Temporal bone study of residual mastoid inflammation in ears with normally appearing tympanic membrane

We examined 395 temporal bones with an intact tympanic membrane to explore the relationship between residual inflammation in the middle ear cavity and development of mastoid pneumatization. Histopathological changes were studied in the middle ear cavity. Mastoid pneumatization was classified as good or poor based on the extent of mastoid tip development to the lateral semicircular canal. Specimens were 344 temporal bones with well-pneumatized mastoid and 51 with poorly-pneumatized mastoid. Otitis media was noted in 119 (34.6%) bones in the good group and 9 (17.6%) in the poor group. In well-pneumatized mastoid, chronic inflammatory changes were frequently observed at the lower portion of mastoid cells, the round window niche, and the tympanic sinus. In contrast, no such incidence of inflammatory change was noted in poorly-pneumatized mastoid. Our findings indicate that an intact tympanic membrane does not always mean freedom from mastoid inflammation, especially when the mastoid is well-pneumatized. This makes it important to check for possible remaining otitis media in patients with a well-pneumatized mastoid, even if the tympanic membrane appears normal.     

Labyrinthine Fistula Detection: The Predictive Value of Vestibular Symptoms and Computerized Tomography

A retrospective case record study of 20 patients in Oslo operated on for chronic otitis media with labyrinthine fistula between 1986 and 1999 was performed in order to estimate the incidence of, and identify predictors for, labyrinthine fistulas. The incidence of fistula was 0.3 per 100 000, with a median age at diagnosis of 37 years. The median duration of chronic otitis media prior to labyrinthine fistula detection was significantly correlated with age at surgery. Subjective hearing loss (90%), otorrhoea (65%) and dizziness (50%) were presenting symptoms. Modified canal-wall-down mastoidectomy was performed in all patients. Preoperative hearing levels could not predict postoperative hearing outcome. Positive signs of fistula were found in only 4 patients (20%). Correspondingly, computerized tomography (CT) diagnosed the fistula in 11 patients (55%). The seven patients presenting without dizziness and with a negative CT scan and fistula test were characterized by lower age, absence of previous middle ear surgery, lower preoperative pure-tone thresholds for bone conduction and better hearing outcome after surgery. In conclusion, the identification of a younger group of patients presenting with fewer symptoms indicates that fistulas should be suspected in all patients undergoing surgery for chronic middle ear and mastoid disease.     

Labyrinthine fistula detection: the predictive value of vestibular symptoms and computerized tomography

A retrospective case record study of 20 patients in Oslo operated on for chronic otitis media with labyrinthine fistula between 1986 and 1999 was performed in order to estimate the incidence of, and identify predictors for, labyrinthine fistulas. The incidence of fistula was 0.3 per 100 000, with a median age at diagnosis of 37 years. The median duration of chronic otitis media prior to labyrinthine fistula detection was significantly correlated with age at surgery. Subjective hearing loss (90%), otorrhoea (65%) and dizziness (50%) were presenting symptoms. Modified canal-wall-down mastoidectomy was performed in all patients. Preoperative hearing levels could not predict postoperative hearing outcome. Positive signs of fistula were found in only 4 patients (20%). Correspondingly, computerized tomography (CT) diagnosed the fistula in 11 patients (55%). The seven patients presenting without dizziness and with a negative CT scan and fistula test were characterized by lower age, absence of previous middle ear surgery, lower preoperative pure-tone thresholds for bone conduction and better hearing outcome after surgery. In conclusion, the identification of a younger group of patients presenting with fewer symptoms indicates that fistulas should be suspected in all patients undergoing surgery for chronic middle ear and mastoid disease.     

Endoscopic sinus surgery improves pulmonary function in patients with asthma associated with chronic sinusitis

We evaluated the clinical efficacy of endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with asthma associated with chronic sinusitis. Twenty-one patients (13 men and 8 women) from 27 to 72 years old were enrolled in this study. All patients had had sinus-related symptoms for more than 3 months and had computed tomographic evidence of paranasal sinus opacification. Fifteen patients underwent bilateral endonasal ESS under local anesthesia, and 6 other patients without surgery were controls. The sinus-related symptoms of the preoperative and postoperative periods were assessed via a questionnaire. The period 6 months prior to surgery was compared with that 6 months postoperatively with regard to peak expiratory flow and total dosage of systemic glucocorticoids. Sinus-related symptoms in the ESS group were significantly improved 6 months postoperatively. The average peak expiratory flow 6 months following surgery was improved in the ESS patients, ranging from 40 to 190 L/min. Seven patients showed a reduction in the need for corticosteroids, whereas 2 patients were unchanged and 2 patients required larger dosages. The remaining 4 patients needed no corticosteroids before or after ESS. No significant changes in sinus-related symptoms or peak expiratory flow were obtained for the control group. Improvement of paranasal sinus disease by successful ESS can alleviate pulmonary dysfunction in asthma associated with chronic sinusitis. We believe that adequate and positive treatment for chronic sinusitis would reduce not only the nasal and sinus-related symptoms evoked by chronic sinusitis, but also some of the signs induced by asthma.     

