Brazilian guideline for the use of immunobiologicals in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps ‒ 2024 update.

INTRODUCTION: Biologics targeting type 2 inflammation have revolutionized the way we treat patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP). Particularly in severe and difficult-to-control cases, these drugs have provided a new reality for these patients, allowing for the effective and safe treatment of extensive diseases that were not completely managed with the typical strategy of surgery and topical medications. OBJECTIVES: The experience achieved with the approval of these medications by ANVISA for use in CRSwNP and the knowledge obtained regarding outcomes, adverse effects, and the ideal patient profile prompted the update of the previously published guideline, with a detailed review of the most recent scientific literature, the personal experiences of experts, and the adaptation to the reality of the Brazilian healthcare system, both public and private. RESULTS: We proposed a new eligibility criterion for biologics in patients with CRSwNP based on four pillars of indication: the impact of the disease on the patient's life, whether in the presence of specific symptoms or in overall quality of life; the extent of sinonasal disease; the presence of type 2 comorbidities, considering other associated diseases that may also benefit from anti-T2 biologics, and the presence of biomarkers to define type 2 inflammation, especially those associated with worse disease prognoses. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative and pioneering method has two major advantages. First, it ensures a comprehensive evaluation of patients; second, it is flexible, as advancements in our understanding of the disease and changes in cost-effectiveness can be addressed by simply adjusting the required score for indication, without the need to modify the entire evaluation scheme.

Acquisition of endoscopic nasal surgery skills with a lamb's head model

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the acquisition of surgical skills by otolaryngology residents and established the minimum number of dissections of a lamb's model to be performed before practicing on human patients. Methods: Nineteen second-year otolaryngology residents performed ten dissections each, five on each nasal cavity, always practicing the same three surgical procedures on the lamb model. Each student's training lasted 2-months, and the entire training intervention lasted 4-years, over four generations of residents. All dissections were recorded and were selected at random for examination by two independent otolaryngology surgeons, who were otherwise not involved in the research. Assessment of the 190 dissections used an instrument validated for surgical training of medical residents. Results: To a 1% significance level, statistical analysis revealed increased performance and satisfactory results were observed after the sixth dissection. Furthermore, after the eighth dissection, skill acquisition was relevant and sustained. Conclusion: Training in endoscopic nasal surgery on a lamb's head model improves surgical skills and handling of surgical instruments. Our results showed the relevance of the lamb model for training in otolaryngology surgery, impacting on patient safety. Level of evidence: 2.

Acquisition of endoscopic nasal surgery skills with a lamb's head model.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acquisition of surgical skills by otolaryngology residents and established the minimum number of dissections of a lamb's model to be performed before practicing on human patients. METHODS: Nineteen second-year otolaryngology residents performed ten dissections each, five on each nasal cavity, always practicing the same three surgical procedures on the lamb model. Each student's training lasted 2-months, and the entire training intervention lasted 4-years, over four generations of residents. All dissections were recorded and were selected at random for examination by two independent otolaryngology surgeons, who were otherwise not involved in the research. Assessment of the 190 dissections used an instrument validated for surgical training of medical residents. RESULTS: To a 1% significance level, statistical analysis revealed increased performance and satisfactory results were observed after the sixth dissection. Furthermore, after the eighth dissection, skill acquisition was relevant and sustained. CONCLUSION: Training in endoscopic nasal surgery on a lamb's head model improves surgical skills and handling of surgical instruments. Our results showed the relevance of the lamb model for training in otolaryngology surgery, impacting on patient safety.

Guideline for the use of immunobiologicals in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in Brazil / Diretriz para o uso dos imunobiológicos em rinossinusite crônica com pólipo nasal (RSCcPN) no Brasil

Abstract Introduction Severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps has a negative impact on an individual's quality of life. Therefore, new biologics have emerged for use in specific phenotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis, changing the paradigms of its treatment. Objective To review the current status of biologic treatment indications in chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods The Brazilian Academy of Rhinology brought together different specialists to suggest a course of action, considering its particularities and aspects related to the national reality. Results Of particular interest for decision making will be the identification of subgroups of patients refractory to pre-existing treatment options and the construction of a strategy that improves their quality of life, with the best cost-benefit ratio. Conclusion The use of biologics is a valid option for treatment in more severe cases. This strategy must be better understood and improved in the future, with more studies and greater clinical experience.

