Validation of Korean Olfactory Questionnaire for Perioperative Olfactory Assessment in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery.

Objective: To analyze changes in olfactory function after endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery and compare performance of the olfactory questionnaire with those of conventional psychophysical tests. Methods: Patients were classified into 5 categories for olfactory function evaluation (normal, mild hyposmia, moderate hyposmia, severe hyposmia, and anosmia) based on a self-assessment. Patients also underwent the butanol threshold test (BTT), Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CCSIT), and 11-item olfactory questionnaire. Subjects with normosmia preoperatively and who were followed up at least 6 months after surgery were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curves and confusion matrix analysis were performed for BTT, CCSIT, and olfactory questionnaire to compare their diagnostic abilities. The effects of age, preoperative olfaction, septal flap, tumor pathology, and tumor size on postoperative olfaction were evaluated using multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Data from 108 patients were analyzed. Postoperative changes in the olfactory questionnaire were significantly associated with changes in the BTT and CCSIT. The area under the curve for postoperative self-olfactory function classification was highest for olfactory questionnaire (0.894), followed by BTT (0.767) and CCSIT (0.688). Patient age at the time of surgery and preoperative BTT score were significantly related to postoperative olfactory outcomes. Conclusion: The olfactory questionnaire correlated well with conventional psychosomatic olfactory function tests. In combination with clinical parameters and preoperative psychosomatic olfactory function tests, the olfactory questionnaire is suitable for assessing subjective olfactory function after endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery.

Treatment outcome and prognostic factors of inverted papilloma involving the frontal sinus.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and treatment outcomes of inverted papillomas involving the frontal sinus. Methods: Patients treated for inverted papilloma involving the frontal sinus between 2003 and 2020 were reviewed. Tumors were classified based on their extent (Extent 1: partially encroaching on the frontal sinus; Extent 2: completely filling the frontal sinus; Extent 3: eroding bony borders beyond the frontal sinus) and site of origin (Origin 1: originating outside the frontal sinus and prolapsing into the frontal sinus; Origin 2: originating from the frontal sinus walls medial to the vertical plane of the lamina papyracea; Origin 3: originating from the frontal sinus walls lateral to the vertical plane of the lamina papyracea). Treatment outcomes including tumor recurrence and patency of the frontal recess were analyzed according to tumor characteristics and surgical treatment modalities. Results: A total of 49 surgical cases were analyzed. Extent 1 were the most common type (n = 27), followed by Extent 2 (n = 15), and Extent 3 (n = 7). The most common sites of origin were Origin 1 (n = 23), followed by Origin 2 (n = 15), and Origin 3 (n = 11). Overall, there were nine recurrences (18.4%). Recurrence was not associated with tumor extent, whereas tumor origin, particularly Origin 3 was associated with higher recurrence; 1/23 (4.3%) for Origin 1, 3/15 (20.0%) for Origin 2, and 5/11 (45.5%) for Origin 3 (Log-rank p < .001). Draf III frontal sinusotomy was associated with in the highest patency rate (84.6%) during the follow-up. Conclusion: The recurrence rate of frontal sinus inverted papilloma depends on tumor origin rather than the extent of the tumor. In particular, lesions originating from the frontal sinus lateral to the lamina papyracea recur frequently. Draf III frontal sinusotomy can achieve patent frontal recess allowing active surveillance. Level of Evidence: IV.

Dental implant as a potential risk factor for maxillary sinus fungus ball.

Fungus ball is the most common form of non-invasive fungal sinusitis, and maxillary sinus is the most commonly involved site. Maxillary sinus fungus ball (MFB) accounts for a considerable proportion of unilateral maxillary sinusitis. The prevalence of MFB has recently increased; however, its contributing factors are unclear. This study analyzed the association between MFB and dental implants. One hundred one patients who underwent unilateral maxillary sinus surgery were divided into two groups based on surgical biopsy results: unilateral bacterial sinusitis (UBS, n = 45) and MFB (n = 56). Stratified random sampling of 30 patients from each group was performed to adjust for age. The number of dental implants on maxillary teeth and degree of penetration into the maxillary sinus was radiologically evaluated. The number of patients with dental implants was greater (P = 0.085) and the number of implants was significantly higher (P = 0.031) in the MFB group. Dental implant can be a potential risk factor for MFB development. Therefore, dental implant surgeons should take caution in penetrating the maxillary sinus floor during implant insertion and otolaryngologists should consider the possibility of fungus ball when assessing patients with sinusitis who have dental implants.

