Manometric Study of Complete Ostial Occlusion in Chronic Maxillary Atelectasis

The effect of complete ostial occlusion on static pressure within the human maxillary sinus has not been previously studied. In this study, a novel way to directly determine maxillary sinus pressure is described. Maxillary sinus pressures were measured in five patients with chronic maxillary atelectasis (CMA); these values were compared to values obtained from the contralateral side and from patients with chronic sinusitis. Measurements were made by introducing an 18-gauge needle probe through the membranous fontanel of the maxillary sinus and recording the pressure value with an amplified, pressure-sensitive transducer. The average value recorded in five patients with atelectasis of the maxillary sinus and complete ostial occlusion was -8.4 ± 2.6 cm H₂O (mean ± standard deviation). Static pressure measurements of the contralateral antrum were isobaric, as were measurements found in patients with chronic sinusitis. This study reports for the first time the sinus pressure of completely occluded maxillary ostia in patients with CMA. These results may improve our understanding of the development of ostial occlusion and its role in the pathogenesis of CMA and sinusitis. Laryngoscope, 106:1255-1258, 1996     

Effects of long-term induced ostial obstruction in the rabbit maxillary sinus

One of the widely proposed theories for mucocele formation is sinus ostial obstruction. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to investigate the long-term effects of ostial obstruction in the rabbit maxillary sinus and its potential role in the pathogenesis of mucoceles. Maxillary sinus ostial obstruction was induced on one side in eight Pasteurella-free White New Zealand rabbits using Histoacryl. The rabbits were housed in a Pasteurella-free zone for 24 weeks. At re-exploration, only three of the eight maxillary sinuses where ostial obstruction was induced showed pressure recording consistent with ostial obstruction. Mucociliary clearance activity was assessed using India ink. Swabs for culture were taken from the infected maxillary sinuses. Mucosal specimens for histopathological examination were harvested from one of the maxillary sinuses with obstructed ostium as well as from another sinus with nonobstructed ostium. The three maxillary sinuses with obstructed ostia showed gross evidence of infection and deranged mucociliary clearance, but no mucocele formation. Based on the findings of this study it is concluded that long-term ostial obstruction indeed plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis, but it did not induce mucocele formation in the rabbit maxillary sinus.     

Patency of the maxillary sinus ostium in healthy individuals

In a group of 20 healthy subjects the patency of the maxillary ostium has been evaluated in 35 maxillary sinuses with three different techniques: simultaneous pressure recording in the sinus and the ipsi- and contralateral nasal cavity; simultaneous recording of differential pressure between the sinus and the ipsilateral nasal cavity and air-flow through the ostium during nasal breathing; recording of the pressure rise in the sinus with an artificial air-flow of 1 litre per minute applied to the sinus. The tests were carried out in sitting and recumbent positions. In 5 persons (10 sinuses) a retest was performed after 2 months. These subjects were also tested with an inflatable neck cuff in order to obtain an increased venous pressure. Rhinomanometry at rest and after physical effort was also performed. The pressure relationship between the maxillary sinus and the ipsilateral nasal cavity was 1:1 in both the sitting and the recumbent position, but less than 1 when the contralateral nasal cavity was measured. Pressure recording alone gives no quantitative information about the patency of the ostium. Determination of the ostial resistance during nasal breathing could be performed in 13 sinuses, but in the remaining 22 the ostia were too wide to give a measurable resistance. The equivalent ostial diameter during inspiration could be estimated in 12 of the sinuses from a diagram constructed from known ostial diameters in model experiments. With an artificial air-flow applied into the sinus, the equivalent ostial diameters could be estimated from the diagram in all cases. No statistical difference was found in comparable cases between the mean equivalent ostial diameters estimated with the two methods. The equivalent ostial diameters showed a statistically significant reduction in the recumbent position and after application of the neck cuff. A statistically significant relationship was also found between the airway resistance of the nasal cavity and the equivalent diameter of the ostium in sitting and recumbent positions. Such a relationship could not be found between the equivalent ostial diameters measured at rest and the nasal resistance recorded after physical effort.     

