A Comparative Study of Acute Invasive Fungal Sinusitis During the First and Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We aimed to compare the demography, clinical profile, histopathology, fungal culture, radiology, surgery performed, medical therapy and outcomes of patients with acute invasive fungal sinusitis seen during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic by retrospectively reviewing their case records. Of 238 patients, 43(18.1%) presented during the first wave and 195(81.9%) during the second wave. Patients seen during the first wave were older (p = 0.04) and more likely to have visual impairment (p = 0.004), frozen eye (p = 0.012), altered sensorium (p = 0.007) and stage 3 disease (p = 0.03). Those seen during the second wave were more often COVID-19 positive and had newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (p = 0.04)and stage 1 disease (p = 0.03). Most patients had a positive culture for Rhizopus species during both waves. Histopathology showed broad aseptate hyphae in all patients but angioinvasion was seen more often during the first wave (p = 0.04). The majority of patients were treated with endoscopic+/- open debridement followed by intravenous amphotericin B and oral posaconazole. While the overall survival rate was similar (first wave 65.1%; second wave 79%; p = 0.106), mortality after discharge was greater during the first wave (11.6% vs 1.5%; p = 0.001). Mortality was higher in patients with stage 3 disease (p = 0.003). Significant differences in clinical presentation, histopathology, radiological stage of disease and post-discharge survival were noted between the two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, the causes for which were multi-factorial.

Panel 1: Epidemiology and global health, including child development, sequelae and complications.

OBJECTIVE: To summarise the published research evidence on the epidemiology of otitis media, including the risk factors and sequelae associated with this condition. DATA SOURCES: Medline (PubMed), Embase, and the Cochrane Library covering the period from 2019 to June 1st, 2023. REVIEW METHODS: We conducted a broad search strategy using otitis [Medical Subject Heading] combined with text words to identify relevant articles on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, complications, and sequelae for acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and chronic suppurative otitis media. At least one review author independently screened titles and abstracts of the retrieved records for each condition to determine whether the research study was eligible for inclusion. Any discrepancies were resolved by reviewing the full text followed by discussion with a second review author. Studies with more than 100 participants were prioritised. RESULTS: Over 2,000 papers on otitis media (OM) have been published since 2019. Our review has highlighted around 100 of these publications. While the amount of otitis media research on the Medline database published each year has not increased, there has been an increase in epidemiological studies using routinely collected data and systematic review methodology. Most of the large incidence studies have addressed acute otitis media (AOM) in children. Several studies have described a decrease in incidence of AOM after the introduction of conjugate PCV vaccines. Similarly, a decrease was noted when rates of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) were high and there were major public health efforts to reduce the spread of infection. There have been new studies on OM in adults and OM prevalence in a broader range of countries and population subgroups. CONCLUSION: Overall, the rates of severe and/or suppurative OM appeared to be decreasing. However, there is substantial heterogeneity between populations. While better use of available data is informative, it can be difficult to predict rates of severe disease without accurate examination findings. Most memorably, the COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on the research and clinical services for otitis media for most of the period under review. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The use of routinely collected data for epidemiological studies will lead to greater variability in the definitions and diagnostic criteria used. The impact of new vaccines will continue to be important. Some of the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic concerning behaviours that reduce spread of respiratory viruses can hopefully be used to decrease the burden of otitis media in the future. There are still many countries in the world where the burden of otitis media is not well described. In countries where otitis media has been studied over many years, new potential risk factors continue to be identified. In addition, a better understanding of the disease in specific subgroups has been achieved.