How to objectively measure snoring: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Snoring is the most common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Various objective methods of measuring snoring are available, and even if the measurement is performed the same way, communication is difficult because there are no common reference values between the researcher and clinician with regard to intensity and frequency, among other variables. In other words, no consensus regarding objective measurement has been reached. This study aimed to review the literature related to the objective measurement of snoring, such as measurement devices, definitions, and device locations. METHODS: A literature search based on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases was conducted from the date of inception to April 5, 2023. Twenty-nine articles were included in this study. Articles that mentioned only the equipment used for measurement and did not include individual details were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Three representative methods for measuring snoring emerged. These include (1) a microphone, which measures snoring sound; (2) piezoelectric sensor, which measures snoring vibration; and (3) nasal transducer, which measures airflow. In addition, recent attempts have been made to measure snoring using smartphones and applications. CONCLUSION: Numerous studies have investigated both obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. However, the objective methods of measuring snoring and snoring-related concepts vary across studies. Consensus in the academic and clinical communities on how to measure and define snoring is required.

In-Home Smartphone-Based Prediction of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Conjunction With Level 2 Home Polysomnography.

Importance: Consumer-level sleep analysis technologies have the potential to revolutionize the screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, assessment of OSA prediction models based on in-home recording data is usually performed concurrently with level 1 in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG). Establishing the predictability of OSA using sound data recorded from smartphones based on level 2 PSG at home is important. Objective: To validate the performance of a prediction model for OSA using breathing sound recorded from smartphones in conjunction with level 2 PSG at home. Design, Setting, and Participants: This diagnostic study followed a prospective design, involving participants who underwent unattended level 2 home PSG. Breathing sounds were recorded during sleep using 2 smartphones, one with an iOS operating system and the other with an Android operating system, simultaneously with home PSG in participants' own home environment. Participants were 19 years and older, slept alone, and had either been diagnosed with OSA or had no previous diagnosis. The study was performed between February 2022 and February 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the predictive model based on the recorded breathing sounds. Results: Of the 101 participants included during the study duration, the mean (SD) age was 48.3 (14.9) years, and 51 (50.5%) were female. For the iOS smartphone, the sensitivity values at apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) levels of 5, 15, and 30 per hour were 92.6%, 90.9%, and 93.3%, respectively, with specificities of 84.3%, 94.4%, and 94.4%, respectively. Similarly, for the Android smartphone, the sensitivity values at AHI levels of 5, 15, and 30 per hour were 92.2%, 90.0%, and 92.9%, respectively, with specificities of 84.0%, 94.4%, and 94.3%, respectively. The accuracy for the iOS smartphone was 88.6%, 93.3%, and 94.3%, respectively, and for the Android smartphone was 88.1%, 93.1%, and 94.1% at AHI levels of 5, 15, and 30 per hour, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: This diagnostic study demonstrated the feasibility of predicting OSA with a reasonable level of accuracy using breathing sounds obtained by smartphones during sleep at home.

The Olfactory System: Basic Anatomy and Physiology for General Otorhinolaryngologists.

Olfaction is one of the five basic human senses, and it is known to be one of the most primitive senses. The sense of olfaction may have been critical for human survival in prehistoric society, and although many believe its importance has diminished over time, it continues to have an impact on human interaction, bonding, and propagation of the species. Even if we are unaware of it, the sense of smell greatly affects our lives and is closely related to overall quality of life and health. Nonetheless, olfaction has been neglected from a scientific perspective compared to other senses. However, olfaction has recently received substantial attention since the loss of smell and taste has been noted as a key symptom of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Studies investigating olfaction loss in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have revealed that olfactory dysfunction can be both conductive and sensorineural, possibly causing structural changes in the brain. Olfactory training is an effective treatment for olfactory dysfunction, suggesting the reorganization of neural associations. A reduced ability to smell may also alert suspicion for neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders. Here, we summarize the basic knowledge that we, as otorhinolaryngologists, should have about the sense of smell and the peripheral and central olfactory pathways for managing and helping patients with olfactory dysfunction.

