CT and MRI Findings of Invasive Mucormycosis in the Setting of COVID-19: Experience From a Single Center in India.

An increasing incidence of rhinoorbitocerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) among patients with COVID-19 has recently been reported in India. We report the imaging findings for 25 patients with COVID-19 and invasive ROCM at a single hospital in India. Findings included sinus wall erosions (n = 20), air within bony sinus structures (n = 11), and focal mucosal nonenhancement (n = 8). Orbital, vascular, and intracranial complications were also observed. Radiologists should recognize the increasing incidence of ROCM among patients with COVID-19 to facilitate early diagnosis.

Predictors of sinonasal disease onset, progression, and severity in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients.

PURPOSE: Pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have a variable onset, severity, and progression of sinonasal disease. The objective of this study was to identify genotypic and phenotypic factors associated with CF that are predictive of sinonasal disease, recurrent nasal polyposis, and failure to respond to standard treatment. METHODS: A retrospective case series was conducted of 30 pediatric patients with CF chronic rhinosinusitis with and without polyps. Patient specific mutations were divided by class and categorized into high risk (Class I-III) and low risk (Class IV-V). Severity of pulmonary and pancreatic manifestations of CF, number of sinus surgeries, nasal polyposis and recurrence, age at presentation to Otolaryngology, and Pediatric Sinonasal Symptom Survey (SN-5)/Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores were examined. RESULTS: 27/30 patients (90%) had high risk mutations (Class I-III). 21/30 (70.0%) patients had nasal polyposis and 10/30 (33.3%) had recurrent nasal polyposis. Dependence on pancreatic enzymes (23/27, 85.2% vs 0/3, 0.0%, p = 0.009) and worse forced expiratory volumes (FEV1%) (mean 79, SD 15 vs mean 105, SD 12, p = 0.009) were more common in patients with high risk mutations. Insulin-dependence was more common in those with recurrent polyposis (5/10, 50% vs 2/20, 10%, p = 0.026). There was no statistical difference in ages at presentation, first polyps, or sinus surgery, or in polyposis presence, recurrence, or extent of sinus surgery based on high risk vs. low risk classification. CONCLUSION: CF-related diabetes was associated with nasal polyposis recurrence. Patients with more severe extra-pulmonary manifestations of CF may also be at increased risk of sinonasal disease.

Sarcoidosis of the paranasal sinuses.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a chronic disease, which predominantly affects the lung. Since sinonasal sarcoidosis is rare, little is known about the sarcoidosis manifestation at this site. Therefore, the aim of our study was to detect the prevalence of sinonasal sarcoidosis, its clinical occurrence, diagnosis, and therapy. METHODS: The database of all patients having visited the otorhinolaryngology departments of the universities in Göttingen and in Bonn between 2003 and 2016 was searched for the diagnosis of sinonasal sarcoidosis. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with a biopsy-proven sinonasal sarcoidosis were identified. Most patients presented non-specific clinical symptoms, which are also found in acute and chronic sinusitis. None of the patients was suspected to have sinonasal sarcoidosis by the ENT doctor before histological validation. The mean diagnostic delay was 262 (± 195) days. An additional pulmonary involvement was detected in four of six patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sinonasal sarcoidosis is presenting with heterogeneous clinical presentations. An early biopsy of granulomatous lesions is mandatory. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to exclude serious lung or heart manifestations, because even asymptomatic organ involvement is possible. A CT-scan may be useful even if unspecific. Local or systemic therapy has to be prepared individually using local and systemic corticosteroids, antimetabolites, or anti-TNF-alpha.

Coexistence of frontal sinus hypoplasia with maxillary sinus hypoplasia: a radiological study.