Development of maxillary accessory ostium following sinusitis in rabbits

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Maxillary accessory ostium is one of the anatomical variations that may play a role in the development of chronic maxillary sinusitis. Although some authors claim that accessory ostia develop following acute maxillary sinusitis, it is not clear whether they are congenital or acquired. STUDY DESIGN: Animal experimental study. METHODS: Ten New Zealand type rabbits were used in the study. In phase 1, lateral nasal walls of five New Zealand type rabbits were examined for the presence of natural and accessory ostia of the maxillary sinus and any area resembling fontanelles in humans. In phase 2, experimental sinusitis was induced in the right sides of the other five rabbits. Following sacrifice, lateral nasal walls were examined for the development of accessory ostia. RESULTS: Six of the ten sides of phase 1 animals contained a membranous part in the medial wall of the maxillary sinus resembling the fontanelles in humans (60%). None of them had an accessory maxillary ostium. Accessory ostia developed in two of the five sides with sinusitis (40%). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown for the first time that accessory maxillary ostia develop following experimental sinusitis in rabbits. Further studies in humans are indicated.     

Nasal obstruction: an alternative to ostiomeatal complex dysfunction in sinus disease

OBJECTIVES: Ostial patency is thought to be essential to the function of the maxillary sinus. Ostiomeatal complex dysfunction has been implicated as a major factor in the pathogenesis of sinus disease. However, recent work in our laboratory has indicated that other factors may also contribute to this process. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nasal obstruction in maxillary sinus gas composition, independent of its effect on ostial ventilation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective controlled animal study. METHOD: Independent models of nasal obstruction and ostial occlusion in contralateral sinuses were established. Ipsilateral models of nasal obstruction and ostial occlusion were also created. Gas samples from each of the manipulated sinuses were analyzed on a gas chromatogram and compared. RESULTS: Results revealed a dramatic and highly significant increase in antral carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the sinuses ipsilateral to either an occluded ostium or an obstructed nostril, compared with the controls. These effects on CO2 concentrations were additive when ipsilateral nasal obstruction and ostial occlusion were created. Furthermore, the effect of nasal obstruction in modulation of antral CO2 levels was found to be beyond its effect on hypoventilation of the sinus and to be independent of ostial functional status. CONCLUSIONS: We have established independent models of nasal obstruction and ostial occlusion in the same animal. Our findings suggest that ostiomeatal complex dysfunction might not be the sole underlying factor in the pathogenesis of sinus disease in all individuals. Integrity of nasal airflow seems to have a significant effect on the maintenance of the aerobic antral environment, essential to the maintenance of normal sinus function. Modulation of maxillary sinus gas composition by nasal airflow, independent of ostial patency, may be explained by the possible presence of flow-sensitive receptors in the upper respiratory tract mucosa. Work to identify such receptors is currently in progress.     

鼻内镜下上颌窦口处理方法的探讨

目的：探讨内窥镜鼻窦手术中上颌窦自然开口处理方法与预后的关系。方法：对慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉患者682例采用不同途径寻找上颌窦开口并根据窦口的形态和上颌窦本身的病变情况,决定开口方式与处理方法。结果：随访6个月,发现窦口开发率为84.22%(574/682例),闭锁率为16.88%（106/682）。结论：上颌窦口的处理方法是鼻内窥镜手术重要步骤,也是影响疗效与预后的关键因素之一。     

Leukotriene B4 levels in rabbit maxillary sinusitis: limitations of the current model