Resumo Introdução A rinossinusite crônica com pólipos nasais grave não controlada impacta negativamente na qualidade de vida do indivíduo. Para esses casos, novos imunobiológicos têm surgido, para uso em fenótipos específicos da rinossinusite crônica, e mudaram os paradigmas de seu tratamento. Objetivo Revisar o estado atual das indicações de imunobiológicos em rinossinusite crônica. Método A Academia Brasileira de Rinologia reuniu diferentes especialistas para sugerir uma conduta que considerasse suas particularidades e seus aspectos relacionados à realidade nacional. Resultados De particular interesse para a tomada de decisão serão a identificação dos subgrupos de pacientes refratários às opções de tratamento pré-existentes e a construção de uma estratégia que realmente melhore a qualidade de vida deles, dentro da melhor relação custo-benefício. Conclusão O uso de imunobiológicos é uma opção válida para tratamento em casos mais graves. Essa estratégia deve ser mais bem compreendida e aprimorada no futuro, com mais estudos e maior experiência clínica.

Alterations in innate immune responses of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis related to cystic fibrosis.

The role of phagocytes of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) associated with different phenotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phagocytic capacity of blood neutrophils and monocytes and production of superoxide anion by phagocytes in patients with CF with or without chronic rhinosinusitis and with or without nasal polyps (NP). This cross-sectional study was established in 2015-2017 in a tertiary reference center to the CF treatment, Brasilia, Brazil. Sample included 30 children volunteers with CRS related to CF (n = 16) and control subjects (n = 14). Epidemiological and clinical data were compared. Collection of 15 mL of peripheral blood and nasal endoscopy to identify the presence or absence of nasal polyps (NP) were performed. Phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors and opsonin receptors was assessed. Superoxide anion production was evaluated. The control group showed a higher phagocytic index to monocytes and neutrophils than to the CF or CF+CRS with NP groups [Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.0025] when phagocytosis were evaluated by pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors (5 yeasts/cell). The phagocytic index of the CF+CRS without NP group was higher than in the CF+CRS with NP group (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.0168). In the control group, the percentage of phagocytes involved in phagocytosis and superoxide anion production (74.0 ± 9.6%) were higher in all CF groups (p < 0,0001). The innate immune response, represented by phagocytic activity and superoxide anion production by monocytes and neutrophils was more impaired in patients with CF related or not related to CRS than in the control group. However, the phagocytic function of patients without NP showed less impairment.

The digital scent device as a new concept for olfactory assessment.

BACKGROUND: There are major challenges in olfactory measurements in clinical practice; therefore, a handheld digital scent device (DSD; Noar MultiScent 20) was developed as a tablet with an integrated storage system for odors. The DSD is a self-administered, handheld device that controls the duration of odor release to the nasal cavity through a touchscreen digital interface with automatic database generation. In this study we aimed to determine the feasibility of this DSD as an olfactory assessment test. METHODS: We recruited 180 participants (age [mean ± standard deviation], 34.58 ± 9.71 years; 114 women and 66 men) to participate in smell tests using both the DSD and the 40-item Smell Identification Test (SIT-40), which contained the same type and order of odors and the same multiple-choice answers. The scores were compared and evaluated for correlation between the tests, and test-retest reliability was calculated. RESULTS: The DSD test scores were higher than the SIT-40 scores (median [interquartile range], 32 [5.0] vs 31 [7.0]; p = 0.005). The completion time was less for the DSD test than for the SIT-40 (12.5 [5.0] vs 16 [6.0] minutes; p < 0.001). The tests were strongly correlated (Spearman rho = 0.74; p < 0.001) and exhibited a high level of agreement (Bland-Altman regression coefficient = 0.672; p = 0.003). The DSD test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.820. CONCLUSION: The DSD is feasible as an olfactory assessment test. The digitalization of olfactory assessment combined with data science may enable new research perspectives in the field of olfaction.

Etiopathogenic features of severe epistaxis in histological samples from individuals with or without arterial hypertension.