Diagnosis of surgical sinusitis using nasal endoscopy and computerized tomography

The ability to identify surgical sinus disease using diagnostic nasal endoscopy and coronal CT scanning of the paranasal sinuses is studied prospectively. Fifty consecutive patients with symptoms of chronic sinusitis lacking surgical indications by traditional work-up comprise the patient population. Sixty percent had endoscopic or CT indications for surgery. There was a 90% correlation between endoscopy and CT examination with the combined work-up being more accurate than either modality alone. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in 18 cases. There were no major complications. Approximately 89% of the postoperative group report significant improvement, with 55.6% reporting total relief of symptoms. A complete endoscopic sinus work-up can often identify surgically correctable sinusitis despite normal routine rhinoscopic and plain-film examination. It is therefore, warranted in those patients with a suggestive history.     

The importance of preoperative nasal endoscopy in patients with sinonasal disease

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has popularized the use of telescopes in sinus surgery and has emphasized the importance of nasal endoscopy and computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of patients with diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Variations in intranasal and sinus anatomy have been implicated in the etiology of chronic and recurrent sinusitis, and CT imaging has become an important diagnostic tool. Despite this, some patients present with symptoms and telescopic examination suggestive of sinonasal disease, yet demonstrate little abnormality on CT scan. The authors reviewed videoendoscopic and CT examinations of 100 consecutive patients with symptoms of sinus disease and found 9% of patients with abnormal telescopic examination in the context of negative CT findings. In those patients whose CT examinations were positive, telescopic nasal endoscopy was especially useful in delineating the type of soft tissue which obscured the area of the middle meatus. In those patients whose CT examinations were negative, telescopic examination demonstrated septal deflections, mucosal edema involving the middle meatus, as well as turbinate and adenoid hypertrophy. These findings demonstrate that telescopic nasal examination is an important diagnostic modality which often yields important information when evaluating patients with sinonasal disease.     

Endoscopic sinus surgery for unilateral chronic sinusitis]

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery has become an increasingly popular treatment for chronic sinusitis. This approach is aimed at re-establishment of ventilation and mucociliary clearance of the sinuses. However, some otolaryngologists believe that the Caldwell-Luc procedure should be routinely used for unilateral chronic sinusitis, because it is often associated with the maxillary sinus carcinomas. To evaluate the state of endoscopic sinus surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of unilateral chronic sinusitis, we analyzed the cases of 39 patients with unilateral chronic sinusitis who underwent endoscopic sinus procedures. These patients were unresponsive to appropriate antibiotic management for more than 6 months. Generally, endoscopic ethmoidectomy and antrostomy were performed with preservation of the middle turbinate. After the ostium was enlarged, the maxillary sinus was cleaned and carefully inspected for the presence of associated neoplasms using 30 and 70 degree endoscopes. Preoperative computed tomography (CT), postoperatve pathologic diagnosis, fiberscopic findings of the maxillary sinus, and symptomatic improvement were evaluated. Three patients had CT evidence of bone destruction of the lateral nasal wall. Pathological diagnosis demonstrated that three patients had maxillary sinus mycoses caused by Aspergillus species, one patient had inverted papilloma, and the other 35 patients had chronic sinusits. No associated malignancy was found. Eighty-one percent of the patients had almost normal endoscopic findings of the maxillary sinus by postoperative fiberscopic examination 4 to 8 months following surgery. With an average follow-up of 26 months, 88% of the patients were judged as having significantly improved in their presenting complaints of mucopurulent rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and facial pain. The results of this series suggest that endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of unilateral chronic sinusitis.     

