Giant Sphenochoanal Polyp - A Case Series

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), markedly improved with the introduction of new preoperative imaging techniques, intraoperative visualization tools, and the use of surgical navigation systems. In this retrospective study we evaluated the usefulness of CT-guided endscopic sinus surgery and studied its advantages over conventional endscopic sinus surgery.METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed the records of 60 randomly chosen patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and moderate-to-severe sinonasal polyposis, undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with surgical navigation (n=30) and without navigation (n=30). Data on the operative note, time of surgery, complications, and recurrence rate were collected and analyzed.RESULTS:Of the 60 patients, 40 (66.7%) were diagnosed with CRS and 20 (33.3%) had allergic fungal sinusitis. Primary surgery was performed in 37 (61.7%) and revision surgery was performed in 23 (38.3%) cases. The computer-aided surgery (CAS) group included 28 (93.3%) patients with extensive disease and 12 (40%) with bone erosions, with intraorbital or extradural extension, while the non-CAS group included 24 (80%) patients with extensive disease and seven (23.3%) with bone erosions, with intraorbital or extradural extension. The average operative time was approximately 13 minutes greater in the navigation group, with significant improvement in the recurrence rate (n=11, 36.7% in the non-CAS group; n=5, 16.7% in the CAS group), and intraoperative complications were fewer in the CAS group (two exposures of orbital fat in the non-CAS group; no complications in the CAS group).CONCLUSION:Computer navigational systems appear to serve as a valuable adjunct in preoperative planning and safe intraoperative dissection.

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Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common chronic diseases, which is defined as an inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Computed tomography (CT) scan of paranasal sinuses has become mandatory for all patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), which is, nowadays, regarded as the gold standard for treatment of CRS after a trial of medical treatment. Our aim in this study is to explore the risk factors and anatomical findings on CT scan of CRS patients who had recurrence after FESS in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective chart review study was conducted in the section of otolaryngology head and neck surgery to assess the risk factors of patients with recurrent CRS after FESS. The study included all patients, who were adults 16 years of age and above of both genders that had FESS after a diagnosis of CRS between 2016 and 2018. Results: The study identified 257 patients with CRS, of which 38 (14.79%) patients had recurrence after FESS. Various risk factors were taken into consideration such as age, gender, airway and inflammatory autoimmune diseases, smoking, type of sinusitis, and anatomical variations and findings on CT scan. However, only fungal type of sinusitis was found to be a significant risk factor of a recurrent CRS. Anatomical findings on CT scan postoperatively were mucosal thickening, nasal polyps, nasal septum deviation, and obliterated osteomeatal complex. Conclusion: CRS patients were assessed for various risk factors of recurrent CRS. The overall incidence of recurrent CRS was 14.79%. Fungal rhinosinusitis was found to be a significant risk factor. The most common anatomical findings on CT scan postoperatively were mucosal thickening in paranasal sinuses followed by nasal polyps.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition causing significant symptoms to those affected, cause burden to the healthcare consumption and productivity loss (Fokkens et al. in Rhinol J 58:82-111, 2020). Chronic Rhinosinusitis is diagnosed clinically on the basis of characteristic symptoms with inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and paranasal sinuses of at least 12 consecutive weeks duration (Fokkens et al. in A summary for otorhinolaryngologists Rhinology 50:1-12, 2012). Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery is a minimally invasive procedure recommended for chronic Rhinosinusitis. Patients are not routinely assessed specifically for functional and symptomatic improvement after surgery. Previous studies assessed either subjective or objective outcome of surgery (Elwany et al. in Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 255:511-514, 1998; Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22): A predictor of post-surgical improvement in patients with chronic sinusitis - PMC, 2022. The present study assessed pre and post operative comparison of nasal mucociliary clearance, nasal patency and Sino-nasal outcome score and evaluated both subjective and objective outcomes of functional endoscopic sinus surgery simultaneously. To assess the effect of functional and symptomatic outcomes after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis visiting a tertiary care centre in South India. The present study was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, in a tertiary care centre in South India, between February 2021 and May 2022. After obtaining informed consent all the patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria in the given time period were selected as the study population via consecutive sampling method. Detailed history, clinical examination and Diagnostic nasal endoscopy, Computed Tomography (CT) paranasal sinuses were done in all cases. Pre operative Saccharine transit time (STT), Peak nasal inspiratory flow rate (PNIFR) and Sino nasal outcome test (SNOT) 22 score were measured. All cases underwent Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS). Patients were followed up at 1st, 3rd and 6th month for functional and symptomatic outcomes. Data were analysed statistically using Friedman's ANOVA test. A total of 40 patients between the age of 20 and 60 with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with /without nasal polyposis were analysed. Incidence was found to be more common in middle aged group (37.5%). Among the study group 52.5% were females and 47.5% were males 55% was diagnosed as Chronic Rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) type and 45% as without nasal polyp (CRSsNP) type. On comparing the variation of Saccharine transit time, Peak nasal inspiratory flow rate and SNOT 22 score with post operative results done at, 1st, 3rd and 6th months using Friedman's ANOVA test showed statistically significant results (P value < 0.05). According to our study there is significant improvement in functional and symptomatic outcomes after Functional Endoscopic sinus surgery and restoration of mucociliary function in Chronic Rhinosinusitis patients. Thus, FESS is an excellent choice for treatment of CRS.

Objective To explore the clincal efficacy of hypertonic saline nasal sinus irrigation after endoscopic surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods A total of 104 patients diagnosed as chronic rhinosinusitis in the Second People’s Hospital of Xinxiang from May 2014 to March 2017 were selected and divided into routine group and observation group according to the stratified random method. And all patients were given functional endoscopic sinus surgery and then given the corresponding antibiotics and glucocorticoids after operation. The routine group was given normal saline for irrigation, and observation group was given hypertonic saline for nasal sinus lavage. And their dosages was reduced according to the patients’ postoperative recovery, and patients were followed up at 6 months after operation. The improvements of postoperative luminal mucosa and clinical symptoms were observed in the two groups, and the mucosal epithelialization time of the surgical cavity was recorded, and the occurrence of adverse reactions during the follow-up was counted in the two groups. Results The total effective rate in routine group was significantly lower than that in observation group (76.9% vs. 92.3%, P 0.05). The constituent ratios of the mucosal epithelialization time 12 weeks were 1.9%, 25.0%, 46.2% and 26.9%, respectively, in routine group, and they were 3.8%, 51.9%, 26.9% and 17.3% respectively in observation group, which were significantly shorter than those in routine group (P<0.05). And there were no adverse reactions in the two groups. Conclusions Hypertonic saline nasal sinus irrigation can significantly improve the surgical efficacy of endoscopic surgery, and promote the recovery of nasal mucosa function, with high safety. Key words: Nasal sinus lavage; Chronic rhinosinusitis

See the article by Ferguson et al, on pages 62-8

Objective Chronic sinusitis affects more than 30 million people each year worldwide. Computed tomography (CT) has become a standard diagnostic tool in the evaluation of paranasal sinuses (PNS), but medical literature lacks studies correlating preoperative CT and intraoperative findings of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The aim of our study was to evaluate ostiomeatal unit on multidetector CT (MDCT) and correlate findings of MDCT with intraoperative findings during FESS in patients with chronic sinusitis and hence check for its usefulness during surgery. Study design Prospective clinical study. Materials and methods Forty-nine patients with chronic sinusitis who visited the Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, India, between October 2010 and February 2012 were included in the study. All such patients underwent preoperative CT scan of PNS before surgery, i.e., FESS with or without septoplasty under general anesthesia. Results Maxillary sinus was found to be the most common sinus involved in chronic sinusitis. Preoperative CT findings correlated well with intraoperative findings for all sinuses except left maxillary sinus. Conclusion Multiplanar CT of nose and PNS helps to deli­neate the anatomy of nose and PNS, and drainage pathways of sinuses preoperatively. Therefore, the operating surgeon should be well versed with it. Progress of endoscopic sinus surgery can be partially attributed to revolution in imaging modalities. How to cite this article Tandon S, Rathore PK, Raj A, Prakash A, Wadhwa V. Correlation of Computed Tomographic Findings and Intraoperative Findings in Patients with Chronic Sinusitis. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2017;10(2):78-85.

Nasopharyngeal Mass in an 11-year-old Female Pediatric Patient.

PurposeThe diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis requires a comprehensive knowledge of the signs and symptoms of the disease and an accurate radiographic assessment. Computed tomography (CT) is the superior imaging modality for diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. However, considering the lower dose and higher resolution of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) compared to CT, this study aimed to assess the agreement between the findings of CBCT and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).Materials and MethodsThis descriptive prospective study evaluated 49 patients with treatment-resistant chronic rhinosinusitis who were candidates for FESS. Preoperative CBCT scans were obtained before patients underwent FESS. The agreement between the CBCT findings and those of FESS was determined using the kappa correlation coefficient. The frequency of anatomical variations of the paranasal sinuses was also evaluated on CBCT scans.ResultsSignificant agreement existed between pathological findings on CBCT scans and those of FESS, such that the kappa correlation coefficient was 1 for mucosal thickening, 0.644 for nasal deviation, 0.750 for concha bullosa, 0.918 for nasal polyp, 0.935 for ostiomeatal complex (OMC) obstruction, and 0.552 for infundibulum thickening. Furthermore, 95.9% of patients had 1 or more and 79.6% had 2 or more anatomical variations, of which nasal deviation was the most common (67.3%).ConclusionConsidering the significant agreement between the findings of CBCT and FESS for the detection of pathological changes in the paranasal sinuses, CBCT can be used prior to FESS to detect chronic rhinosinusitis and to assess anatomical variations of the OMC.

Low incidence of Pott's Puffy tumor (PPT) has caused studying risk factors and recurrences of the disease to be difficult. We used the comparatively increased incidence at our institution to evaluate potential risk factors for the disease process itself and prognostic factors for recurrence of the disease. Single institutional retrospective chart review identified 31 patients from 2010 to 2022 with PPT compared with a control group of 20 patients with either chronic rhinosinusitis or recurrent sinusitis. Patient mean age of PPT was 42 (range of 5 to 90) with the majority of the patient population as male (74%) and Caucasian (68%) in the setting of rural West Texas. Patient mean age of the control group was 50.7 (range of 30-78) with majority of patient population as male (55%) and Caucasian (70%). Interventions studied were functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), FESS with trephination, and cranialization with or without FESS to compare prognostic factors for recurrence rates of PPT. These patients' prognostic risk factors for recurrence and risk factors to develop PPT were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) χ 2 statistical analysis with Fischer exact testing. Mean age was 42 years (range of 5-90) with the majority of the PPT patient population as male (74%) and Caucasian (68%) with an overall incidence of about 1 in 300,000. Pott's Puffy tumor patients were significantly favored in the younger and male population compared with the control patients. Risk factors of no prior allergy diagnosis, previous trauma, medication allergy to penicillin class or cephalosporin class, and lower body mass index were significant in the PPT population compared with the control group. Significant prognostic factors for recurrence of PPT were prior history of sinus surgery and operative treatment choice. Fifty percent (3/6) of patients with prior sinus surgery had recurrence of PPT. Of our 4 treatment options (FESS, FESS with trephination, FESS with cranialization, or cranialization alone), ;FESS had a recurrence of PPT of 0% (0/13), FESS with trephination had a recurrence of PPT of 50% (3/6), FESS with cranialization had a recurrence of PPT of 11% (1/9), and cranizalization alone had a recurrence of PPT of 0% (0/3). Of note, postop chronic rhinosinusitis was seen in 46% (6/13) of FESS alone, 17% (1/6) with FESS with trephination, 0% (0/9) with FESS with cranialization, and 33% (1/3) with just cranialization alone. Pott's Puffy tumor patients were younger and predominately male when compared to the control patients. No prior allergy diagnosis, previous trauma history, medication allergy to penicillin class or cephalosporin class, and lower body mass index are risk factors for PPT. There are 2 prognostic factors that predict recurrence of PPT: first operative treatment choice and prior sinus surgery. History of prior sinus surgery tends to increase the recurrence of PPT. The first operative treatment plan is the best shot at definitively treating PPT. Correct management surgically can prevent recurrence of PPT as well as long-term recurrence of chronic rhinosinusitis. With early diagnosis and mild disease, FESS is sufficient to prevent recurrence of PPT but chronic sinusitis may continue to occur if frontal sinus outflow track is not well opened. If considering trephination, a definitive cranialization may be more suited for more advanced disease since our study showed 50% of recurrence of PPT with trephination and FESS along with 17% chronic sinusitis long term. More advanced diseases with higher WBCs and intracranial extension do better with more aggressive surgical management with a cranialization with or without FESS which shows to reduce rates of PPT recurrence significantly.

