Manuka honey versus saline sinus irrigation in the treatment of cystic fibrosis-associated chronic rhinosinusitis: A randomised pilot trial.

OBJECTIVES: Manuka honey attacks biofilms, which contribute to bacterial persistence in cystic fibrosis sinusitis. The primary objective was to determine feasibility of investigating manuka honey as an irrigation treatment for cystic fibrosis sinusitis and secondarily to assess the treatment's preliminary effectiveness. DESIGN: Prospective, single-blinded (clinician only), randomised, parallel two-arm pilot trial. SETTING: Tertiary rhinology clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects had recalcitrant cystic fibrosis sinusitis and previous sinus surgery. They received manuka honey or saline sinus irrigations twice daily for 30 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcomes were recruitment/retention rates and tolerability. Preliminary effectiveness was assessed based on quality-of-life Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic change scores and post-treatment culture negativity. RESULTS: Over 10 months, 13 subjects were enrolled, and 77% (10/13) were included in the analysis. Manuka honey irrigations were well-tolerated. The quality-of-life change score was clinically significant for manuka honey (-9 [-14,-6]) but not saline (-5 [-9,-1]), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .29). Lund-Kennedy endoscopic change score was significantly better for manuka honey (-3 [-5,-3]) versus saline (0 [0,0]) (P = .006). There was no difference in post-treatment culture negativity between manuka honey (1/5, 20%) and saline (0/5, 0%) (P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Manuka honey irrigations were well tolerated, and retention rates were high. Preliminary data showed that manuka honey achieved a clinically important difference in quality-of-life score and a significantly better endoscopic outcome. Microbiological control was difficult to achieve. A future definitive trial would require multi-institutional recruitment.

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy following head and neck radiation therapy.

This article determines the efficacy of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (endoDCR) in patients who have undergone adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (XRT) following head and neck cancer resection. A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent endoDCR between 2006 and 2014 at a tertiary referral center. Cases were reviewed and selected for the following inclusion criteria: history of adjuvant sinonasal XRT following head and neck cancer resection, preoperative probing and irrigation demonstrating nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), postoperative probing and irrigation following silicone tube extubation. Exclusion criteria included active dacryocystitis, postoperative follow-up of less than 4 months, presence of epiphora prior to XRT, lack of probing/irrigation at preoperative or postoperative visit, and lid malposition including ectropion, facial palsy, and/or poor tear pump. Six patients (7 eyes) met the selection criteria. EndoDCR was performed at a mean time of 30 months following last radiation treatment (range, 3-71 months). Mitomycin C was used in 4/7 cases. Silicone tube removal occurred between 3-8 months postoperatively. Five out of 6 patients had postoperative sinonasal debridement and nasal saline/corticosteroid irrigation. Five out of 6 patients (83%) had both resolution of epiphora and anatomic patency confirmed by probing and irrigation. Our experience suggests that endoDCR procedures can be effective in patients with NLDO following prior sinonasal XRT for head and neck neoplasms. Postoperative management with sinonasal debridement and combined saline/corticosteroid nasal irrigation may help to improve surgical success in patients with increased post-radiotherapy mucosal inflammation.

Manuka honey sinus irrigation for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Manuka honey (MH) has been shown in vitro to be effective against biofilm-producing bacteria. This study assessed the effectiveness of MH for patients with active chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and prior sinus surgery. METHODS: This prospective single-blinded (clinician only) randomized controlled trial recruited patients with active CRS and prior sinus surgery. Patients received either MH or saline (SAL) sinus irrigations twice daily for 30 days and were offered oral antibiotics and/or oral/topical steroids as indicated. Outcomes were 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) change score (primary), culture negativity, and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic change score. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were analyzed (MH, n = 20; SAL, n = 22). The SNOT-22 change score achieved a clinically significant improvement in both groups but was similar between MH (median [interquartile range]: -12 [-20, -1]) and SAL (-12.5 [-22, -6]) (p = 0.57). Culture negativity was better on MH (8/19, 42%) compared to SAL (4/21, 19%), nearing statistical significance (p = 0.11). Lund-Kennedy endoscopic change score improved in both groups but was not statistically better on MH (-3 [-5, 0]) compared to SAL (-1 [-2, 0]) (p = 0.20). For patients not receiving oral antibiotics/steroids, culture negativity was statistically better on MH (5/10, 50%) compared to SAL (0/6, 0%) (p = 0.04). MH was well-tolerated. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: In patients with active CRS and prior sinus surgery, both MH and SAL improved outcomes, but there was no statistically significant difference between these groups. However, in the subset that did not receive oral antibiotics/steroids, culture negativity was statistically better on MH, suggesting that MH alone may be effective for acute exacerbations of CRS.

