Non-Type 2 and Mixed Inflammation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Lower Airway Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to discuss the role of non-type 2 inflammation in patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and comorbid lower airway disease. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, TRIP Database, ProQuest, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, government and health organizations, and graduate-level theses. REVIEW METHODS: This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Search strategy was peer-reviewed by medical librarians. Studies were included if they utilized airway sampling, non-type 2 cytokines, and patients with CRS and lower airway disease. RESULTS: Twenty-seven from 7060 articles were included. In patients with CRS and comorbid asthma, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/bronchiectasis, 60% (n = 12), 33% (n = 2), and 100% (n = 1), respectively, demonstrated mixed or non-type 2 endotypes. Comorbid CRS and asthma produced type 1 (n = 1.5), type 2 (n = 8), type 3 (n = 1), mixed type 1/2 (n = 1), and mixed type 1/2/3 (n = 8.5) endotype shifts. AERD demonstrated type 2 (n = 4), mixed type 2/3 (n = 1), and mixed type 1/2/3 (n = 1) endotype shifts. CRS with COPD or bronchiectasis demonstrated a mixed 1/2 (n = 1) endotype shift. CONCLUSION: Type 2 disease has been extensively reviewed due to advent biologics targeting type 2 inflammation, but outcomes may be suboptimal due to the presence of non-type 2 inflammation. A proportion of patients with CRS and comorbid lower airway disease demonstrated mixed and non-type 2 endotype shifts. This emphasizes that patients with unified airway disease may have forms of inflammation beyond classical type 2 disease which could inform biologic development. Laryngoscope, 134:1005-1013, 2024.

Spatial analysis of transnasal olfactory cleft access: a computed tomography study.

Objective: To our knowledge, the spatial access of naris to olfactory cleft has not been quantified. We aimed to study the relationship and space of middle turbinate, septum, anterior nasal spine and cribriform plate to improve topical medication delivery and drug applicators. Methods: One hundred CT scans of patients (50 males, 50 females) over the age of 18 were included. Subjects with radiographic sinonasal pathology, previous surgery, or specific variant nasal anatomy were excluded. Scans were independently reviewed and bilateral measurements on bony landmarks were taken by two blinded authors. Inter-rater reliability was analysed with intraclass correlation. Results: The average age was 46.26 years (σ = 14.0). Average distance from the anterior nasal spine to olfactory cleft was 52.3 mm (σ = 4.2 mm), and the average length of cribriform plate was 18.8 mm (σ = 3.8) with an angle relative to hard palate averaging -8.8 degrees below parallel (σ = 5.5 degree). The widths of the olfactory cleft at anterior and posterior edges of cribriform plate were 2.3 mm (σ = 0.7 mm) and 2.0 mm (σ = 0.7 mm). Conclusions: The findings suggest a 52.3 mm distance from the naris to the anterior border of cribriform plate. The average width along this path was 3.2 mm, suggesting devices narrower than this could potentiate direct drug delivery access.

The state of virtual surgical planning in maxillary Reconstruction: A systematic review.

Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and computer aided design utilization in head and neck reconstruction has become increasingly popular within the discipline. Advocates of the technology over traditional free hand surgery cite benefits including improved intraoperative efficiencies and postoperative outcomes that have been demonstrated during mandibular reconstruction. More recently, VSP for maxillary and mid facial reconstruction, generally considered more complex than their mandibular counterparts, have been applied with the hopes of similar benefits. However, our literature search revealed no large-scale randomized control trial substantiating these benefits. As such, the aim of this review was to synthesize the existing research on utilization of VSP in the context of maxillary reconstruction. Three databases were systematically searched for articles pertaining to maxillary reconstruction for oncologic, traumatic, or osteoradionecrosis indications. Four hundred and fourteen unique articles were reviewed by two independent reviewers ultimately revealing sixteen studies appropriate for qualitative synthesis including 142 patients. Results of our studies reveal the extreme heterogenicity of application of this technology under the label of virtual surgical planning. Outcome reporting methods were grossly inconsistent amongst all the articles resulting in inability to appropriately synthesize data quantitatively for a meta-analysis. Overall, there was no standard of reporting outcomes of maxillary reconstruction, and no randomized trials comparing virtual surgical planning versus freehand surgery and therefore there is insufficient data to objectively prove purported benefits. To facilitate future comparative studies, a minimal standard of reporting for maxillary VSP is presented and the need for a randomized control trial is highlighted.