Short intravenous amphotericin B followed by oral posaconazole using a simple, stratified treatment approach for diabetes or COVID-19-associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-course intravenous amphotericin B followed by sustained release posaconazole tablets for diabetes or COVID-19-associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis. METHODS: This prospective, pragmatic study included adults with diabetes or COVID-19-associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis. Patients received short (7-14 days) or long (15-28 days) intravenous antifungal therapy (short intravenous antifungal treatment [SHIFT] or long intravenous antifungal treatment [LIFT], respectively) depending on the presence or absence of brain involvement. All patients received step-down posaconazole tablets, debridement, and glycemic control. The primary outcome was the treatment success at week 14, which was determined by assessing survival and the absence of disease progression through clinical evaluation and nasal endoscopy. Log-binomial regression analysis (risk ratio and 95% CI) was performed to assess factors associated with the primary outcome. RESULTS: Intravenous therapy was administered to 251 participants: SHIFT, 205 (median duration, 13 days); LIFT, 46 (median duration, 22 days). Treatment success at 3 months was 88% (217/248; 95% CI, 83-91%): SHIFT group, 93% (189/203; 89-96%); LIFT group, 62% (28/45; 47-76%). All-cause mortality was 12% (30/251): SHIFT group, 6% (13/205); LIFT group, 37% (17/46). Age (aRR [95% CI]: 1.02 [1.00-1.05]; p 0.027), diabetic ketoacidosis at presentation (2.32 [1.20-4.46]; p 0·012), glycated haemoglobin A1c (1.19 [1.03-1.39]; p 0.019), stroke (3.93 [1.94-7.95]; p 0·0001), and brain involvement (5.67 [3.05-10.54]; p < 0.0001) were independently associated with unsuccessful outcomes. DISCUSSION: Short intravenous amphotericin B with step-down posaconazole tablets should be further studied as primary treatment option for diabetes or COVID-19-associated mucormycosis in randomized controlled trials.

Chronic Granulomatous Invasive Fungal Sinusitis in Patients With Immunocompetence: A Review.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the literature on chronic granulomatous invasive fungal sinusitis to elucidate the changing trends in the management of the disease. DATA SOURCES: Using specific keywords, we searched the PubMed, PubMed Central, and Scopus databases over the past 50 years, which yielded 938 articles in the English language. REVIEW METHODS: Scrutiny of 147 relevant articles revealed 15 homogenous case series (255 cases of histologically proven chronic granulomatous fungal sinusitis alone) and 8 heterogeneous case series (patients with other types of fungal sinusitis included), which were analyzed in detail (all with >5 cases each). CONCLUSIONS: The disease typically affected middle-aged adults with immunocompetence. Most reports were from Sudan, India, and Saudi Arabia. A slowly progressive orbital, cheek, or palatal mass with proptosis (88.2%) or sinonasal symptoms (39.2%) was typical. Ethmoid (57.2%) and maxillary (51.4%) sinuses were chiefly affected with intracranial extension in 35.1%. Aspergillus flavus (64%) was the most frequent isolate reported. Endoscopic excision (78.8%) followed by azole therapy was the preferred treatment in recent reports. Orbital exenteration and craniotomy were infrequently performed. Complete resolution or improvement was reported in 91.3% of patients. Mortality ranged from 5.9% to 22.2%. There is a trend in the literature toward less radical and disfiguring surgery and preferential use of azoles, with good outcomes even in advanced cases. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Chronic granulomatous fungal sinusitis should be diagnosed on the basis of well-defined histopathologic features. A combination of endoscopic sinus surgery and azole therapy usually yields good outcomes.

Clinicopathological predictors of repeated recurrence in sinonasal inverted papilloma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate association between clinical and pathological findings and repeated recurrence in sinonasal inverted papilloma. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital included all patients operated for inverted papilloma from January 2010 to December 2019. Patients were categorized as primary and recurrent cases. Based on disease status at follow-up, they were subcategorized into 'primary with no recurrence' (PnR), 'primary with recurrence' (PwR), 'recurrent with no further recurrence' (RnR), and 'recurrent with further recurrence' (RwR) groups. Data including demography, clinical, endoscopic and pathological findings were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Increased incidence of pale appearance of lesion in RnR group (p = 0.017), polypoidal appearance in primary group (p = 0.002) and fibrous appearance in the recurrent group (p = 0.002) were statistically significant. Predominant epithelium was combined respiratory and squamous epithelium in primary and recurrent groups and also in RnR group (p = 0.019), while it was squamous (p = 0.024) in RwR group. Epithelial hyperplasia was more common in primary and RnR groups. Oncocytic change, cystic dilatation, microabscess and squamous metaplasia were seen more in recurrent and RnR groups. Cytoplasmic glycogenation was more in recurrent and RwR groups. Stroma was predominantly edematous in all the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with recurrence are younger and present earlier than those with primary disease. Fleshy appearance and pink/red colour of tumour, lining epithelium being squamous and cytoplasmic glycogenation could be considered as features predicting recurrence. Negative predictors of recurrence of IP include pale appearance of tumour, combined respiratory and squamous epithelium lining and squamous metaplasia.

