Adult-onset Woakes' syndrome: a rare entity.

Woakes' syndrome (WS) is a rare entity, defined as severe recalcitrant nasal polyposis with consecutive deformity of the nasal pyramid. WS occurs mainly in childhood and its aetiology remains unclear. We report a case of a 68-year old woman, with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, who presented with recurrent nasal polyposis and progressive broadening of the nasal dorsum. CT scan revealed extensive bilateral nasal polyposis and diffuse osteitis, with anterior ethmoidal calcified lesions. The patient underwent revision endoscopic sinus surgery and nasal pyramid deformity was successfully managed without osteotomies.

Recurrent periorbital cellulitis associated with rhinosinusitis in children: Characteristics, course of disease, and management paradigm.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent periorbital cellulitis (RPOC) associated with rhinosinusitis is rarely noted and scarcely discussed in the literature. The aim of our study was to analyze the characteristics and disease course of a group of pediatric patients with RPOC. METHODS: The medical records of all pediatric patients with a diagnosis of RPOC treated in a tertiary children's hospital were retrieved. Included were patients with a history of two or more episode of RPOC. RESULTS: A total of 14 children were included. Mean follow up was 3 years (SD ±â€¯2.5). Median age of first POC episode was 12 months (range 5 months-12 years). Overall, 75 events of RPOCs were documented. A median of 3 events per patient was noted (range 2-16). Preseptal cellulitis was diagnosed in all but five patients, in whom orbital cellulitis or subperiosteal abscess were identified, one following failure of conservative treatment, and the remaining at first presentation or recurrence. Rhinorrhea was present in only five patients (35%). The majority of patients were treated with intra-venous antibiotics. Imaging studies were performed in all patients revealing ethmoidal sinusitis in all patients, with lamina papyracea dehiscence in two patients. Immune deficiency was diagnosed in one patient. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in seven patients, in four as preventive procedure and in three during an acute phase. Post-operative recurrent disease was noted in two patients that were operated during the acute phase. CONCLUSIONS: RPOC is a rare entity. Rhinosinusitis should be suspected in events of recurrent preseptal cellulitis even in the absence of nasal symptoms. CT scan is diagnostic for sinus origin of disease and possible anatomical abnormalities. In the majority of patients no evident etiology was identified. Elective Surgery or prophylactic antibiotic treatment should be strongly considered in this subgroup of patients as it seems beneficial.

[Clinical analysis of chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and treatment of chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis(CIFRS). METHODS: From June 2006 to August 2011, seven patients were pathologically diagnosed as CIFRS in otorhinolaryngology department of Peking university first hospital and included in this study. The clinical records were reviewed. The clinical features, clinical course, symptoms, clinical signs, CT/MRI scan of the sinuses, surgical approach, postoperative pathology and medications were analyzed retrospectively. These 7 patients received both surgical and systemic anti-fungal treatment. Among them, 2 cases with characteristically clinical features were addressed into further analyses to explore the clinical feature and treatment of CIFRS. RESULTS: Among the 7 patients, 5 were female and 2 were male. The course of diseases were from 2 months to 8 years. All patients had no systemic immune diseases and history of diabetes mellitus, while 1 case had a history of facial trauma, and another 1 case had received antibiotics for long-stay in bed after a car accident. The onset lesions of 6 cases were in unilateral maxillary sinus and 1 in unilateral ethmoid sinus. Aspergillus fungi were detected in 6 cases and mold fungi were detected in 1 case by pathology or fungal culture. After follow-up for 1-5 years, 6 patients were cured, and 1 was died. CONCLUSIONS: CIFRS are often diagnosed in patients with normal immune function. Lesions alwasys occur in single sinus, and maxillary sinus is the most commonly involved.Aspergillus is the most common pathogens. Early clinical manifestation and sinus CT images are lack of specificity. Surgery associated with adequate antifungal treatment might be the best treatment strategy.

Orbital Cellulitis and Subperiosteal Abscess: A 5-year Outcomes Analysis.

