Paranasal sinusitis associated with nasotracheal and orotracheal long-term intubation.

The impact of nasotracheal and orotracheal long-term intubation on the development of sinusitis paranasalis was investigated in a prospective study. Daily A-scan ultrasound examinations of the maxillary sinuses were performed on 44 intensive care unit patients (20 nasally, 24 orally intubated) who required prolonged intubation (greater than 24 hours). At the end of the investigation period 19 (95%) of 20 nasotracheally and 15 (63%) of 24 orotracheally intubated patients showed pathologic antral sinus findings. In nasally intubated patients the incidence of bilateral sinusitis was significantly higher and its onset sooner. Pathologic organisms were found in the sinus aspirates in seven of 13 nasotracheally intubated patients, but only in two of nine patients with an oral tube. Thus, the nasotracheal tube can be seen as an adding factor in the development of sinusitis paranasalis.     

Sinusitis in the nasotracheally intubated patient

Maxillary sinusitis as a complication of nasotracheal intubation has long been recognized as difficult to diagnose and equally difficult to treat. To better define this problem from a diagnostic and therapeutic standpoint, we studied patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston-Hermann Hospital over a six-month period. During this time, we identified 19 cases of maxillary sinusitis. Diagnostic criteria included fever, leukocytosis, purulent rhinorrhea, and maxillary sinus opacification or air fluid level noted on sinus roentgenograms. Patients who met these criteria underwent maxillary sinus aspiration. Sixteen patients were receiving antibiotic therapy when sinusitis was diagnosed. All patients had their endotracheal tubes replaced orally, had diseased maxillary antra lavaged, and underwent appropriate antibiotic therapy guided by culture and sensitivity studies. Four of 19 patients required more than one sinus lavage, but all patients had their sinus disease resolve. These data suggest an aggressive approach to diagnosing sinusitis in the nasotracheally intubated patient is needed. A maxillary sinus aspiration and lavage should be an integral part of the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.     

Nasotracheal intubation--a modality in the management of acute epiglottitis in adults

Acute epiglottitis in adults is usually treated by close observation or tracheostomy. In the last decade, this therapeutic attitude has been challenged by the impressive results obtained by nasotracheal intubation in the treatment of pediatric cases. Many authors have suggested the use of nasotracheal intubation in adults as well as in children: it would be a natural complement to close observation when airway shunting becomes advisable thus rendering tracheostomy unnecessary. Three conditions have to be met before safe nasotracheal intubation can be considered: interested anesthesiological service, supportive otolaryngological assistance, and dependable nursing care. The case of a young woman treated by close observation proceeding to nasotracheal intubation, as the sole way to secure the airway is presented.     

Unilateral pathological lesions of paranasal sinuses removed by endoscopic surgery

Introduction

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and nature of unilateral pathological lesions of paranasal sinuses in patients who had endoscopic sinus surgery performed in ENT. Materials and methods: In the years 2006–2011 endoscopic sinus surgery for unilateral pathological lesions of paranasal sinuses was performed in 1847 patients (838 women and 1009 men). The enrollment of patients was based on the findings of otolaryngological clinical and subjective examinations, assessment of the paranasal sinuses on three-dimensional CT scans, and laboratory examinations. Based on the analysis of medical history data, including gender, age, the type of surgical procedure performed, and histopathological findings the cases were finally analyzed.

Results

Pathological lesions of the paranasal sinuses were localized on the left side in 132 (57%) patients, and on the right side in 100 (43%) patients. Of the 232 patients with unilateral pathological changes, 41.8% subjects underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for polypotic changes in the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses; 28.4% for the maxillary sinus; 10.8% for the ethmoid, maxillary and frontal sinuses; and 8.6% patients for all paranasal sinuses on one side. The number of operations of only one sinus was considerably lower: sphenoid sinus, 4.7%; ethmoid sinus, 2.2%; and frontal sinus, 1.7% patients. The histopathological analysis of unilateral pathological lesions removed by endoscopic surgery showed chronic paranasal sinusitis with polyps in 56.5% patients; chronic paranasal sinusitis in 22.8% patients; and maxillary sinus cyst was confirmed in 11.6% patients. In 5.1% patients inverted papilloma was diagnosed and in 2.2% patients the presence of osteoma was found.

Conclusions

Unilateral paranasal pathological lesions, leaving aside rather typical maxillary sinus cysts, require a particularly thorough pre-operative diagnosis and a precise histopathological assessment.     

Is nasotracheal intubation safe in surgery for mandibular cancer?

