Atypical Presentation of Sphenoid Sinusitis With Prevertebral Involvement.

Isolated sphenoid sinusitis (ISS) is a rare but potentially serious condition, often leading to severe complications due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. This case report discusses a 75-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with severe left-sided headache and neck pain. Diagnostic imaging revealed isolated sphenoid sinusitis with prevertebral extension, a rare occurrence that highlights the potential for deep neck space involvement. The patient underwent endoscopic transnasal incision and drainage of the prevertebral abscess with a left sphenoidotomy, resulting in full recovery without recurrence. This case emphasizes the importance of prompt recognition and intervention in ISS, particularly in cases with atypical presentations. The report also discusses the complex anatomy of the sphenoid sinus and its surrounding structures, the broad differential diagnosis of sphenoid sinus opacification, and the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to management. This case contributes to the limited literature on ISS with prevertebral extension and underscores the critical need for early diagnosis and aggressive treatment to prevent severe complications.

Subdural Empyema as a Sequela of Severe Erosive Sinusitis: A Case Report.

Intracranial subdural empyema is a rare but critical neurosurgical emergency marked by pus accumulation between the brain and the dura mater. It typically arises from bacterial or fungal infections, often secondary to sinusitis, otitis media, or head trauma. Symptoms can range from mild headaches to significant neurological deficits and altered mental status. Diagnosis is confirmed through advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans. Timely intervention is essential to prevent neurological damage and systemic complications, usually involving surgical drainage and antimicrobial therapy. We present the case of a 45-year-old male who visited the emergency room several times with progressive lethargy and altered mental status. He was admitted and later transferred to our trauma center for a suspected subdural hematoma. An emergent right-sided craniotomy was performed, and a subdural empyema was found. The patient improved following subdural drainage and antibiotic treatment, including 600 mg linezolid every 12 hours, 2 g cefepime every eight hours, and 500 mg metronidazole every eight hours. This case highlights the effectiveness of prompt medical and surgical intervention in managing this rare condition and offers valuable insights for improving future patient outcomes.

Factors Contributing to the Recurrence of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) occurs due to the inflammation of sinonasal tissue. Cases of CRSwNP more commonly demand revision endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) as compared to patients without polyposis. The recurrence rate varies widely depending on various factors, such as the extent of surgery, patient compliance with postoperative care, and the severity of the underlying disease. Studies conducted on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients showing recurrence or relapse of nasal polyps post endoscopic sinus surgery were included. We used the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) for cross-sectional studies and cohort studies. Only 15 articles met our inclusion and exclusion criteria after the full-text screening. The studies enrolled participants between 2009 and 2022, including 2,515 ESS patients. The mean age of the included subjects ranged between 37.1 and 57.57 years. In conclusion, CRSwNP is a chronic inflammatory disease that can impose a significant burden on patients, healthcare systems, and society. Asthma, aspirin intolerance, peripheral eosinophilia, interleukin-5 (IL-5) expression, T2 profile, and intense sinus opacification have been noted to be independent predictors of the condition in different studies. Recurrent polyposis in CRS signals a more aggressive disease course, requiring close follow-up and revision surgeries in the long run.

Patient-derived organoid model of olfactory ensheathing cell tumor.

KEY POINTS: We developed a culture model of a human olfactory ensheathing cell tumor. Cultured organoids resemble normal ensheathing cells. Assays suggest that this model provides a tool for studying the roles of these glial cells in the maintenance of the peripheral olfactory system.

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Key Points for Safer Surgery.