Management of coexistent sinonasal pathology in patients undergoing endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair / Manejo de doenças nasossinusais coexistentes em pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico endoscópico de fístula liquórica

Abstract Introduction Patients who undergo endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair may occasionally present with coexistent sinonasal pathology which may or may not need to be addressed prior to surgical repair. Some patients may develop new onset nasal morbidity related to endoscopic repair. Objective To study the prevalence and management of additional sinonasal pathology in patients who undergo endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair was conducted to note the presence of coexistent sinonasal morbidity preoperatively and in the followup period. Results Of a total of 153 patients who underwent endoscopic closure of cerebrospinal fluid leak, 97 (63.4%) were female and 56 (36.6%) males. Most patients (90.2%) were aged between 21 and 60 years, with a mean of 40.8 years. Sixty-four patients (41.8%) were found to have coexistent sinonasal morbidity preoperatively, the commonest being symptomatic deviated nasal septum (17.6%), chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps (11.1%) and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (3.3%). Rare instances of septal hemangioma (0.7%) and inverting papilloma (0.7%) were also seen. Postoperatively, there was cessation of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea in 96.7% which rose to 100% after revision surgery in those with recurrence. Resolution of coexistent sinonasal pathology occurred in all patients with followup ranging from 10 to 192 months. New onset sinonasal morbidity which developed postoperatively included synechiae between middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall (5.9%) and sinonasal polyposis (1.3%). Conclusion Patients who undergo endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair may have coexistent sinonasal pathology which needs to be addressed prior to or along with repair of the dural defect. New onset sinonasal morbidity, which may arise in a few patients postoperatively, may require additional treatment. A protocol for the management of coexistent sinonasal conditions ensures a successful outcome.

Resumo Introdução Pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico endoscópico de fístula liquórica podem ocasionalmente apresentar coexistência de outras doenças comuns que podem ou não precisar ser tratadas antes do procedimento. Alguns pacientes podem desenvolver nova morbidade nasal relacionada ao tratamento da fístula. Objetivo Estudar a prevalência e o manejo de doenças nasossinusais adicionais em pacientes submetidos ao reparo endoscópico de fístula liquórica. Método Uma revisão retrospectiva de pacientes submetidos ao reparo endoscópico de fistula liquórica foi feita para avaliar a presença de outras morbidades nasossinusais coexistentes no pré‐operatório e no período de seguimento. Resultados De 153 pacientes submetidos ao tratamento endoscópico do fistula liquórica, 97 (63,4%) eram do sexo feminino e 56 (36,6%) do masculino. A maioria dos pacientes (90,2%) tinha entre 21 e 60 anos, com média de 40,8. Verificou‐se que 64 pacientes (41,8%) apresentavam coexistência de morbidade nasossinusal no pré‐operatório, as mais comuns eram desvio de septo nasal sintomático (17,6%), rinossinusite crônica sem pólipos (11,1%) e rinossinusite crônica com pólipos (3,3%). Casos raros de hemangioma septal (0,7%) e papiloma invertido (0,7%) também foram observados. No pós‐operatório, inicialmente obteve‐se fechamento da fístula liquórica em 96,7%, que aumentou para 100% após a cirurgia de revisão nos pacientes com recorrência. A resolução das outras doenças nasossinusais coexistentes foi obtida em todos os pacientes, o seguimento variou de 10 a 192 meses. A ocorrência de uma nova morbidade nasossinusal no pós‐operatório incluiu sinéquias entre a concha média e a parede lateral do nariz (5,9%) e polipose nasossinusal (1,3%). Conclusão Pacientes submetidos a tratamento endoscópico de fistula liquórica podem apresentar coexistência de outras doenças nasossinusais que necessitam de tratamento prévio ou concomitante ao reparo do defeito dural. Outras morbidades nasossinusais que surgem durante o pós‐operatório podem exigir tratamento adicional. Um protocolo para o manejo das condições nasossinusais coexistentes garante um desfecho bem‐sucedido.