A retrospective study of problems of postoperative airway maintenance after surgery for mandibular cancers was conducted. Twenty-seven patients treated in an intensive care unit after mandibular resection and primary reconstruction were included. The mean duration of nasotracheal intubation in 22 patients was 33.7 hours. Reintubation because of breathing difficulties was required in four cases. In one of these cases, failed intubation led to an emergency cricothyroidostomy. Failure to perform reintubation resulted in the death of one patient. One patient was tracheostomized after 5 days of nasotracheal intubation. Prolonged nasotracheal intubation after major surgery for oral malignant neoplasms may be an alternative to tracheostomy, provided that adequate monitoring is available after extubation. The safe duration of endotracheal intubation is difficult to determine. Primary reconstruction does not eliminate the need for an artificial airway after tumor surgery.     

Sinusitis during nasotracheal intubation

Sinusitis is mentioned as one complication of nasotracheal intubation. 30 patients admitted to the I.C.U. and prolonged intubated (+5 days) underwent clinical examination and C.T. scan: 23 C.T. scan revealed anomalies and 5 sinusitis. One patient had blood cultures positive for the organism present on nasal cultures. Patients nasally intubated are at risk for sinusitis which can have adverse effects.     

Pathology of recent odontogenic maxillary sinusitis and the usefulness of endoscopic sinus surgery

A Clinicopathological investigation of 34 patients with surgery-requiring odontogenic maxillary sinusitis was conducted. 1) Eighty-nine percent of the causative teeth leading to odontogenic maxillary sinusitis were teeth that had received a root canal treatment. The root canals of most of these teeth were incompletely filled with the filling material. 2) The pathological findings for the causative teeth showed pulpal necrosis and apical lesions after the root canal treatment. 3) Apical lesions in incorrectly treated teeth caused ostitis and odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. 4) The cause of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis should be questioned, even if a dental procedure has been performed. 5) All cases of sinusitis treated with endoscopic sinus surgery improved remarkably. Endoscopic sinus surgery is highly indicated for odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. 6) If the ventilation and drainage of the maxillary sinus is successful after surgery, most of the causative teeth (root canal-treated teeth with apical lesions) can be preserved only by treatment with antibiotics.     

Effects of surgery on the function of maxillary sinus mucosa

For chronic maxillary sinusitis, the most popular surgical approach for treatment is endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). After these operations, however, it is not clear how well the surgery restores the normal mucociliary function. We examined the mucociliary clearance (MCC) in maxillary sinuses in chronic sinusitis before ESS and 6 months after the operations. The correlation of histology to MCC was also studied. Measurements of the mean residual mucociliary clearance (MCC) of maxillary sinuses was studied pre- and postoperatively with an isotope method. Biopsies taken during ESS and 6 months postoperatively were studied by electron microscopy (EM). Preoperative residual MCC from the maxillary sinuses was 77±26% (mean±SD). Six months postoperatively, residual MCC was 70±22%, only slightly better than preoperatively. Residual MCC was considered good (50%) in 12% of sinuses preoperatively and in 20% postoperatively. In preoperative sinuses, 14% did not show any mucociliary clearance compared to 11% postoperatively. As a single EM finding, metaplasia gave the poorest MCC (91%) and microvilli the best (68%). Mucociliary function in maxillary sinusitis remains poor even 6 months postoperatively, with many pathological findings still visible in the sinus epithelium. MCC correlates well with the histology of the mucosa. Surgery does not significantly improve the mucociliary function of sinus mucosa in chronic maxillary sinusitis.     

Usefulness of partial uncinectomy in patients with localized maxillary sinus pathology

Purpose

Conventional total uncinectomy may be unnecessary in localized maxillary sinus lesion. Partial removal of the uncinate process and middle meatal antrostomy would be sufficient to eradicate the pathological condition. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of partial uncinectomy versus total removal of the uncinate process in patients with localized maxillary sinus disease.

Methods

In total, 25 patients were assigned randomly to partial and total uncinectomy groups. Preoperative computed tomography established that all patients had localized pathology in the maxillary sinus. The lower half of the uncinate process was removed in the partial uncinectomy group, while the total uncinectomy group underwent the conventional surgery. Time required for the uncinectomy, healing period for the uncinectomy site, incidence of lamina papyracea or nasolacrimal duct injury, obstruction or stenosis of the frontal recess, and incidence of synechia formation in the middle meatus were compared between the groups.

Results

All patients completed the follow-up and were included in the analysis. Surgical indications included chronic maxillary sinusitis, fungal sinusitis, antrochoanal polyp, and odontogenic sinusitis. Operation durations and healing periods were significantly shorter in the partial uncinectomy group. One patient had a minor injury to the lamina papyracea and two patients showed partial synechia formations in the total uncinectomy group. However, other parameters did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusions

Partial uncinectomy may be useful in patients with pathological conditions confined to the maxillary sinus. Shorter operation duration, more rapid healing, and lower incidence of complications are advantages over a conventional total uncinectomy.     