重组人表皮生长因子对鼻-鼻窦炎患者鼻内镜术后创面上皮化的影响

目的　探讨重组人表皮生长因子（recombinant human epidermal growth factor,rhEGF）对慢性鼻-鼻窦炎（CRS）患者鼻内镜术后创面上皮化的影响。方法　选择110例CRS行双侧鼻内镜手术患者,对照组（右侧鼻腔）行鼻腔冲洗以及类固醇激素喷鼻,实验组（左侧鼻腔）加用rhEGF喷鼻,在术后2周、4周、3个月、6个月鼻内镜检查评估鼻腔黏膜情况及主观症状的视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分,比较鼻腔黏膜情况、完全上皮化比例、主观症状的VAS评分。结果　术后2周实验组鼻腔黏膜情况优于对照组（P＜0.05）,但主观症状VAS评分无明显差异（P >0.05）;术后4周及3个月时实验组鼻腔黏膜情况、上皮化比例以及主观症状VAS评分均优于对照组（P＜0.05）;术后6个月时则无差异（P >0.05）。结论　CRS患者鼻内镜术后用rhEGF喷鼻,可缩短术后上皮化时间、改善鼻腔黏膜情况及患者主观症状,值得临床应用。     

Effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in patients of chronic sinusitis with bronchial asthma

Rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma have been found to be coexistent in different studies. A prospective study of 23 patients with bronchial asthma who underwent Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (F.E.S.S) for coexistent chronic sinusitis was undertaken and the effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on bronchial asthma was analyzed in these patients using both subjective and objective criteria. It is concluded in this study that Functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis in cases of bronchial asthma helps in reduction of their asthma symptoms, requirement of medication and helps in improving their peak expiratory flow.     

Noninvasive fungal sinusitis (fungus ball)--diagnostic difficulties

Noninvasive fungal sinusitis (fungus ball) is usually found in one sinus and the most frequently is caused by Aspergillus. Diagnostic criteria are based on histopathology, and fungal cultures are frequently negative. The clinical symptomatology mimics chronic rhinosinusitis and radiology, specially CT and MRI are helpful for making decision of surgery. The authors present 4 cases of fungus ball of the paranasal sinus. In one case clinical symptoms, endoscopic examination of nasal cavity and CT scans suggested foreign body in the maxillary sinus. In other case clinical and radiological evidences made us to thing of neoplasmatic disease of the frontal sinus. In remaining two cases mycetoma was found in the sphenoid sinus. Surgical removal was the treatment in all cases and followed by systemic antifungal therapy in one case because of bone destruction. Histopathology revealed hyphae of Aspergillus without evidence of tissue invasion, fungal cultures in two cases were negative, an in other two Aspergillus fumigatus culture were obtained.     

Frontal sinus osteoma and palpebral abscess: case report

Osteomas of the paranasal sinuses are slow-growing, benign tumours most frequently found in the frontal sinus with an incidence that varies from 47% to 80% of the cases; there are often no symptoms and they are diagnosed by chance during an x-ray examination. The symptoms are usually headaches and those secondary to ocular or neurological complications. The therapy to be preferred is surgery. The authors describe a case of frontal osteoma complicated by frontal sinusitis and palpebral abscess.     

Frontal sinus obliteration with autologous calvarial bone graft: indications and results

Despite increasing advances in endonasal frontal sinus surgery, frontal sinus obliteration (FSO) is sometimes necessary after failure of other surgical techniques. This procedure has been reported with autologous tissue or synthetic material, but few studies have reported results with autologous calvarial bone graft. The aim of this study was to report our experience with osteoplastic FSO calvarial bone graft. A retrospective review was performed on 11 patients operated upon for FSO with autologous calvarial bone graft from 2005 to 2011. Obliteration was indicated for chronic symptomatic frontal sinusitis with nasofrontal duct stenosis in five cases of nasal polyposis with a history of endoscopic sinus surgery, two cases of frontal trauma, two of surgery for frontal inverted papilloma and two of chronic frontal purulent sinusitis. Ten patients had a history of one or two previous functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) procedures. On outcome assessment, eight patients had no residual complaints after FSO and all patients showed improvement in symptoms. Frontal sinus obliteration with autologous calvarial bone graft showed low donor site morbidity and good aesthetic results. This procedure should be considered in severe frontal sinusitis after repeated FESS procedures have failed.     

