Influencia de la premedicación con esteroides sistémicos en el sangrado y visualización del campo quirúrgico durante la cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal

IntroductionChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is the inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa persisting for at least 12 weeks. The success of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) depends on minimising oedema and intraoperative bleeding. For this purpose, some surgeons advocate the use of preoperative systemic steroids (SS).Our aim was to assess if the administration of preoperative SS in patients with CRS with or without nasal polyps (NP) facilitates the surgical procedure.MethodsNon-randomized clinical trial in CRS patients with or without NP. Patients in the ESS group received oral meprednisone preoperatively, whereas the control group did not. The visibility of the surgical field, intraoperative bleeding and surgery duration were recorded.ResultsEach group (SS group and control group) included 27 patients. The administration of SS reduced the values of all the parameters in patients without NP, with no significant differences. In patients with NP, only operative bleeding was reduced significantly.ConclusionsEven though all the parameters decreased with the preoperative administration of SS, only operative bleeding was significantly reduced in patients with CRS with NP.     

The role of anti-IgE immunoglobulin therapy in nasal polyposis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Although the etiology of nasal polyposis (NP) remains unknown, emerging evidence showing elevated local IgE levels and eosinophilic infiltration suggests an allergic etiology. Given this evidence, this pilot study examined whether anti-IgE therapy is efficacious in the treatment of NP. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected on two groups of patients with atopic asthma and NP who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), including a control group (n=4) and an anti-IgE treatment group (n=4), who received the anti-IgE agent, omalizumab, postoperatively. Both groups were evaluated by sinus computed tomography (CT) and nasal endoscopic examination, and comparisons were made between the groups with respect to differences in the recurrence of NP after ESS. RESULTS: Collectively, the subjects showed a direct relationship between NP severity and pretreatment total serum IgE levels. Preoperatively, there were no differences between the groups with regard to their total serum IgE levels, sinus CT scores, and endoscopically determined NP scores. Relative to corresponding preoperative values, there was no significant improvement in the sinus CT scores in either treatment group postoperatively. In contrast, relative to preoperative values, the nasal polyp scores significantly improved in the anti-IgE group, whereas the control group showed no significant improvement. CONCLUSION: This pilot study provides new evidence establishing that (1) endoscopic NP severity directly correlates to total serum IgE levels and (2) inclusion of anti-IgE therapy in the postpolypectomy management of atopic asthmatic individuals may reduce the severity of NP recurrence.     

Endoscopic resection of benign and malignant tumors in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus

Endoscopic resection of nasal and paranasal sinus tumors is more aesthetic and less invasive than conventional resection, such as Luc's operation and lateral rhinotomy. We clarified the effect of radical endoscopic tumor excision and the control of local bleeding hazardous in endoscopic surgery. Subjects were patients with benign lesions in the nasal cavity, medial wall of the maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus, and/or sphenoid sinus without concurrent malignant lesions. Although patients selection for malignant tumor excision was based on (1) possible en bloc resection, (2) low-grade malignant tumors, and (3) tumors in the nasal cavity and adjoining paranasal sinus, the final decision was made individual. Subjects were 23 patients with benign tumor (10 inverted papilloma, 9 hemangioma, 2 juvenile angiofibroma, and 2 other tumors) and 4 with malignant tumor (olfactory neuroblastoma, acinic cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and chondroid chordoma) in the nasal and paranasal sinus. The tumor was resected en bloc except for patients with inverted papilloma (2 cases) and chondroid chordoma. Recurrence in benign tumors was zero during a mean observation of 21 months. One with chondroid chordoma, however, suffered a recurrent lesion 7 months after the initial operation. The lesion was successfully salvaged by a similar endoscopic procedure and subsequently treated with electron beam irradiation. Preoperative arterial embolization, laser coagulation, and ligation of the sphenopalatine artery were very useful in reducing blood loss during surgery and maintaining a clear endoscopic view. In intraoperative bleeding volume, less than 100 ml of bleeding occurred during surgery in 23 of 27 patients. The endoscopic excision of benign lesions in the nasal and paranasal sinus is thus as effective as conventional radical surgery. Endoscopic removal of malignant lesions remains controversial because of the small number of patients and short postoperative observation.     

