Combined Transnasal, Transoral Excision of Odontogenic Cysts Offers Reduced Recurrence Rates and Favorable Sinonasal Outcomes.

Odontogenic cysts impact the adjacent dentition and maxillary sinus. A combined transnasal, transoral approach for removal offers reduced recurrence rates and favorable sinonasal outcomes compared with historic transoral-only approaches.

SNOT-22 subdomain outcomes following treatment for sinonasal malignancy: A prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with sinonasal malignancy (SNM) present with significant sinonasal quality of life (QOL) impairment. Global sinonasal QOL as measured by the 22-item Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22) has been shown to improve with treatment. This study aims to characterize SNOT-22 subdomain outcomes in SNM. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with SNM were prospectively enrolled in a multi-center patient registry. SNOT-22 scores were collected at the time of diagnosis and through the post-treatment period for up to 5 years. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify drivers of variation in SNOT-22 subdomains. RESULTS: Note that 234 patients were reviewed, with a mean follow-up of 22 months (3 months-64 months). Rhinologic, psychological, and sleep subdomains significantly improved versus baseline (all p < 0.05). Subanalysis of 40 patients with follow-up at all timepoints showed statistically significant improvement in rhinologic, extra-nasal, psychological, and sleep subdomains, with minimal clinically important difference met between 2 and 5 years in sleep and psychological subdomains. Adjuvant chemoradiation was associated with worse outcomes in rhinologic (adjusted odds ratio (5.22 [1.69-8.66])), extra-nasal (2.21 [0.22-4.17]) and ear/facial (5.53 [2.10-8.91]) subdomains. Pterygopalatine fossa involvement was associated with worse outcomes in rhinologic (3.22 [0.54-5.93]) and ear/facial (2.97 [0.32-5.65]) subdomains. Positive margins (5.74 [2.17-9.29]) and surgical approach-combined versus endoscopic (3.41 [0.78-6.05])-were associated with worse psychological outcomes. Adjuvant radiation (2.28 [0.18-4.40]) was associated with worse sleep outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Sinonasal QOL improvements associated with treatment of SNM are driven by rhinologic, extra-nasal, psychological, and sleep subdomains.

Utilizing Histopathology to Predict Success with Macrolide Therapy in CRS Patients.

There is currently interest regarding CRSsNP patients with refractory symptomatology following functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and which of these patients can derive benefit from low-dose macrolide therapy. In the present study, we analyze a cohort of over fifty CRSsNP patients on macrolide therapy; structured histopathological findings at the time of surgery were analyzed against the success of macrolide treatment. Independently, fibrosis, absence of squamous metaplasia, absence of eosinophilia, presence of neutrophilic infiltrate, and lymphoplasmocytic predominance were all associated with objective success of macrolide treatment; these findings may allow clinicians to more appropriately select patients for this therapy.

Predictive factors for decreased baseline quality of life in patients with sinonasal malignancies.

BACKGROUND: The impact of sinonasal malignancies (SNMs) on quality of life (QOL) at presentation is poorly understood. The Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL) are validated QOL instruments with distinctive subdomains. This study aims to identify factors impacting pretreatment QOL in SNM patients to personalize multidisciplinary management and counseling. METHODS: Patients with previously untreated SNMs were prospectively enrolled (2015-2022) in a multicenter observational study. Baseline pretreatment QOL instruments (SNOT-22, UWQOL) were obtained along with demographics, comorbidities, histopathology/staging, tumor involvement, and symptoms. Multivariable regression models identified factors associated with reduced baseline QOL. RESULTS: Among 204 patients, presenting baseline QOL was significantly reduced. Multivariable regression showed worse total SNOT-22 QOL in patients with skull base erosion (p = 0.02). SNOT-rhinologic QOL was worse in women (p = 0.009), patients with epistaxis (p = 0.036), and industrial exposure (p = 0.005). SNOT extranasal QOL was worse in patients with industrial exposure (p = 0.016); worse SNOT ear/facial QOL if perineural invasion (PNI) (p = 0.027). Squamous cell carcinoma pathology (p = 0.037), palate involvement (p = 0.012), and pain (p = 0.017) were associated with worse SNOT sleep QOL scores. SNOT psychological subdomain scores were significantly worse in patients with palate lesions (p = 0.022), skull base erosion (p = 0.025), and T1 staging (p = 0.023). Low QOL was more likely in the presence of PNI on UW health (p = 0.019) and orbital erosion on UW overall (p = 0.03). UW social QOL was worse if palatal involvement (p = 0.023) or PNI (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate a negative impact on baseline QOL in patients with SNMs and suggest sex-specific and symptom-related lower QOL scores, with minimal histopathology association. Anatomical tumor involvement may be more reflective of QOL than T-staging, as orbital and skull base erosion, PNI, and palate lesions are significantly associated with reduced baseline QOL.