PURPOSE: Orbital cellulitis and subperiosteal abscess (SPA) are historically associated with poor outcomes. We seek to characterize current associations with abscess formation, surgical failure and vision loss. METHODS: All cases of orbital cellulitis presenting to an affiliated hospital between April 2008 and 2013 were critically reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty patients met inclusion criteria. Average age was 28.7 ± 24.4. The male to female ratio was 2:1. Abscesses were identified in 56.7% of patients. Adults were less likely than children to present with abscesses (28.6% vs. 81.3%, p = 0.008). Of the other factors analyzed, only antibiotic use before admission (70.5% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.03) and maximum restriction (-2.5 ± 1.2 vs. -0.9 ± 0.7, p = 0.008) were associated with SPA. Temperature at presentation (37.9 ± 0.9 vs. 37.1 ± 0.4, p = 0.04), relative proptosis (5.8 ± 3.3 mm vs. 2.1 ± 1.1, p = 0.002) and abscess volume (4.3 ± 1.3 mm(3) vs. 0.7 ± 0.5 mm(3), p = 0.0004) were associated with progression to surgery. Reoperation was required in 26.7% of patients. Of these, two-thirds had combined superior/medial abscesses that re-accumulated after isolated endonasal surgery. Two of the 3 patients with profound vision loss had a dental etiology. CONCLUSIONS: Only young age, prior antibiotics and degree of restriction predicted the presence of an abscess. Re-accumulation was more common than anticipated, and drainage of superior/medial abscesses by endoscopic surgery alone had the strongest association with surgical failure. Patients with odontogenic abscesses must be treated with particular caution.

Image-guided, navigation-assisted Relieva Stratus MicroFlow Spacer insertion into the ethmoid sinus.

Anatomical complexity presents the main challenge in the administration of topical corticosteroid therapy to the paranasal sinus mucosa. This often leads to suboptimal drug delivery due to low concentrations of the therapeutic agent to the intended target area. The Relieva Stratus™ MicroFlow Spacer (Relieva Stratus) is a drug-eluting stent that is temporarily implanted into the ethmoid sinus. The reservoir of the stent is filled with triamcinolone acetonide, which is then slowly released from the device into the ethmoid sinus mucosa. The Relieva Stratus provides local and targeted delivery of the anti-inflammatory agent to the diseased mucosa. This minimally invasive implant is an option when treating ethmoid sinusitis. From January 2011 to November 2013, a total of 52 Relieva Stratus implantations into the ethmoidal cells were performed at the Department of Ear and Oral Diseases at Tampere University Hospital, Finland. C-arm fluoroscopy guidance was employed for 26 sinuses (13 patients) and optical image-guided surgery (IGS)-assisted insertions were performed on another 26 sinuses (13 patients). The accuracy of fluoroscopic insertion is not optimal, but this method is accurate enough to prevent the violation of the skull base and lamina papyracea. IGS enables the precise treatment of the diseased cells. From a technical perspective, IGS-guided insertion is a faster, safer and more exact procedure that guarantees the optimal positioning and efficacy of the implant. Moreover, IGS guidance does not entail the use of ionizing radiation.

[Aspergillus ethmoiditis associated with orbital abscess]. / Ethmoïdite aspergillaire compliquée d'un abcès orbitaire.

The authors report a case of Aspergillus ethmoiditis associated with an orbital abscess, diagnosed in an immunocompetent 6-year-old child, this is a rare infection and diagnosis is difficult, cause of a delayed treatment and frightening prognosis. Mycoses have emerged as important infections in clinical practice; this phenomenon is explained by the ever-growing number of immunocompromised patients and the increasing number of people traveling in areas where fungal diseases are endemic. Surgery with mycological and anatomopathologic examination can suggest a fungal infection confirmed by culture and contribute to institute adequate treatment.

Two-year results: transantral balloon dilation of the ethmoid infundibulum.

