Foreign body aspiration in children: our pediatric tertiary care experience.

PURPOSE: Inhalation of a foreign body is a real emergency in pediatric age and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to reduce mortality. The objective of this study is to analyze clinical and radiological details, types, and localization of foreign bodies in patients conducted or to our hospital with suspected inhalation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all cases of foreign body inhalation admitted to our Pediatric Emergency Room between January 2009 and June 2022. RESULTS: 171 patients were included in the study. In 83 patients, the FB was detected. The mean age of presentation was 2.3 years (SD: ± 2). Cough (73%) and unilateral reduced breath sound (51%) were the most common clinical symptom and clinical sign. The most frequent localization was the right main bronchus (43%). The foreign bodies retrieved were vegetable (83%), of which peanut was the most common. Chest radiographs were normal in 25%. The mean duration of hospitalization was 5 days (± 2.9). Complications such as pneumothorax were seen in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: Foreign body inhalation represents a true pediatric emergency and still a challenge in clinical practice. The best way to manage it is an early diagnosis and removal by fully trained staff.

Glycyrrhizin and Mannitol Nasal Therapy: Cytological and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Rhinitis.

Introduction Chronic rhinitis (CR) represents a widespread inflammation with a high incidence in the general population. Although it is generally considered a benign condition, CR has a relevant impact on quality of life and requires a specific treatment approach. Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of glycyrrhizin and mannitol intranasal treatment on chronic rhinitis using cytological analysis and subjective evaluation of symptoms. Methods A total of 55 patients suffering from chronic rhinitis were enrolled in the present study, 34 with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 21 with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). The severity of four different nasal symptoms was determined by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Specimens obtained by nasal scraping were collected for cytological analysis. Data were acquired before and after a 30-day treatment with glycyrrhizin and mannitol nasal spray. Statistical analyses were performed. Results The VAS scores for all four nasal symptoms considered in the present study, as well as for neutrophil cells, reduced significantly after therapy in both allergic and nonallergic patients. The number of eosinophils was not significantly lower in nonallergic patients. Conclusion A 30-day topical treatment with glycyrrhizin and mannitol may improve nasal symptoms and reduce inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa in patients with chronic rhinitis without significant contraindications. Further studies could support our results and would better clarify all the aspects of this treatment.

Endotypes of Nasal Polyps in Children: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Nasal polyps (NPs) are rarely reported in childhood and usually represent red flags for systemic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and immunodeficiencies. The European Position Paper released in 2020 (EPOS 2020) provided a detailed classification and defined the correct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We report a one-year experience of a multidisciplinary team, made up of otorhinolaryngologists, allergists, pediatricians, pneumologists and geneticists, with the aim of ensuring a personalized diagnostic and therapeutic management of the pathology. In 16 months of activity, 53 patients were admitted (25 children with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis and 28 with antro-choanal polyp). All patients underwent phenotypic and endo-typic assessment, using proper classification tools for nasal pathology (both endoscopic and radiological), as well as adequate cytological definition. An immuno-allergic evaluation was carried out. Pneumologists evaluated any lower airway respiratory disease. Genetic investigations concluded the diagnostic investigation. Our experience enhanced the complexity of children's NPs. A multidisciplinary assessment is mandatory for a targeted diagnostic and therapeutic pathway.

Juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma of the ethmoid sinus successfully treated by endoscopic sinus surgery: a case report.