Differences in Clinical and Immunological Characteristics According to the Various Criteria for Tissue Eosinophilia in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

OBJECTIVES: Several criteria exist for classifying chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) as eosinophilic or non-eosinophilic. This study attempted to evaluate several criteria for defining eosinophilic CRSwNP from clinical and immunological perspectives. METHODS: A cohort of 84 patients (73 patients with CRSwNP and 11 control patients) was retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic CRSwNP based on four different criteria: eosinophils (EOS) accounting for more than 20% of the total inflammatory cells; ≥70 EOS per high-power field (HPF); >55 EOS/HPF; and ≥10 EOS/HPF. Preoperative clinical characteristics, the immunological profiles of 14 cytokines from nasal tissue, and postoperative outcomes were compared between eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic CRSwNP based on each criterion. These criteria were immunologically validated by using 14 cytokines to predict the performance of tissue eosinophilia with a random forest model. RESULTS: Patients with eosinophilic CRSwNP were significantly older when the criterion of ≥10 EOS/HPF or EOS >20% was used. The number of patients with aspirin intolerance was significantly higher in eosinophilic CRSwNP based on the criterion of EOS >20%. From an immunological perspective, non-type 2 inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in non-eosinophilic CRSwNP with the criterion of EOS >20% of the total inflammatory cells. In addition, the criterion of EOS >20% of the total inflammatory cells resulted in the best prediction of eosinophilic CRSwNP, with an accuracy of 88.10% and area under the curve of 0.94. CONCLUSION: Clinical and immunological characteristics were different between eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic CRSwNP depending on a variety of criteria, and the. RESULTS: of this study should be taken into account when choosing the criterion for defining eosinophilic CRSwNP and interpreting the data accordingly.

Associations Between Systemic Inflammatory Markers Based on Blood Cells and Polysomnographic Factors in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); however, easy-to-use methods to evaluate the severity of systemic inflammation have yet to be developed. This study investigated the association between systemic inflammation markers that could be derived from the complete blood count (CBC) profile and sleep parameters in a large number of patients with OSA. METHODS: Patients who visited our hospital's Otorhinolaryngology Sleep Clinic between January 2017 and April 2022 underwent polysomnography and routine laboratory tests, including a CBC. Associations between three systemic inflammatory markers-the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)-and polysomnographic and demographic factors including age, sex, body mass index, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the hypopnea index (HI), lowest oxygen saturation (%), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and percentages of non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage 3, REM sleep, and snoring time were analyzed. The inflammation markers were compared among OSA subgroups, and associations were also analyzed in subgroups with different OSA severities. RESULTS: In total, 1,102 patients (968 men and 134 women) were included, and their mean AHI was 33.0±24.3. PSQI was significantly associated with SII (P=0.027). No independent significant factors were identified for the NLR or PLR. Within the simple snoring and mild OSA subgroups, no significant association was found between sleep parameters and the SII. In the severe OSA subgroup, the AHI (P=0.004) and PSQI (P=0.012) were independently associated with the SII. CONCLUSION: Our study analyzed systemic inflammatory markers based on the CBC, a simple, relatively cost-effective test, and showed that the AHI and SII were significantly correlated only in the severe OSA subgroup.

Sleep parameter characteristics of patients with OSA who have retropalatal circumferential narrowing and the clinical significance of lateral pharyngeal wall collapse during sleep.