Epidemiologic analysis of 72 carcinomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to define the epidemiological aspects of carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinusesMaterial and methodsWe performed a retrospective study of 72 carcinomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Various sites, age and sex distribution, drug consumption, TNM stage grouping and treatment were reported.ResultsThe average age was 63. Seventy- five percent of patients (54/72) were male and 25% (18/72) female. The site of origin was paranasal sinuses in 46 patients (64%), 30 in ethmoid sinus, 15 in maxillary sinus and 1 in sphenoid sinus. Twenty-six patients (36%) were located in nasal cavity.Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent histological type in both localizations. The 5-yea adjusted survival rate for all patients was 60% (IC: 54-66), 36% (IC: 28-44) for paranasal sinus carcinoma and 86% (IC: 79-93) for nasal cavity carcinoma. The 5-year adjusted survival rate according to the T distribution in 46 carcinomas paranasal sinus was 80% T2, 71% T3, 19% T4a and 6% T4b.(p=0.0002).ConclusionsCarcinoma of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses represent a group of tumors that differ from the rest of carcinomas of the head and neck.     

Mucoceles de senos paranasales. Nuestra experiencia en 72 pacientes

IntroductionTraditional treatment for paranasal sinuses mucoceles recommended total removal through external approaches. Since the 90 s, endoscopic marsupialization has been proposed as optimal surgical treatment. We present our experience in the treatment of this pathology.Material and methodA retrospective review of 72 patients treated for paranasal sinuses mucoceles between 1980 and 2006 in our ENT department was performed. We describe clinical features, surgical approaches employed and recurrence of disease.ResultsThe sample was composed of 72 patients with average follow-up period of 44 months (range 13–214 months). A total of 81 mucoceles were presented, with 44% affecting the frontal sinus or frontoethmoidal cells, followed in frequency by maxillary sinus mucoceles (35%). Twenty-nine percent of the patients did not present predisposing factors; 31% of patients had a history of nasal polyposis, 35% had undergone previous sinus surgery and 14% suffered previous facial fractures; 48 mucoceles patients were treated endoscopically and 33 were treated with external or combined approaches. Recurrence was found in 7 patients, 2 in the endoscopic surgery group and 5 in the external/combined surgery group.ConclusionsEndoscopic marsupialization is a safe approach with a low rate of recurrence. The endoscopic approach may be unsuitable for frontal lateral sinus mucoceles or those with significant bone blockage.     

Comparative outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps

This study was carried out to compare the outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps (CRS) and those with nasal polyps (NP). We also sought to determine the correlation between preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings and postoperative endoscopy and symptom score improvement. Data were collected from two groups of patients diagnosed as CRS with and without nasal polyps that underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery with a 1-year postoperative follow up. Preoperative symptoms, CT scores, and endoscopic scores were recorded. Postoperative symptom and endoscopic scores were recorded at 1, 6, and 12 months. Assessment of symptoms was performed subjectively using visual analogue scoring (VAS). CT scan findings were scored using the Lund–Mackay system. Endoscopic examination findings were scored according to the staging system proposed by Lanza and Kennedy. The correlations between the CT score, endoscopic scores and VAS scores were calculated. There was a statistically significant correlation between the preoperative CT, symptom, and endoscopic scores. Postoperative symptom and endoscopic scores also showed a significant correlation. Total CT scores of the CRS group were significantly lower than the scores of the NP group. Also preoperative endoscopy and symptom scores were statistically lower in CRS group compared to NP group. Endoscopy total scores and symptom total scores of both groups were significantly decreased at postoperative 12th month. Statistically significant difference was observed between the preoperative and postoperative symptom and endoscopy scores. The patients with polyps had higher symptom scores and worse objective findings compared to the patients with CRS. In all patients groups, objective and subjective scores seemed to correlate well preoperatively and postoperatively. These data suggest that endoscopic sinus surgery provides significant symptomatic relief and endoscopic healing in patients with CRS and NP.     

