Can chronic nasal obstruction cause dysfunction of the paratubal muscles and otitis media? An experimental study in developing Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively analyze modifications of the paratubal muscles in developing Wistar rats following nasal obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were used. Twelve were examined at 6, 8 and 12 weeks after birth and were considered normal controls. The nostrils of the remaining 12 rats were bilaterally obstructed by means of a synthetic resin 28 days after birth. The animals were sacrificed at either 2, 4 or 8 weeks after nostril occlusion. Serial sections were made in the dorsoventral plane and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Four 5 x 5 microm2 areas, selected within the paratubal muscles, were histologically analyzed and the number of muscular fibers was counted manually. RESULTS: The number of tensor veli palatini muscle fibers progressively decreased in the obstructed rats compared with age-matched normal controls and in those that had been obstructed for 4 and 8 weeks these reductions were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The correct development of the paratubal muscles seems to be linked to physiological nasal breathing and is negatively affected by oral breathing.     

Does rapid maxillary expansion increase nasopharyngeal space and improve nasal airway resistance?

Objective

To evaluate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the dimension of the nasopharyngeal space and its relation to nasal airway resistance.

Methods

Twenty-five school-age children (from 7 to 10 year-old) with mouth and/or mixed breathing, with mixed dentition and uni- or bilateral posterior crossbite involving the deciduous canines and the first permanent molars, were evaluated. RME was placed and remained during 90 days. Rhinomanometry and orthodontic documentation were performed at four different times, i.e., before (T₁), immediately after (T₂), 90 days (T₃) and 30 months (T₄) after RME.

Results

Differences in nasopharyngeal area and in nasal airway resistance were observed only 30 months after RME, and could be explained by facial growth, and not because of the orthodontic procedure.

Conclusion

RME does not influence on nasopharyngeal area or nasal airway resistance in long-term evaluation.     

Can nasal endoscopy be used to predict residual symptoms after adenoidectomy for nasal obstruction?

Background: the efficacy of adenoidectomy in relieving nasal symptoms has been questioned. Although enlarged adenoids are often blamed for nasal obstruction, other causes can be missed if examination is not thorough. We suggest that endoscopy at the time of adenoidectomy may be useful to confirm large adenoids and exclude other causes, and the findings may help predict residual symptoms 2 years after adenoidectomy. Method: a prospective study of a consecutive series of children undergoing adenoidectomy for nasal obstruction was performed. All underwent endoscopy with a 4-mm rigid endoscope without decongestants under GA immediately prior to adenoidectomy. Two years later a postal symptom questionnaire was sent, with telephone follow up for non-responders. The findings on endoscopy were compared with residual symptoms at 2 years. Results: Forty-eight children aged 2-9 (mean 4) years were enrolled, 26 of them female. At 2 years follow up, data were available for 34 children (71%). Complete obstruction of the posterior choanae of the nose by adenoids was seen in 21 (62%). Additional findings (e.g. septal deviation, hypertrophic mucosa on the turbinates) were present in 22 (65%). Of them 9 (26%) had residual nasal symptoms. Of the children with less than occlusive adenoids, six (50%) out of 12 had residual symptoms, compared with three (14%) out of 21 with occlusive adenoids (chi(2)=4.91, P<0.05). Although residual symptoms were more common in those with additional findings on the original endoscopy (32 vs. 17%), this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: residual nasal symptoms are common when children are followed up in the medium term. The findings on endoscopy may predict the success of adenoidectomy in relieving the symptoms, and may help to guide further treatment.     

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma and nasal allergy: any correlation?

Although it has been observed that nasal allergy is rarely seen in patients who have nasopharyngeal carcinoma, to our knowledge, no actual study of such a lack of association has been previously reported. To fill this void, we conducted a pilot study to investigate any such inverse relationship. We conducted skin-prick allergen tests on 22 patients with newly diagnosed but not-yet-treated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Combining these test results with findings on the history and clinical examination, we concluded that only one of the 22 cancer patients (4.5%) had allergic rhinitis. Our study also confirmed the validity of using findings on the history, clinical examination, and skin-prick testing as a reliable means of diagnosing allergic rhinitis.     

Reappraisal of probing of the congenital obstruction of the nasolacrimal system: is nasal endoscopy essential?