Rhinologic computed tomographic evaluation in patients with cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomical characteristics of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in relation to the presence of sinusitis in patients with cleft lip and palate. DESIGN: Retrospective survey. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with cleft lip and alveolus with or without cleft palate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients underwent computed tomographic scans of the maxilla, and the following parameters were evaluated: nasal septal shift from the midline, soft tissue density shadow of the maxillary sinus, cross-sectional area of the maxillary sinus, and height of the floor of the maxillary sinus. RESULTS: The nasal septum was convex to the cleft side in most of the patients with unilateral clefts, and there was a significant correlation between the cleft side and the direction of nasal septal deviation (P<.001). Sinusitis was more severe in the noncleft side than in the cleft side (P =.04), and in the concave side than in the convex side (P= .02). The cross-sectional area of the maxillary sinus was not statistically different between the cleft side and noncleft side, nor between the septal concave side and convex side. The floor of the maxillary sinus was situated higher in the cleft side than in the noncleft side (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of maxillary sinusitis associated with cleft lip and palate is dependent on both the cleft side and the deviated nasal septum, but not on the size of the sinus. The cleft side is responsible for the direction of the septal deviation and the height of the floor of the maxillary sinus. A low-situated sinus floor may be in contact with the root of the teeth, and thus may be one of the etiologic factors of sinusitis in patients with clefts.     

Nasal endoscopy in chronic maxillary sinusitis

The role of the anterior ethmoids in the pathogenesis of chronic maxillary sinusitis is still a subject of controversy. Although the symptoms of maxillary sinusitis may be clinically dominant, many previous studies have showed that the origin of this disease was, in most cases, located within the anterior ethmoid region. This study included 100 Egyptian patients, suffering from chronic maxillary sinusitis (confirmed by maxillary sinoscopy), who were subjected to 'systematic nasal endoscopy'. It was found that all cases of chronic maxillary sinusitis were associated with anatomical variations and/or pathological abnormalities of 'the ostiomeatal area'. It is recommended, therefore, that during the diagnosis and treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis, attention should be given to the region of the middle meatus and anterior ethmoid complex (or 'ostiomeatal area') for any anatomical variations and/or pathological abnormalities in order to avoid recurrence of maxillary sinusitis. This is the basis of the procedure of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.     

OSAHS患者手术麻醉中应用纤维喉镜引导经鼻行气管插管

目的 探讨在纤维喉镜引导下经鼻气管插管应用于阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者手术麻醉中的效果。 方法 选取OSAHS患者70例,将其分为纤维喉镜组和麻醉视频喉镜组,每组35例,观察2个组于纤维喉镜或麻醉视频喉镜引导下经鼻气管插管一次插管成功的例数、插管所用时间以及咽部损伤出血、咽后壁损伤、术中鼻腔活动性出血、术后鼻腔粘连、鼻塞等不良反应发生率。 结果 纤维喉镜组全部气管导管一次插管成功,平均所用时间(32.34±6.13)s,位置正确,麻醉全程无需调整。麻醉视频喉镜组5例患者有不同原因需要重新插管,均2次成功,平均所用时间(56.54±23.75)s,失败率14%(5/35)。纤维喉镜组插管所用时间明显优于麻醉视频喉镜组(P<0.05)。纤维喉镜组无1例出现鼻腔、咽喉黏膜损伤,术后患者插管侧鼻腔无鼻塞加重症状出现。麻醉视频喉镜组插管后鼻腔活动性出血3例,术后鼻腔粘连3例,咽后壁损伤3例。 结论 纤维喉镜引导气管插管可作为OSAHS患者困难气管插管首选,方式安全高效。     

Tissue-specific immunoglobulin E in maxillary sinus mucosa of allergic fungal sinusitis

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this prospective study were to analyze the specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) in maxillary sinus mucosa and to determine the importance of local tissue sIgE in the patients with allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS). METHODS: We investigated tissue-specific IgE in the maxillary sinus mucosa. Thirty-four patients with rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups--AFS, fungal sinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The sIgE profile of the maxillary sinus mucosa was studied by the CAP method. Other parameters, such as allergic symptoms, presence of fungi hyphae and eosinophilic mucin in the sinus cavities as well as computed tomography (CT) scanning findings were also evaluated in all groups. RESULTS: All patients in the AFS group had allergic symptoms, and the serum IgE test was positive to mites or house dust, but none had a positive serum IgE response to Aspergillus. However, 85.7% of this group had tissue sIgE to Aspergillus. CONCLUSIONS: The local tissue sIgE profile is more specific than the systemic sIgE profile in determining the allergic status of AFS patients. Tissue sIgE for fungi may be considered as a part of AFS diagnostic criteria.     

