control group (P > 0.05) . After the cultured human nasal epithelial cells were stimulated by IL-13, IL-17, IFN-γ and other proinflammatory cytokines, the relative expression of Occludin mRNA was 0.631 ± 0.039, 0.581 ± 0.029 and 0.648 ± 0.040, respectively. Compared with the unstimulated control group, the differences were statistically significant (t = 16.299, 24.669 and 14.995 respectively, all P < 0.05).Western blot analyse showed that the relative grayscale in the above proinflammatory cytokines stimulation groups was 0.650 ± 0.061,0.482 ± 0.106 and 0.536 ± 0.109, respectively. Compared with the unstimulated control group, the differences were statistically significant (t = 9.880, 8.442 and 7.310 respectively, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The reduced expression of Occludin might be involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

[Clinical effect of clarithromycin therapy in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of clarithromycin (CAM) treatment in adult Chinese patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) or without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). METHODS: A prospective, open and self-controlled clinical trial on patients with CRS was conducted. Fifty patients met inclusion criteria. Of 50 patients, there were 33 patients with CRSsNP and 17 patients with CRSwNP. CAM was administered at 250 mg/d and the duration of administration was 12 weeks. Outcome measures included assessments of visual analogue scale (VAS), the sino-nasal outcome test-20(SNOT-20), the medical outcomes study short-form 36 items(SF-36), Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score, and Lund-Mackay computed tomography score. Before starting the treatment, 2 months after treatment and at the end of treatment, each patient had to complete all the measures except Lund-Mackay computed tomography score, which was only conducted before and after treatment. In order to evaluate the safety of CAM, liver function and renal function in all patients were detected before and after treatment. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Forty-five patients completed 3 months follow-up and 5 patients withdrew due to different reasons. The results were as follows: (1) Thirty-three patients with CRSsNP's VAS scores of four time point were 5.81 ± 1.69, 3.76 ± 1.94, 2.98 ± 1.95, 2.06 ± 2.13, respectively, there were statistically significant improvements in turn (t values were 5.910, 8.090, 8.932, all P < 0.05). Endoscopy score of four time point were 6.28 ± 1.28, 5.00 ± 1.67, 4.12 ± 1.76, 3.12 ± 2.19, respectively, there were statistically significant improvements in turn compared with before treatment (t values were 6.662, 9.161, 9.936, all P < 0.05). The CT scores before and after treatment were 10.33 ± 4.65 and 4.67 ± 4.59, respectively (t = 7.226, P = 0.000) . (2) Seventeen patients with CRSwNP's VAS scores of four time point were 6.07 ± 2.02, 4.87 ± 2.61, 4.06 ± 2.85, 4.08 ± 2.80, respectively, there were statistically significant improvements after 2 or 3 months (t values were 3.285, 3.468, both P < 0.05) except after one month (t = 1.846, P > 0.05). Endoscopy score of four time point were 10.65 ± 1.77, 9.35 ± 1.93, 8.65 ± 2.76, 8.47 ± 2.76, respectively, there were statistically significant improvements in turn(t values were 4.068, 4.863, 5.156, all P < 0.05). The CT scores before and after treatment were 13.82 ± 4.94 and 11.41 ± 5.12, respectively (t = 3.975, P = 0.001). (3) During the period of CAM treatment, 1 patient reported a tolerable headache and weakness and 1 patient had abdominal pain after two months treatment, all the symptoms disappeared while they were asked to stop the drug. Liver function and renal function were detected in 40 patients, the differences before and after treatment were not significant statistically. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term, low-dose CAM treatment is effective in the treatment of CRSsNP and CRSwNP in Chinese patients. Meanwhile, the efficacy of CAM is more significant in polyp-free group compared with polyp group. Low does CAM therapy is safe, and the liver function and renal function does not worsen after 3 months treatment.

Endoscopic optic nerve decompression for patients with traumatic optic neuropathy: is nerve sheath incision necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the necessity of nerve sheath incision for the treatment of patients with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) during endoscopic optic nerve decompression. METHODS: Seventy-four TON patients were enrolled and subjected to endoscopic optic nerve decompression. In 31 TON patients (group A), osseous decompression and nerve sheath incision were performed, and in 43 TON patients (group B), osseous decompression alone was carried out. Visual acuity was evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: After surgery, visual acuity was improved in 47 of 74 patients, with a total effectiveness ratio of 63.5%. The total ratio of improvement in groups A and B was 61.2 and 65.1%, respectively, and no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). As to the patients with residual vision preoperatively, the ratio of improvement in groups A and B was 64.2 and 71.4%, respectively (p > 0.05), not favoring nerve sheath incision during endoscopic optic nerve decompression. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results suggest that during endoscopic optic nerve decompression for the treatment of TON patients, nerve sheath incision is not obligatory for the improvement of visual acuity.

Clinical characteristics and surrogate markers of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis in Southern China.

