Age-related histologic and biochemical changes in auricular and septal cartilage.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To characterize the histologic and biochemical properties of auricular and septal cartilage and analyze age-related changes in middle-aged to older adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of auricular and septal cartilage from 33 fresh cadavers. METHODS: Auricular and septal cartilage specimens were stained using Safranin O for glycosaminoglycans, Verhoeff's stain for elastin, and Masson's trichrome for collagen. Percentage of tissue stained, cell density and size were quantified. Relationships between donor characteristics and histologic properties were evaluated using mixed model analyses. RESULTS: The average donor age was 75 years (standard deviation = 11 years; range, 55-93 years). In auricular cartilage, each 1-year increase in age was associated with a 0.97% decrease in glycosaminoglycans (P < .001) and a 0.98% decrease in elastin (P < .001). In septal cartilage, glycosaminoglycans decreased 2.4% per year (P < .001). Age did not affect collagen content significantly in auricular (P = .417) or septal cartilage (P = .284). Cell density and cell size declined with age in auricular (both P < .001) and septal cartilage (P = .044, P = .032, respectively). Compared to septal cartilage in patients of all ages, auricular cartilage had more glycosaminoglycans, less collagen, higher cell density, and smaller cells. CONCLUSIONS: In auricular and septal cartilage, glycosaminoglycans, elastin, cell density, and cell size decrease significantly with age in patients over 55 years of age. Glycosaminoglycan content declines faster with age in septal cartilage than auricular cartilage. These age-related changes may affect biomechanical properties and tissue viability, and thereby have implications for graft choice in functional, aesthetic, and reconstructive nasal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 127:E399-E407, 2017.

Successful Isavuconazole therapy in a patient with acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To report a case of acute invasive Mucorales rhinosinusitis in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and diabetes mellitus. To provide a literature review on the role of Isavuconazole in the management of invasive Mucorales rhinosinusitis. METHODS: A literature review was conducted on August 9, 2015 using PubMed database. The keywords isavuconazole and invasive fungal rhinosinusitis were employed to identify original scientific manuscripts that describe the use of Isavuconazole in patients with invasive fungal rhinosinusitis or rhinocerebral mucormycosis. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 35 articles with only 1 article (case report) describing the clinical use of Isavuconazole in a patient with invasive Mucorales rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSIONS: Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis is a rare, life-threatening infection with mortality rates reported to range from 30-83%. Successful treatment depends on early surgical debridement, systemic anti-fungal therapy, and correction of predisposing conditions. Isavuconazole (Cresemba), a newly approved antifungal, is safe and clinically effective in treating invasive mucormycosis. This important new therapy should be considered for patients with invasive Mucorales rhinosinusitis that is refractory or intolerant to Amphotericin B.

Vertical Localization of the Malar Prominence.

BACKGROUND: During reconstruction or augmentation, it is important to localize the malar complex in a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing position. Few studies have determined the location of this feature and none related the location to gender, age, or ethnicity. Some of these have attempted to relate the position to the aesthetically pleasing Golden Ratio φ. METHODS: We assessed the vertical location of the malar prominence relative to other facial landmarks, determined consistency among individuals, and compared this with values used in artistry. Study population consisted of a convenience sample of 67 patients taken from an otolaryngology practice at a large urban medical center. Coordinates of the malar prominence were referenced to distinct facial landmarks from which the ratio of chin-to-malar prominence to chin-to-eye canthus was determined. RESULTS: Average chin-to-malar prominence distance was 0.793 ± 0.023 (SD) of the chin-to-eye canthus distance. Variability due to the specific image chosen [coefficient of variation (CV) = 1.19%] and combined inter/intrareader variability (CV = 1.71%) validate the methodology. Variability among individuals (CV = 2.84%) indicates population consistency. No difference was found between gender and age groups or between whites and Hispanics. Individuals of other/unknown ethnicities were within the range common to whites and Hispanics. Our population's value is not different from the value of 0.809 used in artistry, which is based on the Golden Ratio φ. CONCLUSIONS: The vertical position of the malar prominence is consistent among individuals, is clinically well-approximated by the value based on the Golden Ratio, and may be useful as a reference for surgical reconstruction or augmentation.

Relationship of eosinophils and plasma cells to biofilm in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the relationship of eosinophils and plasma cells to biofilm in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). A prospective observational study was performed at the Keck Hospital, University of Southern California, Department of Otolaryngology, Los Angeles, CA. METHODS: A total of 29 patients, 20 undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS and 9 control patients undergoing septoplasty for nasal obstruction without history or evidence of CRS, were included in this study. Contiguous sinonasal mucosa sample sections were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for biofilm, microbes, eosinophil major basic protein (EMBP), and cluster designation 27 (CD27). EMBP and CD27 were used as eosinophil and plasma cell markers, respectively. RESULTS: Biofilm was visualized in 15 of 20 patients with CRS on H&E sections, confirmed by microbial presence using FISH. Biofilm was not identified in tissue samples of the nine control patients. On IHC analysis, CD27 and EMBP expression were significantly higher in patients with CRS compared with control (p < 0.05) and had greater expression in biofilm-positive patients compared with biofilm-negative patients. Nasal polyps correlated with higher expression of CD27 and EMBP, but in CRS patients without polyps CD27 and EMBP was also significantly greater in biofilm-positive specimens compared with biofilm-negative specimens. CONCLUSION: Biofilm presence in CRS appears to correlate to host inflammatory response involving plasma cell and eosinophil recruitment.