Maximal medical therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is widely recognized as one of the most common, if not the most common, chronic disease entities.This article discusses CRS without nasal polyposis. The discussion of maximal medical therapy concentrates on the best available evidence from published clinical trials.     

细菌生物膜与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎相关性的系统评价

目的 评价细菌生物膜与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的相关性.方法 计算机检索中英文文献中关于细菌生物膜与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎相关性的研究,对符合质量标准的研究进行Meta分析.结果 共纳入14个研究.系统评价结果显示,慢性鼻-鼻窦炎组细菌生物膜的检出率明显高于对照组[比值比(OR)=17.01,P＜0.01];细菌生物膜阳性组鼻部手术史出现率明显高于细菌生物膜阴性组(OR=3.99,P＜0.01),细菌生物膜阳性组与阴性组间的术前Lund-Kennedy内镜评分、Lund-MacKay CT评分、症状严重程度评分以及术后6个月Lund-Kennedy评分差异无统计学意义.结论 细菌生物膜与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的发生及鼻部手术史有相关性.     

Topical antimicrobials in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease that can significantly impact health. The mainstay of medical treatment is topical steroids and oral antibiotics, but little is known about the efficacy of topical antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to identify evidence for the use of topical antibiotics in the treatment of CRS and exacerbations of CRS. METHODS: Systematic review of literature with a search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Third Quarter 2007); and Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews (3rd Quarter 2007) databases were performed. The dates of search were from December 1, 1949 to September 30, 2007. RESULTS: Fourteen studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were identified: seven were controlled trials and of these, five were double blinded and randomized. Only one of the randomized studies showed a positive outcome. Overall, there was low-level corroborative evidence for the use of antibacterials. No definite conclusions could be made regarding the use of antifungals. Currently, there is evidence for the use of nasal irrigation or nebulization rather than delivery by nasal spray. For the antibacterial studies, the highest level of evidence currently exists for studies that have used postsurgical patients and culture-directed therapy. Both stable and acute exacerbations of CRS appear to benefit from topical antimicrobials. CONCLUSION: Topical antibiotics appear effective in the management of CRS. Given the combination of low-level evidence (level III, with inherent potential confounders of natural progression of disease and placebo effect) and the level IIb evidence being limited to the cystic fibrosis group of patients, topical antibiotics should not be first-line management but may be attempted in patients refractory to the traditional topical steroids and oral antibiotics. Larger and better-designed randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials are required to more fully evaluate this emerging modality of treatment.     

Obstructing encephaloceles presenting as chronic rhinosinusitis: lessons learned from a case series

We present a unique anatomic cause of encephalocele, and describe appropriate diagnosis. Two patients underwent stereotactic image-guided sinus surgery for presumed chronic rhinosinusitis with intraoperative findings of a sinus encephalocele. The first patient underwent a conservative 2-stage management that included an initial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair followed by encephalocele resection. The second patient underwent a 1-stage encephalocele resection and CSF leak repair with a septal graft. The sinus surgeon needs to consider the possibility of encephalocele when the ethmoid, sphenoid, or, rarely, frontal sinuses present with an isolated opacification that does not improve with conservative medical therapy.     

The prevalence of allergic rhinosinusitis: a review

A review of the literature indicates that there is an increase in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms suggestive of seasonal allergic rhinitis over the last 70 years. The reason for this remains unclear. Epidemiological studies which relate to the effect of pollution suggest that while pollution can exacerbate respiratory tract symptoms, there is no consistent evidence that high levels result in an increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. The increased prevalence of house-dust mite, an alteration in immunity--possibly related to the number of childhood respiratory tract infections, and increased disease awareness, are all factors which may influence the reported prevalence of allergic rhinitis. At present the inconsistencies which exist in the literature mean that it is possible to 'pick' publications which support one view and ignore the rest, so that a variety of views may be held, each with apparently well referenced endorsement. The criteria defined by Bradford Hill (1965) to establish causation and not mere association between any of these factors and allergic rhinitis have, as yet, not been met (see Table V).     