Objectives: To review measures for safer functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Methods: PubMed, EBSCO, UpToDate, Proquest Central at Kirikkale University, Google, and Google Scholar were used in the literature review. The search was performed using keywords of "functional endoscopic sinus surgery," "FESS," "Safety," "Image-Guided," and "complications" between 2000 and 2024. Results: Inflammatory and infectious sinus illnesses are the most prevalent indications for FESS. The 4 most common methods for FESS are endoscopic uncinectomy, maxillary antral ostomy/ethmoidectomy, anterior ethmoidectomy, and posterior ethmoidectomy. FESS has a complication rate of 0% to 1.5% for significant problems and 1.12% to 20.8% for minor issues. Sinus surgery outcomes can be improved and problems avoided with careful preoperative preparation. Powered instrumentation may enhance the severity of the problems rather than the number of occurrences. Intraoperative detection of cerebrospinal fluid leakage necessitates immediate localization and fixing of the leaking structure. The danger of infection increases and hospital stays are longer when investigation is delayed. In image-guided surgery, surgeons employ preoperative imaging data to pinpoint the exact position of a surgical tool concerning surrounding anatomical structures in real time. Although initially designed for use in neurosurgery, endoscopic sinus surgery has quickly become one of the most popular applications of this technique. Conclusion: Safer FESS can be accomplished with accurate CT scans, good patient preparation, surgical knowledge and training, and by using image guidance for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Sinonasal Outcomes Obtained after 2 Years of Treatment with Benralizumab in Patients with Severe Eosinophilic Asthma and CRSwNP: A "Real-Life" Observational Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin-5 receptor (IL-5Rα), leading to the rapid depletion of blood eosinophils. RCTs have demonstrated efficacy in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of benralizumab on sinonasal outcomes in a real-life setting in patients with SEA and concomitant chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). METHODS: We included 25 patients (mean age: 57.47 years, range: 35-77, F/M = 12:13) who were prescribed 30 mg benralizumab every month for the first three administrations and then every 2 months. The primary endpoint was to evaluate changes in the SinoNasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) and nasal polyp score (NPS) over a 24-month treatment period. Secondary endpoints included measuring the effects on nasal obstruction and impaired sense of smell. RESULTS: The mean NPS score decreased significantly from 5.11 ± 1.84 at baseline to 2.37 ± 1.96 at 24 months. The mean SNOT-22 decreased from 57 ± 15.30 at baseline to 26 ± 16.73 at 24 months. The SSIT-16 mean score improved with an increase in olfactory performance from 5.23 ± 2.58 at baseline to 7 ± 3.65 at 24 months. Moreover, 8/25 patients (32%) required rescue treatment with systemic steroids and 2 patients required endoscopic sinus surgery. CONCLUSIONS: While the improvement may not seem optimal at 12 months, a progressive enhancement was noted during the second year of treatment. Despite our data showing an improvement in quality of life and a reduction in the size of nasal polyps, no significant improvement in olfactory sensitivity was observed. In addition, in several patients, rescue treatments were required to maintain control of nasal and sinus symptoms. A careful risk-benefit assessment is therefore needed when deciding to continue treatment, weighing the potential for further improvement against the risks of complications. Such decisions should always be made in the context of a multidisciplinary team.

The Incidence of Radiologic Evidence of Sinusitis Following Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery: A Multi-Center Study.

Background: Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery has become a viable alternative to open procedures for the surgical treatment of benign and malignant lesions in the sinonasal and skull base regions. As in sinus surgery, skull base surgery may cause crusting and posterior rhinorrhea, particularly when a nasoseptal flap is required for skull base reconstruction. Post-operative radiological sinonasal findings have been reported previously with no clear correlation with intraoperative decision-making. As in open surgery, endoscopic surgery is not standardized and there is variability in the intervention to assist with exposure and skull base repair. These modifications, including middle turbinate resection, nasoseptal flap, fat graft, and maxillary antrostomy have the potential for nasal morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether specific interventions during surgery or specific patient and tumor characteristics harbor a more significant risk of causing nasal morbidity post-operatively, as demonstrated by post-operative imaging. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery for pituitary lesions at two major referral centers was performed. Data on demographic, clinical, and pathological features were collected, and pre- and post-operative imaging studies (computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) were reviewed and scored according to the Lund-Mackay (LM) scoring system. Results: The study included 183 patients. Radiographic evidence of sinusitis was observed in 30 patients (LM score > 4) in post-operative imaging studies. Patients who underwent middle turbinectomy or nasoseptal flap were found to have significantly higher LM scores on follow-up imaging. A nasoseptal flap was found to be associated with an average increase in LM score of 1.67 points and middle turbinectomy with an average increase of 2.21 points. There was no correlation between tumor size and findings that were compatible with sinusitis on post-operative imaging. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery is associated with radiological evidence of sinusitis. Nasoseptal flap reconstruction and middle turbinectomy were strongly associated with radiographic sinusitis and should be judiciously performed during surgery. A clinical correlation is needed for further recommendations.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Exacerbates Eosinophilic Inflammation Contributing to Postoperative Recurrence in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