The goal of this study was to determine whether frontal sinus hypoplasia coexists with maxillary sinus hypoplasia. Analyzing paranasal CT scans retrospectively, we included 86 patients who had a hypoplastic maxillary sinus at least on one side and 80 patients with bilateral normal maxillary sinuses (control group). We classified hypoplastic maxillary sinuses using the classification system previously defined by Bolger et al. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 103(5):759-765, 1990). We classified the frontal sinuses as aplastic, hypoplastic, medium-sized, and hyperplastic; as previously defined by Guerram et al. (Am J Phys Anthropol 154(4):621-627, 2014). We compared the presence of frontal sinus hypoplasia using Chi-square test between the groups. The mean age of the maxillary sinus group was 43.2 (range 18-84) years. Of 86 patients, 33 (38.4%) had unilateral and 53 (61.6%) had bilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia. Of 139 maxillary sinuses totally included, 73 (52.5%) were type 1, 51 (36.7%) were type 2 and 15 (10.8%) were type 3 hypoplastic maxillary sinuses. Of 332 frontal sinuses totally included, 25 (7.5%) were aplastic, 32 (9.6%) were hypoplastic, 172 (51.9%) were medium-sized, and 103 (31%) were hyperplastic. Of 86 patients with a hypoplastic maxillary sinus at least on one side, 29 (33.7%) had a hypoplastic and/or aplastic frontal sinus, while 10 (12.5%) had a hypoplastic and/or aplastic frontal sinus at least on one side in control group. Incidence of frontal sinus hypoplasia and/or aplasia was significantly higher in patients with maxillary sinus hypoplasia compared to the patients with bilaterally normal maxillary sinuses (χ2 = 10.384, P = 0.001). Maxillary sinus hypoplasia has a significantly higher coexistence with frontal sinus hypoplasia. This study may have an implication for anatomical studies about the development of the paranasal sinuses and paranasal sinus surgery as well as further morphological studies.

Paranasal sinus opacification in headache sufferers: A population-based imaging study (the HUNT study-MRI).

Background The association between headache and paranasal sinus disease is still unclear. Because of symptom overlap, the two conditions are not easily studied on the basis of symptoms alone. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether paranasal sinus opacification on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was associated with migraine, tension-type headache (TTH) or unclassified headache. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 844 randomly selected participants (442 women, age range 50-65 years, mean age 57.7 years). Based on 14 headache questions, participants were allocated to four mutually exclusive groups: migraine, TTH, unclassified headache or headache free. On MRI, opacifications as mucosal thickening, polyps/retention cysts and fluid in the five paired sinuses were measured and recorded if ≥1 mm. For each participant, opacification thickness was summed for each sinus and, in addition, a total sum of all sinuses was calculated. Opacification in each sinus was compared between headache-free participants and the headache groups using non-parametric tests, and the total sum was compared by logistical regression. Results No significant association was found between paranasal sinus opacification and headache in general, nor when headache was differentiated into migraine, TTH and unclassified headache. This was also true in separate analyses of mucosal thickening and fluid and of opacification from each paranasal sinus. Conclusion Migraine, TTH and unclassified headache were found not to be associated with an increased degree of paranasal sinus opacification at MRI.

Higher Body Mass Index and Increased Prevalence of Paranasal Sinus Disease.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased prevalence of paranasal sinus disease and examined the hypothesis in Japanese adults. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including 1350 Japanese adults aged 40 years or more who participated in a health check-up program focusing on brain diseases and metabolic syndrome. Participants were divided into quartiles of BMI levels. Paranasal sinus disease was confirmed by a head MRI scan. The association between BMI and paranasal sinus disease was examined using logistic regression analysis, which was adjusted for age, sex, waist:hip ratio, hemoglobin A1c, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, alcohol intake, and white blood cell count. RESULTS: Of the 1350 participants, 151 (11.2%) had paranasal sinus disease. In relation to those in the lowest quartile of BMI, the odds ratios of having the disease among those in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of BMI were 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-3.48), 2.26 (95% CI, 1.20-4.23) and 2.26 (95% CI, 1.14-4.51), respectively. When BMI was analysed as a continuous variable, an increase of one unit in BMI was significantly associated with increased odds of having the disease, with an OR of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.01-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that patients with higher BMI are more likely to have paranasal sinus disease.