The surrogate markers for subclassifying eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) and non-ECRS remain elusive. We herein performed a cross-sectional study to assess the clinical implication of clinical symptoms, CT findings, blood eosinophil (EOS) examination based on histological examination of tissue eosinophilia in 105 adult CRS patients (including 72 with nasal polyps and 33 without nasal polyps) in southern China. We found the mean score of smell loss was significantly higher in ECRS subgroup than those in non-ECRS subgroup (p < 0.05), whereas the average ethmoid osteitis index in non-ECRS subgroup was significantly higher than that in ECRS subgroup (p < 0.05). Moreover, we found both the mean blood EOS number and ratio were significantly higher in ECRS subgroup than those in non-ECRS subgroup (p < 0.05). By applying receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, we found blood EOS number had a sensitivity of 84.9 % and specificity of 84.4 % [area under the curve (AUC): 0.873] at the cutoff level of 0.16 × 10(9)/L, and blood EOS ratio had a sensitivity of 89.0 % and specificity of 84.4 % (AUC: 0.863) at the cutoff level of 2.05 % in this cohort. Our findings indicated that smell loss score, ethmoid osteitis index and blood EOS number and ratio may be used for the differential diagnosis of ECRS as the surrogate markers.

Long-term results of endoscopic sinus surgery-oriented treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with asthma.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)-oriented multimodality treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients with asthma and its impact on asthma. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized cohort. METHODS: Twenty-seven CRS patients with asthma who underwent FESS with postoperative topical corticosteroid spray were evaluated preoperatively; 25 of them were evaluated 1 year and 3 years postoperatively. CRS was evaluated by visual analogue scale, clinical control of CRS, and objective measurement endoscopy Lund-Kennedy scores. Asthma was assessed by subjective asthma control test and asthma control level, also by objective antiasthma medication use and pulmonary function tests. RESULTS: VAS scores of general symptoms (8.09 ± 0.87 preoperatively) were significantly improved at 1 year (2.94 ± 2.21) and 3 years (3.77 ± 2.16) postoperation (P = .000). No difference in these items was found between 1 year and 3 years (P = .463). Endoscopy Lund-Kennedy scores at 1 year (4.34 ± 3.09) and 3 years (5.80 ± 3.38) postoperatively were significantly better (9.33 ± 2.03 preoperatively, P = .000), and there was no difference between 1 year and 3 years of follow-up (P > .05). Significantly, asthma control level improved postoperatively (P = .025). However, antiasthma drug and pulmonary function showed no significant change postoperatively (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: FESS-oriented multimodality treatment improves CRS with asthma significantly and persistently. Asthma control level improved. Antiasthma medication use and pulmonary function remained stable.

A hospital-based survey on the prevalence of bronchial asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis in southern China.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of bronchial asthma (BA) and the underlying risk factors in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) in China are largely unknown. Thus, this study is designed to assess the BA comorbidity in AR patients in two cities (Guangzhou and Zhuhai) of southern China and to determine the risk factors of BA in these AR patients. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, hospital-based survey in two modernized cities in southern China. The BA prevalence was evaluated in 1931 AR patients. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire containing specific items for AR and BA. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of BA comorbidity in AR patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of concomitant BA in AR patients is 5.33% (103/1931). Most of the participants (98.4%) were sensitized to more than one allergen, and the most common sensitization was to house-dust mites. The strongest risk factor of BA determined by a multiple logistic regression analysis was a duration of AR of >5 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 8.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.74-20.06), followed by smoking (adjusted OR, 7.21; 95% CI, 1.86-8.23) and self-medication with antibiotics (adjusted OR, 6.35; 95% CI, 3.43-11.78). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested the risk factors of concomitant BA in AR patients may be helpful to establish preventive strategies.

IL-6 promotes the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor through the p38 signalling pathway in hypertrophied adenoids in children.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hypertrophied adenoids in children and investigate the possible regulatory mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-eight children with hypertrophied adenoids (moderate, 16; severe, 22) were enrolled to investigate the VEGF expression in the adenoid tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The IL-6 concentration in the nasopharyngeal secretions was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). VEGF mRNA expression was further measured in isolated adenoidal cells in vitro after IL-6 stimulation, and the activation of the p38 signalling pathway was determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Our findings showed extensive immunoreactivity of VEGF in the hypertrophied adenoids in children. The levels of VEGF protein and mRNA were significantly higher in severely hypertrophied adenoids than in moderately hypertrophied adenoids (P<0.05). The expression of IL-6 was detectable in the nasopharyngeal secretions, which was significantly associated with the severity of the hypertrophied adenoid. VEGF mRNA expression was upregulated in isolated adenoidal cells in vitro after IL-6 stimulation, and the p38 signalling pathway was activated. CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of VEGF in adenoid tissues suggests a possible role of the IL-6/VEGF axis in the pathogenesis of hypertrophied adenoids in children.