Postoperative mometasone irrigations improve quality of life in skull base tumor patients.

Objectives: The use of topical corticosteroids to manage postoperative sinonasal symptoms after endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) has not been well studied. We quantified long-term impact of postoperative steroid irrigations (SIs) on quality of life of patients after ESBS. Methods: Retrospective review of patients at the University of Pennsylvania undergoing ESBS from 2010 to 2019. Data on patient demographics and postoperative treatment with nasal saline irrigation twice daily with and without dissolved steroids (mometasone or budesonide) was collected. Preoperative, and 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores were assessed. Results: A total of 727 patients were assessed (53.4% males), with 479 patients in the no SI group and 248 patients in the SI group. Preoperative SNOT-22 scores did not differ significantly (P = 0.19). 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month post-op SNOT-22 scores did not significantly differ between groups. However, mometasone irrigations resulted in significantly lower postoperative 2-year SNOT-22 scores compared to budesonide (P < 0.01) and saline (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Though corticosteroid irrigations are routine in managing inflammatory sinus disease, their role in postoperative management after ESBS for tumors is unclear. Our findings suggest that mometasone irrigation may be effective at improving postoperative quality of life in patients after ESBS.

Recurrence patterns among patients with sinonasal mucosal melanoma: A multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate recurrence patterns and survival after recurrence among patients with sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM). METHODS: This was a multi-institutional retrospective review from seven U.S. institutions of patients with SNMM from 1991 to 2022. Recurrence was categorized as local, regional, distant, or multifocal. Kaplan-Meier tests were used to evaluate disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and post-recurrence survival (PRS) reported with standard errors (SE) and log-rank testing used for comparison. Cox-regression was further used, with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) reported. RESULTS: Among 196 patients with SNMM, there were 146 patients with recurrence (74.5%). Among all patients, 60-month DFS (SE) was 15.5% (2.9%), 60-month OS (SE) was 44.7% (3.7%), mean age ± standard deviation at diagnosis was 69.7 ± 12.5 years, and 54.6% were female. In 26 patients who underwent primary treatment of the neck, 60-month DFS did not differ from no treatment (p > 0.05). Isolated distant recurrence was most common (42.8%), followed by local (28.3%), multifocal (20.7%), and regional recurrence (8.3%). Among patients with regional recurrence in the neck, there was no 60-month PRS benefit for patients undergoing salvage neck dissection or radiation (p > 0.05). Among patients with distant recurrence, only immunotherapy was associated with improved 12-month PRS (HR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.11-0.92, p = 0.034), and no treatment group was associated with improved 24- or 60-month PRS (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: SNMM is associated with a high recurrence rate and poor survival. Primary treatment of the neck was not associated with reduced recurrence, and immunotherapy for treatment of distant recurrence was associated with increased 12-month PRS.