Prevalence of Olfactory Impairment in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disease of unknown origin. It may damage all organs and systems, even olfactory and taste sense. The aim of the study was to determine the sense of smell in patients with GPA and to identify factors related to disease course, activity, and duration, which may be associated with olfactory dysfunction. The comparison of olfactory function screening scores with Sniffin' Sticks standardized norms showed that 74% of the investigated patients had olfactory dysfunction. The olfactory performance was diminished in all parts of Sniffin' Sticks test: threshold scores 4.4 vs. 7.1 (p = 0.007); odor discrimination 9.0 vs. 11.9 (p = 0.008); and olfactory identification 9.8 vs. 12.2 (p = 0.011) in the GPA patients vs. control subjects, respectively. Scores acquired during all three parts of the test were combined to assess the TDI-score. The median TDI-score in the GPA group (27.5) was significantly lower than that in the control group (32.0) (p = 0.002). Active nasal and paranasal sinus inflammation in GPA leads to olfactory dysfunction, the patients are often unaware of. The dysfunction is permanent and does not abates along with decreasing intensity of the inflammatory process. GPA therapy should include recommendations on nutrition, personal hygiene, and food poisoning prevention.

Asbestos exposure and the risk of sinonasal cancer.

BACKGROUND: While the increased risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma is well established, the relationship between exposure to asbestos dust and sinonasal cancer is less clear. AIMS: To study the risk of sinonasal cancer in relation to asbestos dust exposure. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of construction workers, linked to the Swedish Cancer Registry. Participants were classified into four exposure groups; heavy, medium, low or very low exposure to asbestos, according to the incidence of pleural mesothelioma in their occupational group. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and relative risks (RRs) were analysed, adjusted for age and smoking habits. The risks of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were investigated separately. RESULTS: Among the 280222 subjects, there was no increased risk of sinonasal cancer compared to the general population [SIR 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-1.03], or any dose-response relationship with exposure to asbestos. The highest RR was found in the low exposure group (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.69-2.28) and the lowest RR was found in the group with the highest exposure to asbestos (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.33-1.53). No significantly increased risk or dose-response association could be found for adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma when analysed separately. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not find an increased risk of developing sinonasal cancer after asbestos exposure.

The increasing incidence of paranasal organizing hematoma: a 20-year experience of 23 cases at a single center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sinonasal organized hematoma is a rare, benign disease that can be locally aggressive and may be mistaken for malignancy. Because of its rarity, the clinical characteristics are not well known. The aim of this study is to investigate the distinguishing features of organized hematoma with an emphasis on incidence change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records of 23 patients with organized hematoma confirmed histopathologically among 5,378 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery performed by a single surgeon from January 1995 to December 2014 at a tertiary care center. Clinical symptoms, endoscopic photography, computed tomography, and operative findings were reviewed. We also reviewed the relevant literature. Age, sex, site, origin subsite and histopathology were investigated. A statistical review was performed using R 3.1.2 to examine incidence change. RESULTS: The most common complaint was frequent epistaxis and nasal obstruction (52.1%). Of the 23 patients, eight were women and 15 were men with an age range of 18 to 75 years. (mean 38.9 years). Nine of these hematomas occurred on the right side and 14 on the left side. The predominant occurrence site was the antrum (65%), followed by the septum (17.3%), inferior turbinate (8%), and ethmoid sinus (8%). The incidence steadily increased over 20 years. CONCLUSION: Investigation of the clinical characteristics and incidence change of organized hematoma can provide useful information. Through analysis of the 23 cases in our study, the age distribution was found to be bimodal and the incidence of organizing hematoma was observed to steadily increase. Clinicians should be aware of these characteristics to avoid misdiagnoses of malignant tumors.

[Analysis of the results of a questionnaire survey among the patients presenting with nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses diseases concerning organization and quality of specialized medical assistance].

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the medico-social factors on the development of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses diseases and satisfaction of the patients with the quality of the provided specialized medical assistance. The approaches to the treatment of such patient at the pre-hospital and hospital levels are discussed.

EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF INTRACRANIAL OTO- AND RHINOSINUSOGENIC PYOINFLAMMATORY COMPLICATIONS IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION.

An analysis of demographic and epidemiologic situation was made in cases of otogenic and rhinosinusogenic intracranial complications on the area of 32 regions of Russian Federation at the period from 2009 to 2014. The state of ENT-service of examined subject is characterized by reduction of provision of during ENT-beds and lower level of hospitalization of population over indicated period. There was revealed a reliable correlated dependence of the main medical statistical indices from the intracranial complications with climatic and demographic factors, the rate of morbidity and activities of ENT-service in the area of this region.

Association between diabetes and increased prevalence of paranasal sinus disease: a cross-sectional study in Japanese adults.

BACKGROUND: The association between diabetes and paranasal sinus disease has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS: We cross-sectionally investigated the association between diabetes and the presence of paranasal sinus disease, which was confirmed by a head MRI scan in 1350 adults who underwent a health screening program focusing on brain diseases and metabolic syndrome. Logistic regression, which was adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, smoking status, alcohol intake, and white blood cell count, was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of having paranasal sinus disease among adults with diabetes in relation to those without. The dose-response relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and the presence of paranasal sinus disease was also investigated. RESULTS: Of the 1350 participants (mean age, 61.6 ± 10.0 years; 71.6% men), 220 diabetes cases were identified. Paranasal sinus disease was diagnosed in 151 adults. The adjusted OR of having paranasal sinus disease was 1.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.71) in those with diabetes. The odds of having paranasal sinus disease increased with HbA1c levels. Compared to those with HbA1c of ≤5.4%, those with HbA1c of 5.5%-6.4%, 6.5%-7.9%, and ≥8.0% were more likely to have paranasal sinus disease, with adjusted ORs of 1.32 (95% CI, 0.88-1.98), 1.63 (95% CI, 0.86-3.09) and 2.71 (95% CI, 1.12-6.61), respectively (P for trend = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes may be significantly associated with higher prevalence of paranasal sinus disease in Japanese adults. We should keep this increased risk in mind when a diabetic patient is suspected of having paranasal sinus disease.

Dissections of fresh skulls confirm low prevalence of Troglotrema acutum (Trematoda: Troglotrematidae) in German badgers (Meles meles).

We examined 131 European badgers Meles meles (Linnaeus, 1758) from 67 localities in central Germany for the presence of the cranial trematode Troglotrema acutum, as previous studies based on museum skulls might have underestimated the prevalence of the parasite in this host. We detected the flatworm in only three individuals that originated from the Rhoen Mountains (Thurigina and Bavaria). While the cranium of one host individual showed the lesions and the sponge-like widening of certain regions of the skullcap that are typical of a T. acutum infection, the skulls of the two remaining badgers did not show any deformations. The three badgers were infected by eight, 20, and 49 T. acutum individuals, respectively. Eggs of the trematode parasite were detected in the paranasal sinuses of two badgers. While badgers infected with T. acutum may not show any surface bone lesions, the results of the present study do not contradict the conclusion that the badger is only an accidental host of T. acutum.

Underestimation of Rhinogenic Causes in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Acute Headache.

OBJECTIVES: Differential diagnosis is essential, since secondary headache due to paranasal sinus lesions are similar in headache characteristics to primary headache. However, since patients visiting the emergency department due to acute severe headache are primarily treated by neurologists, paranasal sinuses lesions and anatomical variations of the nasal cavity causing the headache are commonly overlooked because of the clinician's lack of knowledge about rhinosinugenic headache. This study investigated the prevalence of paranasal sinus lesions and anatomical variations that may cause secondary headaches in patients who were diagnosed as primary headache and treated by neurologists in the emergency room. METHODS: A retrospective study was done involving 1235 patients who visited the emergency department from January 2008 to December 2012 and who were diagnosed with primary headache. From the axial view of brain computed tomography, examination of sinusitis, mucosal contact points, concha bullosa, isolated sphenoid lesion, and osteoma were done, and location and morphology was analyzed. METHODS: Three hundred fifty-five of 1235 (28.7%) patients had sinusitis, mucosal contact points, concha bullosa, isolated sphenoid lesion, and osteoma as possible causes for secondary headaches. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis of primary headaches requires knowledge of paranasal sinus lesions including rhinosinusitis or anatomical variations. Also, interdisciplinary evaluation of acute headache presenting to the emergency room is necessary for accurate diagnosis and proper management.

Primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction: is it really related to paranasal abnormalities?

PURPOSE: To investigate whether there is an association between primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and paranasal computed tomography (CT) findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort consisted of paranasal CT images from 40 patients being treated for unilateral primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) and the reformatted coronal temporal CT images of 71 control subjects who attended the ENT clinic with the complaint of vertigo and tinnitus. A radiologist masked to the clinical situation of participants, investigated the paranasal CT findings of the PANDO and control patients retrospectively. The side, localization, and angle of the septal deviation as well as the thickness and lateralization angle of the inferior turbinate's were recorded. Additionally maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis, concha bullosa, Agger nasi cell formation, and osteomeatal complex status were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the paranasal abnormality incidence in the PANDO and non-PANDO sides of the patients or the control group. Only the side of the septal deviation correlated with the side of the PANDO (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PANDO may not be directly related to paranasal abnormalities. Further large-scale studies should be performed to clarify the relationship between paranasal abnormalities and PANDO.

Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Maxillary Sinus Anomalies: Validation and Clinical Correlation.

OBJECTIVE: Computer aided diagnostics (CAD) systems can automate the differentiation of maxillary sinus (MS) with and without opacification, simplifying the typically laborious process and aiding in clinical insight discovery within large cohorts. METHODS: This study uses Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS) a large, prospective, long-term, population-based cohort study of participants between 45 and 74 years of age. We develop a CAD system using an ensemble of 3D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to analyze cranial MRIs, distinguishing MS with opacifications (polyps, cysts, mucosal thickening) from MS without opacifications. The system is used to find correlations of participants with and without MS opacifications with clinical data (smoking, alcohol, BMI, asthma, bronchitis, sex, age, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, allergies). RESULTS: The evaluation metrics of CAD system (Area Under Receiver Operator Characteristic: 0.95, sensitivity: 0.85, specificity: 0.90) demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach. MS with opacification group exhibited higher alcohol consumption, higher BMI, higher incidence of intrinsic asthma and extrinsic asthma. Male sex had higher prevalence of MS opacifications. Participants with MS opacifications had higher incidence of hay fever and house dust allergy but lower incidence of bee/wasp venom allergy. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates a 3D CNN's ability to distinguish MS with and without opacifications, improving automated diagnosis and aiding in correlating clinical data in population studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:3927-3934, 2024.

Benign sinonasal masses: a clinicopathological and radiological profile.

BACKGROUND: Benign nasal and paranasal sinus masses are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Though benign, certain nasal polyps, fungal sinusitis, hemangiomas and fibro-osseous tumors can present with locally destructive features and deformities, mimicking malignancies at once. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to recognize the great variety of benign nasal lesions and their frequency in our region. METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of cases presenting as mass in nose and paranasal sinus that underwent surgery over three years duration at our institute was done. A provisional diagnosis was made after clinical assessment and radiological investigations, but the final diagnosis was established after histopathological examination. RESULTS: A total 331 cases presented as masses in nose and paranasal sinus presented during the period. The clinicopathological examination aided by endoscopic and imaging studies revealed the non neoplastic benign masses in 293 and neoplastic masses in 38. Polyps were the commonest lesions constituting 70% cases followed by rhinosporidiosis in 10%. Fungal sinusitis, squamous papillomas, hemangiomas and inverted papillomas were found to be in order of 4.5%, 4%, 3.5% and 3% respectively. Rare cases like "rhinooto- cereberal" form of mucormycosis, angiomyoma, and psammomatoid ossifying fibroma were also observed in the study. CONCLUSION: Most of the nasal polyps/fungal sinusitis can be diagnosed clinically. However many a times Computer tomography (CT) scan and biopsy are necessary to differentiate them from each other and treatment plan. Certain benign tumors have high potential for malignant transformation while others can present with locally destructive features and deformities.