Nasal saline irrigation has no effect on normal olfaction: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Nasal saline irrigation is a safe treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis; however, its effect on olfaction is unclear. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a key second messenger in the mechanism of olfaction and has been shown to be associated with smell function. In animal studies, olfactory cilia may be harvested by simple saline preparations. This study aimed to characterize the effect of nasal saline irrigation on smell function. METHODS: Volunteers with normal olfaction were randomized into a control or irrigation cohort. In the initial appointment, subjects completed a University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and nasal samples were obtained by 2 methods: the nasal curette and cytobrush. The irrigation cohort performed daily nasal saline irrigations. Both cohorts then returned in 1 week. The UPSIT and nasal cell collection were repeated, and each subject completed a subjective olfactory transition scale. Nasal samples were processed for cAMP levels using a commercial assay. RESULTS: Thirty-two subjects were enrolled and randomized into each cohort. Control and postirrigation mean UPSIT scores were 36.8 and 36.7 (p = 0.48). No subjects reported a subjective smell loss. Ten pairs of nasal samples were assayed. Using the curette, control and postirrigation cAMP levels were 509 and 490 fmol/(mg/mL), respectively (p = 0.94). Using the cytobrush, respective cAMP levels were 424 and 449 fmol/(mg/mL), respectively (p = 0.94). CONCLUSION: Nasal saline irrigation has no subjective or objective effect on olfaction. It also does not appear to affect cAMP levels, a potential marker of smell function.

Zicam-induced damage to mouse and human nasal tissue.

Intranasal medications are used to treat various nasal disorders. However, their effects on olfaction remain unknown. Zicam (zinc gluconate; Matrixx Initiatives, Inc), a homeopathic substance marketed to alleviate cold symptoms, has been implicated in olfactory dysfunction. Here, we investigated Zicam and several common intranasal agents for their effects on olfactory function. Zicam was the only substance that showed significant cytotoxicity in both mouse and human nasal tissue. Specifically, Zicam-treated mice had disrupted sensitivity of olfactory sensory neurons to odorant stimulation and were unable to detect novel odorants in behavioral testing. These findings were long-term as no recovery of function was observed after two months. Finally, human nasal explants treated with Zicam displayed significantly elevated extracellular lactate dehydrogenase levels compared to saline-treated controls, suggesting severe necrosis that was confirmed on histology. Our results demonstrate that Zicam use could irreversibly damage mouse and human nasal tissue and may lead to significant smell dysfunction.

Treatment delay associated with alternative medicine use among veterans with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing in the United States. This study investigates whether the use of alternative medicine is associated with a delay of treatment in head and neck cancer. METHODS: This study used the records obtained from a large trial involving ambulatory care US veterans. Subjects completed a CAM utilization questionnaire. The primary outcome variable was the time duration from cancer diagnosis to the time of cancer treatment. RESULTS: Of veterans with head and neck cancer, 51% reported using some form of CAM, whereas 23% reported using a therapy classified as alternative medicine. Patients who used alternative medicine significantly delayed cancer treatment by 22 days compared with those who did not use alternative medicine (p = .05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0-44 days). CONCLUSIONS: CAM use is common in veterans with head and neck cancer. Use of alternative medicine was associated with a significant delay in cancer treatment.

Cost comparison of surgery vs organ preservation for laryngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a cost minimization analysis of total laryngectomy with postoperative radiotherapy vs induction chemotherapy with subsequent radiotherapy in patients with advanced (stage III or IV) squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. DESIGN: Decision-analysis model using data from peer-reviewed trials, case series, meta-analyses, and Medicare diagnosis related group reimbursement rates. SETTING AND PATIENTS: A hypothetical cohort of patients with stage III or IV laryngeal cancer. The perspective is that of a health care payer. INTERVENTIONS: The hypothetical patient cohort could receive (1) surgery (total laryngectomy) with postoperative radiotherapy or (2) induction chemotherapy (fluorouracil and cisplatin) with radiotherapy followed by salvage surgery for patients failing to respond to chemotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Overall difference in direct medical costs in 2003 US dollars between the 2 treatment arms from initiation to completion of treatment. RESULTS: In the baseline analysis, the direct medical costs for the surgical arm were 30,138 US dollars per patient. For the organ preservation arm, the direct medical costs were 33,052 US dollars per patient. The finding that the surgical arm costs were lower was robust to all sensitivity analyses except for the extreme low estimate for the cost of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that total laryngectomy with postoperative radiotherapy costs nearly 3000 US dollars less than organ preservation treatment for advanced laryngeal cancer. Given that survival appears equivalent between the 2 modalities, cost consideration and patient preference may be important factors in decision making for the treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer.