Cross-sectional evaluation of the saccharin transit time test for primary ciliary dyskinesia: did we discard this tool too soon?

BACKGROUND: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare and heterogeneous disease that is difficult to diagnose and requires complex and expensive diagnostic tools. The saccharin transit time test is a simple and inexpensive tool that may assist in screening patients with PCD. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare changes in the electron microscopy findings with clinical variables and saccharin tests in individuals diagnosed with clinical PCD (cPCD) and a control group. DESIGN AND SETTING: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic from August 2012 to April 2021. METHOD: Patients with cPCD underwent clinical screening questionnaires, nasal endoscopy, the saccharin transit time test, and nasal biopsy for transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with cPCD were evaluated. The most prevalent clinical comorbidities in the cPCD group were recurrent pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and chronic rhinosinusitis. Electron microscopy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of PCD in 16 of the 34 (47.1%) patients. CONCLUSION: The saccharin test could assist in screening patients with PCD due to its association with clinical alterations related to PCD.

Cross-sectional evaluation of the saccharin transit time test for primary ciliary dyskinesia: did we discard this tool too soon?

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare and heterogeneous disease that is difficult to diagnose and requires complex and expensive diagnostic tools. The saccharin transit time test is a simple and inexpensive tool that may assist in screening patients with PCD. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare changes in the electron microscopy findings with clinical variables and saccharin tests in individuals diagnosed with clinical PCD (cPCD) and a control group. DESIGN AND SETTING: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic from August 2012 to April 2021. METHOD: Patients with cPCD underwent clinical screening questionnaires, nasal endoscopy, the saccharin transit time test, and nasal biopsy for transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with cPCD were evaluated. The most prevalent clinical comorbidities in the cPCD group were recurrent pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and chronic rhinosinusitis. Electron microscopy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of PCD in 16 of the 34 (47.1%) patients. CONCLUSION: The saccharin test could assist in screening patients with PCD due to its association with clinical alterations related to PCD.

Challenges in Diagnosing Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia in a Brazilian Tertiary Hospital.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) causes cellular cilia motility alterations, leading to clinical manifestations in the upper and lower respiratory tract and situs abnormalities. The PCD diagnosis was improved after the inclusion of diagnostic tools, such as transmission electron microscopy and genetic screening; however, the PCD screening is a challenge yet. In this context, we aimed to describe the clinical, genetic, and ultra-ciliary characteristics in individuals with clinical suspicion of PCD (cPCD) from a Brazilian Tertiary Hospital. An observational study was carried out with individuals during the follow-up between 2011 and 2021. The individuals were submitted to clinical questionnaires, transmission electron microscopy, and genetic screening for pathogenic variants in PCD-related genes. Those patients were classified according to the degree of suspicion for PCD. In our study, we enrolled thirty-seven cPCD individuals; 20/37 (54.1%) had chronic rhinosinusitis, 28/37 (75.6%) had bronchiectasis, and 29/37 (78.4%) had recurrent pneumonia. A total of 17/37 (45.9%) individuals had transmission electron microscopy or genetic confirmation of PCD; 10 individuals had at least one positive pathogenic genetic variant in the PCD-related genes; however, only seven patients presented a conclusive result according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology with two pathogenic variants in homozygous or compound heterozygous. The median age at diagnosis was 13 years, and the median time between suspicion and diagnosis was four years. Sixteen patients had class I electron microscopy alterations, seven had class II alterations, and 14 had normal transmission electron microscopy according to the international consensus guideline for reporting transmission electron microscopy results in the diagnosis of PCD (BEAT-PCD TEM Criteria). Genetic screening for pathogenic variants in PCD-related genes and transmission electron microscopy can help determine the PCD diagnosis; however, they are still unavailable to all individuals with clinical suspicion in Brazil. We described ultrastructural alterations found in our population along with the identification of pathogenic variants in PCD-related genes.

Developmental exposure to an organophosphate flame retardant alters later behavioral responses to dopamine antagonism in zebrafish larvae.

Human exposure to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) is widespread, including pregnant women and young children with whom developmental neurotoxic risk is a concern. Given similarities of OPFRs to organophosphate (OP) pesticides, research into the possible neurotoxic impacts of developmental OPFR exposure has been growing. Building upon research implicating exposure to OP pesticides in dopaminergic (DA) dysfunction, we exposed developing zebrafish to the OPFR tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), during the first 5 days following fertilization. On day 6, larvae were challenged with acute administration of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists and then tested in a light-dark locomotor assay. We found that both developmental TDCIPP exposure and acute dopamine D1 and D2 antagonism decreased locomotor activity separately. The OPFR and DA effects were not additive; rather, TDCIPP blunted further D1 and D2 antagonist-induced decreases in activity. Our results suggest that TDCIPP exposure may be disrupting dopamine signaling. These findings support further research on the effects of OPFR exposure on the normal neurodevelopment of DA systems, whether these results might persist into adulthood, and whether they interact with OPFR effects on other neurotransmitter systems in producing the developmental neurobehavioral toxicity.

Rhinosinusitis in hematopoietic stem cell-transplanted patients: influence of nasosinus mucosal abnormalities?

INTRODUCTION: Rhinosinusitis is characterized by inflammation extending from the mucosa of the nasal cavity into the paranasal sinuses. There are some aggravating features, such as immunosuppression, that can cause the nasal mucosal inflammation to linger for a long period, resulting in chronic or recurrent episodes. Such immunosuppression is the major feature of patients undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT); rhinosinusitis prevalence is higher in this group compared to immunocompetent patients. Nasal epithelial abnormalities have been described in, and may have some influence over, recurrent sinus infections among those patients. However, it is not clear whether rhinosinusitis can trigger mucosal abnormalities or whether a preexisting vulnerability for sinusitis recurrence is more likely. The objective of the study was to verify the influence of rhinosinusitis on nasal epithelial damage in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHOD: A total of 30 allogeneic HSCT patients were divided into two groups: 24 patients with chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis and 6 patients without rhinosinusitis. These patients underwent a biopsy of the uncinate process that was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy. RESULTS: The nasal mucosa analysis by optical microscopy showed no significant abnormalities. The ciliary orientation was obviously normal in the transplanted patients without rhinosinusitis. There was a trend toward a difference in the amount of cilia (decreased) and the primary modification of the ultrastructure of transplanted patients with rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSION: HSCT patients, with and without rhinosinusitis, showed no significant histological abnormalities, except for ciliary disorientation and a possible decrease in ciliary and ultrastructural abnormalities in HSCT patients with rhinosinusitis.

Sinonasal disorders in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with more respiratory infections due to immunosuppression. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to verify the frequency of rhinosinusitis after HSCT, and the association between rhinosinusitis and chronic graft vs. host disease (GVHD) and type of transplantation, clinical treatment, surgical treatment, and survival. METHODS: this was a retrospective study in a tertiary university hospital. A total of 95 patients with hematological diseases undergoing HSCT between 1996 and 2011 were selected. RESULTS: chronic myeloid leukemia was the most prevalent disease. The type of transplant most often performed was the allogenic type (85.26%). The frequency of rhinosinusitis was 36%, with no difference between the autologous and the allogenic types. Chronic GVHD occurred in 30% of patients. Patients with GVHD had a higher frequency and recurrence of rhinosinusitis, in addition to more frequent need for endoscopic sinusectomy and decreased overall survival. CONCLUSION: there was a higher frequency of rhinosinusitis in HSCT and GVHD. The type of transplant does not appear to predispose to the occurrence of rhinosinusitis. GVHD seems to be an aggravating factor and requires a more stringent treatment.

Sinonasal disorders in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / Afecções nasossinusais em pacientes transplantados de células-tronco hematopoiéticas,

INTRODUCTION: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with more respiratory infections due to immunosuppression. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to verify the frequency of rhinosinusitis after HSCT, and the association between rhinosinusitis and chronic graft vs. host disease (GVHD) and type of transplantation, clinical treatment, surgical treatment, and survival. METHODS: this was a retrospective study in a tertiary university hospital. A total of 95 patients with hematological diseases undergoing HSCT between 1996 and 2011 were selected. RESULTS: chronic myeloid leukemia was the most prevalent disease. The type of transplant most often performed was the allogenic type (85.26%). The frequency of rhinosinusitis was 36%, with no difference between the autologous and the allogenic types. Chronic GVHD occurred in 30% of patients. Patients with GVHD had a higher frequency and recurrence of rhinosinusitis, in addition to more frequent need for endoscopic sinusectomy and decreased overall survival. CONCLUSION: there was a higher frequency of rhinosinusitis in HSCT and GVHD. The type of transplant does not appear to predispose to the occurrence of rhinosinusitis. GVHD seems to be an aggravating factor and requires a more stringent treatment. .

INTRODUÇÃO: O transplante de células troncas hematopoiéticas (TCTH) associa-se a mais infecções respiratórias devido a imunossupressão. OBJETIVO: Este trabalho tem o objetivo de verificar a frequência das rinossinusites pós-TCTH, a associação entre a rinossinusite e a doença do enxerto contra hospedeiro (DECH) crônico e o tipo de transplante e o tratamento clinico e o tratamento cirúrgico e a sobrevida. MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo em hospital universitário terciário. Foram selecionados 95 pacientes com doença hematológica submetidos a TCTH entre 1996 a 2011. RESULTADOS: A leucemia mieloide crônica foi a doença mais prevalente. O tipo de transplante mais realizado foi o alogênico (85,26%). A frequência de rinossinusite foi de 36%, sem diferença entre os tipos de transplante autólogo e alogênico. A DECH crônica ocorreu em 30% dos pacientes. Os pacientes com DECH tiveram maior frequência e recorrência de rinossinusite, além de mais necessidade de sinusectomia endoscópica e de diminuição da sobrevida global. CONCLUSÃO: Houve maior frequência de rinossinusite no TCTH e DECH. O tipo de transplante não parece predispor a ocorrência da rinossinusite. A DECH parece ser um fator agravante e necessita de tratamento mais rigoroso. .

Histological features of the nasal mucosa in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression is the leading cause of recurrent sinus infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), with increased incidence of sinusitis in patients with chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). Histological descriptions of the oral mucosa, lung ciliary epithelium, and intestinal mucosa related to HSCT have been described. However, few have described the nasal mucosa. We, therefore, sought to elucidate the histological and ultrastructural features of the nasal mucosa in patients after HSCT to better understand the pathophysiology of the immune response. METHODS: Uncinate processes from 24 HSCT patients and 12 immunocompetent patients were subjected to histological analyses via light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: TEM revealed aberrant cilia structure, altered mitochondria quantity, microvilli, and cytoplasm vacuolization. All HSCT patients with rhinosinusitis had significant loss or absence of cilia (p = 0.018). Apoptotic bodies were increased and Goblet cells decreased in nasal epithelium from patients with chronic GVHD (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This tissue destruction likely enhances pathogen penetration resulting in recurrent infection.

Microbiology of rhinosinusitis in immunosupressed patients from the University Hospital.

UNLABELLED: Immunosuppressed patients are often susceptible to upper airway infections, especially those of the paranasal sinuses. These can sometimes jeopardize treatment success and even lead to a fatal outcome. OBJECTIVE: To study the paranasal microbiology of immunosuppressed patients with clinical evidence of rhinosinusitis, and compare it with that from immunocompetent patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study, in which 42 immunosuppressed and 16 immunocompetent patients were selected. All had clinically evident acute or recurrent rhinosinusitis and were submitted to ethmoidal or sphenoid sinusectomy or maxillary sinus puncture to gather material for microbiological cultures. RESULTS: There were 92% positive cultures, and 21% were negative. Of the positive cultures, 38% were bacterial, with P. aeruginosa being the most frequent agent; 64% were fungal, which occurred in the most immunocompromised patients. In the immunocompetent group, there were 62. 5% positive cultures and 37. 5% negative ones. All the positive ones were bacterial, with no fungi. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant recipients were prone to develop bacterial rhinosinusitis by Gram positive and Gram negative agents, the most common of the latter being Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fungal infections occurred in the severely immunosuppressed, and it was absent in immunocompetent patients.

Microbiology of rhinosinusitis in immunosupressed patients from the university hospital / Microbiologia das rinossinusites nos imunossuprimidos do hospital de clínicas

Immunosuppressed patients are often susceptible to upper airway infections, especially those of the paranasal sinuses. These can sometimes jeopardize treatment success and even lead to a fatal outcome. OBJECTIVE: To study the paranasal microbiology of immunosuppressed patients with clinical evidence of rhinosinusitis, and compare it with that from immunocompetent patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study, in which 42 immunosuppressed and 16 immunocompetent patients were selected. All had clinically evident acute or recurrent rhinosinusitis and were submitted to ethmoidal or sphenoid sinusectomy or maxillary sinus puncture to gather material for microbiological cultures. RESULTS: There were 92 percent positive cultures, and 21 percent were negative. Of the positive cultures, 38 percent were bacterial, with P. aeruginosa being the most frequent agent; 64 percent were fungal, which occurred in the most immunocompromised patients. In the immunocompetent group, there were 62. 5 percent positive cultures and 37. 5 percent negative ones. All the positive ones were bacterial, with no fungi. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant recipients were prone to develop bacterial rhinosinusitis by Gram positive and Gram negative agents, the most common of the latter being Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fungal infections occurred in the severely immunosuppressed, and it was absent in immunocompetent patients.