BACKGROUND: The lateral pharyngeal wall (LPW) is a critical anatomic structure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Resolving the retropalatal circumferential (RC) narrowing caused by combination of both LPW collapse and antero-posterior (AP) narrowing holds promise for surgical treatment of OSA. We sought to determine the clinical characteristics and distinctive alterations in sleep parameters of patients with OSA who have RC narrowing and LPW collapse. METHODS: Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), polysomnography findings, and sleep questionnaires were reviewed retrospectively in patients with OSA. RESULTS: Of the 106 OSA patients examined, 48% showed RC narrowing and 44% showed AP narrowing at the oropharynx level during sleep while 8% of the patients showed only LPW collapse. Patients with RC narrowing with LPW collapse exhibited a higher BMI than those with AP narrowing only. In addition, patients with RC narrowing showed more aggravated sleep parameters including apneic events than patients with AP narrowing alone. The degree of RC narrowing correlated significantly with the severity of OSA as shown by a higher apnea index and lower oxygen desaturations. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical findings suggest that the presence of RC narrowing with LPW collapse in OSA is closely related to increased apneic and oxygen desaturation events. RC narrowing with LPW collapse may be targets for surgical correction in patients with OSA to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Investigating factors influencing post-operative growth in pre-pubertal children after adenotonsillectomy.

PURPOSE: To check the change in growth-for-age after adenotonsillectomy in pre-pubertal children and investigate the affecting factors. METHODS: Two hundred and six pediatric patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy by a single surgeon between January 2011 and December 2014 were included for the retrospective cohort study. The z-scores of height-, weight-, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age were measured before adenotonsillectomy and 1 year after the operation. The Korean version of the obstructive sleep apnea-18 questionnaire (OSA-18), symptom questionnaire, physical examinations, demographic data, and pre-operative z-scores were used to analyze the factors affecting z-score change. RESULTS: Among 206 pediatric patients, 167 patients were normal growth; 19 were undergrowth; and 20 were obese. After the operation, height, weight, and BMI z-scores all increased both in 167 normal-growth patients and 19 undergrowth patients (p value < 0.05). However, in 20 obese patients, only height z-score significantly increased (p value = 0.028). The multiple regression test showed that the sleep disturbance domain of OSA-18 was positively correlated with height z-score change (p value = 0.041), and age was negatively correlated with weight z-score change (p value = 0.016). Pre-operative BMI z-score was negatively correlated (p value = 0.019) and adenoid grade was positively correlated (p value = 0.023) with BMI z-score change. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that adenotonsillectomy may positively affect growth in pre-pubertal children, without undesirable weight gain. Additionally, the sleep disturbance domain of OSA-18 may play a role in predicting post-operative height increase in pre-pubertal children.

Distinct Endotypes of Pediatric Rhinitis Based on Cluster Analysis.

PURPOSE: Despite the wide spectrum of pediatric rhinitis, endotyping of rhinitis based on type 2 inflammation and bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) is lacking. This study aimed to investigate endotypes of pediatric rhinitis using cluster analysis. METHODS: Cluster analysis was performed on data from 241 children with rhinitis by using 12 variables reflecting clinical characteristics of skin prick, laboratory, and pulmonary function tests. After extracting clusters, between-cluster differences in clinical features, such as nasal symptom scores and asthma comorbidity, were assessed to investigate the association between the endotypes and clinical features. RESULTS: Four clusters were extracted by hierarchical cluster analysis. Cluster 1 (n = 32 [13.3%]) was the non-allergic rhinitis dominant cluster with low type 2 inflammation and the lowest rate of BHR. Patients in cluster 1 had the mildest nasal symptoms and no asthma comorbidity. Cluster 2 (n = 114 [47.3%]) was the largest cluster and exhibited intermediate type 2 inflammation and low BHR. Cluster 3 (n = 65 [27.0%]) showed high type 2 inflammation and intermediate BHR. However, the severity of nasal symptoms and asthma comorbidity in this cluster were comparable with those in cluster 2. Cluster 4 (n = 30 [12.4%]) revealed high type 2 inflammation and BHR with potential functional airway impairment. Additionally, cluster 4 displayed the most severe nasal symptoms and frequent asthma comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Four distinct endotypes of pediatric rhinitis based on allergen sensitization, type 2 inflammation, and BHR correlate to symptoms and asthma comorbidity. These endotypes may aid clinicians in understanding the wide spectrum of pediatric rhinitis.