BACKGROUND: Multiple prospective and retrospective studies have reported results from balloon-only procedures and hybrid balloon sinus surgeries through intermediate follow-up periods of up to 1 year. Long-term durability results beyond 2 years are limited. METHODS: One-year results from the original study of standalone transantral balloon dilation in patients with computed tomography (CT) evidence of chronic inflammation in the maxillary sinuses alone or maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses combined were previously reported. Revision rate, symptom improvement, and productivity improvement were prospectively evaluated after a minimum follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (107 maxillary ostia) underwent balloon dilation of the maxillary sinus outflow tract and completed postprocedure follow-up assessment at 27.0 ± 3.6 months. Patient 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20) score improved from 2.65 ± 0.97 at baseline to 0.79 ± 0.71 at long-term follow-up (p < 0.0001). Improvement in work productivity and activity due to sinus-related health issues for all patients was statistically significant across all survey instrument characteristics (p range, <0.0001 to 0.02). An analysis of the outcomes in a subgroup of patients with maxillary and anterior ethmoid disease (20; 34%) showed similar significant improvement in symptoms (SNOT-20 decrease = -2.1; p < 0.0001). Approximately 92% of all patients reported satisfaction with the balloon procedure. Four (6.8%) patients underwent revision sinus surgery at 11.1 ± 7.3 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and radiographic evidence of isolated maxillary disease with or without anterior ethmoid disease have reported clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in symptoms, productivity, and activity through a minimum of 2 years following standalone balloon dilation.

[Diagnosis and management of the acute attack of sphenoid and ethmoid fungal ball sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the diagnosis and treatment of the acute attack of sphenoid and ethmoid fungal ball sinusitis based on the analysis of clinical features. METHOD: Eighteen patients with sphenoid and ethmoid fungal ball sinusitis were reviewed, and the main symptoms included headache and fever during acute attack. Endoscopy, nasal CT and MRI can provide useful information for diagnosis. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed on thirteen patients after drug therapy, while the other 5 patients chose conservative therapy. RESULT: The pathological examination confirmed the fungal lesions and the 13 patients had a good recovery. The result of CT and MRI scanning had a good accordance with the intra-operative findings. One patient receiving conservative treatment had acute attack again 2.5 months later, and antibiotics and topical nasal drugs improved the symptoms. CONCLUSION: Clinical presentation and radiological imaging contribute to the differential diagnosis of the acute attack of sphenoid and ethmoid fungal ball sinusitis, then the targeted therapy can be taken.

[Treatment of sino-nasal polyposis by Candida albicans immunotherapy: apropos of 4 cases]. / Traitement d'une polypose nasosinusienne (PNS) par immunothérapie au Candida albicans: à propos de 4 cas.

UNLABELLED: The NSP is an inflammatory chronic disease of the mucous of nose and sinuses. None etiological treatment is known up to now. The aim of this study is to consider a model of autoallergy as etiology for NSP proven by specific immunotherapy (STI) to Candida albicans (CA). METHODS: Four NSP treated by SIT to Candida albicans are reported. The patients are treated either by subcutaneous injections or sublingual drops. The frequency is one injection per week or a few drops per day (absorbed extract on calcium phosphate or aqueous Stallergenes). RESULTS: The cumulated doses varies from 465 Index of Concentration (IC) to 117500 IC on a period of 3 to 4 years. The results are evaluated according the rhino-sinusal semeiology, the intensity of symptoms, and the stage of polyposis. The SIT is also active on both a late and an immediate components for the symptoms, and the cutaneous tests. The results are significant 60% to 80% of improvement. The viral or bacterial infections reactivate both types of hypersensitivity and they are prevented by SIT. The nasal hyperactivity observed as a more advanced non specific stage of the PNS is also improved by ITS. In two of the clinical cases, the pollenogenic seasonal obstruction is added to the nasal perennial obstruction in a sharp manner. The pollenogenic allergy is also improved after SIT to CA without any other associated SIT. CONCLUSION: The model of autoallergy already proven as etiology for atopic dermatitis can serve as a base of exploration of PNS. That is showing the presence of IgE antibody corresponding to intracellular proteinic autoallergens having an analogy to environment allergens. The allergy to Candida albicans can thus be considered as an etiology of the PNS.