Immunolocalization of CD1a expressing dendritic cells in sinonasal polyposis.

Sinonasal polyps are benign projections of edematous nasal mucosa lined by respiratory epithelium. Langerhans cells (LCs) belonging to the dendritic cell family located in respiratory epithelium are involved in antigen presentation and maintenance of local immunological homeostasis. This study aims to elucidate the morphology and distribution of CD1a positive LCs in normal nasal mucosa and compare the same with polypoid nasal mucosa by immunohistochemistry. Normal nasal mucosa (n = 20) was obtained from patients who underwent septoplasty for deviated nasal septum. Polypoid nasal mucosa (n = 22) was obtained from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) or allergic fungal rhinosinusitis who underwent excision of nasal polyps. The tissues obtained were processed for immunohistochemistry and stained with CD1a-EP80 Rabbit monoclonal antibody. In the tissues studied, CD1a positive LCs were observed in both the epithelium and lamina propria. Different morphological subtypes of LCs were noted in the epithelium. The cells were distributed adjacent to walls of subepithelial capillaries and cysts. The median number of CD1a positive LCs was significantly higher in polypoid category (13.5 per mm2) as compared with normal nasal mucosa (2.5per mm2) (p = .001). Presence of CD1a positive LCs in polypoid nasal mucosa hints at a critical immunological role in the etiopathogenesis of nasal polyps.

Frontoethmoidal Extranasopharyngeal Angiofibroma With Orbital Pyocele.

Significance StatementExtranasopharyngeal angiofibromas (ENA) are rare vascular tumors that do not conform to the clinical characteristics of typical nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. We present the management of an angiofibroma in a rare site, within the frontal sinus with a concomitant orbital pyocele, which was completely excised via an endoscopic approach. ENAs should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with sinonasal mass and epistaxis. Awareness of this rare entity will avoid radical surgery thus decreasing postoperative morbidity.

Management of coexistent sinonasal pathology in patients undergoing endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who undergo endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair may occasionally present with coexistent sinonasal pathology which may or may not need to be addressed prior to surgical repair. Some patients may develop new onset nasal morbidity related to endoscopic repair. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and management of additional sinonasal pathology in patients who undergo endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair was conducted to note the presence of coexistent sinonasal morbidity preoperatively and in the followup period. RESULTS: Of a total of 153 patients who underwent endoscopic closure of cerebrospinal fluid leak, 97 (63.4%) were female and 56 (36.6%) males. Most patients (90.2%) were aged between 21 and 60 years, with a mean of 40.8 years. Sixty-four patients (41.8%) were found to have coexistent sinonasal morbidity preoperatively, the commonest being symptomatic deviated nasal septum (17.6%), chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps (11.1%) and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (3.3%). Rare instances of septal hemangioma (0.7%) and inverting papilloma (0.7%) were also seen. Postoperatively, there was cessation of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea in 96.7% which rose to 100% after revision surgery in those with recurrence. Resolution of coexistent sinonasal pathology occurred in all patients with followup ranging from 10 to 192 months. New onset sinonasal morbidity which developed postoperatively included synechiae between middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall (5.9%) and sinonasal polyposis (1.3%). CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair may have coexistent sinonasal pathology which needs to be addressed prior to or along with repair of the dural defect. New onset sinonasal morbidity, which may arise in a few patients postoperatively, may require additional treatment. A protocol for the management of coexistent sinonasal conditions ensures a successful outcome.