The use of aprepitant for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are adverse effects after surgery, which may increase the risk of complications. Aprepitant is a neurokinin-1 receptor blocker and has been shown to reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting and PONV. However, its role in endoscopic skull base surgery remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aprepitant in reducing PONV in endoscopic transsphenoidal (TSA) pituitary surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review between July 2021 and January 2023 of 127 consecutive patients who underwent TSA was performed at a tertiary academic institution. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on preoperative aprepitant use. Two groups were matched based on known risk factors of PONV (age, sex, nonsmoking, and history of PONV). The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV. Secondary outcome measures included the number of anti-emetic use, length of stay, and postoperative cererebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. RESULTS: After matching, 48 patients were included in each group. The aprepitant group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of vomiting than the non-aprepitant group (2.1% vs 22.9%, p = 0.002). The number of nausea episodes and anti-emetic use decreased with aprepitant use (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of nausea, length of stay, or postoperative CSF leak. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that aprepitant decreased the incidence of postoperative vomiting with odds ratio of 0.107. CONCLUSION: Aprepitant may serve as a useful preoperative treatment to reduce PONV in patients undergoing TSA. Further studies are needed to evaluate its impact in other arenas of endoscopic skull base surgery.

Readability and quality analysis of patient education materials in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

KEY POINTS: Patients are increasingly turning to online education materials to aid with disease management. Patient education materials on aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease are of poor readability with significant room for improvement.

A metagenomic analysis of the virome of inverted papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Inverted papilloma (IP) is a sinonasal tumor with a well-known potential for malignant transformation. The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in its pathogenesis has been controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the virome associated with IP, with progression to carcinoma in situ (CIS), and invasive carcinoma. METHODS: To determine the HPV-specific types, a metagenomics assay that contains 62,886 probes targeting viral genomes in a microarray format was used. The platform screens DNA and RNA from fixed tissues from eight controls, 16 IP without dysplasia, five IP with CIS, and 13 IP-associated squamous cell carcinoma (IPSCC). Paired with next-generation sequencing, 48 types of HPV with 857 region-specific probes were interrogated against the tumors. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPV-16 was 14%, 42%, 70%, and 73% in control tissue, IP without dysplasia, IP with CIS, and IPSCC, respectively. The prevalence of HPV-18 had a similar progressive increase in prevalence, with 14%, 27%, 67%, and 74%, respectively. The assay allowed region-specific analysis, which identified the only oncogenic HPV-18 E6 to be statistically significant when compared with control tissue. The prevalence of HPV-18 E6 was 0% in control tissue, 25% in IP without dysplasia, 60% in IP with CIS, and 77% in IPSCC. CONCLUSIONS: There are over 200 HPV types that infect human epithelial cells, of which only a few are known to be high-risk. Our study demonstrated a trend of increasing prevalence of HPV-18 E6 that correlated with histologic severity, which is novel and supports a potential role for HPV in the pathogenesis of IP.

Long-term quality of life after treatment in sinonasal malignancy: A prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) for individuals with sinonasal malignancy (SNM) is significantly under-studied, yet it is critical for counseling and may impact treatment. In this study we evaluated how patient, treatment, and disease factors impact sinonasal-specific and generalized QOL using validated metrics in a large cohort over a 5-year posttreatment time frame. METHODS: Patients with SNM who underwent definitive treatment with curative intent were enrolled in a prospective, multisite, longitudinal observational study. QOL was assessed using the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UWQOL) instruments at pretreatment baseline and multiple follow-ups through 5 years posttreatment. Multivariable modeling was used to determine demographic, disease, and treatment factors associated with disease-specific and generalized physical and social/emotional function QOL. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-four patients with SNM were analyzed. All QOL indices were impaired at pretreatment baseline and improved after treatment. SNOT-22 scores improved 3 months and UWQOL scores improved 6 to 9 months posttreatment. Patients who underwent open compared with endoscopic tumor resection had worse generalized QOL (p < 0.001), adjusted for factors including T stage. Pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) involvement was associated with worse QOL (SNOT-22, p < 0.001; UWQOL Physical dimension, p = 0.02). Adjuvant radiation was associated with worse disease-specific QOL (p = 0.03). Neck dissection was associated with worse generalized physical function QOL (p = 0.01). Positive margins were associated with worse generalized social/emotional function QOL (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Disease-specific and generalized QOL is impaired at baseline in patients with SNM and improves after treatment. Endoscopic resection is associated with better QOL. PPF involvement, adjuvant radiation, neck dissection, and positive margins were associated with worse QOL posttreatment.