Os pacientes imunossuprimidos têm maior risco de infecções de vias aéreas superiores, principalmente seios paranasais. Estas podem ter evolução fatal ou impedir a recuperação e o tratamento das doenças iniciais. OBJETIVO: Verificar a microbiologia dos seios paranasais dos pacientes imunossuprimidos com rinossinusite, em nosso serviço, e comparar com a microbiologia de pacientes imunocompetentes. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo, no qual foram selecionados 42 pacientes imunossuprimidos e 16 pacientes imunocompetentes. Todos tinham diagnóstico de rinossinusite aguda ou recorrente e foram submetidos à punção de seio maxilar ou sinusectomia etmoidal ou esfenoidal para coleta de secreção para cultura. RESULTADOS: Obteve-se 92 por cento de cultura positiva e 21 por cento negativa nos imunossuprimidos. Dos positivos, 38 por cento foram bacterianos e 64 por cento, fúngicos, sendo a bactéria mais frequente a P. aeruginosa. Os fungos apareceram nos pacientes com imunossupressão grave. Nos imunocompetentes, obteve-se cultura positiva em 62,5 por cento dos pacientes, e negativa em 37,5 por cento deles, com 100 por cento de positividade para bactérias e ausência de fungos. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes imunossuprimidos adquirem rinossinusites por bactérias Gram positivas, Gram negativas das mais diversas espécies, sendo Pseudomonas aeruginosa a mais frequente. As infecções fúngicas são mais frequentes em pacientes imunossuprimidos graves e ausentes em imunocompetentes.

Histological features of the nasal mucosa in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression is the leading cause of recurrent sinus infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), with increased incidence of sinusitis in patients with chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). Histological descriptions of the oral mucosa, lung ciliary epithelium, and intestinal mucosa related to HSCT have been described. However, few have described the nasal mucosa. We, therefore, sought to elucidate the histological and ultrastructural features of the nasal mucosa in patients after HSCT to better understand the pathophysiology of the immune response. METHODS: Uncinate processes from 24 HSCT patients and 12 immunocompetent patients were subjected to histological analyses via light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: TEM revealed aberrant cilia structure, altered mitochondria quantity, microvilli, and cytoplasm vacuolization. All HSCT patients with rhinosinusitis had significant loss or absence of cilia (p = 0.018). Apoptotic bodies were increased and Goblet cells decreased in nasal epithelium from patients with chronic GVHD (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This tissue destruction likely enhances pathogen penetration resulting in recurrent infection.

Prognostic value of sinus CT scans in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) causes immunosuppression and predisposition to sinusitis. CT scans are complementary exams used in the diagnosis of sinusitis; however, its use in every patient is questionable. AIM: to check the usefulness of ordering a CT scan prior to HSCT and to study the relationship between anatomical variations and sinusitis. METHOD: prospective study in which we performed paranasal CT scans before and after HSCT, using the Lund and Mackay score. RESULTS: 77.5% and 61% of CT scans showed no evidence of sinus disease before and after HSCT. CT staging was not associated with sinusitis after HSCT. Anatomical variations were related to radiographic disease severity, but not to development of sinusitis after HSCT. There was no relation between pre-CT staging and sinusitis after BMT. CONCLUSION: CT scans are not useful for all patients before HSCT. Anatomical variation is not a predictive feature to sinusitis but it can determine its severity.

