Effect of nasal antifungal therapy on nasal cell activation markers in chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of nasal antifungal treatment on eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase levels in samples of nasal lavage fluid from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. DESIGN: Prospective double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary surgical center. PATIENTS: Subjects with severe chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. Of 120 screened patients, 76 were eligible. Six patients withdrew because of minor adverse events, and 10 dropped out for other reasons. In total, 60 patients completed the study according to the study protocol. INTERVENTIONS: Nasal treatment with amphotericin B or saline control for 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nasal lavages were performed before and after treatment. Fungal elements were assessed by culture and with different polymerase chain reaction assays. Levels of ECP and tryptase were determined by fluorescent enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: No correlation between cell activation markers and fungus detection was observed before treatment (all P>.20). Nasal amphotericin B treatment had no effect on levels of ECP (P = .17) or tryptase (P = .09) in nasal lavage samples. Moreover, successful fungus eradication, defined as fungus detection before but not after treatment, did not influence nasal ECP or tryptase levels (all P>.40). CONCLUSION: Neither topical amphotericin B therapy nor fungal state before and after treatment had any significant influence on activation markers of nasal inflammatory cells in chronic rhinosinusitis.     

Effects of topical amphotericin B on expression of cytokines in nasal polyps

OBJECTIVE: Although chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most frequently reported chronic diseases its etiology is not well understood. Recently, fungi have been proposed to influence the chronicity of rhinosinusitis. If fungi do play an important role then topical antifungal treatment may improve the inflammatory process of CRS. Therefore, in this study we measured inflammatory cytokine levels in nasal polyps after intranasal antifungal irrigation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nasal polyps were collected before and 4 weeks after treatment with 100 mg/l topical amphotericin B (n = 16), 50 mg/l topical amphotericin B (n = 14) or normal saline (n = 11). The cytokine--IL-5, IL-8, interferon-gamma, RANTES--protein content of polyp homogenates were determined by means of ELISA. RESULTS: Nasal polyps were found to contain large amounts of cytokines (IL-5, IL-8 and RANTES) compared with normal inferior turbinates. After 4 weeks of treatment with topical agents, IL-5 levels tended to decrease in comparison with those of the other cytokines, but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Topical amphotericin B treatment and nasal saline irrigation both influence the expression of nasal polyp cytokines. Topical nasal irrigation may influence the inflammatory process of CRS.     

Effects of topical Amphotericin B on expression of cytokines in nasal polyps

Objective—Although chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most frequently reported chronic diseases its etiology is not well understood. Recently, fungi have been proposed to influence the chronicity of rhinosinusitis. If fungi do play an important role then topical antifungal treatment may improve the inflammatory process of CRS. Therefore, in this study we measured inflammatory cytokine levels in nasal polyps after intranasal antifungal irrigation.

Material and Methods—Nasal polyps were collected before and 4 weeks after treatment with 100 mg/l topical amphotericin B (n=16), 50 mg/l topical amphotericin B (n=14) or normal saline (n=11). The cytokine—IL-5, IL-8, interferon-γ, RANTES—protein content of polyp homogenates were determined by means of ELISA.

Results—Nasal polyps were found to contain large amounts of cytokines (IL-5, IL-8 and RANTES) compared with normal inferior turbinates. After 4 weeks of treatment with topical agents, IL-5 levels tended to decrease in comparison with those of the other cytokines, but this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions—Topical amphotericin B treatment and nasal saline irrigation both influence the expression of nasal polyp cytokines. Topical nasal irrigation may influence the inflammatory process of CRS.     

Macrolide treatment decreased the size of nasal polyps and IL-8 levels in nasal lavage

Recently, epidemiologic and experimental studies have been reported that long-term macrolides are effective for the treatment of chronic airway inflammatory diseases including diffuse panbronchiolitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and cystic fibrosis (Jaffe A, Francis J, Rosenthal M, et al. Long-term azithromycin may improve lung function in children with cystic fibrosis. Lancet 351:420, 1998), and that macrolides can directly reduce the production of IL-8 by nasal epithelial cells (Suzuki H, Shimomura A, Ikeda K, et al. Inhibitory effect of macrolides on interleukin-8 secretion from cultured human nasal epithelial cells. Laryngoscope 107:1661-1666, 1997). In this study we administered macrolides with 14-membered rings to patients with nasal polyps due to chronic rhinosinusitis for at least 3 months and measured the IL-8 level in nasal lavage from those patients. The IL-8 levels in nasal lavage from patients with nasal polyps were reduced during macrolide treatment. There was significant correlation between decreased IL-8 levels in nasal lavage and the clinical effect of macrolides on the size of the nasal polyps. In the group whose polyps were reduced in size, the IL-8 levels dramatically decreased from 231.2 pg/mL to 44.0 pg/mL (p < 0.05), and were significantly higher before macrolide treatment than those in the group whose polyps showed no change (p < 0.005). This reduction in IL-8 may be an important aspect of the effect of macrolide treatment on nasal polyps in chronic rhinosinusitis.     

Increased expression of pendrin in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

IntroductionChronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a heterogeneous disease and appropriate diagnostic algorithms in individual cases are necessary for effective medical treatment.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the pendrin expression of nasal polyps and clinical and pathological characteristic features of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.MethodsA total of 68 patients were classified into eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis or non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis groups according to the degree of eosinophilic infiltration into the nasal polyps. Clinical, hematological, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed and statistically compared between both groups.ResultsThirty-eight were classified into eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis and 30 into non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis groups. There were no significant differences in age distribution, sex ratio, prevalence of asthma, or any other complications between the groups. The mean Lund–Mackay score and the number of serum eosinophils was significantly higher in the eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis than in the non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis groups. The pendrin expression was more frequently detected in the epithelial surface layer of nasal polyps in the eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis than in the non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis groups. In addition, mucin 5AC was more widely expressed in the eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis than in the non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.ConclusionIncreased expression of pendrin and mucin 5AC in the nasal polyps would be associated with development of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis. This finding could allow the development of a novel therapeutic agent targeted specifically to patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.     

转化生长因子β受体Ⅰ型及Ⅱ型在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎和鼻息肉组织中的表达

目的:探讨转化生长因子β受体(TGFβR)Ⅰ型及Ⅱ型在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎、鼻息肉及正常下鼻甲组织中表达的差异性,以及Ⅰ、Ⅱ型受体在慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉发病机制中可能的作用。方法:采用免疫组织化学方法检测TGFβRⅠ、TGFβRⅡ在25例慢性鼻-鼻窦炎、21例鼻息肉、17例下鼻甲组织中的表达,并比较TGFβRⅠ、TGFβRⅡ在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎、鼻息肉、正常下鼻甲组织中表达的差异。结果:TGFβRⅠ、TGFβRⅡ表达的平均灰度值在正常下鼻甲黏膜分别为175.78±7.06、165.00±1.79;在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎组织中分别为147.33±8.15、147.77±4.62;而在鼻息肉组织中分别为125.91±11.26、129.82±1.46。慢性鼻-鼻窦炎及鼻息肉组织中TGFβRⅠ、TGFβRⅡ的表达均比正常下鼻甲黏膜中的表达高,均差异有统计学意义(均P<0.01);且TGFβRⅠ、TGFβRⅡ在鼻息肉组织中的表达比在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎病变黏膜中的表达高,均差异有统计学意义(均P<0.01)。结论:TGFβRⅠ、TGFβRⅡ在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎、鼻息肉组织中具有不同的表达水平及分布特点,提示其可能在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的发生发展过程中发挥不同的作用。     

鼻黏膜中Toll样受体5的表达

目的研究鼻黏膜中Toll样受体5(Toll-likereceptor-5,TLR-5)的表达以了解TLR-5在鼻黏膜天然免疫中的作用。方法鼻息肉和下鼻甲组织从接受鼻内镜手术治疗的慢性鼻及鼻窦炎和鼻中隔偏曲患者取得。应用免疫组化法检测17例鼻息肉和13例下鼻甲黏膜中TLR-5蛋白的表达,应用实时荧光定量RT-PCR(real-time fluorescentquantitative RT-PCR,real-time FQ-RT-PCR)检测14例鼻息肉和9例下鼻甲黏膜中TLR-5 mRNA的表达。结果在所有标本中均检测到TLR-5 mRNA和蛋白表达。免疫组化显示TLR-5蛋白主要表达于鼻黏膜上皮细胞和腺体上皮细胞。在细胞核和细胞浆中均有表达。在鼻黏膜上皮,染色最强的区域位于黏膜上皮表面一侧的细胞膜和细胞核。另外在间质单核样炎症细胞及NK细胞也有表达。鼻息肉组织中TLR-5蛋白表达指数5.529±0.653较下鼻甲2.346±0.619增高,差异有统计学意义(Z=-3.107,P=0.002)。结论本次研究确认了TLR-5在鼻黏膜和鼻息肉组织的表达,鼻息肉组织中TLR-5表达的增高可能与鼻息肉内持续的炎症状态有关。提示TLR-5有可能成为鼻息肉、慢性鼻及鼻窦炎一个新的治疗靶点。     

Endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis: a comparative study

Nasal polyposis are common presentations in patients of chronic rhinosinusitis and are considered to be associated with more severe forms of disease with poor treatment outcome. The presentation and treatment outcome after endoscopic sinus surgery in patients of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis have been analysed in this study. A prospective analysis of 90 patients of chronic rhinosinusitis who were classified into two groups depending on presence and absence of nasal polyps was performed in the study. The two groups were evaluated using subjective (patient complaints) and objective (computed tomography scan and endoscopy scores) criteria. Preoperative data were compared with data obtained 12?months post endoscopic sinus surgery. The study included 38 patients of chronic rhinosinusitis and 52 patients of nasal polyps. The patients of nasal polyp group presented with increased severity of symptoms of nasal blockage, nasal discharge and reduced sense of smell as compared to the chronic rhinosinusitis group who had significantly higher presentation of headache and facial pain. The preoperative CT scan revealed significantly higher bilateral disease with increased involvement of multiple sinuses in nasal polyp group. Post endoscopic sinus surgery both the groups showed significant improvement in their symptoms with the nasal polyp group demonstrating reduction in improvement on 1?year follow up. In our study we have found the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyp have varied severity of symptoms with the nasal polyp group having higher nasal symptoms and increased severity as compared to chronic rhinosinusitis group. Though the universal rationale of management by adequate drainage and ventilation of sinus is similar in both groups, there is a reduction in both objective and subjective scores during 1?year follow up in the nasal polyp group.     

Herpes viruses and human papilloma virus in nasal polyposis and controls

IntroductionChronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a multifactorial disease entity with an unclear pathogenesis. Contradictory data exist in the literature on the potential implication of viral elements in adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence of human herpes viruses (1–6) and Human Papilloma Virus in adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and healthy controls.MethodsViral DNA presence was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction application to nasal polyps specimens from 91 chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps patients and nasal turbinate mucosa from 38 healthy controls.ResultsEpstein–Barr virus positivity was higher in nasal polyps (24/91; 26.4%) versus controls (4/38; 10.5%), but the difference did not reach significance (p = 0.06). Human herpes virus-6 positivity was lower in nasal polyps (13/91; 14.29%) versus controls (10/38; 26.32%, p = 0.13). In chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps group, 1 sample was herpes simplex virus-1-positive (1/91; 1.1%), and another was cytomegalovirus-positive (1/91; 1.1%), versus none in controls. No sample was positive for herpes simplex virus-2, varicella-zoster virus, high-risk-human papilloma viruses (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) and low-risk-human papilloma viruses (6, 11).ConclusionDifferences in Epstein–Barr virus and human herpes virus-6 positivity among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and healthy controls are not statistically significant, weakening the likelihood of their implication in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps pathogenesis.     

Activity of nasal amphotericin B irrigation against fungal organisms in vitro

BACKGROUND: The role of fungi in chronic rhinosinusitis has been described in recent reports. Controversy exists on the use of topical amphotericin B therapy as a treatment modality for this condition. The effect of various concentrations of amphotericin B nasal irrigation on actively growing fungi was studied in vitro. METHODS: Ten species of fungi commonly found in the nasal cavity were grown on growth media plates. Each fungi was exposed to 20 mL of amphotericin B nasal irrigation at concentrations of either 100, 200, or 300 microg/mL or sterile water two times daily for 6 weeks. Each plate was subcultured on a weekly basis to examine for any viable fungi. RESULTS: Fungi growth was not arrested in the 100-microg/mL amphotericin B and sterile water groups at the end of 6 weeks. Use of the 300-and 200-microg/mL amphotericin B solutions showed failure of the subcultured fungi to grow at 5 and 6 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: Nasal amphotericin B irrigation is ineffective in killing fungi in vitro at a concentration of 100 microg/mL over a 6-week period. Concentrations of 200 and 300 lig/mL successfully prevented fungi growth at the conclusion of the study. The current concentration of commercially available topical amphotericin B (100 microg/mL) seems ineffective in eradicating fungi in vitro.     

European position paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps 2007

Rhinosinusitis is a significant and increasing health problem which results in a large financial burden on society. This evidence based position paper describes what is known about rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps, offers evidence based recommendations on diagnosis and treatment, and considers how we can make progress with research in this area. Rhinitis and sinusitis usually coexist and are concurrent in most individuals; thus, the correct terminology is now rhinosinusitis. Rhinosinusitis (including nasal polyps) is defined as inflammation of the nose and the paranasal sinuses characterised by two or more symptoms, one of which should be either nasal blockage/obstruction/congestion or nasal discharge (anterior/posterior nasal drip), +/- facial pain/pressure, +/- reduction or loss of smell; and either endoscopic signs of polyps and/or mucopurulent discharge primarily from middle meatus and/or; oedema/mucosal obstruction primarily in middle meatus, and/or CT changes showing mucosal changes within the ostiomeatal complex and/or sinuses. The paper gives different definitions for epidemiology, first line and second line treatment and for research. Furthermore the paper describes the anatomy and (patho)physiology, epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, evidence based diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment in acute and chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis in adults and children. Evidence based schemes for diagnosis and treatment are given for the first and second line clinicians. Moreover attention is given to complications and socio-economic cost of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. Last but not least the relation to the lower airways is discussed.     

BRF2在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉发病过程中的作用研究

目的 研究BRF2在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉中的表达及意义。 方法 收集山东大学第二医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科2016至2017年慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉(CRSwNP)手术标本37例及单纯鼻中隔偏曲手术标本18例,采用免疫荧光染色检测BRF2在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉组织中的表达及定位;脂多糖(LPS)刺激体外培养人鼻黏膜上皮细胞后,采用免疫荧光检测BRF2在细胞中的表达及定位,Western bloting及实时荧光定量PCR检测BRF2和内质网应激相关蛋白GRP78在细胞中的表达。 结果 BRF2在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉组织中表达量上调并在胞浆中的分布增多;在体外,LPS刺激可诱导鼻黏膜上皮细胞中BRF2表达上调并在胞浆中的分布增多,并发现内质网应激相关蛋白GRP78表达上升。 结论 BRF2可能介导了内质网应激,从而参与了慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉的发病过程。     

Micronucleus count in nasal epithelial cells from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and polyps

IntroductionChronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, a prevalent disease affecting around 2% of the world population, is characterized by symptomatic inflammation of the nasal mucosa and impairment of quality of life. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps has a multifactorial etiology, involving a dysfunctional host response to environmental factors. Thus, inflammatory models may be useful to shed light on the pathophysiology of this disease. Micronucleus count has been used to screen DNA damage in various tissues.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between frequency of micronucleus in exfoliated cells from the nasal cavity of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and disease severity.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 21 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and 19 controls without disease. None of the participants were smokers.ResultsMean micronucleus count was 3.690 per 1000 cells (±2.165) in individuals with vs. 1.237 per 1000 cells (±0.806) in controls; (Student's t test = 4.653, p < 0.001). Nasal surgery in the past 5 years and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease were not associated with nicronucleus count (p = 0.251).ConclusionMicronucleus count seems to be linked to chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, providing a new perspective for the evaluation of this disorder.     

变应性因素及变应性鼻炎与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉的相关性探讨

目的：探讨变应性因素及变应性鼻炎（AR）与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉的临床相关性。方法：将200例研究对象分为A、B组,A组诊断为AR（110例）,B组诊断为慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉（90例）,通过欧蒙印迹法定量检测血清sIgE浓度并观察慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉手术治疗后的复发率、AR并发慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉的发生率。结果：A组sIgE总阳性率为89.09%,B组sIgE总阳性率为74.44%。B组中sIgE阳性者术后复发率为58.21%,sIgE阴性者术后复发率为8.70%。A组41例（37.27%）并发慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉,血清sIgE阳性率为97.56%;69例（62.73%）未并发慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉,血清sIgE阳性率为79.71%;组内slgE阳性率比较差异有统计学意义（χ2=6.96,P〈0.01）。结论：变应性因素及AR与慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉的发生有一定的相关性,提示避免接触变应原、合理治疗AR能够有效控制慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉的复发率。     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者的生存质量调查