[Regularity of nasal mucous transitional course of different sinuses after functional endoscopic sinus surgery].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the time regularity of nasal mucous transitional course of different sinuses after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: Seventy-seven chronic rhinosinusitis patients following functional endoscopic sinus surgery were prospectively collected. The endoscopic appearances of different sinuses were respectively evaluated with Lund-Kennedy scoring system in 2 weeks, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Then the endoscopic scores and epithelization proportions of different sinuses in different stages were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Of 77 patients, 154 maxillary sinuses, 154 ethmoidal sinuses, 138 frontal sinuses, and 129 sphenoidal sinuses were scored endoscopically and analyzed statistically. In the 2 weeks after operation, the mucosa scores of sphenoidal sinus (3.5 ± 1.5), ethmoidal sinus (3.6 ± 1.4), maxillary sinus (3.7 ± 1.5), and frontal sinus (3.8 ± 1.5) showed no significant differences by no parameter tests (χ(2) = 1.674, P = 0.643). In the 2, 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively, the assessment of four kinds of sinuses showed separate transitional tendency and the descending deflection points of scores and ascending peaks of epithelization proportions gradually emerged. In the 12 months postoperatively, by the above statistical methods, the mucosal scores (Z = -3.417, P = 0.001) and epithelization proportions (χ(2) = 4.313, P = 0.038) of sphenoidal sinus were superior to that of ethmoidal sinus, the mucosal scores (Z = -2.218, P = 0.027) and epithelization proportions (χ(2) = 4.292, P = 0.038) of ethmoidal sinus were superior to that of maxillary sinus, and the mucosal scores (Z = -2.244,P = 0.025) and epithelization proportions (χ(2) = 4.100, P = 0.043) of maxillary sinus were superior to that of frontal sinus. CONCLUSIONS: The transitional course of different sinus mucosa after functional endoscopic sinus surgery shows significant time difference. The time sequencing to complete epithelization of sinuses is successively sphenoidal sinus, ethmoidal sinus, maxillary sinus, and frontal sinus.

[Salvage management and subsequent treatment after internal carotid artery injury during transnasal endoscopic surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the cause, urgent management, further treatment, outcome and prevention of internal carotid artery (ICA) injury during transnasal endoscopic surgery. METHODS: Five ICA injury happened during transnasal endoscopic surgery of sphenoidal sinus and (or) sellar region, involving 1 case of traumatic optic neuropathy, 1 case of sphenoidal cyst, 1 case of fungal sphenoid sinusitis, 1 case of sellar adenoid cystic carcinoma and 1 case of pituitary tumor. These five cases were from three different hospitals in 1990 - 2009, and the clinical data were collected and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Injury of ICA was related with improper anatomic localization and operative procedures. The locations of injury were in cavernous segment in 3 cases, lacerum segment in 1 case, and clinic segment in 1 case, respectively. The types of injury included 3 cases of bleeding of laceration, 1 case of carotid cavernous fistula and 1 case of pseudoaneurysm. Salvage sphenoid sinus packing with vaseline strip and subsequent intravascular stent graft implantation (2 cases) and endovascular embolization (2 cases) effectively controlled bleeding. Four cases were successfully treated without craniocerebral or ocular complications, only 1 case died of massive blood loss. Among 4 survival cases, 1 patient abandoned further therapy, the other 3 patients were cured of primary disease by reoperation or subsequent treatment. CONCLUSION: Preoperatively, reading carefully the imaging data, intraoperatively, identifying anatomical positions accurately, performing proper operation, and stopping bleeding decidedly, postoperatively, seeking interdisciplinary cooperation to repair vascular damages, all these procedures can effectively reduce the surgical risk of ICA injury.

[Resection of petrous apex cholesteatoma via endoscopic trans-sphenoidal approach].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce our experience of resection of petrous apex cholesteatoma through endoscopic, transnasal, trans-sphenoidal approach in 3 cases, and present a surgical technique of intracystic resection of lesion which yielded a relatively stable long-term outcome. METHODS: Resection of parasellar and petrous apex cholesteatoma via endoscopic transsphenoidal approach was performed in three patients between 2001 and 2006. Surgical technique was as follows: the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses were opened under endoscope, the petrous apex was accessed by drilling skull base bone at the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus and anterior to the internal carotid artery, the cyst wall of cholesteatoma was incised and expanded, then intracystic removal of cholesteatoma was achieved by the suction, curette and rinsing. RESULTS: The petrous apex cholesteatoma in all 3 patients were removed clearly by endoscopic, transnasal, trans-sphenoidal surgery in one time. Before surgery, two patients with headache and orbital apex syndrome had a remarkable improvement just on the day after operation and completely recovered in 1-4 weeks. No postoperative complications happened in all three patients. All patients had no recurrence in symptoms and no imaging evidences of recurrence at a follow-up of 3 - 7 years. CONCLUSION: The petrous apex cholesteatoma around the parasellar region could be treated by intracystic removal via endoscopic, transnasal, transsphenoidal approach, without the need to strip and remove the cyst wall, and the long-term efficacy was reliable.