Valor prognóstico da tomografia computadorizada de seios paranasais no transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas / Prognostic value of sinus CT scans in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

O transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH) causa imunossupressão e predispõe ao desenvolvimento de rinossinusites. A realização de tomografia computadorizada (TC) de seios paranasais pode auxiliar no diagnóstico de rinossinusopatias nestes pacientes, porém a realização em todos estes pacientes é questionável. OBJETIVO: Verificar a necessidade de realizar a TC nos candidatos ao TCTH e relacionar as alterações tomográficas encontradas a rinossinusopatias pós TCTH. MÉTODO: Estudo piloto prospectivo em que as TC de seios paranasais foi executado antes e após o TCTH e avaliado conforme classificação de Lund e Mackay. RESULTADOS: Foram obtidos 77,5 por cento e 61 por cento de TC normais no pré e pós-TCTH, respectivamente. O estádio tomográfico pré-TCTH não se relacionou à ocorrência de rinossinusite após o TCTH. As variações anatômicas encontradas (19,4 por cento) não se relacionaram com a ocorrência de rinossinusite, mas sim com a gravidade da rinossinusite no pós-TCTH. Não houve associação significativa entre estadiamento tomográfico prévio e desenvolvimento de rinossinusite pós-TCTH. CONCLUSÃO: Não há necessidade de realização de tomografia computadorizada de seios paranasais em todos os pacientes previamente ao TCTH; e a variação anatômica não predispõe à rinossinusite nem antes nem após o transplante de medula óssea, apenas pode agravar a evolução da rinossinusite após o TCTH.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) causes immunosuppression and predisposition to sinusitis. CT scans are complementary exams used in the diagnosis of sinusitis; however, its use in every patient is questionable. AIM: to check the usefulness of ordering a CT scan prior to HSCT and to study the relationship between anatomical variations and sinusitis. METHOD: prospective study in which we performed paranasal CT scans before and after HSCT, using the Lund and Mackay score. RESULTS: 77.5 percent and 61 percent of CT scans showed no evidence of sinus disease before and after HSCT. CT staging was not associated with sinusitis after HSCT. Anatomical variations were related to radiographic disease severity, but not to development of sinusitis after HSCT. There was no relation between pre-CT staging and sinusitis after BMT. CONCLUSION: CT scans are not useful for all patients before HSCT. Anatomical variation is not a predictive feature to sinusitis but it can determine its severity.

Chronic GVHD: predictive factor for rhinosinusitis in bone marrow transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a treatment option for hematological diseases and immunodeficiency. It is frequently used today. BMT predisposes patients to upper airway infections and its complications, such as rhinosinusitis (RS). Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, viral infections, antibiotic therapy, graft versus host disease (GVHD) are rhinosinusitis predisposing conditions. AIM: to investigate RS frequency in this population and its relationship to GVHD; to try and establish the best treatment for RS in these patients. METHOD: ENT evaluation of two groups. One group with 35 patients (gI) and another with 24 patients (gII), before and after BMT. They were treated with antibiotics, maxillary sinus punction or endoscopic sinusectomy. RESULTS: none of them had RS before BMT. 42.8% from gI had RS and 34% had GVHD; in the gII, 58% had RS and 25% had GVHD. 49% from both groups had RS and 30.5% had GVHD. There was significantly more RS in chronic GVHD patients. Surgery was used to treat RS in chronic GVHD patients who underwent BMT. CONCLUSION: RS frequency was 49%; GVHD is a predisposing condition to RS; sinusectomy may be necessary to control RS in GVHD patients.

DECH crônica: fator preditivo para rinossinusite no transplante de medula óssea / Chronic GVHD: predictive factor for rhinosinusitis in bone marrow transplantation

INTRODUÇÃO: transplante de medula óssea (TMO) é uma opção de tratamento para doenças hematológicas, tumorais e imunodeficiências e tem sido realizado com maior freqüência. O TMO predispõe a infecções de VAS e complicações, dentre estas as rinossinusites (RS). Quimioterapia, radioterapia, infecções virais, antibioticoterapia e doença do enxerto versus hospedeiro (DECH) são fatores predisponentes para RS. OBJETIVO: Verificar freqüência das RS no TMO e relação com DECH. Tentar estabelecer qual melhor tratamento para as RS no TMO. MÉTODO: Avaliação otorrinolaringológica de 2 grupos com 35 (gI) e 24 (gII) pacientes, antes e depois do TMO; e tratados individualmente com antibióticos e/ou punção de seios maxilares e/ou sinusectomia endoscópica. RESULTADOS: Nenhum apresentou RS antes do TMO; 42,8 por cento dos TMO do gI tiveram RS e 34 por cento, DECH; enquanto 58 por cento do gII tiveram RS e 25 por cento, DECH. No total, 49 por cento tiveram RS e 30,5 por cento com DECH. Houve significativa maior freqüência de RS em DECH crônica. A cirurgia foi indicada para tratamento de RS no TMO com DECH crônica. CONCLUSÃO: A freqüência de RS no TMO foi de 49 por cento; DECH crônica é um fator predisponente para RS; a sinusectomia pode ser necessária nos pacientes com DECHc e RS.