目的探讨慢性鼻一鼻窦炎鼻息肉（chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polypsis，CRSwNP）患者的健康相关生存质量（quality of life，QOL）状况。方法通过国内现有的中文版医学结果研究短量36条（the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36，SF-36）和汉化英文版鼻腔鼻窦结果测量20条（the Sino—Nasal Outcome Test-20，SNOT-20），对随机选择的120例CRSwNP患者和200名健康体检者进行QOL的调查与评估，并对汉化后的SNOT-20量表进行临床和心理学测试。结果汉化SNOT-20量表的可行性、信度、效度和反应度等性能指标均通过考核。通过SF-36评估显示：除社会功能和情感角色外，CRSwNP患者在生理功能、生理角色、躯体疼痛、心理健康、活力和总体健康等6个维度的计分均低于对照组（P均〈0．05）；通过汉化SNOT-20评估显示：患者生理问题、功能限制和情感结果等3个维度的20个条目计分均高于对照组（P均〈0．05），其中影响健康最重要的5个问题依次为必须擤鼻涕、流黏稠鼻涕、缺乏高质量睡眠、头晕和鼻涕向后流。结论SF-36和汉化SNOT-20量表能有效调查评估CRSwNP患者的QOL；该病对患者生理功能、生理角色、躯体疼痛、心理健康、活力、总体健康和情感结果等方面有明显的负面影响，临床治疗应着重解决异常分泌物、睡眠障碍和头晕等问题。     

EPOS 2012: European position paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps 2012. A summary for otorhinolaryngologists

The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2012 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007. The document contains chapters on definitions and classification, we now also proposed definitions for difficult to treat rhinosinusitis, control of disease and better definitions for rhinosinusitis in children. More emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of acute rhinosinusitis. Throughout the document the terms chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) are used to further point out differences in pathophysiology and treatment of these two entities. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. Last but not least all available evidence for management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is analyzed and presented and management schemes based on the evidence are proposed. This executive summary for otorhinolaryngologists focuses on the most important changes and issues for otorhinolaryngologists. The full document can be downloaded for free on the website of this journal: http://www.rhinologyjournal.com.     

伴和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者筛窦的细菌学研究

目的:比较伴和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者及正常对照患者前筛黏膜标本的细菌学特征.方法:在鼻内镜手术中获取前筛黏膜标本,进行需氧和厌氧培养.结果:送检前筛黏膜标本119例,经需氧和厌氧组织匀浆半定量细菌培养,104例标本细菌培养为阳性(细菌培养总阳性率为87.4%);其中慢性鼻-鼻窦炎不伴鼻息肉组(CRSNP-组)、慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉组(CRSNP+组)、正常对照组需氧或兼性厌氧细菌培养阳性率分别为86.5%、85.7%、90.0%,3组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).3组患者的黏膜标本以需氧菌和厌氧菌混合感染为主,混合感染率分别为CRSNP-组78.4%、CRSNP+组81.0%、对照组85.0%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).3组最常见需氧菌株为凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌、棒状杆菌属细菌,比较差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05).厌氧菌培养阳性率3组分别为78.4%、76.2%、77.5%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);最常见厌氧菌株为丙酸杆菌属细菌、消化链球菌属细菌,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05).结论:CRSNP-组和CRSNP+组及对照组患者前筛黏膜标本的细菌学特征无明显差异,细菌感染并非是慢性鼻-鼻窦炎发生鼻息肉这一机制中的惟一因素.     

Changes in nasal resonance after functional endoscopic sinus surgery

BACKGROUND: Hyponasality may be present in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis because of decreased resonance of nasal cavities. Nasalance is a parameter of nasality measured by a nasometer. This study investigated the influence of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on nasalance and determined the correlation of the nasalance change with nasal volume change. METHODS: When patients with chronic rhinosinusitis underwent FESS, nasalance was measured by nasometry and nasal volume was measured by acoustic rhinometry before and at least 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: There were 81 eligible patients enrolled in the study. Nasalance scores and nasal volumes were significantly increased after FESS. The increased nasalance value was moderately correlated with the increased midnasal and postnasal volumes. The correlation between postoperative changes in nasalance scores and nasal volumes was more remarkable in patients without nasal polyps than in those with nasal polyps and it was also higher in patients with allergic rhinitis than in those without allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the FESS effectively increased nasalance scores and nasal volumes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, but the increase in nasalance scores did not appear to be achieved largely through the increased nasal volumes.     

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.