Design and quantitative evaluation of 'Aerosol Bio-Containment Device (ABCD)' for reducing aerosol exposure during infectious aerosol-generating events.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic renewed interest in infectious aerosols and reducing risk of airborne respiratory pathogen transmission, prompting development of devices to protect healthcare workers during airway procedures. However, there are no standard methods for assessing the efficacy of particle containment with these protective devices. We designed and built an aerosol bio-containment device (ABCD) to contain and remove aerosol via an external suction system and tested the aerosol containment of the device in an environmental chamber using a novel, quantitative assessment method. The ABCD exhibited a strong ability to control aerosol exposure in experimental and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulated scenarios with appropriate suction use and maintenance of device seals. Using a log-risk-reduction framework, we assessed device containment efficacy and showed that, when combined with other protective equipment, the ABCD can significantly reduce airborne clinical exposure. We propose this type of quantitative analysis serves as a basis for rating efficacy of aerosol protective enclosures.

In-Hospital Cost Comparison for Open Versus Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Meningioma Resection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the in-hospital cost implications of an endoscopic expanded endonasal approach (EEEA) for meningioma resection relative to the open transcranial approach. METHODS: All anterior skull base meningioma surgeries performed over a period from January 1st, 2015 to October 31th, 2017 were evaluated. The electronic medical record was reviewed for patient factors, tumor characteristics, and cost variables associated with each hospital stay and univariate analysis was performed using R software. All cost data were converted into August 2021-equivalent dollar amounts using the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients met study criteria, including 27 patients undergoing an open transcranial approach and 8 undergoing an EEEA. Average length of stay for patients undergoing an open approach was 9.3 days compared to 5.6 within the EEEA group (P = .126). The average total in-hospital cost of patient undergoing an EEEA was $35417.1 compared to $46406.9 among patients undergoing an open transcranial approach (P = .168). On univariate analysis, the cost of an open transcranial approach relative to the EEEA was $10989.8 (P = .411). CONCLUSIONS: The open transcranial approach remained the dominant surgical approach to anterior skull base meningiomas over our study time period. However, despite limited patient numbers the EEEA was associated with decreased total in-hospital costs.

Microbial metabolite succinate activates solitary chemosensory cells in the human sinonasal epithelium.

BACKGROUND: Succinate, although most famous for its role in the Krebs cycle, can be released extracellularly as a signal of cellular distress, particularly in situations of metabolic stress and inflammation. Solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) express SUCNR1, the succinate receptor, and modulate type 2 inflammatory responses in helminth and protozoal infections in the small intestine. SCCs are the dominant epithelial source of interleukin-25, as well as an important source of cysteinyl leukotrienes in the airway, and have been implicated as upstream agents in type 2 inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and asthma. METHODS: In this study, we used scRNAseq analysis, live cell imaging of intracellular calcium from primary sinonasal air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures from 1 donor, and measure antimicrobial peptide release from 5 donors to demonstrate preliminary evidence suggesting that succinate can act as a stimulant of SCCs in the human sinonasal epithelium. RESULTS: Results from scRNAseq analysis show that approximately 10% of the SCC/ionocyte cluster of cells expressed SUCNR1 as well as a small population of immune cells. Using live cell imaging of intracellular calcium, we also demonstrate that clusters of cells on primary sinonasal ALI cultures initiated calcium-mediated signaling in response to succinate stimulation. Furthermore, we present evidence that primary sinonasal ALI cultures treated with succinate had increased levels of apical beta-defensin 2, an antimicrobial peptide, compared to treatment with a control solution. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings demonstrate the need for further investigation into the activation of the sinonasal epithelium by succinate in the pathogenesis of CRS.

