Biologic treatment for severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is often severe, debilitating and difficult to treat. Biologics that target key inflammatory pathways have the potential to treat this disease; this study aimed to evaluate their effectiveness. METHODOLOGY: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of biologics in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Primary outcomes were extent of disease, objective disease severity and disease-specific quality of life, with outcomes measured at different end-of-treatment timepoints in different studies (range 16-52 weeks). RESULTS: Eleven trials were identified with 2035 participants. Ten studies reported change in polyp size, estimating a reduction of -1.25 in the treatment group. Six studies reported reduction in Lund-Mackay score where the pooled mean difference was -4.90. Five studies included peak nasal inspiratory flow with a pooled mean difference of 33.54, indicating improved nasal airflow. Seven studies reported change in olfactory score with an overall pooled effect of 6.56 suggesting improved olfaction. The SNOT-22 score in nine studies gave an overall pooled effect of -14.53, indicating improved quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Biologics can be effective in treating nasal polyps, with reduction in polyp size and extent of disease, and improved sense of smell and quality of life. There is significant heterogeneity in the outcomes for individual biologics, highlighting the need for further studies.

Functional ear symptoms referred to an otology clinic: incidence, co-morbidity, aetiological factors and a new experience-driven clinical model.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review the incidence and co-morbidity of functional ear symptoms in new referrals to an adult otology clinic and present a clinical model based on neuroscientific concepts. METHOD: This was a retrospective review of 1000 consecutive new referrals to an adult otology clinic. RESULTS: Functional disorder was the primary diagnosis in 346 patients (34.6 per cent). Functional ear symptoms included tinnitus (69.7 per cent), imbalance (23.7 per cent), otalgia (22.8 per cent) and aural fullness (19.1 per cent), with more than one symptom occurring in 25.1 per cent of patients. Co-morbidities included sensorineural hearing loss (39 per cent), emotional stress (30 per cent) and chronic illness (22 per cent). CONCLUSION: Functional disorders commonly present to the otology clinic, often in the presence of emotional stress or chronic illness. They occur because of adaptation of brain circuitry to experience, including adverse events, chronic illness and fear learning. This study presented an experience-driven clinical model based on these concepts. An understanding of these principles will significantly aid otolaryngologists who encounter patients with functional ear symptoms.

The COVANOS trial - insight into post-COVID olfactory dysfunction and the role of smell training.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction is a cardinal symptom of COVID-19 infection, however, studies assessing long-term olfactory dysfunction are limited and no randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) of early olfactory training have been conducted. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a prospective, multi-centre study consisting of baseline psychophysical measurements of smell and taste function. Eligible participants were further recruited into a 12-week RCT of olfactory training versus control (safety information). Patient-reported outcomes were measured using an electronic survey and BSIT at baseline and 12 weeks. An additional 1-year follow-up was open to all participants. RESULTS: 218 individuals with a sudden loss of sense of smell of at least 4-weeks were recruited. Psychophysical smell loss was observed in only 32.1%; 63 participants were recruited into the RCT. The absolute difference in BSIT improvement after 12 weeks was 0.45 higher in the intervention arm. 76 participants completed 1-year follow-up; 10/19 (52.6%) of participants with an abnormal baseline BSIT test scored below the normal threshold at 1-year, and 24/29 (82.8%) had persistent parosmia. CONCLUSIONS: Early olfactory training may be helpful, although our findings are inconclusive. Notably, a number of individuals who completed the 1-year assessment had persistent smell loss and parosmia at 1-year. As such, both should be considered important entities of long-Covid and further studies to improve management are highly warranted.

Utilisation of a smartphone-enabled video otoscope to train novices in otological examination and procedural skills.

OBJECTIVE: The ai/m of this study was to compare the self-reported confidence of novices in using a smartphone-enabled video otoscope, a microscope and loupes for ear examination and external ear canal procedures. METHOD: Medical students (n = 29) undertook a pre-study questionnaire to ascertain their knowledge of techniques for otoscopy and aural microsuction. Participants underwent teaching on ear anatomy, examination and procedural techniques using a microscope, loupes and smartphone-enabled video otoscopes. Confidence and preference using each modality was rated using a Likert-like questionnaire. RESULTS: After teaching, all modalities demonstrated a significant increase in confidence in ear examination (p < 0.0001). Confidence in using the smartphone-enabled otoscope post-teaching was highest (p = 0.015). Overall, the smartphone-enabled video otoscope was the preferred method in all other parameters assessed including learning anatomy or pathology (51.72 per cent) and learning microsuction (65.51 per cent). CONCLUSION: Smartphone-enabled video otoscopes provide an alternative approach to ear examination and aural microsuction that can be undertaken outside of a traditional clinical setting and can be used by novices.

Anosmia as a presenting symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers - A systematic review of the literature, case series, and recommendations for clinical assessment and management.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are at the forefront of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and are at high risk for both the contraction and subsequent spread of virus. Understanding the role of anosmia as an early symptom of infection may improve monitoring and management of SARS-CoV2 infection. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a systematic review of the literature of SARS-CoV2 infection/COVID-19 and anosmia to help inform management of anosmia in healthcare works. We report a case series of healthcare workers, who presented with a loss of sense of smell secondary to COVID-19 infection to demonstrate management principles. RT-PCR was used to confirm COVID-19 positivity and psychophysical testing of olfaction was performed using the British version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, UPSIT. RESULTS: The systematic literature search returned 31 articles eligible for inclusion in the study and informed our recommendations for clinical assessment and management. All three healthcare professionals who presented with loss of sense of smell subsequently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Psychophysical testing of olfaction using the UPSIT confirmed mild and moderate microsmia in two, respectively, and normosmia at day 17 in one. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory (± gustatory) dysfunction is indicative of COVID-19 infection and thus has important implications in the context of healthcare workers, or key workers in general, who work in close contact with others if not recognised as suffering from COVID. This leads to a potentially higher likelihood of spreading the virus. In conjunction with our literature review these findings have helped with creating recommendations on the assessment and management of olfactory dysfunction during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, both for healthcare workers and patients.

Does non-echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging have a role in assisting the clinical diagnosis of cholesteatoma in selected cases?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of patients with suspected, but not clinically evident, cholesteatoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of non-echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging studies (using a half-Fourier single-shot turbo-spin echo sequence) was conducted. Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed to determine indications for imaging and operative findings. Seventy-eight investigations in 74 patients with suspected cholesteatoma aged 5.7-79.2 years (mean, 41.7 years) were identified. Operative confirmation was available in 44 ears. Diagnostic accuracy of the imaging technique was calculated using operative findings as a 'gold standard'. Sensitivity of the investigation was examined via comparison with clinically evident cholesteatoma. RESULTS: The accuracy of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of suspected cholesteatoma was 63.6 per cent. The imaging technique was significantly less accurate in assessment of suspected cholesteatoma than clinically evident disease (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Computed tomography and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging may be complementary in assessment of suspected cholesteatoma, but should be used with caution, and clinical judgement is paramount.