Rhinosporidiosis-Factors predicting disease recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease of the nose caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. The disease is largely non-amenable to medical therapy and shows high recurrence rates requiring patients to undergo multiple surgeries often resulting in increased morbidity. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the epidemiological, clinical, histopathological characteristics, treatment and outcome in rhinosporidiosis and to identify factors which predispose to recurrence of the disease. PATIENTS/METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data of all patients with a diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis confirmed by histopathology at a tertiary care hospital from 2015 to 2019. RESULTS: There were 42 patients, 40 males and two females, with a mean age of 37.37 years. Disease showed bilateral involvement in 17 (40.48%) patients. Nineteen (45.24%) patients had more than two sites involved at initial presentation. Most patients had nasal cavity involvement followed by nasopharynx. Among the 28 patients who had a follow-up, 12 showed recurrent disease. However, 21 patients were disease free following a revision excision. Involvement of more than two sites was an independent significant factor for recurrence. On univariate analysis, other factors which showed statistically significant odds of developing recurrence were previous surgery (p = .054), involvement of nasal septum (p = .022), middle turbinate (p = .024), nasopharynx (p = .049) and posterior pharyngeal wall (p = .05). Factors which showed significantly less likelihood of developing a recurrence included patients who had less than 12 months duration from first symptom to intervention (p = .016), involvement of less than two sites (p = .0003) and unilateral disease (p = .019). CONCLUSION: Early intervention in rhinosporidiosis especially when the disease is unilateral and involves less than two sites improves the outcome.

Clinical utility of antifungal susceptibility testing in patients with fungal rhinosinusitis.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between antifungal susceptibility test (AFST) results and in vivo therapeutic response in Indian patients with fungal rhinosinusitis. METHODS: The clinicoradiological, fungal culture, AFST, histopathology results and outcomes of 48 patients with fungal rhinosinusitis seen between 20132015 were analysed. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination was performed for amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole. RESULTS: Forty patients had invasive and 8 had non-invasive fungal sinusitis. Rhizopus and Aspergillus species which comprised 46.9% each of isolates were mostly associated with acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis and chronic granulomatous fungal rhinosinusitis respectively. All patients with non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis had Aspergillus isolates. The Geometric Mean (GM) MIC for R. arrhizus of amphotericin B and posaconazole was 0.51 mcg/mL and 3.08 mcg/mL respectively and for A. flavus species for amphotericin B and voriconazole values were 1.41mcg/mL and 0.35 mcg/mL respectively. In patients with Aspergillus infections, while there was no association of MICs for azoles and outcome (p = 1), a strong association was noted between azole therapy and a good outcome (p = 0.003). In patients with Rhizopus infections, no association was found between MICs for amphotericin B and outcome (p = 1) and because of therapeutic complications, no association was found between amphotericin B therapy and outcome (p = 1). CONCLUSION: No significant association exists between in vitro (AFST) and in vivo responses despite low GM MICs for the drugs used in Aspergillus and Rhizopus infections. Therapeutic complications following conventional amphotericin B therapy confounds analysis. Clinical responses suggest that azoles are the drug of choice for Aspergillus infections.

Case Report: A Single-Center Case Series on Skin Manifestations of Leishmaniasis from a Non-Endemic State in Southern India.

Leishmaniasis is endemic in the Indian subcontinent with predominance of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) due to Leishmania donovani. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is uncommon, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) is rarely reported in this region. Recent reports reveal a changing epidemiology and atypical manifestations. A retrospective study of 52 suspected cases with cutaneous and mucosal involvement seen from January 2008 to December 2018 in a tertiary care setting in a non-endemic state in southern India is reported. Twelve patients were confirmed to have leishmaniasis; seven had MCL, two had CL, and three had post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). All cases were male, with a median age of 41.5 years (interquartile range, 30-55.5 years), and the median duration of the disease was 6 years (interquartile range, 1-9.5 years). Patients with MCL had mucosal involvement including destructive ulcero-proliferative lesions due to delayed diagnosis; none had a history of travel to countries endemic for MCL and all were attributable to L. donovani species. On the other hand, Leishmania major which was the causative species in both CL patients was associated with travel to the Middle East. Patients with PKDL presented with multiple plaques and hypopigmented patches; one had concomitant VL and all were from endemic areas. Hitherto uncommon MCL, caused by potentially atypical variants of L. donovani, has emerged as a new manifestation of leishmaniasis in this region. A high index of suspicion based on lesions seen and history of travel combined with PCR-based diagnostics are required to confirm diagnosis for the various skin manifestations of leishmaniasis.