New medical management techniques for acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis

In the past 2 years, intranasal nebulized medications have emerged as a widely prescribed treatment for medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis. This represents an innovative and advanced approach to treating acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis topically. The use of specially formulated medication compounds delivered by unique nebulization equipment is reviewed in the treatment of patients with chronic sinus disease. Scientific data including related upper and lower respiratory literature is included, as well as the important aspects of factors affecting nebulized medication delivery to the sinuses. The benefits, effectiveness, risks, and adverse effects of intranasal nebulized medications are also addressed. A treatment algorithm identifying appropriate use of nebulized medications in the treatment plan for chronic sinusitis patients is then presented in diagrammatic format.     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎药物及外科治疗的新进展

成年人慢性鼻-鼻窦炎病因复杂，目前已知的相关因素包括：①细菌感染：急性鼻-鼻窦炎与细菌的关系基本上没有争议，但是细菌感染与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的关系目前还不是十分明确，临床上应用抗生素的目的就是为了控制细菌感染；②真菌感染：现在知道，如果采用敏感的培养方法，几乎在所有的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者中都能发现真菌。但2005年的一项研究证实，应用抗真菌药物不能改善慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者的症状和放射学体征；③变态反应：不少学者认为，变应性鼻炎与慢性鼻一鼻窦炎有相关性。大约53％的变应性鼻炎患者同时有慢性鼻-鼻窦炎，这是临床上采用抗变态反应治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的理论依据；④黏液纤毛传输障碍：临床上通过盐水冲洗和应用黏液稀化促排剂，以改善慢性鼻．鼻窦炎患者的黏液纤毛传输功能；⑤解剖畸形：对于慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者施行手术的目的就是要矫正鼻腔、鼻窦的解剖畸形，如鼻中隔偏曲、中鼻甲气化、下鼻甲肥大等。总之，临床上对慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的治疗针对的就是这些已知的相关因素。     

Clinical outcomes of chronic rhinosinusitis in response to medical therapy: results of a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Little information exists regarding the outcome of medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in adults. The aim of this study was to examine whether baseline patient demographics, symptoms, objective findings, or treatment strategies were associated with improved CRS outcomes over time. METHODS: Eighty-four new patients with CRS were evaluated and medically treated for up to 12 months. Patients completed monthly health status questionnaires. The average change of symptom scores using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test plus one additional symptom--sense of smell (SNOT-20+1)-was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Overall, patients experienced a modest improvement in SNOT-20+1 scores (delta = -0.61; p< 0.0001), but this did not reach the predetermined level of a clinically meaningful effect (delta = -0.80). Baseline facial pain or facial pressure was negatively associated with outcome (p = 0.048 and 0.029, respectively) and did not correlate with extent of disease by sinus CT scoring. Other factors, including nasal discharge, hyposmia, cough, nasal polyps, and sinus CT severity, did not predict outcomes. The use of either oral antibiotics or oral steroids was associated with trends toward improved outcomes only when sinus-specific symptoms alone were considered. CONCLUSION: The majority of CRS patients receiving medical treatment show modest improvement over time in SNOT-20+1 scores. Facial pain or facial pressure at entry are negatively associated with outcomes and may reflect causes other than CRS. These findings highlight the limitations of current medical treatment for CRS and the need for novel treatment strategies.     

Evidence supporting endoscopic sinus surgery in the management of adult chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based medicine calls for a critical evaluation of the scientific evidence for treatments of disease. This report synthesizes the available evidence on the use of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the management of adult chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) examining the clinical question: "In adults with CRS who have failed medical management, does ESS improve symptoms and/or quality of life (QOL)?" METHODS: The American Rhinologic Society and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery convened a steering committee composed of the authors. Primary research articles evaluated for this report were identified using appropriate search terms and a Medline search. Two authors independently reviewed each article. Articles were assigned an evidence level based on accepted guidelines (level 1 = randomized trials; level 2 = prospective cohort studies with comparison group; level 3 = case-control studies; level 4 = retrospective case series; level 5 = expert opinion). RESULTS: We identified 886 abstracts to review, retrieved 75 articles for full review, and included 45 articles in our report. The vast majority of articles represented level 4 evidence (n = 42) and two articles represented level 5 evidence. One article was identified that qualified for level 2 evidence. All of these articles generally supported the finding that ESS improves symptoms and/or QOL in adult patients with CRS. CONCLUSION: There is substantial level 4 evidence with supporting level 2 evidence that ESS is effective in improving symptoms and/or QOL in adult patients with CRS. Future research efforts should focus on prospective studies that include appropriate comparison groups in their design.     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎术后随访的对比观察

目的：通过对比观察慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻内镜术后两种随访结果,探讨鼻内镜随访对慢性鼻-鼻窦炎总体疗效的影响。方法：同期接受鼻内镜手术的各类慢性鼻-鼻窦炎123例,依据随访完成情况的不同,分为A、B两组,对比分析其转归情况。结果：A组56例,6个月痊愈31例、好转24例、无效1例;12个月痊愈44例、好转12例、无效0例。B组67例,6个月痊愈14例、好转43例、无效10例;12个月痊愈24例、好转42例、无效1例。两组病情转归情况差异有统计学意义（χ2=18.387 P<0.01）。结论：鼻内镜术后随访情况的不同可以直接影响到综合治疗的合理实施及慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的总体疗效。