Mucocele formation under pedicled nasoseptal flap.

The pedicled nasoseptal flap has become an indispensible tool for the reconstruction of skull base defects. This flap is easily harvested, provides a large surface area of vascularized tissue, and has few reported complications. We describe the case of a 60-year-old man who underwent endoscopic, endonasal transsphenoidal surgery with septal flap reconstruction who developed a sphenoid sinus mucocele postoperatively. We also have reviewed the literature for similar findings and discuss this complication in the setting of pituitary surgery and endoscopic skull base repair. Although likely a rare occurrence, mucocele formation after septal flap reconstruction should be recognized and monitored with postoperative nasal endoscopy and radiologic imaging. Reoperation or mucocele drainage may be necessary if symptomatic or in cases of rapid enlargement.

The Relationship between Croup and Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanism by which recurrent croup occurs is unknown. Gastroesophageal reflux is commonly implicated, although this relationship is only loosely documented. We conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis component to evaluate the relationship between recurrent croup and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to assess for evidence of improvement in croup symptoms when treated. STYLE DESIGN: Systematic Review and Meta Analysis. METHODS: We searched five separate databases. Studies were included if they discussed the relationship between croup and GERD in children, >5 subjects, and available in English. Literature retrieved was assessed according to pre-specified criteria. Retrieved articles were reviewed by two independent authors and decisions mediated by a third author. If there was a difference of opinion after first review, a second review was performed to obtain consensus. Heterogeneity was calculated and summarized in forest plots. RESULTS: Of 346 initial records, 15 met inclusion criteria. These were two retrospective cohort and 13 cross-sectional studies. Thirteen of 15 articles support an association between recurrent croup and GERD. Although heterogeneity is high among studies that reported prevalence of GERD, there is less uncertainty in results for improvement to recurrent croup after GERD treatment. Most studies lacked a control group and all carry a moderate-to-high risk of bias. CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence linking GERD to recurrent croup; Further research is needed to assess for causality as most studies are retrospective, lack a control group, and have a study design exposing them to bias. Patients treated with reflux medication appear to demonstrate a reduced incidence of croup symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Laryngoscope, 131:209-217, 2021.

Deep neck infections: a retrospective review of 112 cases.

The purpose of this study was to review our recent experience with deep neck infections and compare it to the experiences in the available literature. A total number of 112 charts of patients treated for deep neck infections at the department of otolaryngology of our hospital between August 1996 and September 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. All the relevant clinical charts including presentation, origin and site of deep neck infection, radiological, and bacteriological studies and interventions along with demographic profile, details of hospital stay, and outcomes were evaluated. The findings were compared to those in the available literature. Until 2002, we had nearly constant number of patients annually but since then we have found an increasing number of them. The most common presenting symptom was neck swelling (88.4%). Fever was present in 63.4 and 78% had leukocytosis. The most common known cause was dental infection (31.3%) and in 32.1% of them origin remained unknown. The most commonly encountered site was the submandibular space and 23.2% of patients had two or more involved spaces. Exactly 20.5% were treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy alone whereas 79.5% had surgical procedures with successful results in 98.2% of them. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 20.5% of cases. There was no case of known primary or acquired immunodeficiency. We had two deaths from septic shock but there was not any other complication. Mean hospitalization time was 7 days. Deep neck infections remain potentially lethal infections if they are not diagnosed early and treated promptly. Widespread diffusion of empirical broad-spectrum oral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatments may cause masked presentations of deep neck infections without swelling, fever, or leukocytosis. Our tailored approach (medical or medical and surgical) based on clinical and radiological evidence was successful in 98.2% of the patients with a short mean hospitalization time.

Repair of Lateral Wall Insufficiency.

IMPORTANCE: Lateral wall insufficiency (LWI) is classified by the zone in which it occurs. Multiple techniques for treating LWI are described in the literature and are used, but no treatment approach has been widely adopted. OBJECTIVE: To establish an algorithm for treatment of LWI by evaluating subjective and objective outcomes of patients who underwent LWI repair and comparing these results with those of a control group who received no specific LWI repair. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This case-control study was conducted in a tertiary referral center. In group 1, there were 44 patients who underwent septorhinoplasty to repair LWI between February 1, 2014, and May 31, 2016. In group 2, there were 44 age- and sex-matched patients who underwent cosmetic septorhinoplasty without LWI repair. Data analysis was conducted from February 1, 2014, to May 31, 2016. INTERVENTION: Open septorhinoplasty. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores and LWI grades. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (8 men and 36 women, with a mean [SD] age of 46 [16] years) who underwent open septorhinoplasty to repair LWI and 44 age- and sex-matched patients (composed of 8 men and 36 women, with a mean [SD] age of 41 [12] years) were included in the study. The mean (SD) preoperative NOSE scores were 69.4 (22) in group 1 and 20.5 (20.8) in group 2 (P < .001). The NOSE scores in both groups significantly improved after surgery (44.7 [95% CI, -28.9 to -49.9; P < .001] and -14.5 [95% CI, -2.7 to -18.5; P = .02]), although the improvement in group 2 was not clinically significant. The mean preoperative LWI grades were higher in group 1 than in group 2 for each zone (P < .001 and P = .001) but were similar between groups for each zone after surgery. Postoperative LWI scores significantly decreased in group 1 to levels similar to that of group 2. A positive linear correlation was noted between NOSE scores and LWI grades, with the strongest correlation between preoperative zone 1 LWI grades and NOSE scores (R = 0.68). Lateral crural strut grafts were used for zone 1 LWI and alar rim grafts were used for zone 2 LWI. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The LWI grading system enables surgeons to localize LWI, tailor the surgical treatment to the patient, and monitor improvements in the postoperative period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Risk Stratification for Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

Objectives Venous thromboembolism (VTE) contributes to significant patient morbidity, yet the incidence of VTE following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is unknown. Quality improvement criteria are prompting increased standardization of perioperative VTE prophylaxis. Risk stratification for VTE may better define best practice measures to balance limiting VTE development with avoiding unnecessary chemoprophylaxis. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary institution. Subjects and Methods Adult patients who underwent ESS without perioperative chemoprophylaxis from 2008 to 2016 were evaluated. Identification of VTE was performed via screening diagnosis and procedure codes and clinical records, with subsequent confirmation of true-positive VTE. Data for individual Caprini scores were abstracted from electronic medical records. The primary outcome was development of VTE within 30 days following ESS relative to the Caprini score. Results A total of 2369 ESS cases were evaluated. While initial screening identified multiple potential VTE events, in-depth medical record review confirmed only 4 true VTE (0.17%). The VTE rate among cases with a Caprini score of <8 (0.09%, 2/2278) was significantly less ( P = .008) than the rate with a score of ≥8 (2.2%, 2/91). Beyond overall score, specific risk factors associated with development of postoperative VTE included stroke, central venous access, sepsis, and inpatient status (all P < .025), while prior VTE and hypercoagulability were not associated with postoperative VTE (all P > .5). Conclusions In the absence of perioperative chemoprophylaxis, postoperative VTE following ESS is extremely rare, particularly for patients carrying low-to-moderate Caprini scores. Risk stratification based on these data can assist in the design of VTE prophylaxis guidelines for ESS patients.

Barosinusitis: Comprehensive review and proposed new classification system.

BACKGROUND: Barosinusitis, or sinus barotrauma, may arise from changes in ambient pressure that are not compensated by force equalization mechanisms within the paranasal sinuses. Barosinusitis is most commonly seen with barometric changes during flight or diving. Understanding and better classifying the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of barosinusitis are essential to improve patient care. OBJECTIVES: To perform a comprehensive review of the available literature regarding sinus barotrauma. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search that used the terms "barosinusitis," "sinus barotrauma," and "aerosinusitis" was conducted, and all identified titles were reviewed for relevance to the upper airway and paranasal sinuses. All case reports, series, and review articles that were identified from this search were included. Selected cases of sinus barotrauma from our institution were included to illustrate classic signs and symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty-one articles were identified as specifically relevant to, or referencing, barosinusitis and were incorporated into this review. The majority of articles focused on barosinusitis in the context of a single specific etiology rather than independent of etiology. From analysis of all the publications combined with clinical experience, we proposed that barosinusitis seemed to fall within three distinct subtypes: (1) acute, isolated barosinusitis; (2) recurrent acute barosinusitis; and (3) chronic barosinusitis. We introduced this terminology and suggested independent treatment recommendations for each subtype. CONCLUSION: Barosinusitis is a common but potentially overlooked condition that is primed by shifts in the ambient pressure within the paranasal sinuses. The pathophysiology of barosinusitis has disparate causes, which likely contribute to its misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Available literature compelled our proposed modifications to existing classification schemes, which may allow for improved awareness and management strategies for barosinusitis.