Objective: To assess the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on histopathological features and the risk of postoperative recurrence in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of CRSwNP patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed. Patients were followed up for more than two years, and classified into RA and Non-RA groups, recurrent and non-recurrent groups. The influence of RA on histopathological features and the risk of CRSwNP recurrence was explored. Results: A total of 517 CRSwNP patients were finally recruited, including 78 RA patients. The RA group exhibited a higher recurrence rate, tissue eosinophil counts and percentages compared to the non-RA group (P < 0.05). Tissue eosinophil count and percentage, and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis were significantly higher in the recurrent group in compared to the non-recurrent group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified tissue eosinophil count and percentage, RA, and allergic rhinitis as significant predictors of increased recurrence risk (P < 0.05). Both adjusted and unadjusted models affirmed RA as an independent risk factor for CRSwNP postoperative recurrence (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves further indicated a higher recurrence risk in CRSwNP patients with RA than those without (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that RA significantly exacerbates tissue eosinophilic inflammation and independently heightens the risk of postoperative recurrence in CRSwNP patients. These insights underscore the need for tailored therapeutic strategies addressing the complex interplay between CRSwNP and RA to mitigate recurrence risks and improve clinical outcomes.

Time is money: An analysis of cost drivers in ambulatory sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is one of the most commonly performed otolaryngologic procedures and is associated with significant cost variability. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all inflammatory sinus surgeries at a single tertiary care medical center from July 2021 to July 2023. The electronic medical record was reviewed for patient factors and cost variables for each procedure, and multivariable analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients were included in analysis with a mean age of 48.2 years. There was a 44.8% incidence (n = 99) of nasal polyps and 31.2% (n = 69) of cases were revision surgeries. The average total cost for the surgical encounter was $8960.31 (standard deviation $1967.97). Operating room time represented $4912.46 (54.8% of all costs), while average operating room supply costs were $1296.06 (14.5%) and recovery room costs were $919.48 (10.3%). Total costs were significantly associated with length of surgery ($7.83/min, p = 0.04), in addition to presence of nasal polyps ($531.96, p = 0.04). There was no significant association between total costs and the remaining clinical and demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Costs associated with ambulatory FESS for inflammatory sinus disease vary across patients and this cost variability is predominantly driven by time efficiency within the operating room, as well as supply utilization and nasal polyposis to a lesser degree. As a result, operating room efficiency represents a primary target for cost-related interventions. Additionally, our data provide a framework for surgeons and hospitals to make evidence-based decisions on intraoperative equipment in a tradeoff between efficiency and supply costs. Our findings indicate that an approach focused on streamlining efficiency across the entire ambulatory surgery encounter will have the greatest impact on reducing healthcare expenses for both the patient and the health system.

The Impact of Code Bundling on Medicare Volume and Reimbursements Within Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

In 2018, Medicare introduced new codes to the Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and balloon sinus dilation (BSD) families of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Using the Medicare Part B National Summary Data File from 2010 to 2022, an interrupted time-series analysis examined trends in volume and reimbursements before and after 2018. Prior to 2018, volume and reimbursements for FESS grew at a mean rate of 2.5% ± 2.2% per year and 6.9% ± 6.6% per year, respectively, before reimbursements decreased significantly in 2018 by -13.9% (P = .014), leading to a stabilization of volume (growth of 0.72%, P = .602). Volume and reimbursements for BSD saw rapid growth from 2011 to 2015 which plateaued prior to the introduction of bundled codes and did not appear to change significantly in 2018 (-0.6%, P = .306 and 11.9%, P = .392, respectively). In addition to concurrent devaluation of FESS and BSD codes, bundling appears to have further contributed to falling reimbursements in rhinology.

Endoscopic surgical management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: Correlating tumour characteristics, risk of hemorrhage, and recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is an uncommon tumour primarily seen in young males. It is characterized by its vascular nature and aggressive growth pattern, presenting a significant surgical challenge. Endoscopic sinonasal surgery has become the treatment of choice, reducing both morbidity and blood loss, as well as recurrence rates. This study aims to present the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of patients with juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma treated exclusively with endoscopic surgery at our centre. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on cases of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma treated with endoscopic surgery at a single centre between 2013 and 2023. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 17.7 years. 57.14 % of the patients presented with an advanced stage (Stage ≥ IIc Radkowsky). The median volume was 79.2 cm3. Pre-surgical embolization was performed in all cases. 7 patients (33.3 %) required blood transfusion. The need for blood transfusion was associated with greater tumour volume (p = 0.0028), intracranial extension (p = 0.025), extension to the infratemporal fossa (p = 0.024), and orbital extension (p = 0.026). There were 2 cases (9.5 %) of tumour recurrence/persistence, both classified as stage IIIb. Tumour persistence/recurrence was more common in patients with intracranial extension (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Exclusive endoscopic resection of these tumours, regardless of volume and extension, does not increase the risk of blood loss or recurrence. Advanced-stage tumours, especially those with intracranial extension, present a higher risk of bleeding and tumour persistence. In these cases, the low morbidity of the endoscopic approach becomes more evident.