In-Hospital Costs for Open versus Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Craniopharyngioma Resection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the in-hospital cost implications of an expanded endoscopic endonasal approach (EEEA) for craniopharyngioma resection relative to the traditional open transcranial approach. METHODS: All craniopharyngioma surgeries performed at a single institution over a period from January 1st 2001 to October 31th 2017 were evaluated. The electronic medical record was reviewed for patient factors, tumor characteristics, and cost variables associated with each hospital stay and univariate regression analysis was performed using R software. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients met study criteria, including 22 undergoing an open approach and 14 undergoing an EEEA. There was a significantly longer average length of stay among patients undergoing open resection (21.5 vs. 10.6 days, p = 0.024). The average total in-hospital cost of a patient undergoing an EEEA was $58979.3 compared to $89142.3 for an open approach (p = 0.127). On univariate regression analysis, the total in-hospital cost for a patient undergoing an open approach relative to an EEEA was $30163.0 (p = 0.127). The open approach was exclusively performed from study onset until April 2010 (16 patients). From April 2010 to August 2013, 6 open approaches and 5 EEEA were performed. The EEEA has been exclusively performed from August 2013 until the conclusion of our study period (9 patients). CONCLUSIONS: There has been a shift toward surgical resection of craniopharyngioma via an EEEA approach for amenable tumors. Our study demonstrates that the EEEA has become the preferred surgical approach at our institution, and shows that the EEEA is associated with shorter postoperative length of stay and lower total in-hospital cost. Laryngoscope, 133:83-87, 2023.

Optimizing Perioperative Care in Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: Considerations for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To identify key recommendations for maximizing the efficiency and efficacy of perioperative care in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. METHODS: The authors performed a comprehensive literature search of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols implemented for patients undergoing transsphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA); individual recommendations were abstracted, and the evidence base thoroughly reviewed. RESULTS: The authors identified 19 individual recommendations pertinent to the care of patients undergoing TSA, which were subdivided into preoperative (n=6), intraoperative (n=6), and postoperative (n=7) interventions. Key factors recommended for minimizing length of stay, preventing readmission, and improving patient outcomes included comprehensive patient education, multidisciplinary evaluation, avoidance of routine lumbar drain placement and nasal packing, and rigorous postoperative monitoring of pituitary function and salt-water imbalances. The overall level of evidence for 7/19 (37%) implemented recommendations was found to be low, suggesting a need for continued research in this patient population. CONCLUSION: Several key interventions should be considered in the development of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols for TSA, which may aid in further decreasing length of stay and promoting positive patient outcomes.

Prognosis of Distant Metastatic Sites in Anterior Skull Base Malignancies.

Objective This study aimed to provide information regarding the prognosis of patients presenting with metastatic anterior skull base malignancies based upon histology and site of distant metastasis (DM). Patients and Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with anterior skull base malignant neoplasms with DM. Outcomes Prognosis was compared between site of DM and tumor histologies. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Results A total of 481 patients were identified. Lung was the most common site of DM (24.9%), followed by bone (22.2%), liver (5.6%), and brain (2.5%). Lung was the most common site for squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) (28.3%), melanoma (37.7%), and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC; 31.4%). The median survival for patients presenting with metastatic disease regardless of tumor histology was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.2-10.3), and patients with metastasis to the liver had the best median survival at 15.5 months (95% CI: 10.5-25.6). The median survivals for the most common histologies, SCCa, melanoma, and ACC were 8.2 months (95% CI: 5.5-10.2), 10.5 months (95% CI: 8.7-14.1), and 15.0 months (95% CI: 11.1-61.1), respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated worse overall survival (OS) for older patients, higher Charlson-Deyo comorbidity scores, and tumors with higher grade and T stage. Compared with metastasis to bone, lung metastasis had better OS on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.51-97). Adenoid cystic carcinoma had improved OS compared with SCCa (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39-99). Conclusion Tumor histology, metastatic sites, and several disease factors affected prognosis in anterior skull base malignancies with DM.