Intrapatient Comparison of Coblation versus Electrocautery Tonsillectomy in Children: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Many surgical instruments have been introduced and compared for safety and surgical efficiency in tonsillectomy. This study aimed to compare postoperative pain between coblation and conventional monopolar electrocautery tonsillectomy by intrapatient comparison in children. Thirty pediatric patients over six years of age undergoing tonsillectomies were enrolled. Coblation and electrocautery were used to remove both tonsils in one patient; one was removed by coblation and the other by electrocautery. The coblation side was randomly selected, and it was blinded to the patients. Each side's daily pain scores were collected on the visual analogue scale (VAS) during ten postoperative days. On the day of surgery, 22 (73%) patients identified less pain on the coblation side, while others felt similar pain. The mean pain scores were significantly lower on the coblation side during the postoperative ten days (except for the 6th and 8th) than on the electrocautery side. The duration of severe pain (VAS > 5) was significantly shorter on the coblation side than on the electrocautery side (2.0 versus 3.7 days, respectively; p = 0.042). Coblation tonsillectomy induced less pain than electrocautery in pediatric patients; therefore, surgeons could choose the coblator as a surgical instrument for tonsillectomy to improve the pediatric postoperative quality of life.

Aggressive Treatment Including Endonasal Surgical Sequestrectomy with Vascularized Nasoseptal Flap Can Improve Outcomes of Skull Base Osteoradionecrosis.

Objective Skull base osteoradionecrosis (SB-ORN) is a serious, potentially lethal complication of radiation therapy. We aimed to review the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SB-ORN according to the extent of treatment. Design Retrospective analysis design was used for this study. Setting The study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals. Participants Patients included who had been clinically diagnosed with SB-ORN from January 2006 to 2017. Main Outcome Measures Clinical characteristics, including demographics, predisposing factors, presenting symptoms, radiological findings, treatment modalities, and treatment outcomes, were reviewed. Treatment was classified into conservative and aggressive types. Aggressive treatment included radical surgical removal of soft tissue and bony sequestrum with the placement of vascularized tissue. Treatment outcome was analyzed in terms of clinical control, survival, and carotid artery blow out. Results Fifteen patients (11 males and 4 females) were identified during the study period. Eight patients were managed conservatively, whereas seven patients were managed with aggressive treatment. The 2-year survival was 75% in the aggressive treatment group and 15% in the conservative group (log-rank, p = 0.049). The estimated 2-year blow out free rate was 46.7% for the conservative group and 100% for the aggressive group (log-rank, p = 0.100). Conclusion In patients with SB-ORN, aggressive management, including surgical removal of sequestrum and coverage with a pedicled flap, is associated with increased survival.

Inverted Papilloma of the Maxillary Sinus: A Recurrence Analysis According to Surgical Approaches.

(1) Background: Various surgical approaches have been introduced to resect inverted papillomas (IP) stemming from the maxillary sinus (MS). This study aimed to compare the recurrence rates of IPs originating from the MS according to various surgical modalities. (2) Methods: A total of 155 surgical cases of sinonasal IPs originating from the MS were categorized into three groups according to the surgical approach adopted: endoscopic resection via middle or inferior meatus antrostomy (ESS), ESS with Caldwell−Luc approach or canine fossa trephination (ESS with CL), and expanded endoscopic approaches (ExEA) including endoscopic medial maxillectomy or a prelacrimal recess approach. A Kaplan−Meier curve was generated to examine the recurrence rates. (3) Results: The overall recurrence rate was 5.8% (9/155) with a mean follow-up period of 24.2 months. The recurrence rates for the ESS, ESS with CL, and ExEA groups were 10.0% (7/70), 3.5% (2/57), and 0% (0/28), respectively. The ExEA group had a significantly lower recurrence rate than the ESS group (p = 0.024) and there was a tendency for lower recurrence compared to the ESS within the CL group (p = 0.145). The ExEA required a shorter postoperative hospitalization period than in ESS with CL (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: ExEAs to the maxillary sinus such as the PLR and EMM approaches are excellent surgical options for IPs originating from the MS.

Evaluating Prediction Models of Sleep Apnea From Smartphone-Recorded Sleep Breathing Sounds.

