The analysis of clinical characteristics of the chronic rhinosinusitis: complicated and uncomplicated form

The objective of our study was to analyze the intensity of subjective symptoms and objective findings of endoscopy and CT scanning in chronic rhinosinusitis, in the groups with and without nasal polyps. To evaluate the intensity of subjective symptoms visual analogue scale (VAS) was used, while scores were obtained by adding grades. Endoscopic finding was given in scores recommended by Lanza and Kennedy and CT results were presented by Lund-Mackay scoring system. The study included 90 consecutive adult patients, 47 males (52%) and 43 females (48%), mean age 45 years. The group with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (uncomplicated form) consisted of 30 patients, while the group with polyps (complicated form) included 60 patients. Comparing mean intensity values of all subjective symptoms between these two groups we found out that nasal obstruction, nasal secretion and hyposmia were significantly more manifested in the polyp group (P < 0.01). Facial congestion was also more manifested in the polyp group (P < 0.05). Mean score value of major symptoms was 35.55 in the polyp group, and 23.13 in the group without polyps (P < 0.01). Mean value of total symptom scores was 48.68 in the polyp group, and 35.00 in the group without polyps (P < 0.01). Endoscopic score was approximately 9.03 in the polyp group, and 2.43 in the group without polyps (P < 0.01). CT score was 16.05 on an average in the polyp group, and 4.37 in the group without polyps (P < 0.01). Chronic rhinosinusitis complicated by nasal polyposis is characterized by higher degree of nasal obstruction, nasal secretion, hyposmia and facial congestion, which results in higher score of major and total score of symptoms, respectively. This form is also characterized by worse objective findings, which is reflected in higher endoscopic and CT scores.     

Local and systemic eosinophilia in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with and without polyposis

Eosinophils play a key role in the pathophysiology of sinonasal polyposis; their role in chronic rhinosinusitis without polyposis is less clear. To investigate this further, we biopsied diseased sinonasal tissue from 116 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery and normal nasal mucosa from 24 controls. The patients were grouped, according to the nasal endoscopic appearance of their disease, into four clinical groups: chronic rhinosinusitis with no polyps, grade 1 polyps, grade 2 polyps, and grade 3 polyps. We also measured the peripheral blood eosinophil count. Histological analysis of the inflammatory cell content of the biopsies was carried out. The percentage of eosinophils in tissue from each of the clinical groups was significantly higher than that from the controls. There was no significant difference between the percentage of eosinophils in any of the clinical groups, but a trend. Peripheral eosinophil count increased with increasing severity of nasal disease.     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者症状学特点及内镜鼻窦手术后主要症状的转归

目的：探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者的症状学特点及内镜鼻窦手术前后患者主观症状的变化。方法：采用视觉模拟量表对119例慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者（52例不伴鼻息肉和67例伴鼻息肉）的鼻塞、头昏（头痛）、面部疼痛（胀满感）、嗅觉障碍和鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）5个主要症状进行评分,比较内镜鼻窦手术前和手术后12个月评分的变化。结果：伴和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者出现最多的症状均依次为鼻塞、鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）、头昏（头痛）、面部疼痛（胀满感）和嗅觉障碍。不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者较伴鼻息肉者鼻分泌物评分显著增高（P〈0．01）,但嗅觉障碍评分者显著降低（P〈0．01）。在最令人困扰的症状方面,不伴鼻息肉和伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者分别是鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）和嗅觉障碍。术后伴鼻息肉和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者各个症状出现的频率和评分均较术前显著降低（P〈0．01）。结论：伴鼻息肉和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者症状学具有不同的特点,内镜鼻窦手术可以显著改善患者的主观症状,视觉模拟量表评估患者的主观症状是一简便、易于开展的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎疗效主观评估方法。     

Superantigens and chronic rhinosinusitis: detection of staphylococcal exotoxins in nasal polyps