Non-Mucosa Sparing (Reboot) Surgery as a Possible Rescue Therapy in Patients Locally Unresponsive to Biologics.

Objective: Evaluation of effectiveness of non-mucosa-sparing (eg, reboot) surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), poorly responders to mAb therapy, who failed repeated comprehensive endoscopic surgeries. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Patients who were under mAb for a comorbid condition but still had no control over their CRSwNP were included. Data collected were preoperative tissue eosinophilia, nasal polyp score (NPS), 22-item sinonasal outcome test (SNOT-22), visual analog scale (VAS) for nasal symptoms, Lund-Kennedy score for nasal crusts (LK-c) and synechiae (LK-s), and Lund-Mackay score (LMS). The same data were also collected postoperatively (at 12 months), besides LMS, and compared. Results: Overall, 20 patients were included. Pre-reboot scores were: NPS = 4.95 ± 1.70; SNOT-22 = 63.90 ± 19.15; VAS-global = 7.06 ± 1.50; LM = 19.0 ± 4.01; LK-c = 1.10 ± 0.64; and LK-s = 1.30 ± 0.73. Tissue biopsies revealed a high density of eosinophils in all cases, ≥10/HPF (range 10-60). Mean postoperative outcomes were: NPS = 0; SNOT-22 = 17.90 ± 6.80; VAS-global = 1.91 ± 1.17; LK-c = 1.45 ± 0.51; and LK-s = 1.50 ± 0.61. The difference of mean pre- and postoperative scores was significant for both NPS, SNOT-22 and VAS-global (P < .001). No differences were observed for LK-c and LK-s (P > .05). Nasal specimens showed markedly reduced tissue eosinophils (100% of cases). Conclusion: Reboot sinus surgery might be an effective solution for recalcitrant CRSwNP patients unresponsive to mAbs and multiple sinus surgeries.

Safety and effectiveness of a drug-loaded haemostatic sponge in chronic rhinosinusitis: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study.

Some cases of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) require surgical treatment and postoperative nasal packing, but bleeding and adhesion are common complications after nasal surgery. Biodegradable drug-loaded implants hold great therapeutic options for the treatment of CRS, but little data are available regarding the safety and efficacy of a novel drug-loaded haemostatic sponge (DLHS) in the sinus. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of DLHS in the sinus. We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. In this clinical trial, 49 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 25) had the DLHS containing 1 mg budesonide and 0.67 mg sodium hyaluronate placed into the sinus, and group B (n = 24) had the Nasopore placed after ESS. Endoscopic follow-up was performed for 12 weeks, and the findings were classified using the discharge, inflammation, polyps/oedema (DIP) endoscopic appearance scores. All patients completed questionnaires to evaluate their sinonasal symptoms by using the sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22) Chinese version and visual analogue scale (VAS). Serum cortisol concentration in group A was measured prior to surgery and at days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after nasal surgery. Comparing group A and group B, at 2 weeks, no significant differences were observed in either objective or subjective parameters. The mean value of VAS for rhinorrhoea and DIP for oedema and the mean value of nasal adhesion were significantly lower in Group A than in Group B at 6 and 12 weeks, but a significant difference did not occur in SNOT-22 and VAS for dysosmia between the two groups at 6 and 12 weeks. The mean serum cortisol concentrations in group A at the follow-up were within normal limits without remarkable fluctuations. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a novel biodegradable DLHS with the possibility of being used in CRS patients, and this sponge may reduce inflammation and minimize adhesions via controlled local drug delivery without measurable systemic exposure.

