Role of induction chemotherapy in advanced-stage olfactory neuroblastoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the treatment outcomes in patients with advanced-stage olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) who received induction chemotherapy (IC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 38 patients with advanced-stage ONB who received initial IC were retrospectively analyzed. The response was defined using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Patients with complete remission or partial remission were defined as responders. RESULTS: Seventeen (44.7%) patients responded to IC. The response rate was higher in patients with high Hyams grade tumor (III/IV) compared to those with low-grade tumors (I/II) (60% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.038). Overall, the 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate was 76.0%. Among nonresponders to IC, a significant difference in 5-year CSS rates was observed between surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) (100%) versus definitive RT or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) (68.6%) (log-rank p = 0.006). However, for responders, there was no significant difference in 5-year CSS rates between surgery with adjuvant therapy (75%) and definitive RT or CRT (51.1%) (log-rank p = 0.536). When only high-grade tumors were considered among responders, the 5-year CSS rate was significantly higher in patients who received RT or CRT (51.4%) compared to those who underwent surgery with adjuvant therapy (0%) (log-rank p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: In advanced-stage ONB, RT or CRT may be preferable for high-grade tumor responding to IC. Higher response rate and a potential role for induction IC in determining the optimal definitive treatment modality suggest a positive role for advanced-stage high-grade ONB.

Effect of diesel exhaust particles on RANK/RANKL expression in in vivo and in vitro models of middle ear inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence suggests a link between middle ear inflammation and the development of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). Chronic middle ear inflammation can lead to bone damage and remodeling. This study aimed to explore the impact of DEPs on the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and RANKL under conditions of middle ear inflammation. METHODS: DEPs were collected by burning fuel in a diesel engine at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. Human middle ear epithelial cells were cultured to 70-80% confluence in culture plates and then treated with DEPs at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 µg/mL for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed manually. B6.SJL mice, aged 9 weeks, were exposed to DEPs at a concentration of 200 µg/m3 for 1 h daily over a period of 28 days. The expression levels of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, RANKL, and RANK were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and western blot analysis of the harvested middle ear samples. RESULTS: The viability of human middle ear epithelial cells was found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner after 24 h. The mRNA expression level of IL-6 exhibited the most significant increase at the 48-h mark. In contrast, the mRNA expression levels of RANKL and RANK showed a marked increase as early as 6 h post-exposure, with both genes subsequently displaying a time-dependent decrease. Histological analysis revealed that the middle ear mucosa was thicker in the group exposed to DEPs compared to the control group. Additionally, the protein expression levels of IL-6 and RANKL were elevated in the DEP-exposed group relative to the normal control group. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the expression of osteoclast-related proteins in the mouse middle ear. These results imply that air pollutants might affect RANKL/RANK signaling, which is associated with bone remodeling.

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.

Molecular and Treatment Characteristics of SMARCB1 or SMARCA4-Deficient Undifferentiated Tumor: Retrospective Case Series.

SMARCB1 or SMARCA4-deficient sinonasal carcinoma or thoracic undifferentiated tumor has aggressive nature with a poor prognosis. Patients with this disease were diagnosed by immunohistochemistry or next-generation sequencing. Those who were able to receive a surgery tended to be cured, while the others treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immune checkpoint inhibitor were often insensitive to these therapies. However, one having CD274 (PD-L1) amplification showed the response to immune checkpoint inhibitor and a good prognosis. We believed that this report could provide promising information for determining the optimal treatment option.

The KAAACI Guidelines for Sublingual Immunotherapy.

Allergen immunotherapy is regarded as the only disease-modifying treatment option for various allergic conditions, including allergic rhinitis and asthma. Among the routes of administration of allergens, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has gained clinical interest recently, and the prescription of SLIT is increasing among patients with allergies. After 30 years of SLIT use, numerous pieces of evidence supporting its efficacy, safety, and mechanism allows SLIT to be considered as an alternative option to subcutaneous immunotherapy. Based on the progressive development of SLIT, the current guideline from the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology aims to provide an expert opinion by allergy, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology specialists with an extensive literature review. This guideline addresses the use of SLIT, including 1) mechanisms of action, 2) appropriate patient selection for SLIT, 3) the currently available SLIT products in Korea, and 4) updated information on its efficacy and safety. This guideline will facilitate a better understanding of practical considerations for SLIT.

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.