Background: Chronic sinusitis (CRS) includes all inflammatory diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses with a minimum duration of 12 weeks. Physical examination (anterior rhinoscopy, endoscopy) and/or radiography, ideally from sinus computed tomography, can provide objective proof of the same. After failure of conservative treatment, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the preferred modality for chronic rhinosinusitis that has been frequently used over the past years. Methods: The present prospective study aimed to assess the quality of life (QOL), the nasal endoscopy scores- before and after FESS in 60 patients aged more than 18 years suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis. QOL was assessed using SNOT-20 questionnaire and endoscopy was quantified using Lund-Kennedy sinonasal endoscopy scoring system. Results: QOL scores were significantly higher (p&lt;0.001) before surgery (41.28±15.30) than after FESS (6.83±5.96) indicating improvement in QOL. Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores of patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis before and after surgery was also significantly reduced (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: This study concludes that there is significant improvement in the QOL and reduction in the severity of symptoms in patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis after FESS.

To assess the presentation of allergic fungal sinusitis and describe the line of management in our setup. Descriptive study. Study was conducted in Otorhinolaryngology Department, Dow Medical College and Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2004 to January 2005. Culture and sensitivity / fungal stain proven 20 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis were selected for the study, irrespective of age and gender. Data including age, gender, socioeconomic status, signs, symptoms, laboratory findings (especially Immunoglobulin E and eosinophil count) and imaging studies (Computed Tomography and /or Magnetic Resonance Imaging) were noted for the study. Pre and postoperative medical treatment, surgery performed, follow-up; residual/recurrence disease and revised surgery performed were also recorded. In this series, allergic fungal sinusitis was a disease of younger age group with an average age of 20.75 years with male dominance (70%). Poor socioeconomic status (80%), allergic rhinitis (100%) and nasal polyposis (100%) were important associated factors. Nasal obstruction (100%), nasal discharge (90%), postnasal drip (90%) and unilateral nasal and paranasal sinuses involvement (60%) were the commonest presenting features. Aspergillus (60%) was the most common etiological agent. In all cases (100%), increased eosinophil count and IgE levels were present. Orbital (20%) and intracranial (10%) involvement were also seen. Surgical management was preferred in all cases. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery in 90% cases and lateral rhinotomy in 10% cases were performed. Recurrence / residual disease was seen in 20% cases. In this series, allergic fungal sinusitis was seen in immunocompetent, young males, belonging to poor socioeconomic status, suffering from allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis, presenting with nasal obstruction, nasal discharge and postnasal drip. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was the most important problem solving procedure while lateral rhinotomy was reserved for extensive disease.

The sinus lift (or sinus augmentation) is a common procedure to improve maxillary bone stock before dental implantation. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a potential complication of this procedure and may be refractory to medical treatment. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery has previously been used to address CRS, however, results of previous studies indicated that implant removal is required. There are limited follow-up data available. The purpose of this study was to characterize the long-term outcomes and efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery for refractory CRS after sinus lift, including the ability to salvage dental implants. This was a retrospective case series that described nine patients who, between June 2011 and September 2016, underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS after a sinus lift procedure. The presenting symptoms of the patients, medical management, imaging results, operative procedures, and outcomes were reviewed. The majority of patients developed symptoms (mucopurulent nasal drainage, facial pain and/or pressure, nasal congestion, and foul smell) within 3 months of implant placement and were treated with at least three courses of antibiotics before referral to an otolaryngologist. All the patients underwent wide endoscopic maxillary antrostomy, with no surgical complications or postoperative reports of infection. There was a statistically significant improvement in 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test scores (t(8) = -2.908; p = 0.02) and discharge, inflammation, and polyps/edema endoscopic scores ([z = -2.539; p = 0.011) between pre- and postsurgical treatment. Four patients had their dental implants removed before presentation. Among the five patients who presented with intact dental implants, none required removal before or after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was a reasonable and efficacious treatment option for patients who presented with paranasal sinus disease after a sinus lift. Dental implant removal may not be a requirement for successful treatment of CRS associated with sinus lift procedures.