Background: Juvenile ossifying fibromas (JOF) are benign osteofibrous tumors very rarely located in paranasal sinus. The diagnostic and therapeutic tools applied in sinonasal inflammatory pathologies and other tumors fail to address a specific management in this rare pathology. Currently, the only available treatment is surgery. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) allows a complete but minimally invasive approach compared to the open technique, especially for the minor demolition on growing bone structures. Case Description: We describe a case of a 13-year-old boy presenting in the Emergency Department for a head trauma. The computerized tomography (CT) revealed an ethmoid-maxillary bony mass suspected to be a juvenile ossifying fibroma. The patient underwent ESS. Histological examination confirmed a juvenil psammomatoid ossifyng fibroma (JPOF). A revision surgery with the same technique was required after 7 months due to relapse of the tumor. He did not develop postoperative complications. The 3-years follow-up did not show any signs of relapse. Conclusions: Paranasal JOF is a challenge for the ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgeon. The principles of local disease control for relapse reduction are different from inflammatory diseases and other paranasal tumors. Severe organ damage and recurrences are possible if caution is not observed. Specific guidelines about management are required on the basis of the shared experiences in the few cases reported in literature.

Glycyrrhizin and Mannitol Nasal Therapy: Cytological and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Rhinitis

Abstract Introduction Chronic rhinitis (CR) represents a widespread inflammation with a high incidence in the general population. Although it is generally considered a benign condition, CR has a relevant impact on quality of life and requires a specific treatment approach. Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of glycyrrhizin and mannitol intranasal treatment on chronic rhinitis using cytological analysis and subjective evaluation of symptoms. Methods A total of 55 patients suffering from chronic rhinitis were enrolled in the present study, 34 with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 21 with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). The severity of four different nasal symptoms was determined by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Specimens obtained by nasal scraping were collected for cytological analysis. Data were acquired before and after a 30-day treatment with glycyrrhizin and mannitol nasal spray. Statistical analyses were performed. Results The VAS scores for all four nasal symptoms considered in the present study, as well as for neutrophil cells, reduced significantly after therapy in both allergic and nonallergic patients. The number of eosinophils was not significantly lower in nonallergic patients. Conclusion A 30-day topical treatment with glycyrrhizin and mannitol may improve nasal symptoms and reduce inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa in patients with chronic rhinitis without significant contraindications. Further studies could support our results and would better clarify all the aspects of this treatment.

Balloon dilation and rapid maxillary expansion: a novel combination treatment for congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis in an infant.

BACKGROUND: Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) is a rare condition that may occur alone or as part of a multi-formative syndrome. Management remains difficult. There is no specific treatment protocol. Traditional surgery would be anachronistic; a non-invasive or minimally invasive therapeutic option is required. However, the rarity of the disease and the infantile context render randomised clinical trials difficult. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a one-month-old Caucasian boy with CNPAS. He presented to the Emergency Department of the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital with nasal obstruction, noisy breathing, feeding difficulties, and suspected sleep apnoea. During hospitalisation, he underwent overnight pulse oximetry, airway endoscopy, and maxillofacial computed tomography (CT); the final diagnosis was CNPAS with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. We successfully treated the patient using an innovative strategy that involved collaboration between ear-nose-and-throat surgeons and orthodontists. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of minimally invasive balloon surgery and placement of a palatal device may successfully treat CNPAS; it may also treat other types of nasal bone stenosis. Future studies may allow the development of practice consensus treatment strategies.

Needle aspiration of lateral neck abscess in children: A simple and effective treatment.

BACKGROUND: Cervical abscesses frequently occurred in pediatric patients. Surgical drainage is currently recommended in the cases not responding to medical therapy. Needle aspiration may represent a simple, effective and minimally invasive treatment for acute neck suppuration in selected cases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of needle aspiration in the treatment of cervical abscesses in pediatric age as an alternative to surgical drainage. METHODS: From November 2013 to November 2019, at the ENT Department of the "Bambino Gesù" Pediatric Hospital, Rome, we treated 47 children with cervical abscess by performing aspiration with a 19 G needle in wakefulness after applying local anesthetic. Parenteral antibiotic treatment was associated with all patients both before and after treatment. RESULTS: Complete regression of the abscess occurred in 46 children with no evidence of recurrence in the follow-up period. Surgical drainage was required in only one patient due to the lack of resolution of the abscess episode. No complications such as hematomas or hypertrophic scars were found in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the effectiveness of needle aspiration in the treatment of cervical abscesses in children as an alternative to surgical drainage.