Follow up of a birth cohort to identify prevalence and risk factors for otitis media among Indian children in the eighth year of life.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media, a disease highly prevalent among children worldwide, manifests clinically in both acute and chronic forms. The manner and time at which chronicity develops among Indian children is unknown. AIM: To study the prevalence, manifestations and risk factors for otitis media in a birth cohort aged 8 years. METHODS: A birth cohort of 107 babies was followed up at 8 years of age and ENT evaluation with nasopharyngeal swabbing for detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae was performed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of otitis media was 14%, almost half the prevalence in the first 2 years of life. Eight children (7.5%) with congested, bulging eardrums and no systemic symptoms had asymptomatic acute otitis media. Another five (4.7%) children had otitis media with effusion and 2 (1.9%) had chronic suppurative otitis media. Although 10/15 (66.7%) children with otitis media had positive swabs at 8 years age, only 2 were pneumococcal vaccine (PCV-13) serotypes. Risk factor analysis showed that passive smoking was the only significant parameter associated with otitis media (p = 0.029). Nasopharyngeal swabbing showed that 51/105 (48.6%) children had positive swabs for S. pneumoniae and 5/105 (4.8%) for S.pneumoniae with non-type b H. influenzae. The ten most commonly encountered pneumococcal serotypes were 6A,4,8,16F,33B,35A,35B, 18C, 19F and 23B which together comprised 29 of the 56 (51.8%) isolates. PCV-13 serotypes formed 19/56 (33.9%) to 21/56 (37.5%) of all pneumococcal isolates. Of 6 children who had received PCV-13, 4 tested positive for S. pneumoniae at 8 years of age too. However, none were vaccine serotypes. Four of those with otitis media who had positive swabs had received no immunisation at all and 3 of them had vaccine serotypes, viz. 4, 6A and 18C respectively. CONCLUSION: Indian children continue to have a high prevalence of otitis media at 8 years age. More than 1/3 of nasopharyngeal isolates at this age are vaccine serotypes. Passive smoking is an important risk factor for childhood otitis media and may contribute to the development of chronicity of the disease.

Avoiding repeated surgery in patients with acute invasive fungal sinusitis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to ascertain whether using an aggressive initial surgical protocol would reduce the need for repeated sinus surgery in patients with acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS). METHODS: Patients with AIFS prospectively underwent clinicoradiological assessment followed by bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and debridement of affected tissue. Antifungal therapy was also administered. Postoperative endoscopic debridement of crusts was performed weekly in the clinic. Outcomes were compared with a historical control group who underwent multiple surgeries. RESULTS: There were 42 male and 9 female patients aged 9-68 years (mean: 42.5 years). Forty (78.4%) patients were diabetic and 17.6% had hematological malignancies. The majority (60.8%) had stage 2 or 3 disease. Partial/total maxillectomy (29.4%), orbital exenteration (7.8%) and craniotomy (2%) were also performed at a single session in 20 patients. Intra-operative sampling of all sinuses was performed. Six patients who appeared to have unilateral disease based on clinicoradiological assessment were found to have bilateral disease. Only 2 patients required revision surgery. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 24 months. The survival rate was 68.2% overall and 73.5% for diabetics alone. The difference in outcomes with a single surgery versus multiple surgeries was not significant (p = 0.09) CONCLUSION: A surgical protocol involving bilateral FESS along with debridement of visibly affected areas and antifungal therapy avoids repeated surgery in patients with AIFS with no change in outcomes. The absence of clinicoradiological involvement of the paranasal sinuses does not preclude the presence of invasive fungal disease in these sinuses.