经鼻内镜治疗鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤18例

探讨内镜下切除鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤的效果。方法：对18例鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤患者行鼻内镜手术。结果：随访1～4.5年,仅1例复发。结论：鼻内镜治疗鼻腔鼻窦内翻性乳头状瘤有多视角、清晰度高、损伤小、不毁容等优点。     

The glutathione-S-transferase gene polymorphisms (Gstt1, Gstm1, and Gstp1) in patients with non-allergic nasal polyposis

There is an ongoing dilemma about the pathogenesis of nasal polyp (NP). The etiology of NP is multifactorial. Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are also suggested to be among the possible factors in NP development. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) is one of the important detoxifying enzymes. It is not known whether GST plays any role in NP development. We aimed to investigate the relationship between GST subgroup (GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1) polymorphisms, and NP development. Seventy-five patients with NP with or without asthma (NP with asthma: 22, NP without asthma: 53) were used as a study group. As much as 167 healthy individuals were involved as the control group. NP diagnosis was made by nasal endoscopy and paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT). NP was defined as the presence of endoscopically visible bilateral polyps originated from the middle meatus to the nasal cavity and affecting more than one paranasal sinus confirmed by CT. Blood was collected in EDTA-containing tubes and DNA was extracted from the leukocytes. The genotyping of polymorphisms of GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1 were done using real time polymerase chain reaction. Chi-square (χ²) and Fisher’s (F) exact tests were used for statistical evaluation. A 2-fold increased risk of NP could be found in individuals with the GSTT1 null genotype (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.03–4.011). The distribution of GSTM1 null genotypes was not significantly different between the NP patients and controls and there was also no significance between the GSTP1 genotypes and NP. In conclusion, GST gene polymorphisms may be important in pathogenesis of NP. Additional studies which include larger study groups in different geographic localizations may be more useful to evaluate association with GST polymorphism and NP.     

Study of allergic fungal sinusitis in 40 surgical cases of chronic paranasal sinusitis

Allergic fungal sinusitis is chronic and paranasal, related to fungal allergy. Many papers on allergic fungal sinusitis have been reported in the United State, and the incidence is 5% to 10% among patients with chronic paranasal sinusitis. Although cases of allergic fungal sinusitis have been reported in Japan, the incidence is unclear. We studied allergic fungal sinusitis in 40 consecutive patients--26 men and 14 women--undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery at Keiyukai Sapporo Hospital December 2000 to July 2001. We checked for allergic rhinitis and asthma, a history of surgery for nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis, the presence of nasal polyps, grading of sinusitis via computed tomography, nonspecific IgE and allergen-specific IgE for fungi in serum, eosinophilia in nasal smears, paranasal eosinophilic mucin, and histology and fungal culture of paranasal sinus mucus. None had typical allergic fungal sinusitis, but 1 had eosinophilic paranasal mucin, high IgE, and false-positive IgE for fungi. We studied clinical data and histology of fungi and paranasal mucosa in 9 cases with fungal maxillary sinusitis, but none had allergy or eosinophilic mucin. This suggested that few patients with allergic fungal sinusitis exist among those with chronic paranasal sinusitis.     

鼻内镜在诊治鼻腔鼻窦真菌病中的应用

目的：评价鼻内镜技术在鼻腔鼻窦真菌病的诊断和治疗中的应用价值。方法：对54例非变态反应性真菌性鼻窦炎患者应鼻内镜技术诊断与治疗的经验进行总结。结果：全部患者均获治愈，随访1-5年未见复发。结论：在本病的诊断与治疗中，应用鼻内镜技术可减轻患者的侵损性操作，并缩短诊治时间，避免或减少复发。鼻内镜技是诊断治疗鼻腔鼻窦真菌病较为理想的方法。     

Neutrophil-derived metalloproteinase-9 predicts healing quality after sinus surgery

BACKGROUND: In a recent study, we have shown that gelatinase-B (metalloproteinase [MMP]-9) in nasal secretions can have both monitoring and predictive value on the healing outcome after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to treat chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasal polyposis (NP). In this work, we aimed to explore the source of MMP-9 and the influence of inflammation on MMP-9 expression and release in nasal tissue and secretions during airway remodelling after surgery. METHODS: Biopsies from 23 patients operated by FESS for CRS or NP were collected 1, 3, and 6 months after sinus surgery. MMP-9 expression in the paranasal mucosa was correlated with healing quality, with MMP-9 concentrations in nasal fluid, and with histomorphologic findings (edema, fibrosis, alphasmooth muscle actin, CD-68, myeloperoxidase, EG2, and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta1 stainings). RESULTS: MMP-9 concentrations in nasal fluid were paralleled by MMP-9 expression inside the extracellular matrix (ECM) after sinus surgery. MMP-9 expression in ECM was significantly correlated with healing quality (r = 0.378, P = .0181), and poor healers presented significantly more edema (P < .05). The amounts of MMP-9 in nasal fluid were significantly and independently predicted by the number of neutrophils (P = .0224) and macrophages (P = .0497) in the tissue. In contrast, MMP-9 expression was not related to fibrosis, number of myofibroblasts, or TGF-beta1 expression in ECM. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-9 expression is increased in the ECM during wound healing and parallels concentrations of MMP-9 in nasal fluids. Inflammatory cells represent the major source of increased MMP-9 expression, which is linked to poor healing quality.     