Since the late 1980s, the rabbit model for sinusitis has been widely used for experimental studies on sinusitis; however, the clinical relevance of these experimental data has been questioned. To elucidate the role of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of sinusitis, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels were determined in acute Streptococcus pneumoniae sinusitis in this model. The rabbit model for acute maxillary sinusitis was utilized. Briefly, the right maxillary ostium of each New Zealand white rabbit was occluded with cyanoacrylate under general anesthesia. Twenty-four hours after occlusion, the occluded sinus received an inoculation of 10(8) Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 10813) or a sham inoculation of saline alone. Rabbits were then sacrificed one week later, and the maxillary sinus mucosae were harvested. Leukotriene B4 levels were determined by ELISA assay. LTB4 levels in the sinuses inoculated with bacteria tended to be higher; however, statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences between the experimental and control groups. It is possible to reliably assess leukotriene B4 levels in this model of sinusitis. Although the data suggest a trend for elevated LTB4 levels, statistical analysis did not support this conclusion. The study also demonstrated significant limitations in the current rabbit model for sinusitis; that is, the standard human sinus bacterial pathogens are minimally pathogenic in rabbit sinuses and the small size of the sinus limits the material available for assay. Further modifications of the model are necessary. After such adjustments, the role of leukotrienes in sinusitis may be further explored.     

Management of chronic sinusitis in children

The managements and the results of therapy for children with chronic sinusitis were reported. During the period of 1980 to 1988, 190 patients, aged 3 to 15, were examined at our outpatient clinic. The pathologic conditions of the maxillary sinus were examined by the contrast x-ray study (X-MFT). The mild, moderate and severe lesions in the maxillary sinus evaluated by X-MFT were 22%, 44; and 34%, respectively. Sixty-two per cent of ethmoid sinus was opacified in occipito-frontal view. The degree of patency of the maxillary ostium was evaluated by an application of the constant pressure to the maxillary sinus. Almost all maxillary ostia of these patients were patent. Nasal mucociliary clearance was reduced in 37% of the patients examined after the saccharin method. Antral lavages were performed once in a week for the therapy of 72% of children with chronic sinusitis. The efficacy of this modality was evaluated by the above mentioned items. The maxillary and ethmoid lesions, and nasal mucociliary transit time were significantly improved by the modality after 25 months in average. These results indicate that the antral lavage is an useful therapy for chronic sinusitis in children.     

鼻内窥镜术上颌窦自然开口的处理

探讨内窥镜鼻窦手术治疗慢性鼻窦炎，鼻息肉的上颌窦中鼻道开口的重要性及处理方法。方法 配对研究５６例双侧鼻窦炎，鼻息肉患者，比较同一患者术中扩大或不扩大上颌窦自然开口的术后情况。结果 窦口的开放率在不扩大和扩大上颌窦自然开口的术侧中分分别为９２．９％和８０．４％。     

The influence of the size of the maxillary sinus ostium on the nasal and sinus nitric oxide levels

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in significant quantities in the nasal sinuses and is thought to have a beneficial effect on the mucociliary transport of the sinuses and nose and to have significant antibacterial properties that contribute to the health of the sinuses. Recently, the concept of "mini-functional endoscopic sinus surgery" has been introduced where the uncinate is removed without enlargement of the maxillary ostium. Although no scientific evidence has been published, enlargement of the ostium is thought to possibly disrupt the mucociliary pathway and decrease the concentration of NO in the nose and sinuses. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of enlargement of the maxillary ostium on sinus and nasal NO. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients who were post-endoscopic sinus surgery were included with 52 who were maxillary sinus ostia cannulated. There were 22 large maxillary sinus ostia and 30 small ostia. Smoking, allergy status, and topical steroid use were recorded. NO levels were measured in the nose and maxillary sinus after decongestion with patients mouth breathing and breath holding. RESULTS: This study shows that enlargement of the maxillary sinus ostium above its normal size (20 mm2) produces a significant decrease in both the maxillary sinus and the nasal cavity NO levels. In addition, the size of the ostium showed a significant correlation to the sinus NO level. Use of topical nasal steroid sprays and topical decongestants were shown to effect NO levels in the sinuses and nasal cavity. The lowered levels of NO were found irrespective of the technique of measurement of the NO. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of this lowered NO level on the susceptibility of the maxillary sinuses to recurrent infection is yet to be determined.     