Endoscopic Submucosal Resection Versus Endoscopic Submucosal Diathermy for Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy.

Endoscopic submucous resection and endoscopic submucous diathermy of the inferior turbinate are two different surgical methods of reducing size in turbinate hypertrophy. We aimed to compare the efficacy of both methods in reducing the nasal symptoms and improving nasal airway. This is a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted in a tertiary hospital, involving fifty patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy not relieved by medications. After preoperative airway grading using a subjective symptom score, objective airway score and endoscopic score, patients were randomized to undergo either endoscopic submucous diathermy or endoscopic submucous resection. The primary outcome was postoperative improvement of airway and reduction of nasal symptoms. Secondary outcomes were postoperative bleeding and pain. All 24 patients who underwent endoscopic submucous diathermy and 26 who underwent endoscopic submucous resection showed statistically significant reduction in nasal symptoms both in the immediate and late postoperative periods. Patients who underwent endoscopic submucous resection showed greater improvement of airway at 1 week than those who had endoscopic submucous diathermy (p = 0.001). This difference however equalized at the 3-6 months postoperative period. Postoperative bleeding (p = 0.02) and pain (p = 0.04) were significantly more in patients who underwent endoscopic submucous resection. Both endoscopic submucous diathermy and endoscopic submucous resection are equally effective in improving airway in inferior turbinate hypertrophy with a slight advantage of endoscopic submucous resection in the early postoperative period. Reduced postoperative bleeding and pain may make endoscopic submucous diathermy a more attractive option overall.

Varied presentation of sinonasal phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour: report of a case series with follow-up.

PURPOSE: Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour (PMT) of the paranasal sinuses is a rare tumour that is associated with oncogenous osteomalacia causing predominant musculoskeletal symptoms. We present a series of eight patients diagnosed to have PMT of the paranasal sinuses with varied presentation and highlight the appropriate evaluation required to arrive at the diagnosis. METHODS: Retrospective review of eight patients diagnosed to have PMT-causing tumour-induced osteomalacia with follow-up data. RESULTS: Eight patients, 4 males and 4 females, aged 36-67 years (mean = 44 years) presented with vague musculoskeletal symptoms (6 patients) or epistaxis (3 patients). Six patients were found to have hypophosphatemia, phosphaturia and raised FGF-23 levels preoperatively. All eight patients were found to have a tumour in the nose and/ paranasal sinuses with one patient having intracranial extension. All patients were treated with endoscopic excision of these tumours which resulted in resolution of symptoms and normalisation of biochemical abnormalities. In addition, one patient required a craniofacial resection. Histopathological features were consistent with PMT mixed connective tissue variant. Two atypical patients were seen. The longest follow-up was for 5 years and there was no evidence of recurrence during the follow-up period in any patient. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of PMT of the paranasal sinuses causing oncogenous osteomalacia requires a high index of suspicion when there are no ENT symptoms. Appropriate biochemical tests and histopathology lead to the correct diagnosis. Total endoscopic surgical excision leads to a good outcome.

Mucormycosis-A clinicoepidemiological review of cases over 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist for epidemiology and outcomes of various agents causing mucormycosis in various clinical settings from developing countries like India. OBJECTIVES: To study the epidemiology and outcomes of various agents causing mucormycosis in different clinical settings in a tertiary care hospital from South India. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed details of 184 consecutive patients with culture-proven mucormycosis with consistent clinical syndrome and supporting features from September 2005 to September 2015. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 50.42 years; 70.97% were male. Unlike developed countries, R microsporus (29/184; 15.7%) and Apophysomyces elegans (20/184; 10.8%) also evolved as important pathogens in addition to R arrhizus in our setting. Paranasal sinuses (136/184; 73.9%) followed by musculoskeletal system (28/184; 15.2%) were the common areas of involvement. Apophysomyces elegans typically produced skin and musculoskeletal disease in immune-competent individuals with trauma (12/20; 60%) and caused significantly lower mortality (P = 0.03). R microsporus was more common in patients with haematological conditions (25% vs 15.7%) and was less frequently a cause for sinusitis than R arrhizus (27.58% vs 10.9%). The overall mortality was 30.97%. Combination therapy with surgery and antifungals offered the best chance for cure. CONCLUSIONS: Agents causing mucormycosis may have unique clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

Management and Outcome in Patients with Advanced Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma.

Objective To report the management outcome in a series of patients with advanced juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA). Design Retrospective study. Setting Tertiary care teaching hospital. Participants Forty-five patients classified as Radkowski stage IIIA or IIIB who presented to us over the past 10 years. Main Outcome Measures Surgical approaches used and disease free outcomes in patients with advanced JNA. Results Surgical access for the extracranial component included open (41.9%) and expanded endonasal approaches (58.1%). Craniotomy (16.3%), endoscopy-assisted open approach (7%), or expanded endonasal approach (20.9%) was performed to excise the skull base or intracranial component. Follow up ranged from 4 to 96 months (mean, 20.3 months). Of 35 patients who underwent imaging at the first postoperative follow up, 25 (71.4%) had negative scans. Three symptomatic patients with residual disease underwent endoscopic excision and had negative scans thereafter. Of two others who had radiation therapy, one was disease free and the other lost to follow up. Five others had stable, residual disease. Three patients (8.6%) with recurrent disease underwent surgical excision, of whom two had minimal, stable residual disease. At the last follow-up, 27 (77.1%) patients had negative scans, and 7 (20%) had stable residual disease with one (2.9%) patient lost to follow-up. Conclusions Advanced JNA may be successfully treated in most cases with expanded endonasal/endoscopy assisted ± craniotomy approach after appropriate preoperative evaluation. At follow-up, only symptomatic patients or those with enlarging residue require treatment; periodic imaging surveillance is adequate for those with stable disease.

Do turbinate reduction procedures restore epithelial integrity in patients with turbinate hypertrophy secondary to allergic rhinitis? A histopathological study.

PURPOSE: Consensus has not been reached regarding the optimal reduction procedure for inferior turbinate hypertrophy in allergic rhinitis and whether such procedures result in improvement in mucosal architecture. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients aged 18-45 years (mean 26.8 years), with allergic rhinitis and inferior turbinate hypertrophy not responsive to medical therapy who underwent endoscopic submucosal diathermy (ESMD) (14 patients) or endoscopic submucosal resection (ESMR) (15 patients) with intraoperative and 3-6 months postoperative inferior turbinate biopsies, were included in the study. Epithelial and mucosal architecture was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant decrease in epithelial denudation (p < 0.001), reversal of basement membrane thickening (p < 0.001) and increase in density of cilia (p < 0.001). The degree of improvement in histological characteristics between ESMD and ESMR groups was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention for inferior turbinate hypertrophy by both ESMD and ESMR results in significant restoration of nasal mucosal epithelium in patients with allergic rhinitis as early as 3-month postoperatively. There was, however, no significant difference in the histological changes between those who underwent ESMD and ESMR. CLINICAL TRIALS OF INDIA, REGISTRY NUMBER: CTRI/2015/01/005373.

Posaconazole: an emerging therapeutic option for invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis.

Posaconazole has significant activity against the Mucormycetes. However, data are limited on the clinical efficacy of posaconazole for treating rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of posaconazole in patients with ROCM. We included 12 consecutive adult patients admitted with ROCM and treated with posaconazole between January 2010 and February 2015. The main outcome of the study was the overall success rate (i.e. either complete or partial response) at the end of treatment. We also assessed serum posaconazole concentrations in a subgroup of patients. Of the 12 patients who received posaconazole, eight patients (66.6%) had complete resolution with median follow-up of 6.5 months (range 2-24 months). Two patients (16.6%) had significant reduction of disease and two (16.6%) had marked residual disease on follow-up. Uncontrolled diabetes was the predisposing factor in all except one patient. One patient developed diarrhoea on posaconazole, which settled without discontinuation of the drug. Posaconazole appears to be a safe and effective antifungal agent in diabetic patients with ROCM, especially in those who have toxicity with polyene therapy.