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The role of infectious agents in the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) remains unclear. Recent studies have provided indirect evidence of exposure to staphylococcal exotoxins in the blood and polyp tissue of patients with CRSwNP. These exotoxins have the capacity to act as superantigens, bypassing normal antigen processing and directly stimulating a massive inflammatory response. The objective of the study was to analyze mucus and polyp tissue samples from patients with CRSwNP for the presence of staphylococcal exotoxins. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Tissue and mucus samples were obtained from 42 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis and 11 normal control patients. Twenty-nine of 42 patients had chronic rhinosinusitis with bilateral nasal polyposis, 2 had antrochoanal polyps, and 11 had chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps. Eleven patients without chronic rhinosinusitis or polyps served as normal control patients. Specimens were analyzed for the presence of five staphylococcal exotoxins (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and toxic shock syndrome toxin type 1 [TSST-1]) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histological analysis of specimens and mean eosinophil counts were correlated with the presence of toxin. RESULTS: At least one toxin was detected in 14 of 29 patients with bilateral nasal polyposis. Nine of the 14 patients also had positive findings for additional toxins. The dominant histological pattern in the CRSwNP patient group was polypoid mucosa with edema, which was found in both ELISA-positive and ELISA-negative patients. Mean eosinophil counts tended to be higher in ELISA-positive patients with polyps compared with patients without toxin detection. No toxin was detected in the 11 specimens taken from normal control patients. Only 1 of the 13 patients with CRS without polyps had positive ELISA results for toxin. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates the presence of superantigen toxins in 14 of 29 patients with CRSwNP, with SEB and TSST-1 being the most common. Further studies are necessary to correlate the presence of toxin with the pathological changes present in polyp tissue.     

The effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on asthma: management of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, and asthma.

We attempted to determine the efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery in adult patients with asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis. Fifty asthmatic patients from 17 to 74 years of age with a history of either chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis were examined. Sinonasal disease was confirmed endoscopically and with computerized tomography, and all had failed aggressive medical management of their sinonasal disease before undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery performed by the same surgeon in all cases. The following were compared for 12 months: preoperative and postoperative overall asthma control, peak flow measurements, asthma medication requirements, including the use of oral steroids, and hospitalizations for asthma. Twenty patients felt that their asthma control had improved postoperatively. Twenty per cent used less steroid inhaler, and 28% less bronchodilator inhaler. Of those 23 patients measuring peak flows, seven achieved higher levels and seven noted fewer dips and swings. Significant reductions in oral steroid requirements (p < 0.001) and hospitalization for asthma (p < 0.025) were also recorded postoperatively. Irrespective of whether the patient had chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis, both groups improved postoperatively. The commonest symptoms experienced by the group as whole and by the nasal polyposis patients were hyposmia and nasal obstruction. Postnasal discharge and headache were more important in the chronic rhinosinusitis group. Mean visual analog scores improved for all symptoms; in particular for nasal obstruction and sense of smell. Aggressive management of sinonasal pathology can improve asthma status. No major differences were recorded for outcomes when comparing patients with chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis; in particular there was no evidence for a worsening of asthma after nasal polypectomy.     

不同年龄慢性鼻窦炎经鼻内镜手术的主客观评估的结果

目的探讨不同年龄段的慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps,CRSwNP）手术后的主客观病情评估与年龄段、随诊时间的关系。方法对192例CRSwNP行鼻内镜手术：鼻窦开放,息肉切除,下鼻甲射频消融下鼻甲骨骨折外移术,窦口鼻道复合体功能性切除术。将病例分为青少年组、成年组、老年组3个阶段,术后（0.5、1、3、6、12个月）随诊,对不同年龄段不同随诊时间进行主观病情评估（VAS评分）及客观检查及评分（Lund Kennedy内镜评分）。采用统计学分析不同年龄段同一随诊时间和同一年龄段不同随诊时间在术后的主客观病情评估的差异。结果不同年龄段的鼻塞、鼻漏的VAS评分在不同时间（术后3、6、12个月）对比,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.001）。面部胀痛感（术后1、3个月）各组无统计学意义（P>0.05)、而术后6、12个月比较差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Lund Kennedy内镜评分在术后0.5、1个月青少年组与其他组比较无统计学意义（P>0.05）、而术后3、6、12个月比较差异具有统计学意义（P<0.001)。术后复查鼻内镜下水肿、囊泡、分泌物等比年长组要明显。结论术前应着重对不同年龄阶段患者的主观症状、术前检查进行评价,为患者制定个性化手术方案,提高临床疗效。     