12 minute consultation: Evidence based management of a patient with facial pain

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2012, 37 , 207–212 Background: There is a common misconception that facial pain and headache are mainly caused by sinusitis. The findings of nasal endoscopy, computer tomography (CT) and the results of observational studies reveal that this is not the case. Moreover, when sinus surgery is performed in patients where headache/facial pain has been a feature, it has been found that these symptoms persist after sinus surgery, particularly where there had been no nasal symptoms or endoscopic signs of paranasal sinusitis. Methods: This review was based on a literature search performed on 30 November 2011. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched using the subject heading of facial pain, that is, rhinosinusitis, migraine, cluster headaches, midsegment facial pain, trigeminal neuralgia, paroxysmal hemicrania, hemicrania continua and drug‐dependent headache. The search was limited to English language articles. Relevant references from selected articles were reviewed after reading the abstract. Results: A review of the literature shows that headaches are rarely caused by sinusitis. Similarly, only a small proportion of patients with facial pain have sinusitis, and these patients have either acute sinusitis or an acute exacerbation of chronic purulent sinusitis. Importantly, most patients with chronic rhinosinusitis rarely have facial pain unless they develop an acute infection or suffer barotrauma. CT scans should not routinely be performed for facial pain because of the prevalence of incidental changes in asymptomatic patients. Surgery is very rarely indicated in the treatment for chronic facial pain. Conclusion: A structured history of the pain and its associated symptoms, nasendoscopy and relevant targeted investigations should lead to a correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment.     

Role of F.E.S.S. in chronic sinusitis

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a new and exciting treatment for chronic sinus disease. A prospective study of 50 patients undergoing FESS was undertaken at the department of Otolaryngology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. Parameters studied included patient symptoms, medical history, medical therapy, radiologic findings, complications and postoperative symptoms. 62% of our patients had sinonasal polypi (ethmoidal polypi 56%, antrochoanal polypi 6%) while 38% had chronic sinusitis. Osteomeatal complex involvement (88%) was the most common preoperative CT scan findings. All the cases were subsequently suhjected to functional endoscopic sinus surgery, studied for post-operative complications and 82% of the patients achieved improvement in preoperative symptoms. It was concluded that FESS is a highly successful treatment for chronic sinus disease.     

Short and long-term treatment results in chronic maxillary sinusitis

The diagnostic criteria and the length of the observation period are essential factors influencing the results of treatment of maxillary sinusitis. In 198 patients (244 sinuses) with chronic maxillary sinusitis of either rhinogenous or dental etiology all patients were judged as cured or improved at the short-term control 1-3 months after completion of therapy. The long-term observation (mean 3.5 years) revealed different figures of healing. Satisfactory results after conservative therapy were seen in only 34% while the Caldwell-Luc operation gave good results in 80%. In sinusitis of dental origin, dental treatment combined with local sinus surgery was successful in 90%. In 78 sinuses investigated by sinoscopy, discrepancy between the symptoms and the endoscopic findings was seen in 14 cases (18%). Information obtained by questionnaire is therefore unreliable. In 30 sinuses operated upon with the Caldwell-Luc procedure, discrepancy between radiographic and endoscopic findings was seen in 3 cases (10%). Contributory factors, e.g. nasal polyps, dental infections and nasal allergy were found in 48 out of 84 sinuses not completely healed at the long-term control. Patients treated for chronic maxillary sinusitis must be followed up over a long period. A clinical control after 1-2 years, including sinoscopy or sinus radiographs, is recommended even in patients free from symptoms of sinusitis. Sinoscopy seems to be more reliable than sinus radiography and should be performed if the sinus radiographs show any pathology. The patients are also recommended to visit their dentists regularly, due to the close relationship between dental infections and chronic maxillary sinus diseases.     

Endoscopic frontal sinus drillout in 100 patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of frontal sinus drillout surgery for the treatment of chronic frontal sinusitis. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. Mean +/- SD follow-up was 4.1 +/- 1.53 years (range, 1.4-6.9 years). SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients with chronic sinusitis who underwent frontal sinus drillout surgery. Indications were failed previous frontal sinusotomy (n = 88) and frontal sinus mucocele (n = 12). INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic removal of the floor of the frontal sinus (unilateral, n = 34; bilateral, n = 66) with a surgical drill. An intraoperative image-guidance system was used in 65 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frontal sinus patency and improvement of symptoms associated with frontal sinusitis. RESULTS: Frontal sinus patency with control of symptoms was achieved in 80% of patients. There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative epistaxis occurred in 4% of patients. Of the 20 patients who developed restenosis of the frontal sinus ostium, 11 underwent revision frontal sinus drillout and 9 proceeded to frontal sinus obliteration. The success rate was comparable for the image-guidance and non-image-guidance groups (83.1% vs 74.3%, respectively; P =.56). CONCLUSIONS: Frontal sinus drillout performed with or without an image-guidance system appears to be a safe and effective surgery for the treatment of patients with advanced disease of the frontal sinus. This procedure provides a reasonable alternative to frontal sinus obliteration, which remains a treatment option for patients who fail frontal drillout.     