OBJECTIVE: The rate of false passages during probing for congenital nasolacrimal system obstruction (CNLO) is a major limiting factor for a successful outcome. This shortcoming may be decreased with the use of a nasal endoscope during probing. This approach is particularly important in the probing training of ophthalmology residents. METHODS: An experienced pediatric ophthalmologist performed probings on 11 eyes, and a group of ophthalmology residents under his supervision performed probings on another 11 eyes for CNLO. Their claims of a successful or unsuccessful procedure were evaluated with nasal endoscopy by an ear--nose--throat (ENT) surgeon. The age range of the patients was 8-23 months. RESULTS: The ophthalmologist made two false passages, one of which he was aware, out of 11 eyes. The residents had five false passages, two of which were unclear to them, out of another 11 eyes. No false passages occurred in obstructions at the level of the Hasner valve. None of the successful probings required more than a 30 mm probe introduction into the nasolacrimal canal from the inferior punctum. CONCLUSION: It seems justified to have a nasal endoscopic evaluation, performed by an ENT surgeon, for probings during the training program of ophthalmology residents. Difficult cases with stenosis proximal to the inferior meatus, prior false passage experience on a particular case, and any indication for silicone tube implantation will benefit from the use of an endoscope during the procedure. In order to achieve the best results in CNLO, the collaborative teamwork of an ophthalmologist and an ENT specialist is necessary.     

Is surgery of the inner nose indicated before tympanoplasty? Effects of nasal obstruction and reconstruction on the eustachian tube

BACKGROUND: When tympanoplasty is to be done in a patient suffering from chronic otitis media, usually potential interactions between middle ear mucosa, Eustachian tube function, and the nose and nasopharynx are considered. Poor tubal function goes along with a diminished success rate of tympanoplasty. On the other hand, pathological findings in the nose or the nasopharynx are often said to be responsible for inadaequate tubal function. Consequently, many authors feel that surgery of the nose should be performed before tympanoplasty if septal deviation or hypertrophy of the conchae is seen in a patient with chronic otitis media. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In order to better understand interactions between nasal pathology and Eustachian tube function, we utilized a pressure chamber to examine 50 patients undergoing septoplasty and conchotomy. Besides insufflation tests (Toynbee, Valsalva), we performed dynamic tubal examination with the dual-impedance method. Active parameters (positive and negative residual pressure) and passive parameters (tubal opening and tubal closing pressure) were recorded as the chamber pressure was varied. The aim of our investigation was to test if surgery of the nasal septum and the conchae really improves tubal function, thus evaluating indications for septoplasty before tympanoplasty. In addition, we explored the early and the late consequences of nasal surgery on tubal function. This was done to find out the optimal postoperative period during which tympanoplasty could be performed following septoplasty. RESULTS: In many of the patients, insufflation tests were negative and dynamic tubal parameters were outside normal value range before surgery of the nose. One week after surgery, active and passive parameters and insufflation tests even deteriorated in the majority of our patients. Six to 8 weeks after surgery, we observed a tendency towards normalization of tubal parameters. This was significant for tubal closing pressure, but not for the other parameters. Whereas passive tubal parameters showed considerable improvement in many patients, there was no real improvement of active tubal parameters in most patients. This tendency was observed several months after surgery of the nose as well. Despite this improvement of passive tubal function, we did not observe a complete normalization of mean values even after 4 to 6 months. In several patients (who were satisfied with functional results of septoplasty) tubal parameters were even worse some weeks or months after nasal surgery, but this was not subjectively registered by our patients. DISCUSSION: We conclude from our data that dysfunction of the Eustachian tube frequently occurs in patients with deviation of the nasal septum and the conchae. Septoplasty and conchotomy worsen tubal function during the early postoperative period, lasting for at least one week. In a later period, improvement of tubal function may occur but in many patients no effects of nasal surgery on Eustachian tube can be measured. Thus, septoplasty before tympanoplasty cannot be generally recommended in all patients with septal deviation. We suggest that it may be useful in cases with severe nasal pathology or chronic infection of the nose or the nasopharynx, if this is accompanied by poor tubal function. We recommend analysis of Eustachian tube function before deciding on therapeutic management. Individual findings in the specific patient should be the leading criteria in all cases. If septoplasty and conchotomia are done, tympanoplasty should not be performed in the same session or in the early postoperative period, but several months after nasal surgery.     

Clinical and histopathological correlation of nasal polyps: are there any surprises?