Molecular and cellular staging for the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVES: To correlate objective and subjective clinical parameters with molecular, cellular, and histologic markers and to acknowledge the importance of these basic science parameters in a severity classification system for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS in an academic institution. METHODS: The preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of all patients with CRS scheduled for surgery were graded according to Lund and Mackay. The patients completed a Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-20 questionnaire and had a preoperative nasal endoscopy performed, which was graded by assigning an endoscopy score according to Lanza and Kennedy. Subjects had a medical questionnaire regarding presence of aspirin sensitivity, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and medication usage. Subjects also underwent pulmonary function testing and had skin tests for allergies. At the time of surgery, blood was drawn to determine the level of peripheral eosinophilia and the degree of polymorphisms of the leukotriene C4 synthase gene. Sinus mucosal and polyp tissue was examined pathologically for the number of eosinophils per high-powered filed (HPF) and was stained for EG2 to determine the portion of activated eosinophils. Leukotriene C4 levels (pg/g of tissue) were determined using a sensitive competitive enzyme immunoassay. Endoscopy and SNOT-20 scores were reevaluated 1 year after surgery. Data were analyzed for disease-severity correlation to recommend a severity classification system for CRS that incorporates the contribution of clinical, molecular, cellular, and histologic parameters. RESULTS: The presence of polyps resulted in higher preoperative CT scores and higher preoperative and postoperative symptom scores. Average preoperative CT scores were significantly higher in asthmatics and allergy patients and correlated with endoscopy scores. Patients with more than five eosinophils/HPF of sinus tissue had higher frequency of polyps and asthma and higher CT and endoscopy scores than patients without sinus tissue eosinophilia (less than or equal to 5 cells/HPF sinus tissue). The subgroup of patients with eosinophilic nasal polyps (eosinophilic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis) had more severe disease by CT and endoscopy than the subgroup of patients with nasal polyps (hyperplastic rhinosinusitis) but without eosinophilia. Similarly, patients without polyps but with tissue eosinophilia had more severe disease than patients without polyps and without eosinophilia. Leukotriene C4 levels were elevated in all patient groups. Symptom scores did not correlate with any of the parameters. CONCLUSION: We suggest the following severity classification system for CRS: 1) eosinophilic chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis (ECHRS): patients with polyps and sinus tissue eosinophilia; 2) noneosinophilic chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis (NECHRS): patients with polyps but without sinus tissue eosinophilia; 3) eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS): patients without polyps but with sinus tissue eosinophilia; 4) noneosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (NECRS): patients without polyps and without sinus tissue eosinophilia.     

慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉与哮喘的相关性机制及治疗策略研究进展

慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉(CRSwNP)和哮喘作为上下呼吸道最具代表性的慢性炎症性疾病,二者在发病过程中常相互并存,临床诊治棘手。目前对CRSwNP和哮喘的相互作用机制尚未阐明。欧洲鼻窦炎鼻息肉诊疗指南(EPOS 2012)对治疗CRSwNP伴或不伴哮喘已给出具体的指导意见,其常规治疗包括鼻用糖皮质激素、生理盐水洗鼻等,并进一步根据CRSwNP的特点、症状严重程度等进行后续的联合治疗。据报道,鼻窦手术和药物治疗CRSwNP对合并支气管哮喘的转归有益。但CRSwNP合并哮喘患者经药物与手术治疗后的疗效判定尚缺乏足够的随机对照试验证据。     

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.     