Virtual Reality for Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Vertigo is a debilitating symptom, leading to increased healthcare utilization and lost patient productivity. Vestibular rehabilitation is used to manage the symptomatic manifestations of vestibular disease. However, vestibular rehabilitation is limited by accessibility and time commitment. Recently, virtual reality has been described as a vestibular rehabilitation tool that may circumvent these barriers to treatment. Despite this, the efficacy of virtual reality for vestibular rehabilitation remains unclear. This study aims to review and summarize the current literature on the effectiveness of virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation. METHODS: A systematic review of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Alternative and Complementary Medicine databases was conducted for prospective studies describing virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation. RESULTS: Our search identified 382 unique articles. Six randomized controlled trials and four other studies were ultimately included. Study sample sizes ranged from 13 to 70 participants and varied in diagnoses from any unilateral peripheral vertigo to specific pathologies. Different virtual reality interventions were used. Comparator groups ranged from supervised vestibular rehabilitation to independent Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises. Outcomes consisted of validated questionnaires, objective clinical tests, and measurements of balance or reflexes. CONCLUSION: The studies reviewed in this study are preliminary evidence to suggest the benefit of virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation. However, these studies are limited by their inclusion criteria, heterogeneity, comparator design, and evidence-based clinical outcomes. Further research should address these limitations.

Type a botulinum toxin in the management of spontaneous salivary otorrhea: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous salivary otorrhea is a rare presentation only previously documented twice in literature where parotid salivary secretions are found in the external auditory canal. Conventional treatment of spontaneous parotid salivary fistulas includes surgical management with interposed grafts, fistula tract ablation, and possible superficial parotidectomy. Associated risks include facial nerve injury, Frey syndrome and facial scarring. Here we report the first case of spontaneous salivary otorrhea conservatively managed with a type A botulinum toxin (BTA) injection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old female presented with a 5-month history of left sided otorrhea and transient left facial swelling associated with gustatory stimulation. The otorrhea fluid tested positive for salivary amylase and negative for beta 2 transferrin. Fifty units of BTA were injected into the left parotid gland under ultrasound guidance. Cessation of symptoms was achieved 3 weeks after intervention. The patient remains symptom-free at the 2 year follow up. CONCLUSION: BTA injection was well tolerated under ultrasound guidance and has led to long-term resolution of the patient's symptoms. BTA injection appears to be a safe and effective way to conservatively manage this rare presentation of spontaneous salivary otorrhea.

Rate of Second Primary Head and Neck Cancer With Cannabis Use.

Objective To determine whether there is an association between cannabis use and developing a second primary cancer in head and neck cancer patients, as well as determining the prevalence of cannabis use amongst head and neck cancer patients. Study design This retrospective cohort study investigated patients from the Hamilton Region Head and Neck Cancer Database who were enrolled prospectively between 2011 and 2015, with follow-up data up to November 2018. Patients were contacted to confirm current cannabis and tobacco smoking status. Setting All patients were enrolled from a single tertiary cancer center in Hamilton, Ontario. Subjects and methods Consecutive patients with a newly diagnosed head and neck cancer were prospectively enrolled between 2011 to 2015. Cannabis users and controls were compared using standard modes of comparison. The odds ratio from a multivariable logistic regression model was then determined. Results A total of 513 patients were included in this study: 59 in the cannabis group and 454 in the control group. In terms of baseline characteristics, there was no significant difference between cannabis users and controls except that cannabis users were more likely to develop primary oropharyngeal cancer (p=0.0046). Two of 59 (3.4%) cannabis users developed a second primary cancer, in comparison to 23 of 454 (5.1%) non-cannabis users. The odds ratio for cannabis use on the second primary cancer was 0.19 (95% CI [0.01-3.20], p=0.25). Conclusion This study suggests that cannabis use behaves differently than tobacco smoking, as the former may not be associated with field cancerization.