There is a consensus that arterial hypertension (AH) is associated with stroke. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the histology of the microvasculature associated with the mucosa of the posterior nasal cavity to identify possible factors related to vascular weakening and rupture. Histological sections were obtained from hypertensive and normotensive individuals, regardless of epistaxis. Our results showed that the group with AH had: (a) smaller median diameter of the lumen of arteries and arterioles; (b) increased thickness of the intimal arteries and arterioles, slight inflammatory infiltrate, and rupture of internal elastic lamina; (c) greater thickness of the middle tunica in arterioles; (d) lower percentage of histological sections with non-injured intimal layers in capillaries, arterioles, and small arteries; (e) lower percentage of histological sections with intact media tunic and/or myocytes juxtaposed in arteries and arterioles; (f) no difference between the diameters of small arteries or arterioles. The intima was thicker in individuals with severe epistaxis than in the normotensive group, but it did not differ from the AH group. Thus, hypertension may cause structural lesions in the vascular layers, and in the absence of tissue repair and the persistence of AH, these lesions may favour vascular rupture, especially during hypertensive peaks.

Guideline for the use of immunobiologicals in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps has a negative impact on an individual's quality of life. Therefore, new biologics have emerged for use in specific phenotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis, changing the paradigms of its treatment. OBJECTIVE: To review the current status of biologic treatment indications in chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODS: The Brazilian Academy of Rhinology brought together different specialists to suggest a course of action, considering its particularities and aspects related to the national reality. RESULTS: Of particular interest for decision making will be the identification of subgroups of patients refractory to pre-existing treatment options and the construction of a strategy that improves their quality of life, with the best cost-benefit ratio. CONCLUSION: The use of biologics is a valid option for treatment in more severe cases. This strategy must be better understood and improved in the future, with more studies and greater clinical experience.

Sleep quality assessment in chronic rhinosinusitis patients submitted to endoscopic sinus surgery: a meta-analysis / Avaliação da qualidade do sono em pacientes com rinossinusite crônica submetidos à cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal: uma meta-análise

Abstract Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis can lead to poor sleep quality in affected individuals. Endoscopic nasal surgery has been indicated for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, resulting in improved quality of life, but it is still unknown if there is a similar improvement in sleep quality after the surgical procedure. Objective: To estimate the sleep quality of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: The literature search was conducted in the indexed databases PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, SciELO, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Database of Thesis and Dissertations of CAPES, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials and in the grey literature. It included studies that reported the sleep quality of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery based on questionnaires assessing quality of life. Two researchers independently conducted the study selection and extraction. The random effects model was chosen to conduct the meta-analysis that was performed using the statistical package STATA, version 11. Results: Overall, 4 studies and 509 subjects were included in the systematic review. Improved sleep quality was observed in 90% of the patients. There was an improvement (on average, from 57% to 67%) in each of the five symptoms related to sleep quality. The results of the meta-analysis revealed high heterogeneity. Conclusions: This review shows that a large percentage of patients report improved sleep quality after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Resumo Introdução: A rinossinusite crônica pode levar a uma má qualidade do sono nos indivíduos afetados. A cirurgia endoscópica nasal tem sido indicada para pacientes com rinossinusite crônica, resulta em melhoria da qualidade de vida, mas ainda não se sabe se há melhoria semelhante na qualidade do sono após o procedimento cirúrgico. Objetivo: Estimar a qualidade do sono em pacientes com rinossinusite crônica após serem submetidos à cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal. Método: A busca na literatura foi feita nas bases de dados indexadas PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, SciELO, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Banco de Teses e Dissertações da Capes, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials e na literatura cinzenta. Foram incluídos estudos que relataram a qualidade do sono de pacientes com rinossinusite crônica após ser submetidos à cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal, com base em questionários que avaliaram a qualidade de vida. Dois pesquisadores conduziram independentemente a seleção e extração dos estudos. O modelo de efeitos aleatórios foi escolhido para conduzir a meta-análise que foi feita com o pacote estatístico STATA, versão 11. Resultados: No total, 4 estudos e 509 indivíduos foram incluídos na revisão sistemática. Melhora na qualidade do sono foi observada em 90% dos pacientes. Houve melhora (em média, de 57% a 67%) em cada um dos cinco sintomas relacionados à qualidade do sono. Os resultados da meta-análise apresentaram alta heterogeneidade. Conclusões: Esta revisão mostra que uma grande porcentagem de indivíduos relata melhoria na qualidade do sono após a cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal.