Influence of age on the surgical outcome after endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patient age is associated with the surgical outcome after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with polypectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, controlled case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 60 patients who were diagnosed as having chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyposis (NP) that was refractory to medical treatment. Three groups were classified according to patient age: pediatric (5-18 yr), adult (19-65 yr), and geriatric (over 65 yr). We collected 20 patients in each age group after applying the exclusion criteria. The extent of the polyps and the Lund-Mackay score were calculated for each patient, and they underwent ESS with polypectomy. We compared the objective endoscopic findings and subjective improvements in symptoms among the groups 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in polyp extent or Lund-Mackay score between the three age groups. The objective surgical outcome based on the endoscopic findings was worst in the pediatric group (45%), whereas the geriatric group showed the best results (90%). The differences in objective outcome among the three groups were significant, and patient age was a predictive variable for surgical result based on multiple logistic regression analysis. No major complications occurred, and the overall improvement in subjective symptoms was statistically significant in all three age groups at 6 months postoperatively. The subjective surgical outcome did not differ statistically between the groups, with the exception of olfactory disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that patient age influences the objective postoperative outcome in the endoscopic treatment of CRS with NP, and that ESS is an effective and reliable method for improving the subjective symptoms in patients of all age groups despite the statistically different objective surgical outcomes between the groups.     

Endoscopic sinus surgery for 'sinus headache'

The relationship between sinus disease and headache is complicated. We undertook a prospective study to examine the success of endoscopic sinus surgery for the alleviation of headache in a defined group of individuals. In particular we wished to discover whether the presence of asthma, nasal polyposis and purulent rhinosinusitis indicated that surgical intervention achieved any greater relief of symptoms compared to those without these conditions. Overall we found a significant improvement in headache symptoms after endoscopic sinus surgery, but subgroup analysis of patients with or without asthma, nasal polyposis and purulent rhinosinusitis showed no differences between the groups.     

Diagnosis and pathology of unilateral maxillary sinus opacification with or without evidence of contralateral disease

OBJECTIVE: Determine the diagnostic criteria and etiology of complete unilateral maxillary sinus opacification. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on patients presenting to a tertiary care rhinology practice with complaints of chronic rhinosinusitis or acute exacerbation. Sixty-four consecutive patients were identified with unilateral maxillary sinus opacification on computed tomography (CT) scan after at least a 3-week medical therapy for rhinosinusitis. The study population comprised 30 men and 34 women with a mean age of 47.0 years. All patients completed a symptom score questionnaire, received nasal endoscopy, and CT imaging. Patient symptoms and endoscopic and radiographic findings were analyzed to determine patterns related to final diagnosis. RESULTS: All 64 patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Each surgical specimen was sent for pathologic confirmation of the diagnosis. Sixteen mucoceles, 12 cases of nasal polyposis, 27 cases of acute or chronic sinusitis, 7 cases of inverting papilloma, and 2 cases of mycetoma were identified. Endoscopic and radiographic appearances were correlated with each disease process. CONCLUSION: Unilateral maxillary sinus opacification is a relatively common finding. Early identification of inverting papillomas and mucoceles may avoid delay in surgical intervention, whereas acute/chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis can initially be managed medically. Careful history, endoscopic examination, and radiographic studies can often determine the responsible disease process.     

内窥镜鼻窦手术治疗鼻窦炎、鼻息肉复发原因探讨

目的 :探讨内窥镜鼻窦手术治疗鼻窦炎、鼻息肉复发的原因 ,提高手术疗效。方法 :回顾性分析内窥镜鼻窦手术治疗鼻窦炎、鼻息肉复发的临床病例 38例。结果 :因鼻腔上部处理不彻底引起复发者 13例 ,中鼻甲息肉及中鼻甲外粘连至复发者 12例 ,上颌窦口阻塞引起者 4例 ,上颌窦内息肉未摘除干净者 3例 ,高位鼻中隔偏曲未行矫正阻塞中鼻道引起复发者 3例 ,其他原因者 3例。结论 :熟悉内窥镜鼻窦手术的应用解剖 ,熟练的手术操作技巧 ,特别是对几个容易引起复发的部位的处理得当 ,以及术后定期合理的鼻窦内窥镜随访是预防和减少复发的重要因素。     