Defensive chronic ear surgery

The surgery for chronic ear disease has been modified in recent years because of the advances that have been made in neuro-otologic surgery including improvement in equipment and surgical techniques. There have been significant advances in the treatment of the acute phase of the inflammatory diseases of the middle ear and mastoid; however, there still remains a significant group of patients that require surgical correction of inflammatory disease of the middle ear and mastoid. A defensive approach to chronic ear surgery has been developed. This includes a proper preoperative evaluation of the patient's middle ear or mastoid problem with office microscopic examination of the ear and proper radiographic and audiologic studies. Surgical techniques include all the aspects of neuro-otologic surgery including an excellent otologic drill and suction irrigation. The point is made that careful defensive chronic ear surgery is best done with blunt instruments to avoid injury to soft tissue structures. A systematic approach to the removal of the disease from the ear is presented including the defensive approach of expecting complications and making preparations to avoid injuries as a result of these complications. This includes positive identification of the facial nerve, identification of labyrinthine fistulas, and cholesteatoma involvement of the posterior and middle fossa. Two cases are presented to illustrate how this defensive approach to chronic ear surgery may allow systemic resolution of very difficult chronic ear problems with preservation of neurologic and labyrinthine function.     

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in nasal and maxillary sinus specimens from patients with chronic sinusitis

OBJECTIVES: In patients with chronic sinusitis, the colonization of nasal and maxillary sinus tissues by Helicobacter pylori (HP) was investigated using polymerase chain reaction, urease test (CLO test), culture, and immunohistochemical analysis. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. METHODS: The subjects were 11 patients aged 20 to 72 years with chronic sinusitis who had undergone sinus surgery under local anesthesia. In 7 of 11 patients, the HP status of the stomach was also studied. Nasal and maxillary sinus tissues were studied using polymerase chain reaction, urease test, culture, and immunohistochemical analysis. Helicobacter pylori infection of nasal and maxillary sinus tissues was defined by at least two positive results of different tests. RESULTS: Three (16%) of 19 nasal and maxillary sinus specimens from two patients were shown to be HP-positive (positive by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis and weakly positive by the CLO test). In one of these two patients, HP infection of the stomach was confirmed. In the other, a positive findings on immunohistochemical analysis suggested HP infection of the stomach. Immunoreactive structures were seen by immunohistochemical analysis in the nasal, maxillary sinus, and gastric specimens of these two patients but were partially degraded. CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori may exist in the nasal and maxillary sinus tissue specimens of some patients with chronic sinusitis with gastric HP infection.     

鼻窦球囊扩张术治疗慢性上颌窦炎的非随机对照前瞻性临床研究

目的 评价鼻窦球囊扩张术与传统鼻内镜鼻窦开放术治疗慢性上颌窦炎的临床疗效、安全性及患者接受程度的差异。方法 将50例慢性上颌窦炎患者随机均分入两组,其中A组25例行鼻窦球囊扩张术,B组25例行鼻内镜下上颌窦开放术。术后随访12个月,评价临床疗效、安全性、患者手术舒适度。结果 术后检查及随访期间,A组脱落病例2例,B组脱落病例3例,共对45例患者进行评价。45例患者症状均明显改善,术后鼻内镜检查A组开放的33个窦口中有30个窦口开放、黏膜恢复良好,1个窦口狭窄,2个窦口周围黏膜水肿;B组开放的32个窦口中,27个开放完好,2个窦口狭窄,3个窦口黏膜水肿。两组患者术后均无视力改变、眼部肿胀及脑脊液鼻漏等其他并发症发生。A组与B组术后3个月、随访结束（术后12个月）SNOT-20评分以及CT评分均无统计学差异;术后3个月、随访结束后（术后12个月）Lund -Kennedy内镜黏膜形态评分得分以及手术舒适度评分（出院当天）A组明显优于B组（P<0.05）。结论 鼻窦球囊扩张术与传统内镜在治疗慢性上颌窦炎方面均具有较好的临床疗效及安全性,但在术后远期黏膜恢复及手术舒适度方面,鼻窦球囊扩张术明显优于传统鼻内镜手术,值得临床推广及应用。     

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery results in 69 patients

Sixty nine patients with sinonasal symptoms were subjected to diagnostic endoscopy. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was done subsequently for chronic sinusitis in 42 patients, for ethmoidal polypi in 18 patients and for antrochoanal polypi in 9 patients. A follow up of 18 to 36 months ( mean 27 months) reveals a success rate of 84% in the overall study, 81.5% in patients with chronic sinusitis alone, 87.5% in ethmoidal polypi and 100% in patients with antrochoanal polyps.