Sleep quality assessment in chronic rhinosinusitis patients submitted to endoscopic sinus surgery: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis can lead to poor sleep quality in affected individuals. Endoscopic nasal surgery has been indicated for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, resulting in improved quality of life, but it is still unknown if there is a similar improvement in sleep quality after the surgical procedure. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the sleep quality of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: The literature search was conducted in the indexed databases PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, SciELO, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Database of Thesis and Dissertations of CAPES, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials and in the grey literature. It included studies that reported the sleep quality of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery based on questionnaires assessing quality of life. Two researchers independently conducted the study selection and extraction. The random effects model was chosen to conduct the meta-analysis that was performed using the statistical package STATA, version 11. RESULTS: Overall, 4 studies and 509 subjects were included in the systematic review. Improved sleep quality was observed in 90% of the patients. There was an improvement (on average, from 57% to 67%) in each of the five symptoms related to sleep quality. The results of the meta-analysis revealed high heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: This review shows that a large percentage of patients report improved sleep quality after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Does ear endoscopy provide advantages in the outpatient management of open mastoidectomy cavities?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of ear endoscopy in the postoperative management of open mastoidectomy cavities, and to test whether ear endoscopy improves inspection and cleaning compared with ear microscopy. METHODS: Prospective study. Thirty-two ears were divided into two groups: group 1, examination and cleaning of mastoid cavities under endoscopic visualization after microscopic standard ear cleaning; group 2, examination and cleaning of mastoid cavities under microscopic visualization after endoscope-assisted ear cleaning. We assessed the ability of each method to provide exposure and facilitate cleaning, comparing the benefits of microscopy and endoscopy when used sequentially and vice-versa. RESULTS: Endoscopy provided additional benefits for exposure in 61.1% of cases and cleaning in 66.7%. Microscopy provided no additional benefits in terms of exposure in any case, and provided added benefit for cleaning in only 21.4% of cases. DISCUSSION: For outpatient postoperative care of open mastoidectomy cavities, ear endoscopy provides greater benefit over ear microscopy than vice-versa. In over half of all cases, endoscopy was able to expose areas not visualized under the microscope. Furthermore, in two-thirds of cases, endoscopy enabled removal of material that could not be cleared under microscopy. Ear endoscopy was superior to microscopy in terms of enabling exposure and cleaning of hard-to-reach sites, due to its wider field of vision. CONCLUSION: Ear endoscopy is a feasible technique for the postoperative management of open mastoidectomy cavities. Ear endoscopy provided superior advantages in terms of exposure and aural cleaning compared with microscopy.

A feasible, low-cost, reproducible lamb's head model for endoscopic sinus surgery training.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and standardize a reproducible, viable, low-cost lamb's head model for endoscopic sinus surgery training. METHODS: Otorhinolaryngology residents performed the following three endoscopic sinus surgeries using the lamb's head model: inferior turbinectomy, bullectomy, and maxillary antrostomy. Each student dissected 10 specimens before training these procedures on human patients, and the benefit of the animal model training was evaluated. RESULTS: Nineteen resident physicians of comparable academic level participated in training. All participants agreed that the lamb's head model dissections improved their skills in using surgical and videoendoscopic instruments, 90% agreed that the dissections improved their confidence with respect to training in human patients, and all stated they would recommend the same training to future residents. DISCUSSION: Lamb's heads have been used for training in endoscopic sinus surgery. However, no standardization of this training had been performed to ensure that it is a valuable tool for learning and skill-building. The standardized method described in this study increased resident physicians' skills and confidence before beginning their training on human patients. Moreover, our results demonstrate the feasibility of the model, considering its low cost and reproducibility. CONCLUSION: Future studies with this model should be conducted to assess whether the resulting increase in skills prevents and reduces medical errors, increases patient safety, reduces surgical costs, and improves the quality of otorhinolaryngological care.