Importance: Breathing sounds during sleep are an important characteristic feature of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and have been regarded as a potential biomarker. Breathing sounds during sleep can be easily recorded using a microphone, which is found in most smartphone devices. Therefore, it may be easy to implement an evaluation tool for prescreening purposes. Objective: To evaluate OSA prediction models using smartphone-recorded sounds and identify optimal settings with regard to noise processing and sound feature selection. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional study was performed among patients who visited the sleep center of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital for snoring or sleep apnea from August 2015 to August 2019. Audio recordings during sleep were performed using a smartphone during routine, full-night, in-laboratory polysomnography. Using a random forest algorithm, binary classifications were separately conducted for 3 different threshold criteria according to an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) threshold of 5, 15, or 30 events/h. Four regression models were created according to noise reduction and feature selection from the input sound to predict actual AHI: (1) noise reduction without feature selection, (2) noise reduction with feature selection, (3) neither noise reduction nor feature selection, and (4) feature selection without noise reduction. Clinical and polysomnographic parameters that may have been associated with errors were assessed. Data were analyzed from September 2019 to September 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: Accuracy of OSA prediction models. Results: A total of 423 patients (mean [SD] age, 48.1 [12.8] years; 356 [84.1%] male) were analyzed. Data were split into training (n = 256 [60.5%]) and test data sets (n = 167 [39.5%]). Accuracies were 88.2%, 82.3%, and 81.7%, and the areas under curve were 0.90, 0.89, and 0.90 for an AHI threshold of 5, 15, and 30 events/h, respectively. In the regression analysis, using recorded sounds that had not been denoised and had only selected attributes resulted in the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.88). The AHI (ß = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.24-0.42) and sleep efficiency (ß = -0.20; 95% CI, -0.35 to -0.05) were found to be associated with estimation error. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, recorded sleep breathing sounds using a smartphone were used to create reasonably accurate OSA prediction models. Future research should focus on real-life recordings using various smartphone devices.

Age related non-type 2 inflammation and its association with treatment outcome in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp in Korea.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of age in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP). 269 patients were divided into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic groups based on tissue eosinophilia, defined by eosinophils accounting for more than 20% of the total inflammatory cells. Patients were then further divided into younger and older groups based on the age of 35 years. Clinical characteristics including blood eosinophil, Lund Mackay score, and modified Lund-Kennedy (mLK) scores were compared. Levels of 14 cytokines from nasal tissues of an additional 78 patients were analyzed. Tissue eosinophilia was significantly associated with age and the proportion of non-eosinophilic CRSwNP was significantly higher in younger patients as compared to older patients (79.2% vs 56.6%). There was no difference in clinical characteristics and cytokine levels between the younger and older patients with eosinophilic CRSwNP. In contrast, in patients with non-eosinophilic CRSwNP, younger patients had significantly lower preoperative blood eosinophils and higher mLK scores at three and six months, postoperatively, compared to older patients. Alpha-1 antitrypsin and IL-5 levels were significantly lower in younger patients than in older patients in non-eosinophilic CRSwNP. This study suggests a potential association between age, non-type 2 inflammation and treatment outcome in CRSwNP.

Optimal application of soft-palate webbing flap pharyngoplasty combined with nasal surgery for surgical treatment of primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Excessive collapse of the soft palate and lateral pharyngeal wall narrowing are established causes of loud snoring and sleep apnea in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Therefore, delicate surgical techniques are needed to reshape the soft palate and create sufficient tension in the lateral pharyngeal wall. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic outcome and favorable indications of soft-palate webbing flap pharyngoplasty in subjects with OSA and primary snoring. METHODS: A total of 174 subjects who underwent soft-palate webbing flap pharyngoplasty combined with uvulopalatal flap and septoturbinoplasty from August 2015 to February 2020 were included in this study. Medical records, including pre- and postoperative sleep parameters, were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome measure was the degree of improvement in AHI after surgery. Other outcomes were differences in surgical response rates, subjective visual analog score (VAS) for snoring, sleep quality, and complications. RESULTS: Polysomnographic results showed that apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores were significantly reduced from 39.6 ± 6.1 to 22.9 ± 3.6 following soft-palate webbing flap pharyngoplasty in 59 subjects, and overall success and response rates of this technique were analyzed with 71%. We found that the successful outcomes were observed in 50% of mild (n = 12) and 56% of moderate (n = 16) subjects with OSA subjects due to lateral pharyngeal wall collapse. The success rate of soft-palate webbing flap pharyngoplasty was relatively higher in subjects with mild and moderate OSA than those with severe OSA. Additionally, the mean VAS snoring scale was 4.7 and subjects' primary snoring intensity significantly improved to 2.9 after soft-palate webbing flap pharyngoplasty. Subjective symptoms such as daytime sleepiness and sleep quality also showed improvement. Most complications were found to be minimal and improved by 1 month after the operation. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that soft-palate webbing flap pharyngoplasty is an effective treatment for OSA and primary snoring and may be a promising technique to reduce lateral pharyngeal wall collapse.

