A prospective study comparing itraconazole alone versus systemic steroids alone as adjuncts to topical steroids in the post-operative management of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of itraconazole and systemic steroids as an adjuvant to topical steroids in post-operative patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) using both subjective and objective outcome measurements. DESIGN: A prospective comparative study. SETTING: A tertiary care centre. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients diagnosed with AFRS were included. Patients with chronic systemic illness and those undergoing revision surgery were excluded. Post-operative patients were divided into two groups of 30 each which received itraconazole 400 mg OD or methylprednisolone in tapering doses over 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcomes were measured at the end of 6 weeks-Kupferberg endoscopic staging, absolute eosinophilic count (AEC), serum immunoglobulin (IgE), and Sino Nasal Outcome Test-20 scores. RESULTS: Our study showed no statistical significance in outcomes between the two groups treated with itraconazole and methylprednisolone regarding recurrence, AEC, IgE and quality of life assessment (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Itraconazole was comparable to methylprednisolone in preventing disease recurrence in the post-operative management of AFRS. It may be a viable alternative to replacing systemic steroids where the latter may be contraindicated. Itraconazole given at a dose of 400 mg once daily for 6 weeks was a safe dose.

Management of coexistent sinonasal pathology in patients undergoing endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair / Manejo de doenças nasossinusais coexistentes em pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico endoscópico de fístula liquórica

Abstract Introduction Patients who undergo endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair may occasionally present with coexistent sinonasal pathology which may or may not need to be addressed prior to surgical repair. Some patients may develop new onset nasal morbidity related to endoscopic repair. Objective To study the prevalence and management of additional sinonasal pathology in patients who undergo endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair was conducted to note the presence of coexistent sinonasal morbidity preoperatively and in the followup period. Results Of a total of 153 patients who underwent endoscopic closure of cerebrospinal fluid leak, 97 (63.4%) were female and 56 (36.6%) males. Most patients (90.2%) were aged between 21 and 60 years, with a mean of 40.8 years. Sixty-four patients (41.8%) were found to have coexistent sinonasal morbidity preoperatively, the commonest being symptomatic deviated nasal septum (17.6%), chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps (11.1%) and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (3.3%). Rare instances of septal hemangioma (0.7%) and inverting papilloma (0.7%) were also seen. Postoperatively, there was cessation of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea in 96.7% which rose to 100% after revision surgery in those with recurrence. Resolution of coexistent sinonasal pathology occurred in all patients with followup ranging from 10 to 192 months. New onset sinonasal morbidity which developed postoperatively included synechiae between middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall (5.9%) and sinonasal polyposis (1.3%). Conclusion Patients who undergo endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair may have coexistent sinonasal pathology which needs to be addressed prior to or along with repair of the dural defect. New onset sinonasal morbidity, which may arise in a few patients postoperatively, may require additional treatment. A protocol for the management of coexistent sinonasal conditions ensures a successful outcome.

Resumo Introdução Pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico endoscópico de fístula liquórica podem ocasionalmente apresentar coexistência de outras doenças comuns que podem ou não precisar ser tratadas antes do procedimento. Alguns pacientes podem desenvolver nova morbidade nasal relacionada ao tratamento da fístula. Objetivo Estudar a prevalência e o manejo de doenças nasossinusais adicionais em pacientes submetidos ao reparo endoscópico de fístula liquórica. Método Uma revisão retrospectiva de pacientes submetidos ao reparo endoscópico de fistula liquórica foi feita para avaliar a presença de outras morbidades nasossinusais coexistentes no pré‐operatório e no período de seguimento. Resultados De 153 pacientes submetidos ao tratamento endoscópico do fistula liquórica, 97 (63,4%) eram do sexo feminino e 56 (36,6%) do masculino. A maioria dos pacientes (90,2%) tinha entre 21 e 60 anos, com média de 40,8. Verificou‐se que 64 pacientes (41,8%) apresentavam coexistência de morbidade nasossinusal no pré‐operatório, as mais comuns eram desvio de septo nasal sintomático (17,6%), rinossinusite crônica sem pólipos (11,1%) e rinossinusite crônica com pólipos (3,3%). Casos raros de hemangioma septal (0,7%) e papiloma invertido (0,7%) também foram observados. No pós‐operatório, inicialmente obteve‐se fechamento da fístula liquórica em 96,7%, que aumentou para 100% após a cirurgia de revisão nos pacientes com recorrência. A resolução das outras doenças nasossinusais coexistentes foi obtida em todos os pacientes, o seguimento variou de 10 a 192 meses. A ocorrência de uma nova morbidade nasossinusal no pós‐operatório incluiu sinéquias entre a concha média e a parede lateral do nariz (5,9%) e polipose nasossinusal (1,3%). Conclusão Pacientes submetidos a tratamento endoscópico de fistula liquórica podem apresentar coexistência de outras doenças nasossinusais que necessitam de tratamento prévio ou concomitante ao reparo do defeito dural. Outras morbidades nasossinusais que surgem durante o pós‐operatório podem exigir tratamento adicional. Um protocolo para o manejo das condições nasossinusais coexistentes garante um desfecho bem‐sucedido.