The effect of oral clonidine and intravenous dexmedetomidine administration on the quality of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Clonidine and dexmedetomidine are alpha-2 receptor blockers administered for haemorrhage control during surgery in limited settings. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) may be associated with bleeding, thus making it challenging. This study aims to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine and clonidine on haemorrhage control during FESS and surgical outcomes. METHODS: This three-blinded prospective study included 102 patients who underwent FESS at the Imam Khomeini public referral hospital at the Imam Khomeini public referral hospital, in Urmia, Iran. It was either American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II. They were divided into three groups (clonidine, dexmedetomidine, and placebo). The volume of blood loss, mean arterial pressure, surgical field visualisation, and surgeon satisfaction were assessed in the three groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine and clonidine decreased mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and blood loss volume while improving surgical field visualisation. The effect of dexmedetomidine was associated significantly statistically with surgeon satisfaction (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, dexmedetomidine improved the surgical field and reduced operating times in the dexmedetomidine group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The present clinical trial findings indicated that the administration of dexmedetomidine during FESS decreased mean arterial pressure, provided balanced anaesthesia and appropriate analgesia, and improved the visibility of the surgical field and increased surgeon satisfaction.

Does Total Turbinectomy Always Lead to Empty Nose Syndrome? A Computational Virtual Surgery Study.

INTRODUCTION: Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling has previously indicated that distorted nasal airflow patterns may contribute to empty nose syndrome (ENS); however, no data show that aggressive turbinate surgery always leads to ENS. We aim to use virtual surgery planning (VSP) to investigate how a total inferior turbinectomy affects airflow parameters compared with ENS patients. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited six nasal obstruction patients who underwent turbinate reduction surgery. We virtually performed total inferior turbinectomy on these patients to compare CFD modeling results to patients' actual surgical outcomes and to that of a previously collected ENS patient cohort (n = 27). RESULTS: Patients' actual surgery outcomes were excellent, with Nasal-Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score (pre: 72.5 ± 13.2 vs post-surgery: 10.8 ± 9.8, p < 0.001) and unilateral visual analog scale (VAS) scores of nasal obstruction (pre: 6 ± 2.56 vs post-surgery: 1.2 ± 1, p < 0.001) improved and was statistically significant. The virtual turbinectomy does not create the same distorted nasal airflow patterns as seen in ENS patients, with no statistically significant difference in nasal resistance as compared with post-actual surgery (virtual turbinectomy: 0.10 ± 0.03 Pa/mL*s; actual surgery: 0.12 ± 0.04 Pa/mL*s; ENS: 0.11 ± 0.04, p > 0.05) nor in regional wall shear force distribution, an important indicator of air/mucosa stimulation (inferior turbinate WSF%: virtual 47.3% ± 11.3% vs actual 51.5% ± 15.1%, p > 0.05); however, both are statistically significant higher than that of ENS patients (WSF: 32.2% ± 12.5%, p < 0.001), despite ENS cohort having wider inferior airway cross-sectional area (CSA) than actual surgeries. CONCLUSION: Empty nose syndrome is likely a multifactorial disease process that cannot be solely attributed to aggressive turbinate reduction surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Real-World Evaluation of Asthma Severity Following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) on asthma severity up to 12 months after surgical intervention. Study Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Tertiary care center. Methods: Patients with a history of asthma and Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) who underwent ESS between 2013 and 2023 were included. Asthma severity was assessed according to current Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, classifying patients into mild, moderate, and severe based on medication requirements. Asthma severity was evaluated up to 3 months prior to ESS and 1-year post-ESS. Patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed using McNemar test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to assess differences in asthma severity, medication doses, and number of medications. Results: Sixty-five patients were included, of which 44 (67.7%) had CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and 21 (32.3%) had CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). No significant differences were found in asthma severity pre- and post-ESS (P = .175). Similarly, no differences were found in ICS doses (P = .999), total number of prescribed medications (P = .157) or presence of exacerbations before and after ESS (P = .078). However, a significant increase in time from last rescue inhaler use was noted after ESS, increasing from a median of 6.71 to 23.1 weeks (P = .004). Conclusion: This study is the first to assess the impact of ESS on asthma severity in a real-world setting. Our findings suggest that ESS does not impact asthma severity classification. However, it might provide relief of asthma symptoms in the early postoperative period.