[Polypous ethmoiditis]. / Polipoznyi étmoidit.

Investigations of etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of polypous ethmoiditis show the role of chronic inflammation, sensitization and autoimmune reactions in mechanisms of nasal polyposis (NP). The development of postoperative recurrences of NP depends on the microflora, defective microcirculation, permeability of the histohematic barriers of the nasal and labyrinthine mucosa and metabolism of glycosaminoglycanes in the above mucosa. Adequate treatment methods are suggested: He-Ne laser radiation, UV blood radiation, cryotherapy, corticosteroids. Promising are also autovaccine, autovaccine with tissue (polypous) antigen, ozone solutions.

Endoscopic sinus surgery and postoperative intravenous aminoglycosides in the treatment of atrophic rhinitis.

A total of 29 atrophic rhinitis patients were treated by endoscopic sinus surgery between 1990 and 1995. After the surgery, a 7 to 10-day course of systematic aminoglycoside was administered. Two cases were excluded, due to later occurrence of nasal lymphoma in one patient and incompleteness of postoperative antibiotic therapy in the other. Among those included, atrophic rhinitis occurred in the absence of prior surgery in 24 patients, and the condition was secondary to a previous intranasal surgery in the other three patients. After a 1 to 6-year follow-up (mean: 63.4 months), seven patients were successfully managed without any characteristic symptom or sign of atrophic rhinitis. Another 18 patients felt improved. Only two patients did not have any improvement. The rate of improvement was 92.6%. Overall, one patient suffered from a left retrobulbar hematoma after operation. Exposed orbital fat was observed in the other patient. The orbital complication rate was therefore 7.4%. No other major complication occurred in this series. The bacteriologic, radiological, antroscopic, and pathologic findings are also included here. It is concluded that endoscopic sinus surgery in combination with adequate postoperative antibiotic therapy can significantly treat atrophic rhinitis.

Report of the first case of invasive fungal sinusitis caused by Scopulariopsis acremonium: review of scopulariopsis infections.

Scopulariopsis acremonium is a species of saprophytic fungus not previously reported to cause invasive disease in humans, although invasive infections from other species of Scopulariopsis have been reported and are reviewed. Deep infection with this fungus is associated with a high mortality rate. Invasive fungal sinusitis, in general, is a potentially fatal disease that typically affects immunocompromised patients, such as those receiving intensive chemotherapy or undergoing bone marrow transplantation. We report a case of invasive fungal sinusitis caused by Scopulariopsis acremonium in a patient with leukemia, who was successfully treated with amphotericin B, itraconazole, endoscopic sinus surgery, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Orbital complications of sinusitis.

The ethmoid and maxillary sinuses are the sinuses most frequently involved with orbital infections. Routes of spread are by direct extension through bone and indirectly through the valveless venous plexuses of the orbit, nose, and sinus. Classification of orbital infections can be thought of as either preseptal or postseptal and then further subdivided from there. The diagnosis has been greatly improved by the use of CT scans; however this should never be the only entity used for diagnosis. The determination of visual acuity (VA) is the single most important finding and will ultimately determine treatment modality. Orbital infections show different and more virulent bacteria than does non-complicated sinusitis and this should be reflected in the choice of medical and surgical therapy. Medical management is well accepted for infections without abscesses, and surgery is generally needed for infections with an abscess.