Effect of Silver Nitrate Cauterisation of Nasal Mucosa on Quality-of-Life and Histology in Patients with Intractable Chronic Rhinitis.

Patients with chronic rhinitis causing intractable sneezing which is non-responsive to conventional medication require alternative therapies. The aim of the study was to ascertain the effect of topical 10% silver nitrate solution on the inferior turbinate mucosa as well as quality of life in such patients. Patients with severe chronic rhinitis who failed conventional therapy had application of 10% silver nitrate solution to inferior turbinate mucosa. The number of sneezes/day and mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) score was noted before and 8 to 16 weeks after treatment. Pre- and post treatment turbinate biopsies were performed to assess histological changes. At baseline, 67 patients had a mean of 36.6 sneezes/day and mean mini RQLQ score of 4.0 ± 0.7. Pre-treatment biopsies showed epithelial denudation and hyalinization of basement membrane. Following 10% silver nitrate application, 64/67 (95.5%) patients showed significant reduction in number of sneezes both at 1 week (p < 0.001) and 8-16 weeks (mean = 5.5 ± 7.8; p < 0.001). Post- treatment mean global mini RQLQ score was also significantly reduced (mean = 1.3 ± 1.1; p < 0.001). A single application was sufficient in 70.1% patients. There were no complications. Squamous metaplasia (p = 0.005) and epithelial hyperplasia (p = 0.013) as well as epithelial and basement membrane restoration occurred following therapy. 10% silver nitrate solution application is an effective and safe office- based procedure which significantly reduces sneezing improves QoL with corresponding histological changes.

Management of coexistent sinonasal pathology in patients undergoing endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who undergo endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair may occasionally present with coexistent sinonasal pathology which may or may not need to be addressed prior to surgical repair. Some patients may develop new onset nasal morbidity related to endoscopic repair. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and management of additional sinonasal pathology in patients who undergo endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair was conducted to note the presence of coexistent sinonasal morbidity preoperatively and in the followup period. RESULTS: Of a total of 153 patients who underwent endoscopic closure of cerebrospinal fluid leak, 97 (63.4%) were female and 56 (36.6%) males. Most patients (90.2%) were aged between 21 and 60 years, with a mean of 40.8 years. Sixty-four patients (41.8%) were found to have coexistent sinonasal morbidity preoperatively, the commonest being symptomatic deviated nasal septum (17.6%), chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps (11.1%) and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (3.3%). Rare instances of septal hemangioma (0.7%) and inverting papilloma (0.7%) were also seen. Postoperatively, there was cessation of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea in 96.7% which rose to 100% after revision surgery in those with recurrence. Resolution of coexistent sinonasal pathology occurred in all patients with followup ranging from 10 to 192 months. New onset sinonasal morbidity which developed postoperatively included synechiae between middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall (5.9%) and sinonasal polyposis (1.3%). CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair may have coexistent sinonasal pathology which needs to be addressed prior to or along with repair of the dural defect. New onset sinonasal morbidity, which may arise in a few patients postoperatively, may require additional treatment. A protocol for the management of coexistent sinonasal conditions ensures a successful outcome.