鼻内窥镜术上颌窦自然开口的处理

目的探讨内窥镜鼻窦手术治疗慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的上颌窦中鼻道开口的重要性及处理方法。方法配对研究５６例双侧鼻窦炎、鼻息肉患者，比较同一患者术中扩大或不扩大上颌窦自然开口的术后情况。结果窦口的开放率在不扩大和扩大上颌窦自然开口的术侧中分别为９２．９％和８０．４％（随访６个月时）。回顾性观察５１例施ＣａｌｄｗｅｌＬｕｃ术的患者，下鼻道造口的术后开放率仅为４０．６％。分析３８张单侧鼻窦炎或鼻息肉的鼻窦ＣＴ片，测量对照侧与病变侧的上颌窦口膜样部的上下径和前后径，差异无显著性。病变侧上颌窦口周围的中鼻甲气化、增生及钩突偏曲、筛泡骨性增生等解剖结构异常的发生率明显高于对照侧（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论鼻内窥镜下处理上颌窦自然开口的关键是窦口周围的解剖异常因素。     

Experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rabbits

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop an experimental rhinosinusitis model by using bacteria-added absorbable material for temporary ostial obstruction. METHOD: Absorbable gelatin sponge was inserted between the endoturbinals and the ostium of the sinus. In the first group, the effects of surgical procedure and Gelfoam on ostial mucosa were examined macroscopically. In the second group Gelfoam was moistened with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The sinuses of rabbits were examined by coronal com puted tomography before each surgical procedure and sacrifice. The animals were sacrificed at the first, second, fourth eighth, and tenth weeks. Histologic and microbiologic examinations were performed. RESULTS: In the first group, fibrotic bands and adhesions were observed between the ostium of the maxillary sinus and the endoturbinals in the first and second week. In the second group, a thick purulent discharge that invariably filled the sinuses of the inoculated side was seen after the first week of induction, and opacity, which was determined radiologically, did not disappear until the end of the study. CONCLUSION: In this study, an experimental rhinosinusitis model was accomplished. It is currently believed that obstruction of the ostium with mucosal edema, polyps, or tumour leads to maxillary sinusitis. In this model, the pathogenesis of human sinusitis was imitated by temporary occlusion of the ostium with bacteria-added Gelfoam. This model can be used in further studies to explore the role of the ostium in the pathogenesis of sinusitis.     

Patency tests of the maxillary ostium--model experiments

The function of the maxillary ostia (phi 0.22-4.7 mm) has been evaluated in experiments on a nose-sinus model with variable sinusal volumes. A piston-pump producing to-and-fro volumes of 467 cm3 of air per revolution was used at a speed of 10 and 20 revolutions per minute (rpm). Three different techniques were used: simultaneous pressure recording in the sinus and the nose (Method I); simultaneous recording of the differential pressure between nose and sinus and the air-flow through the ostium (Method II); recording of the pressure rise inside the sinus upon the application of a constant artificial air-flow of 16,7 cm3 . s-1 or 2.0 cm3 . s-1 (Method III). All variables were recorded on an ink-jet recorder and onto tape when using methods I and II for later analysis on an x-y recorder. A pressure relationship of 1 : 1 was found between nose and sinus, independently of ostial diameters, sinusal volumes and piston-pump rates. The first method did not permit an isolated determination of the ostial function as the pressure values recorded are affected by ostial diameters, sinusal volumes and piston-pump rates. The pressure-flow relationship recorded with the second method was found to be dependent only on the ostial diameters. Hysteresis was observed at ostial diameters less than or equal to 1.63 mm. This is due to ostial diameter, sinusal volume and the rate of the nasal pressure changes. This method is suitable for an isolated determination of the ostial resistance, from which the equivalent ostial diameter can be calculated. With the third method using static air-flows and pressures the results are independent of the sinusal volume. This method is suitable for estimation of the ostial airway resistance and the equivalent ostial diameter. A striking similarity was observed between the results obtained with the last two methods in estimating equivalent ostial diameters.     