Clinical analysis of delayed epistaxis following endoscopic sinus surgery

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment methods associated with delayed epistaxis following endoscopic sinus surgery.MethodsThe clinical data of 46 patients with delayed epistaxis following endoscopic sinus surgery were retrospectively analyzed. To explore the clinical features, pathogenesis, and treatment plan for delayed epistaxis, the postoperative bleeding time, bleeding inducements, systemic complications, surgical approach, the hemorrhage locations and responsible vessels, and treatment methods were analyzed.ResultsThe average bleeding time was 16.34 ± 9.05 days after the operation, and 76.6% of the cases occurred 6–20 days after the operation. Sphenopalatal artery hemorrhage accounted for 69.6% (32/46), the most common of which was a posterior nasal septal artery hemorrhage (17/32). A total of 45 patients received endoscopic low-temperature plasma hemostasis following ineffective nasal packing, and no rebleeding in the ipsilateral nasal cavity was observed during the postoperative follow-up for 3 to 6 months.ConclusionsThe peak of hemorrhaging in delayed epistaxis following endoscopic sinus surgery occurred at 6–20 days post-operatively. Bleeding of the posterior nasal septal artery from the sphenopalatine artery was the most common. Surgical methods were closely related to delayed postoperative hemorrhage. Treatment with low temperature plasma hemostasis under nasal endoscope was found to be effective.     

鼻内镜手术治疗出血坏死性鼻息肉疗效探讨

目的 探讨鼻内镜手术治疗鼻及鼻窦出血坏死性息肉的可行性及疗效。方法 回顾性分析2002年1月至2010年1月治疗23例鼻及鼻窦出血坏死性息肉的临床资料。病理诊断明确,术前行鼻内镜检查、鼻窦CT及MRI,全身或局部麻醉鼻内镜下行肿物切除术,尤其是辨清其基底及起源地,并完整彻底切除鼻及鼻窦病变组织,是有效防止复发的关键。结果 经鼻内镜手术治愈22例(95.7%),有效1例(4.3%),术中出血少,22例随访2～6年未见复发,1例1年后复发,经鼻内镜联合柯-陆径路再次手术,术后随访2年未见复发。结论 鼻内镜手术治疗鼻及鼻窦出血坏死性息肉,创伤小、出血少、复发率低,彻底切除及术后随访至关重要,是一种简便、安全、有效的首选治疗方法。     

Doyle silicone splint insertion: endoscopy-assisted versus nasal speculum assisted

IntroductionSeptoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery are very often concurrently performed operations in otolaryngology practice. The most common complication of endoscopic sinus surgery is lateralization of the middle turbinate. In our practice intranasal stenting is done routinely with Doyle silicone splints.ObjectiveRetrospectively, we aimed to review the postoperative period and to document efficacy of endoscopy-assisted Doyle silicone splint application on prevention of middle turbinate lateralization.MethodsPatients who had failed medical therapy and who underwent elective primary endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with septal deviation requiring septoplasty were included to the study. Doyle silicone splints were inserted to all patients at the end of the operation with nasal speculum or with endoscopic assistance. Groups were compared for position of the middle turbinate at the end of the postoperative first month regarding lateralization and for pain score recorded on the second postoperative day.ResultsIn the Doyle silicone splints applied with nasal speculum group, there were 46 patients with a total of 80 operated sides. In the endoscopy assisted group, there were 54 patients with a total of 88 operated sides. At the 1 month follow-up, the mean of middle turbinate position scores was 1.62 in the speculum-assisted group and 1.80 in the endoscopy-assisted group, the difference between two groups was found to be statistically significant. Mean of postoperative second day pain scores were worse in patients with the Doyle silicone splints applied with endoscopic assistance. This difference was found statistically significant.ConclusionIn our study, after concomitant endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty, less middle turbinate lateralization was observed when the Doyle silicone splints were inserted with endoscopic guidance. The surgical techniques or methods of sinus packing as well as nasal packing may have an impact on middle turbinate lateralization after concurrent septoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery.     