Inferior alveolar nerve hemangioma.

A 14-year-old male presented with lower lip numbness and a slowly enlarging mandibular mass. Computed tomography demonstrated an expansile lesion centered in the marrow space of the left mandibular body, extending along the course of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), and expanding the mental foramen. Preoperative diagnosis was consistent with an IAN schwannoma. Surgical planning was performed using PROPLAN CMF software. The lesion was approached via a sagittal split osteotomy and excised en bloc with the IAN. Final pathology demonstrated a capillary hemangioma originating from the inferior alveolar nerve. Based on a detailed PubMed search, this is the first capillary hemangioma of the inferior alveolar nerve reported in the literature. Laryngoscope, 126:2168-2170, 2016.

Indications and outcomes for Draf IIB frontal sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Extended frontal surgery techniques are often required when maximal medical therapy and standard endoscopic surgical approaches fail in patients. Although outcomes of the Draf III (modified Lothrop) procedure have been widely reported, postoperative outcomes and indications for the Draf IIB frontal sinusotomy have been relatively underreported. We presented our institution's experience with the Draf IIB procedure. METHODS: Patients who underwent the Draf IIB frontal sinusotomy between 2007 and 2012 were identified by retrospective chart review. Data collected included demographics, imaging, sinus patency, and Sino-nasal Outcome Test 20 scores. RESULTS: A total of 22 Draf IIB frontal sinusotomies were performed in 18 patients. Thirteen of eighteen patients had previous frontal sinus surgery. The most common indications for the extended approach were chronic frontal sinusitis due to lateralized middle turbinate remnant (8 patients), mucocele (6), postoperative synechiae (5), and frontal sinus mass (3). Sinus ostium patency was maintained in 20 of 22 sinuses over an average follow-up period of 16.2 months. No complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The Draf IIB frontal sinusotomy is a relatively safe procedure, with multiple indications. Long-term sinus ostium patency was maintained in >90% of operated sinuses, which indicated that the Draf IIB procedure may present an acceptable alternative to more aggressive extended frontal sinus approaches in selected patients.

Safety analysis of long-term budesonide nasal irrigations in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis post endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although the safety of topical nasal steroids is well established for nasal spray forms, data regarding the safety of steroid irrigations is limited. We studied the effect of long-term budesonide nasal irrigations (>6 months) on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) function and intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients post-endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: This was retrospective case series. Adrenal function was assessed by using the high-dose cosyntropin stimulation test. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were assessed, with a mean duration of budesonide irrigations of 22 months. Stimulated cortisol levels were abnormally low in 11 patients (23%). None reported to have symptoms of adrenal suppression. Three of 4 patients who repeated the study being off budesonide for at least 1 month returned to near normal levels. Logistic regression analysis revealed that concomitant use of both nasal steroid sprays and pulmonary steroid inhalers was significantly associated with HPAA suppression (p = 0.024). Patients with low stimulated cortisol levels were able to continue budesonide irrigations under the supervision of an endocrinologist without frank clinical manifestations of adrenal insufficiency. IOP was within normal limits in all patients. CONCLUSION: Long-term use of budesonide nasal irrigations is generally safe, but asymptomatic HPAA suppression may occur in selected patients. Concomitant use of both nasal steroid sprays and pulmonary steroid inhalers while using daily budesonide nasal irrigations is associated with an increased risk. Rhinologists should be alerted to the potential risks of long-term use of budesonide nasal irrigations, and monitoring for HPAA suppression may be warranted in patients receiving long-term budesonide irrigation therapy.