Ostial and nasal patency in chronic maxillary sinusitis. A long-term post-treatment study

In a long-term follow-up study (mean 3.5 years) after treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis of either rhinogenous or dental origin, 72 sinuses in 66 patients were examined with respect to maxillo-ostial and nasal resistance. In sinusitis of rhinogenous etiology, the mean equivalent ostial diameter was pathologically narrowed (0.89 mm, in patients treated conservatively) whereas it was normal (2.51 mm) in sinusitis of dental etiology (dental treatment in combination with local sinus surgery). In the former group, all sinuses were diseased, compared with 3 out of 23 in the dental group. In order to distinguish between functional and organic ostial stenosis, the patients were also tested after physical exercise. The functional ostial diameter in healthy sinuses was significantly increased in contrast to the diseased sinuses. In one patient the narrow ostium was due to mucosal swelling only, but in the other cases was caused mainly by an organic stenosis. In sinusitis of rhinogenous etiology, a pathologically increased nasal resistance was found in 14.3%, while the corresponding figure in the dental group was 4.3%. Improved sinusal and nasal ventilation, achieved either pharmacologically or, preferably by surgical intervention, seems necessary for successful treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis.     

Bacteriological study in chronic maxillary sinusitis.

The bacterial findings of 73 maxillary sinuses in 48 patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis, together with 7 non-inflamed sinuses, are reported. Employing an intraoperative technique and simultaneous collection of 3 different types of specimens in the present investigation made possible comparison of their bacterial characteristics. The results indicated that intraoperative culture of antral mucosa seems to provide the most reliable finding of bacterial flora in chronic maxillary sinusitis. The anaerobic bacteria were never found in the mucosal culture of non-inflamed sinus. The anaerobes appeared to invade the sinus cavity following the sealing of the ostium through the lymphatic or venous system and maintain the inflammatory process. Microbiological analysis of the results between the infected and non-inflamed sinuses established anerobic bacteria as the most important pathogen in chronic maxillary sinusitis. The predominant anaerobes recovered in descending order of frequency were Veillonella sp., Peptococcus sp., Propionibacterium acne and anaerobic nonspore-forming GPB. Statistical analysis of the results of mucosal culture of inflamed and control materials demonstrated that those aerobic and faculatative bacteria recovered in the inflamed sinus appeared to be the normal inhabitants of non-inflamed sinus mucosa. The presence of normal flora in the normal healthy sinus mucosa may explain the chain of events that follows the occlusion of the ostium. These aerobic bacteria may become pathogenic and play a role in the pathogenesis of sinusitis.     

上颌窦囊肿手术进路的选择

目的探讨鼻内镜下3种摘除上颔窦囊肿进路的选择。方法本组上颌窦囊肿共32例,术前均经鼻窦CT扫描和鼻内镜检查,明确鼻腔情况、囊肿的大小及位置。其中8例伴鼻窦炎鼻息肉者,经中鼻道自然口开放术进路行Messerkling术;19例单纯上颌窦囊肿患者,鼻内镜下经改良柯-陆进路行囊肿摘除术,另5例采用下鼻道开窗进路行囊肿摘除术。结果术后随访6个月～1年,鼻窦CT冠状位扫描或鼻内镜检查,19例经改良柯-陆进路者术后无复发;8例经中鼻道自然口开放术进路者,2例复发,1例术后窦口闭锁,中鼻甲与鼻腔外侧壁粘连;5例经下鼻道开窗进路者,1例复发,2例失访。结论3种术式各有优缺点,临床中应根据不同情况酌情选用。     

Acoustic rhinometry in healthy humans: accuracy of area estimates and ability to quantify certain anatomic structures in the nasal cavity