Nasal and paranasal sinus carcinoma: how can we continue to make progress?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: New developments in the nasal and paranasal sinus cancers are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: In addition to woodworking, several risk factors for nasal and paranasal sinus cancers have been identified, most notably smoking. Progress in the differential diagnosis of small round cell nasal and paranasal sinus cancers allows the precise diagnosis of esthesioneuroblastoma. Despite recent improvements, T staging for ethmoid and nasal cavity needs refinement. An association of surgery and radiation therapy remains the best treatment modality. Major developments include endoscopic resection of nasal and paranasal sinus cancers, high-precision radiotherapy techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and proton-beam radiotherapy. There is probably no role for chemotherapy in esthesioneuroblastoma. Although chemotherapy is important for aggressive neoplasms, its generalized use for nasal and paranasal sinus cancers awaits the application/development of newer drugs. These drugs might be applied locally since the majority of recurrences remain local. SUMMARY: Progress in the treatment of nasal and paranasal sinus cancers could be achieved through better prevention and the developments of more selective treatments such as endoscopic resection, high-precision radiotherapy, and new chemotherapy drugs.     

Comparison of natural ostiodilatation and endoscopic sinus surgery in the same patient with chronic sinusitis

IntroductionChronic rhinosinusitis is a broad clinical syndrome characterized by mucosal inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses. In order for the paranasal sinuses to maintain their physiological functions; the ostiomeatal complex drainage pathways must be open. Surgical procedures are an important treatment option in patients who do not respond adequately to medical treatment. Although the methods and instruments used in functional endoscopic sinus surgery have continued to improve in recent years, the scar tissue formed during operation disrupts the drainage of the sinuses and reduces postoperative success. The natural ostiodilatation method, which is performed by balloon sinoplasty method, has become more and more popular in recent years.ObjectivesTo compare the technique of balloon sinoplasty with the classical functional endoscopic sinus surgery method by considering the severity of chronic sinusitis on the same patient.MethodsTotal of 61 chronic sinusitis patients was included in the study. Paranasal sinus tomography of the patients was taken and according to the Lund–Mackay scoring, chronic sinusitis levels were determined. Cases were divided into two groups: Group 1 (severe chronic sinusitis group) and Group 2 (mild chronic sinusitis).ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in the results of comparison of sinuses which underwent balloon sinoplasty and classical functional endoscopic sinus surgery in Group 2 after Lund–Mackay scores. However in Group 1, the results of the comparison of postoperative Lund–Mackay scores of the balloon sinoplasty and the classical endoscopic operation were statistically significantly lower than those of the face half operated with the classical functional endoscopic sinus surgery.ConclusionThe success of balloon sinoplasty in patients with mild sinusitis is the same as in classic functional endoscopic sinus surgery. However, as the severity of sinusitis increases, the efficacy of balloon sinoplasty decreases.     

Immunoglobulin E to staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins in patients with chronic sinusitis/nasal polyposis

BACKGROUND: The role of infectious agents and their contribution to the inflammation in chronic sinusitis/nasal polyposis (CS/NP) is not clear. Staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins have superantigen activity and have been implicated in inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and asthma. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies to staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins in the serum of individuals with CS/NP. METHOD: IgE antibodies to staphylococcal exotoxins, A, B, and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A, B, and C were measured in 23 individuals with CS/NP before functional endoscopic sinus surgery and in controls (7 atopic and 6 nonatopic) individuals without chronic sinusitis. Presence of IgE to the toxins was also correlated with disease severity on sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. RESULTS: Staphylococcal and streptococcal toxin specific IgE antibodies were detected in 18 of 23 (78%) and 7 of 21 (33.3%) patients, respectively. None of the controls had IgE to the staphylococcal or streptococcal toxins (P <.0001). There was no association between radiographic severity of sinus disease and the presence of IgE antibody to the toxins. CONCLUSION: A significantly greater proportion of CS/NP patients had IgE to staphylococcal or streptococcal toxins. Evidence of IgE antibodies directed against staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins in the sera of patients with CS/NP suggests a potential role of these toxins with established superantigen effects in the pathogenesis of CS/NP.     