Endoscopic hydroxyapatite augmentation for patulous Eustachian tube.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic calcium hydroxyapatite injection in patients with patulous Eustachian tube. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Fourteen patients diagnosed with patulous Eustachian tube (PET) underwent endoscopic hydroxyapatite injection under general anesthesia. All patients had at least two of three major PET symptoms including voice autophony, breathing autophony, or aural fullness/pressure. Patients were evaluated postoperatively with nasal endoscopy and a symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: Endoscopic Eustachian tube injection was performed in a total of 23 sides in 14 patients with an average volume of 2.1 cc injected per side. Mean follow-up was 17.5 months. The most common symptoms reported preoperatively were voice autophony (96%), breathing autophony (91%), and ear fullness (83%). A complete or significant response to treatment was noted in 13/22 sides with voice autophony (59%), 12/21 sides with breathing autophony (57%), and 12/19 sides with ear fullness (63%). All complete or significant symptom improvements remained durable through the entirety of the follow-up period. Four sides that had temporary or no improvement with treatment underwent repeat injection but did not achieve additional improvement. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic hydroxyapatite injection of the Eustachian tube is a minimally invasive procedure that provided significant or complete relief of autophony and ear fullness in 57% to 63% of sides treated. The procedure is well tolerated and can be performed safely under endoscopic visualization. Hydroxyapatite injection may be a satisfactory alternative to more invasive treatments for PET.

Anatomic relationship of nasolacrimal duct and major lateral wall landmarks: cadaveric study with surgical implications.

BACKGROUND: Detailed knowledge of the surgical anatomic landmarks of the lateral nasal wall is important for safe and successful endoscopic sinonasal surgery. We sought to determine the relationship of major landmarks to the nasolacrimal duct (NLD). METHODS: Twenty mid-sagittal head sections of 10 fresh frozen cadavers were studied after removal of the nasal septum. The insertion of the alar cartilage into the maxilla was taken as a fixed point and all measurements were performed in a defined axial plane at the level of the maxillary sinus natural ostium. Two surgeons independently recorded each measurement 3 times with an average of the readings used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The overall agreement index was excellent (r = 0.84) between the observers. At the level of maxillary ostium, the mean distance from the alar rim to the NLD was 43.05 ± 4.76 mm on the right and 41.25 ± 4.56 mm on the left. The most anterior projection of the middle turbinate head was noted to be anterior to the NLD in 70% of specimens. In positional relationship, the maxillary line was posterior to the NLD in 55%, whereas the bulla ethmoidalis and the free edge of uncinate process were uniformly posterior to the NLD in all the specimens. CONCLUSION: This study provides useful anatomic and positional relationships between the NLD and major lateral wall landmarks. Although the maxillary line and the head of the middle turbinate are often considered useful guides to the position of the ipsilateral NLD, their spatial relationship to the NLD is not consistent. These landmarks, therefore, cannot be solely relied upon during surgery to avoid injury to the NLD.

Modification of the Lund-Kennedy endoscopic scoring system improves its reliability and correlation with patient-reported outcome measures.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare three existing endoscopic scoring systems and a newly proposed modified scoring system for the assessment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). STUDY DESIGN: Blinded, prospective cohort study. METHODS: CRS patients completed two patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)-the visual analogue scale (VAS) symptom score and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22)-and then underwent a standardized, recorded sinonasal endoscopy. Videos were scored by three blinded rhinologists using three scoring systems: the Lund-Kennedy (LK) endoscopic score; the Discharge, Inflammation, Polyp (DIP) score; and the Perioperative Sinonasal Endoscopic score. The videos were further scored using a modified Lund-Kennedy (MLK) endoscopic scoring system, which retains the LK subscores of polyps, edema, and discharge but eliminates the scoring of scarring and crusting. The systems were compared for test-retest and inter-rater reliability as well as for their correlation with PROMs. RESULTS: One hundred two CRS patients were enrolled. The MLK system showed the highest inter-rater and test-retest reliability of all scoring systems. All systems except for the DIP correlated with total VAS scores. The MLK was the only system that correlated with the symptom subscore of the SNOT-22 in both unoperated and postoperative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Modification of the LK system by excluding the subscores of scarring and crusting improves its reliability and its correlation with PROMs. In addition, the MLK system retains the familiarity of the widely used LK system and is applicable to any patient irrespective of surgical status. The MLK system may be a more suitable and reliable endoscopic scoring system for clinical practice and outcomes research.