Real-world outcomes on quality-of-life improvement in patients with nasal polyposis treated with mepolizumab. RINOSUR study.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is characterized by nasal obstruction, reduced sense of smell, rhinorrhea, and facial pain for more than 12 weeks, significantly affecting quality of life (QoL), especially in patients with NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD). Initial treatment includes intranasal corticosteroids and nasal irrigations, followed by systemic corticosteroids (SC) in severe cases, as well as endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and biological agents. Mepolizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-5, has been shown to reduce eosinophilic inflammation in CRSwNP. This study evaluates the improvement in quality of life of patients with CRSwNP treated with mepolizumab before December 2023, recorded by the RINOSUR group. A retrospective observational multicenter cohort study is presented in adult patients with severe asthma and concomitant CRSwNP, treated with mepolizumab 100 mg. Variables such as sex, asthma, allergies, NERD, corticosteroid dependence, and serum eosinophil count were recorded. All patients underwent nasal endoscopy and completed the SNOT22 questionnaire. Therapeutic response was evaluated at 12 months. Out of 143 patients recruited, only 28.6% had the necessary data. 61% were women with a mean age of 55 years. All were corticosteroid-dependent and had required at least one ESS. A 22% reduction in SC cycles was observed, and no patient required revision surgery in the 12 months following treatment. The SNOT22 score was reduced by 53 points, and serum eosinophilia also showed a significant decrease. Mepolizumab is effective in treating severe uncontrolled CRSwNP, improving QoL and reducing dependence on systemic corticosteroids. Its activity is monitored by peripheral blood eosinophilia. Consistency in data collection is crucial to evaluate efficacy and manage the disease.

Minimally Invasive Transnasal Approach to the Anteromedial Temporal Fossa and Lateral Sphenoid Using a Novel Landmark between Periorbita and Periosteum of the Pterygopalatine Fossa: A Cadaveric Study.

The anteromedial temporal region and the lateral wall of the sphenoid can be the site of an array of pathology including trigeminal schwannoma, encephalocele, cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex, malignancy, infection, and sellar pathology extending to the lateral cavernous sinus. Approaches to this region are technically challenging and the existing approach requires sacrifice of all of the turbinates including the nasolacrimal duct, which can cause postoperative complications. We describe a novel anatomical landmark between the periorbita and the periosteum of the pterygopalatine fossa (which is located at the inferolateral periorbital periosteal line [ILPPL]). The posterior one-third of the incision line lies between the foramen rotundum and the superior orbital fissure, which is proximal to the maxillary strut. A 1.5-cm incision can divide the orbital and pterygoid contents and lead us to the posterior inferolateral orbital region, anteromedial temporal region, lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus, and lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. A combined multiangled approach to the ILPPL will enable us to preserve all of the turbinates and the septum, and the nasolacrimal duct, allowing for the preservation of the physiological function and pedicled flaps, such as the middle turbinate, inferior turbinate, and septal membrane flap. The ILPPL is a simple, effective, and novel landmark for the minimally invasive approach to the anteromedial temporal fossa.

Primary Ewing Sarcoma in the Sphenoidal Sinus: A Case Report.

Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) is a rare malignant bone tumor that primarily affects children and young adults. While it typically affects long bones, it can occur in the head and neck region, including the paranasal sinuses in rare cases. We present a challenging case of a 45-year-old female diagnosed with an EWS of the sphenoidal and the right nasal fossa. A subtotal removal of the mass was performed on the patient followed by combined adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Due to its rarity, the diagnosis and management of EWS in the paranasal sinuses are challenging.

Clinical features, operative management and surgical results of first Draf III procedure, revision Draf III approach and the use of mucosal flaps and stents: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Draf III procedure is a challenging endoscopic technique, which has gradually gained an increasing popularity in treating frontal sinus pathologies. The main aim of this systematic review is to offer a comprehensive overview on clinical indications, pre-operative evaluation, surgical techniques, post-operative management and complications of the Draf III procedure. As a step forward, such issues have been comparatively evaluated as referred to patients who underwent primary Draf III procedure and revision DRAF III one). Finally, surgical outcomes related to mucosal flaps and stents to prevent re-stenosis are analyzed. METHODS: A systematic literature review has been performed following PRISMA 2020 checklist statement. An automated search has been carried out by applying an extensive set of queries on the Embase/PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases, relating to papers published from 2000 to 2021. RESULTS: Frontal chronic refractory sinusitis is the most frequent indication to Draf III procedure (72%), followed by mucoceles (11%) and skull base or paranasal tumors (10%). The success rate of primary and revision Draf III are 83.5% and 71%, respectively. The re-stenosis phenomenon seems to depend on allergic mechanism and polyposis). The use of mucosal flaps could improve the Draf III efficacy, better than the use of stents (87 vs 72% of neo-ostium patency). CONCLUSION: Draf III is a safe and highly effective surgical technique. However, some limited clinical conditions require some careful technical features, such as the use of mucosal flap, in order to prevent re-stenosis.