Influence of polyps on outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and comparative outcomes for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with polyposis. METHODS: Two cohorts of adult patients with refractory CRS with and without nasal polyps were prospectively studied before and after ESS (minimum follow-up, 12 months) with the Rhinosinusitis Symptom Inventory (RSI). For the non-polyp and polyp cohorts, RSI symptom domains and medical resource utilization were compared in the preoperative and postoperative states. Corresponding effect sizes were computed and compared between cohorts to determine the effect of polyps on prognosis after ESS. RESULTS: A total of 165 non-polyp and 86 polyp patients were enrolled. Polyps were more common in female patients (2:1, P = .025); age (mean, 42.9 years) and follow-up (18.5 months) were similar between groups. Lund scores were significantly higher for polyp patients (13.7, SD 4.8) vs. non-polyp patients (8.1, SD 5.3, P < .001). At baseline, polyp patients reported lower symptom scores for facial, oropharyngeal, and systemic RSI symptom domains (all P < .012); nasal and total symptom domains were similar between groups. Both non-polyp and polyp groups obtained significant symptomatic benefit from ESS with effect sizes for RSI symptom domain improvements ranging from 0.89 to 1.38 and 0.43 to 1.19, respectively (all P < .001). There were no significant differences between groups in symptomatic improvement, excepting oropharyngeal symptoms (better improvement in non-polyp group, P = .024). Non-polyp patients decreased medical resource consumption more significantly than did polyp patients. CONCLUSIONS: Both non-polyp and polyp patients derive similar clinically significant symptomatic improvement after ESS. These similarities suggest that polyp patients do not necessarily have a poorer symptomatic outcome after ESS.     

鼻内镜术后中药鼻腔雾化吸入辅佐治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的主客观评估

目的 评价慢性鼻-鼻窦炎(chronic rhinosinusitis, CRS)患者在鼻内镜术(endoscopic sinus surgery, ESS)后用中药进行鼻腔超声雾化吸入辅佐治疗的疗效。方法 63例CRS患者随机分为治疗组(33例)和对照组(30例),ESS术后第3天行鼻腔超声雾化吸入。治疗组雾化用药为鼻窦炎口服液,每天早晚各1次,每次8mL,连续5d,后改为每周1次,连续3个月。对照组使用生理盐水鼻腔雾化吸入,方法相同。雾化前(术后第2天)、雾化5d和3个月后分别采用视觉模拟量表、Lund Kennedy评分系统、Lund Mackay评分法进行相关评估。结果 通过对主观症状、鼻内镜及鼻窦CT扫描进行检查评估,治疗组与对照组在雾化前后及组间比较差异均有统计学意义。结论 CRS患者ESS术后中药雾化吸入能明显提高手术疗效。     

老年慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者鼻内镜术后复发的影响因素分析

目的 探讨老年慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉(chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps,CRSwNP)患者鼻内镜术后复发的影响因素.方法 行鼻内镜治疗的老年CRSwNP患者126例,根据是否复发分为复发组(52例)和未复发组(74例),对可能影响其术后复发的相关因素...     