INTRODUCTION: Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a treatment option for hematological diseases and immunodeficiency. It is frequently used today. BMT predisposes patients to upper airway infections and its complications, such as rhinosinusitis (RS). Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, viral infections, antibiotic therapy, graft versus host disease (GVHD) are rhinosinusitis predisposing conditions. AIM: to investigate RS frequence in this population and its relationship to GVHD; to try and establish the best treatment for RS in these patients. METHOD: ENT evaluation of two groups. One group with 35 patients (gI) and another with 24 patients (gII), before and after BMT. They were treated with antibiotics, maxillary sinus punction or endoscopic sinusectomy. RESULTS: none of them had RS before BMT. 42.8 percent from gI had RS and 34 percent had GVHD; in the gII, 58 percent had RS and 25 percent had GVHD. 49 percent from both groups had RS and 30.5 percent had GVHD. There was significantly more RS in chronic GVHD patients. Surgery was used to treat RS in chronic GVHD patients who underwent BMT. CONCLUSION: RS frequence was 49 percent; GVHD is a predisposing condition to RS; sinusectomy may be necessary to control RS in GVHD patients.

Proposta de modelo de atendimento multidisciplinar para disfonias relacionadas ao trabalho: estudo preliminar / Multidisciplinary protocol proposal for professional dysphonia: preliminary study

A disfonia tem recebido um enfoque ocupacional crescente e torna-se necessário, ao otorrinolaringologista, atualizar a abordagem clínica dos trabalhadores que usam a voz como instrumento de trabalho, onde novas catagorias profissionais têm surgido e, com elas, as disfunções vocais conseqüentes às condições de trabalho. Hoje, há grandes preocupações com o prejuízo econômico e produtivo que o ditúrbio vocal possa gerar. Sabe-se que a disfunção vocal tem como característica a multicausalidade e, por isso, a avaliação, conclusão e emissão de relatórios médicos tornam-se incertos. OBJETIVO: Para melhor avaliar estes profissionais e garantir um atendimento com respaldo científico adequado, estabeleceu-se um protocolo multidisciplinar, que consiste em anamnese dirigida, exame físico, endoscopia laríngea, análise perceptiva da voz e aplicação do Voice Handicap Index (VHI). FORMA DE ESTUDO: Coorte histórica transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Para testar o uso do método, em caráter preliminar, o protocolo foi aplicado em 15 profissionais que usavam a voz para trabalhar. Então, realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo com estes pacientes. RESULTADO: Demonstrou-se que 13,3 por cento dos profissionais apresentaram performance vocal normal; 33,3 por cento, disfonia funcional e 46 por cento, disfonia orgânico-funcional. A disfunção vocal foi relacionada ao exercício do trabalho em 40 por cento dos pacientes e em 46,6 por cento ela foi descartada. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que o método é suficientemente abrangente e pode ser de utilidade ao otorrinolaringologista, para a avaliação clínico-ocupacional deste grupo de pacientes.

The Hunsaker Mon-Jet ventilation tube for microlaryngeal surgery: optimal laryngeal exposure.

Methods of delivering and monitoring anesthesia during microlaryngeal surgery are constantly evolving. In 1994, Hunsaker and colleagues introduced a laser-safe subglottic Mon-Jet ventilation tube, which has the ability to periodically measure end-tidal carbon dioxide levels. We conducted a retrospective review of 84 consecutive patients who had undergone microlaryngeal procedures with the aid of the Hunsaker Mon-Jet tube. Study parameters included the length of anesthetic induction and recovery times, the duration of surgery, the degree of surgical access to the larynx, and the incidence of anesthetic and surgical complications. We found that anesthetic induction and recovery times with the use of the Mon-Jet tube were comparable to those seen with standard endotracheal intubation. We also observed an apparent reduction in surgical time and a consistent subjective improvement in surgical visualization and access. The complication rate was acceptable, airway control was adequate, and use of the Mon-Jet tube was safe in all patients. We conclude that the Mon-Jet tube is a safe and effective subglottic jet ventilation system and that it has distinct advantages over other methods for both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist.