Olfactory neuroblastoma limited to sphenoid sinus.

Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare tumour of the skull base, typically originating from the nasal cavity and around the cribriform plate. We present the rare case of ONB originating from and limited to the sphenoid sinus in a 42-year old lady. Pre-operatively the lesion was thought to be a sinonasal polyp and underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and total excision of the polypoid lesion. Review of histology unexpectedly revealed ONB. She underwent further surgery to ensure wide local excision was achieved with negative margins on histology, followed by radiotherapy. This is only the third reported case of ONB limited to the sphenoid sinus and the ninth reported case of primary sphenoid ONB in the literature. We review the literature pertaining with primary sphenoidal ONB here and suggest complete resection is indicated in ectopic ONB, not unlike classical ONB. There may be a role for adjuvant oncological treatments and lifelong follow up in a multidisciplinary approach is recommended.

British Rhinological Society Consensus Guidance on the use of biological therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

OBJECTIVES: We set out to create Consensus Guidelines, based on current evidence and relative risks of adverse effects and the costs of different treatments, which reflect the views of the British Rhinological Society (BRS) Council on where the use of biologics should be positioned within treatment pathways for CRSwNP, specifically in the setting of the National Health Service (NHS). DESIGN: An expert panel of 16 members was assembled. A review of the literature and evidence synthesis was undertaken and circulated to the panel. We used the RAND/UCLA methodology with a multi-step process to make recommendations on the use of biologics. SETTING: N/A. PARTICIPANTS: N/A. RESULTS: Recommendations were made, based on underlying disease severity, prior treatments and co-morbidities. A group of patients for whom biologics were considered an appropriate treatment option for CRSwNP was defined. CONCLUSIONS: Although biologics are not currently available for the treatment of CRSwNP, the BRS Council have defined a group of patients who have higher rates of "failure" with current treatment pathways, higher resource use and are more likely to suffer with uncontrolled symptoms. We would urge NICE to consider approval of biologics for such indications without applying further restrictions on use.

Management of new onset loss of sense of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic - BRS Consensus Guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of the study is to provide recommendations for the investigation and management of patients with new onset loss of sense of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: After undertaking a literature review, we used the RAND/UCLA methodology with a multi-step process to reach consensus about treatment options, onward referral, and imaging. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: An expert panel consisting of 15 members was assembled. A literature review was undertaken prior to the study and evidence was summarised for the panellists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The panel undertook a process of ranking and classifying appropriateness of different investigations and treatment options for new onset loss of sense of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a 9-point Likert scale, panellists scored whether a treatment was: Not recommended, optional, or recommended. Consensus was achieved when more than 70% of responses fell into the category defined by the mean. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on the majority of statements after 2 rounds of ranking. Disagreement meant no recommendation was made regarding one treatment, using Vitamin A drops. Alpha-lipoic acid was not recommended, olfactory training was recommended for all patients with persistent loss of sense of smell of more than 2 weeks duration, and oral steroids, steroid rinses, and omega 3 supplements may be considered on an individual basis. Recommendations regarding the need for referral and investigation have been made. CONCLUSION: This study identified the appropriateness of olfactory training, different medical treatment options, referral guidelines and imaging for patients with COVID-19-related loss of sense of smell. The guideline may evolve as our experience of COVID-19 develops.

Defining appropriateness criteria for endoscopic sinus surgery in the management of adult dental implant patients with incidental maxillary sinus findings on conebeam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: Conebeam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging is commonly requested by dental implant surgeons, preoperatively, for patients being considered for dental implants. Incidental maxillary sinus findings often result in otolaryngology (ENT) referral for further assessment. CBCT findings include transient and benign mucosal changes that may not require any intervention and therefore unnecessarily delay implant surgery. We aim to define appropriateness criteria for ESS in the management of adult dental implant patients with incidental maxillary sinus findings on CBCT and provide guidance to both dental implant and ENT surgeons. DESIGN: The RAND/UCLA appropriateness methodology was used to develop and define the appropriateness criteria. SETTING: A virtual panel of 13 international experts in ESS. PARTICIPANTS: The expert panel completed two rounds of a modified Delphi ranking process for nine clinical scenarios, considering various factors affecting decision-making processes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To define appropriateness criteria for ESS in adult dental implant patients who have incidental maxillary sinus findings on CBCT. RESULTS: Patients with clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings of chronic rhinosinusitis together with an obstructed ostiomeatal complex (OMC) and concentric mucosal thickening of the ipsilateral maxillary sinus or pansinusitis were deemed appropriate candidates for ESS prior to their dental implant. ESS was not appropriate in asymptomatic patients with a patent OMC and mucosal thickening isolated to floor of the ipsilateral maxillary sinus. For uncertain scenarios, further discussion between dental implant and ENT surgeon should be considered. CONCLUSIONS: This study has developed and reported a list of appropriateness criteria to offer ESS in adult dental implant patients with incidental maxillary sinus findings on CBCT.

A postal survey of hereditary hemorrhagic telangectasia in the northeast of England.

The aim of this study is to identify the demographics and epistaxis burden of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). A questionnaire was sent to participants with HHT who were recruited from a prospectively maintained respiratory clinic data base in a tertiary hospital. Details on demographics, HHT symptoms, family history, epistaxis severity, and treatment received were recorded. There were 34 of 60 responses (57%). Two responses were from families of the deceased. Of the 32 evaluable patients (men, 14; women 18), the average age was 51 years (range, 23-78 years). The average age of HHT diagnosis was 31 years (range, 3-61 years). The diagnosis of HHT was made by the respiratory team in 13 patients; neurologist (2); ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist (4); general practitioner (5); hematologist (4); gastroenterologist (1); and not mentioned in two patients. Twenty-seven of 32 patients (84%) had a positive family history of HHT. Only 13 patients had formal genetic testing (4 endoglin, 1 activin receptor-like kinase, 8 unknown gene). All patients who presented to the respiratory clinic had a background of epistaxis, which was noted on presentation. The average age at initial epistaxis was 14 years (range, 2-50 years). The frequency of epistaxis was daily 63% (n = 20), weekly 9% (3), monthly 16% (5), and a few times a year 10% (3), and unstated in one patient. Nine of 32 patients (28%) required a transfusion. Six patients thought that they were unable to perform daily activities due to epistaxis. Only 15 of 32 patients (47%) were under the care of an ENT specialist. The treatment plan for epistaxis management was deemed good by 7 patients, adequate in 8, poor in 6, and not stated by 11 patients. In conclusion, this survey is the first to quantify the epistaxis burden within the northeast of England. The management of epistaxis needs specific education and treatment to optimize the quality of life among these patients.

Oncologic outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery for radiorecurrent laryngeal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of English-language literature.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the oncological and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in radiorecurrent laryngeal cancer. METHODS: The review was performed using search strategies including Medline, Embase, Zetoc, conference proceedings, and a manual search. Pooled estimates of local control at 24 months, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated. RESULTS: The pooled mean estimates were: local control rate at 24 months after first TLM (n = 249), 56.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47.4-66.1); local control after repeat TLM (n = 186), 63.8% (95% CI, 57.1-70.2); DFS (n = 174), 70.9% (95% CI, 60.8-80); and OS (n = 276), 74.8% (95% CI, 68.2-80.9). Pooled mean laryngeal preservation (n = 286) was 72.3% (95% CI, 68.4-76.1). CONCLUSION: TLM is oncologically sound in the salvage setting with high larynx-preservation rate, but there is a trend toward inferior local control rates compared to open partial laryngectomy techniques.