Nasal polypectomy is a common operation. There is debate about whether all nasal polyps removed at operation should be sent for histopathological examination. To investigate this, a prospective study was performed to check the correlation of clinical and histopathological examination. Three hundred and forty-four nasal polypectomy specimens during the period from September 1997 to September 1999 were sent for histopathological diagnosis, with the clinical diagnosis documented on the pathology form. The clinical diagnosis was then correlated with the histological diagnosis. Three hundred and twenty-eight specimens were diagnosed as inflammatory polyps and 16 as tumours, of which seven were malignant. There was a good correlation between the clinical and histological findings in 340 cases. There was disagreement between the forms and reports in four cases. When the notes were consulted, three cases had forms that were incorrectly filled in. There was only one unsuspected case of inverted papilloma in a polyp specimen, which looked like a benign inflammatory polyp. This study indicates there is a 99.7% correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnosis.     

Clinical and histopathological correlation of nasal polyps: are there any surprises?

kale s .u ., mohite u ., rowlands d . & drake ‐lee a .b . (2001) Clin. Otolaryngol. 26, 321–323 Clinical and histopathological correlation of nasal polyps: are there any surprises? Nasal polypectomy is a common operation. There is debate about whether all nasal polyps removed at operation should be sent for histopathological examination. To investigate this, a prospective study was performed to check the correlation of clinical and histopathological examination. Three hundred and forty‐four nasal polypectomy specimens during the period from September 1997 to September 1999 were sent for histopathological diagnosis, with the clinical diagnosis documented on the pathology form. The clinical diagnosis was then correlated with the histological diagnosis. Three hundred and twenty‐eight specimens were diagnosed as inflammatory polyps and 16 as tumours, of which seven were malignant. There was a good correlation between the clinical and histological findings in 340 cases. There was disagreement between the forms and reports in four cases. When the notes were consulted, three cases had forms that were incorrectly filled in. There was only one unsuspected case of inverted papilloma in a polyp specimen, which looked like a benign inflammatory polyp. This study indicates there is a 99.7% correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnosis.     

Primary nasal tuberculosis: a forgotten disease?

Nasal tuberculosis represents a rare manifestation of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Clinically, it appeared to resemble cancer presenting as a nasopharyngeal mass with concomitant enlarged lymph nodes. It is important to consider tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of all nasopharyngeal lesions and take biopsy samples for histological and bacteriological studies. Antituberculosis treatment is satisfactory with standard anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. Although this is a rare finding, it should be considered when a patient presents with nasal obstruction.     

Nasal obstruction and headache. A real correlation?

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the relationships between headache and nasal obstruction or nasal allergy on a group of Italian school children. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six children suffering from headache, were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent an accurate clinical history, a complete ENT objective examination, an Anterior Active Rhinomanometry, an analysis of nasal mucociliary transport time and a skin test on the inner forearm. RESULTS: Nasal resistances were increased in 101 out of 105 of children (96.2%) affected by severe headache (group A) and in 5 out of 21 (23.8%) of those affected by sporadic headache (P < 0.0001), for an odds ratio of 80.0 (95% CI, 19-343). The analysis of mucociliary transport time offered results comparable with those of the Anterior Active Rhinomanometry. CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunctions of nasal physiology, as stated by the alteration of nasal resistances and nasal mucociliary transport, seem to be able to affect the development and the characteristics of headaches; specifically we found that children with an altered nasal physiology have more severe and more frequent attacks of headache.     

Is sleep nasendoscopy a valuable adjunct to clinical examination in the evaluation of upper airway obstruction?

The objective of the study is to assess the correlation between outpatient department (OPD) assessment and sleep nasendoscopy (SNE) in treatment planning for sleep related breathing disorders. The study design includes a blinded, cohort study comparing the treatment prediction based on OPD clinical evaluation with SNE in consecutive, adult patients by a single clinician with a specialist interest in snoring related disorders. Patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea and those who had undergone previous treatment were excluded. The study was conducted in Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London and Queen’s Hospital, Romford. Ninety-four patients were recruited as participants for the study. The main outcome measures include site of obstruction and treatment planning. The results show no significant correlation between the two groups with SNE recommending less surgical intervention and a choice of surgical and non-surgical management in greater number of patients. In conclusion, even in experienced hands, clinical prediction is significantly modified by SNE findings. The addition of SNE to the diagnostic pathway, to assess the three-dimensional dynamic anatomy of the upper airway, provides a valuable adjunct to the OPD assessment of upper airway collapse. This affords the clinician a greater accuracy of diagnosis and the patient a more focussed management strategy with increased choice of modality of treatment.