Seasonality and incidental sinus abnormality reporting on MRI in an Australian climate.

BACKGROUND: Incidental sinus mucosal abnormalities on MRI are a common finding. This study aims to investigate seasonality and reporting of these findings. METHODOLOGY: Prospective, cross-sectional study of adult patients presenting for neuro-radiological assessment using MRI. 173 patients were recruited over `winter` and `summer` collection periods (mean maximum temperature 14.5(deg)C and 24.3(deg)C, respectively). Patients were classified as symptomatic for rhinosinusitis according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2007 definition. A modified Lund Mackay score was used to assess sinus pathology. Mucosal thickening of > 3mm was considered pathological. Radiologist reports were reviewed for mention of incidental sinus abnormalities. RESULTS: There was an incidental rate of 58.1% overall, with significantly more sinus abnormalities in winter. Sinus abnormalities were mentioned in 8.1% of radiologist reports, half of which were in asymptomatic patients. There were significantly more sinus abnormalities amongst symptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental sinus changes on MRI are a common finding and are often reported on by radiologists. However, they bear little association with symptoms. Their prevalence is influenced by season and thus their significance is greater during cooler months. Specialist referral should be reserved for symptomatic patients that have failed medical therapy.

[Mucormycosis. An emergent mycosis]. / Mucormicosis. Una micosis emergente.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. It is characterized by rapid progression and high morbidity and mortality in the absence of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. It was an infrequent disease, but in recent years, its incidence appears to have increased. The aim of this paper is to report the cases of mucormycosis diagnosed from 1982 to 2010 at the Hospital de Clinicas José de San Martín, University of Buenos Aires. We diagnosed 10 cases of mucormycosis; the first three between 1982 and 2004 and the last 7 between 2005 and 2010. The incidence from 1980 to 2004 was 0.13 patient-years and the frequency 0.1/10 000 discharges (95% CI 0.00- 0.3). In the period 2005 to 2010, the incidence was 0.86 patients per year with 1.1/10 000 discharges (95% CI 0.5-2.4). There was a pulmonary mucormycosis case (in a patient treated with corticosteroids) and nine rhinocerebral cases, two in neutropenic and seven in diabetic patients. The diagnosis was made by observation of cenocytic hyphae in 10/10 patients. Mucorales were recovered in 8/9 cultures (5 Rhizopus spp and 3 Mucor spp.). In one case diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis was made post-mortem. Nine patients were treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate (in 3 patients supplemented with liposomal amphotericin B) and surgery. Three patients underwent hyperbaric chamber. Seven patients had favorable outcome. In conclusion, mucormycosis is a rare disease, but its incidence has increased over the past five years. A good evolution of the patients is linked to early diagnosis and treatment.

[The assessment of the state of the immune system in the patients presenting with bronchial asthma and concomitant diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses].

The objective of the present investigation was to study the influence of diseases of the nasal cavity (NC) and paranasal sinuses (PNS) concomitant with bronchial asthma (BA) on the development of peculiar features of the patients' immune status. Phenotypic characteristics of the main lymphocyte subpopulations from peripheral blood of 101 patients were obtained by means of flow cytometry with the use of fluorescein isocyanate- or phycoerythrin-labeled monoclonal antibodies. Special emphasis was laid on the elucidation of characteristics of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in the patients presenting with BA and concomitant NC and PNS diseases and their comparison with the respective parameters in the patients with isolated lesions in the upper respiratory tract (allergic rhinitis and polypous rhinosinusitis) and lower respiratory tract (bronchial asthma). It was shown that the patients with concurrent lesions of the upper and lower respiratory tracts experience marked intensification of the immune reactions in the form of the elevated number of activated B-lymphocytes (CD23+), serum IgE level, and peripheral eosinophil count.