International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Critical examination of the quality and validity of available allergic rhinitis (AR) literature is necessary to improve understanding and to appropriately translate this knowledge to clinical care of the AR patient. To evaluate the existing AR literature, international multidisciplinary experts with an interest in AR have produced the International Consensus statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR:AR). METHODS: Using previously described methodology, specific topics were developed relating to AR. Each topic was assigned a literature review, evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBRR) format as dictated by available evidence and purpose within the ICAR:AR document. Following iterative reviews of each topic, the ICAR:AR document was synthesized and reviewed by all authors for consensus. RESULTS: The ICAR:AR document addresses over 100 individual topics related to AR, including diagnosis, pathophysiology, epidemiology, disease burden, risk factors for the development of AR, allergy testing modalities, treatment, and other conditions/comorbidities associated with AR. CONCLUSION: This critical review of the AR literature has identified several strengths; providers can be confident that treatment decisions are supported by rigorous studies. However, there are also substantial gaps in the AR literature. These knowledge gaps should be viewed as opportunities for improvement, as often the things that we teach and the medicine that we practice are not based on the best quality evidence. This document aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the AR literature to identify areas for future AR research and improved understanding.

Correlation analysis of oral lesion sizes by various standardized criteria.

OBJECTIVE: Requirements of an NCI contract examining a novel treatment for leukoplakia were to compare standard bi-dimensional measurement of oral lesions to examine for correlation with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria, and to examine the feasibility of digital image analysis for automated measurements. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: We examined 13 patients by bi-dimensional measurement and compared these measurements to 1) RECIST criteria, 2) scalar digital measurements using a standardized measuring device within the photograph, and 3) pixel number. RESULTS: RECIST criteria correlated (r-squared=0.8535, p<0.0001) with bi-dimensional measurements. Digitized measures in photographs correlated with bi-dimensional measurements (r-squared=0.6661, p=0.0007), but were time consuming. There was minimal to no correlation between pixel number in Adobe Photoshop and the other measures. CONCLUSION: Bi-dimensional measurement of oral leukoplakia and RECIST criteria are highly correlated. Digital photography measurements, though highly correlative, are very cumbersome. We recommend bi-dimensional or longest length measurement and a simple photograph as standard of documentation for leukoplakia lesions.

Association of decreased rate of influenza vaccination with increased subjective olfactory dysfunction.

IMPORTANCE: Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality, with cardiovascular and respiratory complications the most common among susceptible individuals. Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are known to precede olfactory dysfunction in some patients. To our knowledge, there has been no study assessing the possible relationship between influenza vaccination status and olfactory dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To compare vaccination status of a group of patients with subjective olfactory dysfunction with that of a group of controls. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective medical record review and telephone survey in a matched case-control study. Forty-two patients were identified via diagnosis codes who presented to a tertiary care academic rhinologic center with subjective smell dysfunction over the course of 1 year. Only post-URI and idiopathic etiologies were included. Forty-two age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-matched control patients were also selected. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Demographic data, influenza vaccination status, and smoking status were reviewed. χ² Testing was used. RESULTS: We were able to obtain vaccination data for 36 of 42 patients in the olfactory dysfunction group and 38 of 42 in the control group. Seven of the 36 (19%) in the olfactory dysfunction group had received the vaccine in the year prior to presentation compared with 16 of 38 (42%) in the control group (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Influenza vaccination seems to be associated with a decreased rate of subjective olfactory dysfunction. This is a preliminary finding, and further studies would be needed to elucidate the exact role of influenza and influenza vaccination in patients with olfactory loss.

Diagnosis and treatment of deep neck space abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with deep neck abscesses and identify unique trends in our patient population. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Evaluation of patients with deep neck space abscesses between 2001 and 2006. Peritonsillar abscess, superficial craniocervical infection, and salivary gland infections were excluded from selection of study population. A total of 106 cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Dental infections were the most common cause of deep neck abscesses (49.1%). Comorbidities included substance abuse (53.7%), psychiatric illness (10.4%), hypertension (9.4%), head and neck cancer (6.6%), and diabetes mellitus (5.7%). All patients received systemic antibiotics, eight patients required tracheotomy, 85 patients underwent surgical drainage in the operating room, and 11 had bedside drainage. Median and lower quartile of time in hospital was 2 and 3 days, respectively, whereas upper quartile was 4 days (range, 1 to 27 days). Patients with comorbidities or concurrent illness tended to stay longer (P<0.05, Mann-Whitney test). There were six complications and no mortality. CONCLUSION: Substance abuse and poor orodental hygiene are important predisposing factors to deep neck abscesses. Appropriate management continues to favor a combination of early surgical drainage and systemic antibiotics.

Surgical debridement and adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen in cervical necrotizing fasciitis.

OBJECTIVE: To review our management of cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) with the use of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Evaluation of ten patients with CNF between 2001 to 2006. RESULTS: There were five male and six female patients. Mean age was 43 +/- 11 years. Eight cases resulted from an odontogenic source. Comorbidities included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and substance abuse. All patients had computed tomography scans performed, received intravenous antibiotics, and underwent surgical debridement. Eight patients underwent surgery within 24 hours. The average number of debridements was 2.2 +/- 0.8. Hospitalization was twice as long for diabetic patients (15.5 +/- 8.16 days) compared with nondiabetic patients (7.5 +/- 1.6 days, P = 0.029). Nine patients had HBO therapy. Combined data revealed a possible decrease in length of hospitalization with HBO therapy (P < 0.001). No mortality was documented. CONCLUSION: In addition to early and aggressive medical management and surgical debridement, this study suggests that HBO therapy is a beneficial adjunct by potentially decreasing length of hospitalization. Randomized trials are still needed to demonstrate its efficacy.