Position statement of the Brazilian Academy of Rhinology on the use of antihistamines, antileukotrienes, and oral corticosteroids in the treatment of inflammatory sinonasal diseases / Posicionamento da Academia Brasileira de Rinologia sobre o uso de anti-histamínicos, antileucotrienos e corticosteroides orais no tratamento de doenças inflamatórias nasossinusais

Abstract Introduction: Inflammatory conditions of the nose and paranasal sinuses are very prevalent in the general population, resulting in marked loss of quality of life in affected patients, as well as significant work, leisure, and social activity losses. These patients require specific and specialized treatment. A wide range of oral medications are available. Objective: The present document is aimed to clarify, for professionals treating patients with inflammatory sinonasal diseases, both specialists and general practitioners, specific oral therapies in noninfectious nasal inflammatory conditions. Methods: The methodology used to create this article included the search for the key words: oral corticosteroids, antihistamines, antileukotrienes, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases in the last 5 years. Since no relevant article was found for the text on the subject of interest in the last 5 years, the search was extended for another 5 years, and so on, according to the authors’ needs. Results: Relevant literature was found regarding the use of antihistamines, antileukotrienes and oral corticosteroids in these conditions. The Brazilian Academy of Rhinology emphasizes, after extensive discussion by the collegiate, key points in the treatment with these drugs. Conclusion: There is support in the literature for the use of these drugs; however, final considerations about the role of each of them have been made.

Resumo Introdução: As afecções inflamatórias do nariz e dos seios paranasais são muito prevalentes na população geral, causam acentuada perda de qualidade de vida dos pacientes afetados, geram perdas significativas das atividades de trabalho, lazer e sociais. Esses pacientes necessitam de tratamento específico e especializado e uma ampla gama de medicações orais está disponível. Objetivo: O presente documento tem por objetivo esclarecer àqueles que tratam das doenças nasossinusais inflamatórias, tanto especialistas quanto generalistas, sobre as terapêuticas orais nas afecções inflamatórias nasais não infecciosas. Método: A metodologia usada para elaboração deste artigo incluiu a busca das palavras chave: corticosteroides orais, anti-histamínicos, antileucotrienos, rinite, rinossinusite nos bancos de dados Medline e Embase nos últimos 5 anos. Como não foi achado artigo relevante para o texto sobre o assunto de interesse nos últimos 5 anos, a busca foi estendida por mais 5 anos, e assim por diante, de acordo com a necessidade dos autores. Resultados: Literatura relevante foi encontrada com relação ao uso dos anti-histamínicos, antileucotrienos e corticosteroides orais nessas afecções. A Academia Brasileira de Rinologia ressalta, após amplo debate do colegiado, pontos-chave no tratamento com esses medicamentos. Conclusão: Há respaldo na literatura para o uso desses medicamentos, entretanto considerações finais acerca do papel de cada deles foram feitas.

Position statement of the Brazilian Academy of Rhinology on the use of antihistamines, antileukotrienes, and oral corticosteroids in the treatment of inflammatory sinonasal diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory conditions of the nose and paranasal sinuses are very prevalent in the general population, resulting in marked loss of quality of life in affected patients, as well as significant work, leisure, and social activity losses. These patients require specific and specialized treatment. A wide range of oral medications are available. OBJECTIVE: The present document is aimed to clarify, for professionals treating patients with inflammatory sinonasal diseases, both specialists and general practitioners, specific oral therapies in noninfectious nasal inflammatory conditions. METHODS: The methodology used to create this article included the search for the key words: oral corticosteroids, antihistamines, antileukotrienes, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases in the last 5 years. Since no relevant article was found for the text on the subject of interest in the last 5 years, the search was extended for another 5 years, and so on, according to the authors' needs. RESULTS: Relevant literature was found regarding the use of antihistamines, antileukotrienes and oral corticosteroids in these conditions. The Brazilian Academy of Rhinology emphasizes, after extensive discussion by the collegiate, key points in the treatment with these drugs. CONCLUSION: There is support in the literature for the use of these drugs; however, final considerations about the role of each of them have been made.