上颌窦气化与牙源性上颌窦炎的相关性分析

目的 探讨上颌窦气化与牙源性上颌窦炎发病的关系.方法 回顾性分析牙源性上颌窦炎患者鼻窦CT中双侧牙槽突骨质厚度、牙槽突气化深度,冠状位上颌窦高度及矢状位对角线长度,观察牙源性上颌窦炎患者双侧上颌窦气化程度的差异.结果 牙源性上颌窦炎患者患侧上颌骨牙槽突厚度:(5.67±1.79)mm,健侧上颌骨牙槽突厚度:(7.88±...     

Sinusitis in intensive care unit patients

The ultimate source of sepsis may be difficult to pinpoint in critically ill patients with multiple possible sources of iatrogenic infection. In the last year, we have been consulted with regard to several febrile intensive care unit patients in whom sinusitis was initially identified by computerized axial tomography done for other reasons. The questions are: 1. are the x-ray findings significant; 2. is this the cause of fever and sepsis; 3. how should the patient be treated for this problem; and 4. can this be prevented. In five patients, sepsis was clearly related to sinusitis. Treatment had included nasal tubes in all six patients, and in addition, five patients had received high doses of corticosteroids while intubated. The sixth patient was a diabetic. Etiology, diagnosis, and management are discussed in detail. We believe that prolonged nasal intubation should be avoided, particularly in patients with decreased resistance to infection. Initial treatment consists of removing intranasal tubes and the administration of broad spectrum or culture specific antibiotics. Surgery is indicated in the event of persistent sepsis or secondary complications. Computerized tomography is an excellent tool for diagnosis and following response to therapy.     

Methemoglobinemia: early intraoperative detection by clinical observation

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Head and neck surgery patients often receive topical anesthetics in the office for examination or in the operating room for nasotracheal intubation. Benzocaine (a component of many topical preparations) is frequently employed for this purpose. Acute methemoglobinemia is a rare but potentially lethal complication of benzocaine administration. Early recognition and treatment may prevent complications or death. We report a case of acute intraoperative methemoglobinemia, caused by benzocaine spray, which was diagnosed (and reversed) quickly after the clinical observation of "chocolate brown blood" in the surgical field.     

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.     

Tracheotomy — A satisfactory method in the treatment of acute epiglottitis. A clinical and functional follow-up study

A follow-up study, including clinical examination, X-ray and function tests, of 27 children with acute epiglottitis treated with tracheotomy at the ENT-Department, Mölndal Hospital during 1971–1975 has been performed. The function tests were an important part of the investigation and included measurement with the He-dilution technique, flow—volume curves and the forced oscillation technique. No child had any detectable tracheal stenosis or any other serious per- or postoperative complication. The only complication at all was one ugly scar on the neck. The tracheotomized patient needs very little sedation and the time spent at the intensive care unit can be shorter than for those patients treated with nasotracheal intubation.     

Nasal schwannoma: a case report and clinicopathologic analysis.

According to the literature, half of the schwannoma cases occur in the head and neck areas and only less than 4% occur in the sinonasal tract. In this case, a 39-year-old male patient, with a-year-long progressive left side nasal obstruction and purulent rhinorrhea, is presented. The CT reveals a mass filling the left nasal cavity and nasopharyngeal space, with bony erosion of the inferior turbinate and medial maxillary bone. During surgical intervention, the mass is found to originate from the medial side of the left middle turbinate with maxillary sinusitis and inferior turbinate atrophy. The pathological examination reveals a noncapsulated tumor with palisading cellular arrangement and high cellular density. The pathological findings and nervous origin of the tumor are discussed after an extensive review of the literature.     

Endonasal sinus surgery with endoscopic control for recurrent sinusitis in children (author's transl)

Since 1976, 35 transnasal operations of the maxillary sinus with endoscopic control were performed in children as treatment for chronic sinusitis. After luxation of the inferior turbinate, a mucosal flap was developed to expose the lateral bony nasal wall. A sinus fenestra was then created to allow endoscopic control of the antrum during the operation. Gross pathological alterations of the mucosa were removed while most of the lining mucosa was preserved for recovery. 30 of the 35 children were followed from 4--18 months after surgery. 28 were without any discomfort. Although X-ray studies in many of the patients revealed mucosal swelling four weeks after surgery, the maxillary sinuses were well aerated 8 weeks after operation. Transnasal sinusotomy under endoscopic control is considered to be the treatment of choice for chronic sinusitis in adults and can now also be considered to be the treatment for similar disease in children.