Efficacy of controlling rhinosinusitis on the prevention of complications in pituitary surgery with transsphenoidal approach

Objective

The microscopic transcolumellar transseptal transsphenoidal approach (TSA) is the one of the most widely used methods for the surgical treatment of sellar and parasellar lesions. But nasal and paranasal sinus inflammation is the relative contraindications of TSA. This study was performed to investigate the results of pre TSA treatment options according to the degree of nasal and paranasal sinus inflammation on the paranasal sinus computed tomography scan (PNS CT).

Methods

From January 2005 to September 2010, 145 consecutive patients underwent operation of pituitary lesions through the TSA. The preoperative CT images for these patients were reviewed, and 26 patients were identified with sinus opacification on PNS CT. We then analyzed presenting symptoms, physical and endoscopic examination, Lund–Mackay score on PNS CT and preoperative management of the sinus problem retrospectively.

Results

Twenty-six patients had sinus opacification on PNS CT. Eight patients had the symptoms of sinusitis corresponding to PNS CT finding, so they had therapeutic antibiotics, and had TSA after symptomatic improvement. Three patients had the symptoms of sinusitis and sinus opacification with mean Lund–Mackay score of 5.33, so they underwent endoscopic sinus surgery first, and they got TSA a few months after. One patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and TSA simultaneously. No patient had a serious complication including intracranial infection.

Conclusion

TSA is a relatively safe technique, but intracranial complication after surgery may be fatal. Therefore rigorous evaluation and management is mandatory. It is especially important to treat rhinosinusitis issues preoperatively. Our preliminary data may be helpful to evaluate and manage the paranasal sinus inflammation before TSA.     

Pitfalls in computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses.

The advent of functional endoscopic sinus surgery has created the need for high-quality radiographic images to assess the paranasal sinuses, document the detailed anatomy of the lateral nasal wall and provide an anatomical map allowing safe functional endoscopic sinus surgery. This paper will discuss our experience of 410 paranasal sinus coronal CT scans performed by the technique described by Zinreich prior to consideration of functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The main indications for the scans were acute recurrent sinusitis, abnormal diagnostic nasal endoscopic examination and persistent facial pain. We will consider both the radiological and surgical difficulties that have arisen from the use of this technique and highlight some of the methods to avoid these difficulties. Claustrophobia and limitation of neck movements, particularly in patients over the age of 60, were the most common factors leading to suboptimal scans. Ensuring that the patient was in a symptom-free interval, the differential diagnosis of the opacified paranasal sinus and patients with gross polypoid disease created the most difficulty in interpretation. The anatomical assessment of the frontal recess and the identification of the optic nerve posterolateral to the posterior ethmoidal cell have created the greatest anatomical difficulty.     

Nasal and paranasal sinus endoscopy, computed tomography and microbiology of upper airways and the correlations with genotype and severity of cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have assessed clinical and functional aspects of lower airway affections in cystic fibrosis. Conversely, few studies have been performed to assess the clinical and functional affections of upper airways. The objective of the present study was to correlate the variables obtained by nasal and paranasal sinuses endoscopy, paranasal sinus laboratory and computed tomography (CT) scan findings, and to check the association with severity and genotype of cystic fibrosis patients. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory study of 50 patients with cystic fibrosis at a university center. All patients were submitted to CT scan, nasal and paranasal endoscopy and bacterioscopy of maxillary sinus, trachea and oropharynx secretion. Severity of cystic fibrosis was assessed by Shwachman score and the most frequent genetic mutations were identified. RESULTS: The prevalence of polyposis in the studied population was 36% and it was greater among homozygote for DeltaF 508. Shwachman score was correlated with age (p=0.003). The genotype was correlated with presence of nasal polyposis (p=0.006). There was no association between affections in CT scan and severity of cystic fibrosis (CF). Patients presented high prevalence of early colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: Sinus disease in CF patients presents several clinical, endoscopic and tomographic affections. Although most of them are not correlated with severity and disease genotype, severity of CF is correlated with age and presence of polyposis is genotype-dependent.