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the accuracy of acoustic rhinometry (AR) measurements in healthy humans and assessed the ability of AR in quantifying the dimensions of the paranasal sinuses and certain anatomic structures in the nasal cavity. METHODS: Twenty nasal passages of 10 healthy adults were examined by AR and computed tomography (CT) before and after decongestion. Actual cross-sectional areas of the nasal cavity and actual locations of the nasal valve, the head of the inferior turbinate, the head of the middle turbinate, the ostia of the frontal and maxillary sinuses, and the choana were determined from CT sections perpendicular to the curved acoustic axis of the nasal passage. RESULTS: The AR-measured cross-sectional areas in the anterior nasal cavity were in reasonable agreement with the corresponding areas determined from CT, whereas AR consistently overestimated the passage areas at locations posterior to the paranasal sinus ostia. The nasal valve was identified as a pronounced minimum on the AR area-distance curve. However, AR did not discretely identify the head of the inferior turbinate, the head of the middle turbinate, or the choana. CONCLUSIONS: The local minima on the AR area-distance curve beyond the nasal valve are caused by acoustic resonances in the nasal cavity, and do not correspond to any anatomic structure. The AR area overestimation beyond the paranasal sinus ostia is due to the interaction between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses, rather than to sound loss into the sinuses. Acoustic rhinometry provides no quantitative information on ostium size or sinus volume in either non-decongested or decongested nasal cavities.     

The anti-inflammatory effect of fusafungine during experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in the rabbit

The short-term effects of local intranasal administration of fusafungine were studied for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties against experimentally induced bacterial rhinosinusitis. The maxillary sinuses of 20 rabbits were infected with encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae after mechanical occlusion of each animal’s anatomic ostium. Either fusafungine solution or placebo was administered as a nasal spray through the nostrils twice daily for 10 days. Histopathological grading of inflammation, biochemical assay of inflammatory mediators, and the number of bacterial species isolated from the nasal cavities all showed significant recovery from inflammation after fusafungine treatment. The beneficial effects of fusafungine on inflamed sinus mucosa may possibly also be attributable to an initial alleviation of inflammation in the nasal cavity, which permitted entry of the drug to the sinus cavity through a partially reopened ostium. A reciprocal relationship between nasal and sinus reactivity involving generalization of inflammation and recovery was also thought to be of importance. The present findings indicate that local applications of fusafungine may effectively improve clinical conditions producing rhinitis and sinusitis. Received: 4 March 1997 / Accepted: 11 June 1997     

Role of the maxillary sinus as a resonant cavity]

Patients with a paranasal disorder often manifest voice change. Yet, computer simulation of these nasal sounds is difficult using a nasal tract model without any branching cavity. In other words, acoustic property of the nasal tract is influenced by a coupling with the paranasal sinuses. If the transfer function of the sinus acts as a Helmholtz resonator, the resonance frequency, or "zero" point, of the sinus would be present on the acoustic spectrum of the nasal cavity. This study was designed to prove the validity of this hypothesis. The sweep tone was given from the subjects' epipharyngeal space. The tone passed through their nasal space and radiated from the anterior nostrils. In 13 cases without nasal or paranasal disorders, the tones obtained at the nostrils were analyzed with Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) and were compared between two conditions of the ostia of the maxillary sinuses, obstructed and opened with epinephrine. The resonance frequencies of the maxillary sinuses ranged from 1 to 2 kHz and varied considerably among individuals. This variation may be due to a difference in the maxillary sinus volume and in the diameter and length of the natural maxillary ostium. In past reports, in which the resonance frequency of the sinus was measured using a compound model or computed simulation, the maxillary sinus resonated below 1 kHz. In these reports the ostium of the maxillary sinus was regarded as a straight pipe. However, the examination of 29 cadavers revealed that the radius of the ostium differs according to its depth. The radius in the depth halfway from the edge was narrower than that of the edge. The way of evaluating a shape of the ostium is different between the present and the past studies, thus possibly resulted in discrepancy of the resonance frequency.     

干酪性鼻炎和干酪性鼻窦炎21例报告

目的：为提高临床对干酪性鼻炎和干酪性鼻窦炎的诊治水平,报告２１例（２４侧）此种患者的临床资料。方法;全部病例行手术治疗,术中清除局部不可逆病变－息肉、脓肿、干酷样物等。结果：１９例症状消失,自学良好。结论：使鼻道能气引流通畅是使之痊愈的关键。