[Acute ethmoiditis. A review of 38 cases]. / Etmoiditis aguda. Revisión de 38 casos.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of computerized tomography (CT) scan in the diagnosis and management of the complications of acute ethmoiditis in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective revision of the records of pediatric patients admitted to Sant Joan de Déu Hospital from January 1985 to June 1994 was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight children (22 males and 16 females) between the ages of 18 months and 15 years (mean age 6.5 years) were studied. All of the patients had eyelid afflictions; 5 (13.2%) with eyelid edema and 33 (86.8%) with periorbital cellulitis. All of them were unilateral without side predominance. The signs and symptoms included fever (37) and orbital pain and headache (24), with 28 patients presenting other forms of sinusitis. CT scan was applied in 24 children (63%). Thirteen of these patients demonstrated complications of the orbit, 6 with orbital cellulitis, 4 subperiosteal abscess and 3 orbital abscesses. Surgery was performed in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the CT scan is a radiological procedure that must be applied when there are signs or symptoms compatible with orbital complications. Patients should also be scanned if their exam is worse or unchanged after 24-48 hours of antibiotic therapy. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment can prevent complications subsidiary of surgery.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery of orbital subperiosteal abscess in children.

Subperiosteal abscess of the orbit (SPA) should be considered an important part of the group of orbital complications following acute sinusitis. This situation requires early surgical intervention to avoid visual loss or ophthalmoplegia. Six cases of children with SPA of the orbit treated successfully by Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) are reviewed. The importance of ophthalmological examination, nasal endoscopy and CT scan is emphasized concerning the management protocol. The major advantage of FESS is the avoidance of external ethmoidectomy with the resultant scar. FESS is demonstrated as a safe and convenient procedure with excellent post operative recovery of the patients.

Diagnosis and treatment of intracranial complications of paranasal sinus infections.

Complications and local extension of paranasal sinus infections most often involve the orbit and periorbita. Because of the widespread use of antibiotics since World War II, intracranial extension of maxillofacial sinusitis is rarely seen today. Nevertheless, the clinician must be aware of the potential for these complications, because late recognition of this condition and delays in treatment can increase morbidity and mortality rates. A comprehensive, current review of sinogenic intracranial complications is presented, with illustrative cases of brain abscess, subdural empyema, meningitis, cavernous sinus thrombosis, epidural abscess, and osteomyelitis. The mechanisms and potential for intracranial spread of infection from the frontal, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinuses are discussed in detail. The management of each type of complication is outlined, including the use of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the role of surgical drainage.

[Treatment of acute ethmoiditis according to a protocol based on clinical stage]. / Behandeling van acute etmoïditis volgens een protocol gebaseerd op het klinische stadium.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of application of a systematic treatment protocol, meant to reduce the risk of serious complications, when treating acute ethmoiditis. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Academic hospital of the 'Vrije Universiteit (VU)', Amsterdam, The Netherlands. METHOD: From January 1988 to March 1994, 25 children with acute ethmoiditis were admitted to the VU hospital. Eight of them had Chandler stage I, 8 stage II, 3 stage III, 3 stage IV and 3 stage V. The treatment protocol was stepwise, based on the Chandler stages and focused on intensive antibiotic treatment in combination with surgical drainage of the ethmoid complex and (or) the orbit. RESULTS: All children with ethmoiditis stages I-III were cured without rest symptoms. One patient with ethmoiditis stage IV and a pre-existent lymphatic leukaemia died of pulmonary complications of a massive fungal infection, 8 months after treatment. One patient with ethmoiditis stage V finally had permanent psychomotor retardation. CONCLUSION: The used treatment protocol offered the possibility to treat patients with acute ethmoiditis stepwise, depending on stage, with satisfying results. Especially the treatment result in patients with ethmoiditis stage V was good.

Tratamento da sinusopatia esfenoetmoidal com compressao do nervo optico por via endoscopica nasal: relato de caso

As sinusopatias dos seios esfenoetmoidais e etmoidais, quando complicadas apresentam um desafio para os mais experientes terapeutas. Em virtude da possibilidade de complicacoes graves e ate fetais, ha necessidade de um planejamento minucioso da terapeutica a ser empregada. Relatamos aqui a solucao de um caso de mucocele esfenoetmoidal com compressao do nervo optico por marsupializacao realizada por via endoscopica intranasal.