Introduction. Chronic rhinosinusitis, a very common inflammatory condition, is a main public health issue affecting the quality of life. Furthermore, some patients do not respond to either medical or surgical intervention, which could be explained by the presence of the bacterial biofilm in the rhinosinusal zone. Objectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of endoscopic sinus surgery on olfactory impairment caused by chronic sinusitis with and without nasal polyps (CRSNP and CRS), by testing the olfactory function and potential dysfunction before and after endoscopic sinus surgery. Another objective is to find a connection between the percentage of coverage with bacterial biofilm of the nasal mucosa from patients with CRSNP and CRS and to evidence the fountain of infection role of the bacterial biofilm, while demonstrating that antibiotic therapy is not efficient once the bacterial biofilm is formed in the nasal sinuses. Materials and methods. We investigated 123 patients with CRSNP and CRS, which underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The olfactory function was tested pre and post FESS. We also analyzed and compared the scores of endoscopic images of Lund-Kennedy and CT staging scale of LundMackey for the two study groups. The degree of olfactory rehabilitation in patients with CRSNP and CRS was evaluated performing smell diskettes test. The presence of bacterial biofilm on the surface of the nasal mucosa extracted during FESS from patients with CRSNP and CRS was examined with the electronic microscope and the percentage of coverage with bacterial biofilm was measured with Carnoy software. Results. Bacterial biofilm was present in a higher percentage in patients with CRS vs. CRSNP. By comparing the level of olfactory function, significant improvement was found after FESS intervention in both study groups. Postoperatively, Lund-Kennedy scores decrease significantly for the whole group (Z = -9.66 at p &lt; 0.001, d Cohen = 4.40), indicating the major role of surgery in the treatment of CRS. The decrease in Lund-Kennedy score values is also significant for each group. In the case of subjects diagnosed with CRS, the mean values decrease from 6.57 (preoperative) to 0.90 (postoperative), respectively Z = -6.779 to p &lt; 0.001. In the case of subjects diagnosed with CRSNP, the mean values decrease from 9.03 (preoperative) to 1.44 (postoperative), Z = -6.927 at p &lt; 0.001. Out of the total number of patients included in the study, 59 patients tested positive with the Prick test for dust and mites and more than half of the patients with positive allergy test were from the lot diagnosed with CRSNP. Conclusions. FESS plays an important role in the improvement of olfactory function in patients with CRS. Bacterial biofilm was present in both study groups but in higher percentage in the CRS group and was found in lower percentage in the group with positive allergy tests. The CRSNP group presented a higher positive result regarding the allergy Prick test and a lower percentage of coverage with bacterial biofilm of the nasal mucosa. In conclusion, chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps that is refractary to antibiotic therapy should be directed to the ENT department in order to receive surgical therapy in order to improve olfactory function.

To compare the 2 long-term medical strategies in chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSnNP) and to identify the role of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori as factors of treatment failure. Fifty-seven patients with CRSnNP were randomized into 2 therapeutic groups. The first group was treated with 4 weeks of amoxicillin/clavulanate and a short course of oral steroids. The second group received 8 weeks of clarithromycin. Sinonasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20) and Lund and Mackay scores were assessed at baseline and after treatment, and GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire was evaluated in all patients. Patients with a GERD-HRQL score >8 received esogastroscopy and H pylori detection. Patients were followed during a 10-year period for clinical course and GERD evolution. The 10-year evolution of patients was described in terms of recurrence, medical, and surgical treatments. Thirty-seven patients completed the study; SNOT-20 and Lund and Mackay scores similarly improved in both groups. Amoxicillin/clavulanate group had significantly more adverse reactions than the clarithromycin group (P = .03). After the therapeutic course, 35% (amoxicillin/clavulanate) and 41% (clarithromycin) of patients needed functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). During the long-term follow-up, 54% (amoxicillin/clavulanate) and 40% (clarithromycin) of patients had late CRSnNP recurrence; FESS was performed in less than 15% of cases of recurrence. Gastroesophageal reflux disease complaint's severity was associated with late recurrence of CRSnNP. Amoxicillin/clavulanate and clarithromycin would be competitive treatments for CRSnNP. Gastroesophageal reflux disease seems to be a negative factor for treatment response and recurrence.