Association of obstructive sleep apnea severity with the composition of the upper airway microbiome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Although the airway mucosal system plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the underlying disease mechanism remains unclear. The microbiome greatly impacts human health and disease, particularly in the mucosa, where it can have direct interactions. In this study, we aimed to analyze the microbiome composition in the upper airway mucosa of individuals with and without OSA to identify potential disease severity-related microbial signatures. METHODS: This population-based cohort study involved 92 participants (mean age = 62.7 ± 5.8 years; male-to-female ratio = 0.74) who underwent a physical examination and sleep study. Upper airway swab samples were collected from the nasopharyngeal mucosa to evaluate the microbiome based on 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. The relationship between microbiome composition and sleep parameters was explored through bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: The average apnea-hypopnea index was 7.75 ± 6.5 events/h. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the predominant phyla in the nasopharyngeal microbiota in all participants. Simpson diversity indexes were higher in patients with OSA (0.6435 ± 0.2827) than in the control patients (0.6095 ± 0.2683); however, the difference was not significant (P = .1155). Specific anaerobes negatively correlated with the lowest oxygen saturation level during sleep (sum of powered score (1) = -117.47; P = .0052). CONCLUSIONS: The upper airway microbiome of older patients with mild-moderate OSA exhibited minor differences in composition compared with that of individuals without OSA, possibly owing to environmental changes in the upper airway mucosa resulting from recurrent airway obstruction and intermittent hypoxia in patients with OSA. CITATION: Hong S-N, Kim KJ, Baek M-G, et al. Association of obstructive sleep apnea severity with the composition of the upper airway microbiome. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(2):505-515.

Development of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy for Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVES: Inferior turbinate (IT) hypertrophy is the main cause of chronic nasal obstruction. We developed a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation device to treat patients with IT hypertrophy. METHODS: First, computed tomography images of patients with no evidence of sinonasal disease were evaluated to measure and compare the IT, medial mucosal thickness (MT), and space between the nasal septum and IT according to clinical characteristics such as septal deviation. A HIFU prototype was developed based on the above human anatomical studies. The experimental study was performed in five pigs; the nasal volume and histological changes at 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively were evaluated to compare the efficacy of HIFU turbinoplasty with that of radiofrequency turbinoplasty and a control group. RESULTS: The mean medial MT of the anterior, middle, and posterior portions of the IT were 4.66±1.14, 4.23±0.97, and 6.17±1.29 mm, respectively. The mean medial space was 2.65±0.79 mm. The diameter and focal depth of the prototype were 4 mm and 3 mm, respectively. HIFU showed no postoperative complications, including bleeding or scar formation. After HIFU treatment, the nasal volume increased by 196.62 mm3 (7.8%) and 193.74 mm3 (8.3%) at 1 week and 4 weeks, compared with the increase of 87.20 mm3 (3.1%) and 213.81 mm3 (9.0%), respectively, after radiofrequency therapy. A qualitative histological analysis after radiofrequency turbinoplasty showed epithelial layer disruption at 1 week and increased fibrosis, along with decreased glandular structure, at 4 weeks. The HIFU group had an intact epithelial layer at 1 week postoperatively. However, significant differences were observed at 4 weeks, including increased fibrosis and decreased glandular structure. CONCLUSION: The efficacy and safety of HIFU turbinoplasty were demonstrated in an animal study. Our. RESULTS: warrant further human clinical trials.