Medium-term symptom outcomes after paranasal sinus surgery in children and young adults with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of paranasal sinus surgery (PSS) for individual symptoms and recurrence of nasal polyposis in children and young adults with cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). DESIGN: Nonrandomized, prospective, clinical trial. INTERVENTION: Children and young adults with medically refractory CRS were examined before and after PSS. The extend of nasal polyposis was graded endoscopically and on computed tomography images. The severity of symptoms of CRS was recorded on a 6-point Likert scale by the investigator. RESULTS: In 26 patients, a complete rhinosinusitis symptom score (RSS) before and after surgery was available. The mean follow-up time after surgery was 23 months. Postoperatively, no polyp recurrence was seen in eight patients (of 26 patients). An improved polyp score was found in 14 patients. In four patients, polyp recurrence to the same extent as before surgery was seen. The mean RSS was significantly improved after surgery. Before surgery, "nasal obstruction" was the most common complaint. "Headache" was the second most common complaint before PSS. After PSS, although improved, "headache" was the most common complaint. During further follow-up, in two patients, endocranial complications caused by recurrent frontal mucopyoceles (1 frontal abscess, 1 subacute meningitis) were observed. After transfrontal revision surgery, both patients recovered without neurologic damage. CONCLUSIONS: Even in cases of polyp recurrence, PSS provides significant symptom relief for nasal and facial symptoms associated with CRS. The symptom "headache" requires special attention because it improves least after surgery and may indicate recurrence of frontoethmoidal mucopyoceles or endocranial complication of CRS.     

Comparison of the effect of endoscopic sinus surgery versus medical therapy on olfaction in nasal polyposis

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common inflammatory condition in western countries. Nasal polyposis has different symptoms such as nasal obstruction, anterior or posterior nasal drip, reduced sense of smell, and facial pain. Medical and endoscopic treatments are the two main treatments for nasal polyposis. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of different methods on olfactory function. This is a non-randomized clinical trial study that was done on 60 patients who were divided into two groups (medical and surgical). Patients were matched based on age, history of smoking, and the severity of obstruction. The radiologist score of Lund-Mackay staging system was used to match patients in two arms of the trial based on the severity of nasal obstruction. Patients in surgery groups underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery under general anesthesia and then received Fluticasone propionate nasal spray for 8 weeks (400 mcg bd). Patients in the medical group were only prescribed with Fluticasone propionate with the same duration and same dose as mentioned. As a result of treatment protocol, both medical and surgical group experienced improvement in olfactory function but statistical analyses revealed that surgery resulted in better resolution of symptoms. Our observation revealed that combined treatment had a better effect than medical treatment in restoring olfaction in patients with nasal polyposis.     

Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor expression in aspirin-sensitive nasal polyposis patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to detect cysteinyl leukotriene (Cys-LT) receptors in aspirin-sensitive nasal polyposis patients, and compare them with nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis patients without aspirin sensitivity. METHODS: The formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of a total of 52 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were reviewed by an experienced head and neck pathologist. Of these 52 cases, there were 22 nasal polyposis cases with aspirin sensitivity, 15 nasal polyposis cases without aspirin sensitivity and 15 chronic rhinosinusitis cases without aspirin sensitivity. Immunohistochemical analyses for Cys-LT(1) receptors were performed with polyclonal rabbit antibody. RESULTS: Eosinophil receptor intensity levels were 27.68, 21.67, and 14.40, respectively. This was statistically insignificant (p <0.089). Mast cell receptor intensity levels were 8.41, 5.27, and 4.27, respectively. In the aspirin-sensitive group, mast cell receptor intensity was significantly higher when compared to the nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis group (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The difference in Cys-LT(1) receptor immunoreactivity in both eosinophils and mast cells among the 3 groups was also found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that nasal polyps of aspirin-sensitive patients were infiltrated with eosinophils and mast cells, Cys-LT(1) receptor proportions in these inflammatory cells were found to be higher and Cys-LT(1) receptor immunoreactivity in eosinophils and mast cells was increased.     

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis With Nasal Polyposis

We have performed endoscopic sinus surgery on 46 patients with chronic, polypoid rhinosinusitis since 1989. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 6 years(mean, 28.2 months). Overall, our patients had a 50% chance either of their symptoms returning to preoperative severity or of undergoing a second endoscopic sinus procedure, by 18 to 24 months of postoperative follow-up. Patients with predominantly infective symptoms of mucopurulent rhinorrhea and pain had a significantly better outcome than those with predominantly nasal blockage. The chance of the former group of patients suffering symptom deterioration back to the preoperative state or undergoing a second endoscopic sinus operation was 37% of that of the latter group. The extent of disease on computed tomography scan had no relation to outcome.