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Background and Objectives: The serum galactomannan test (GM test) and the (1,3)-β-D-glucan test (G test) are utilized in diagnosing invasive fungal sinusitis. However, their effectiveness in detecting paranasal sinus fungus balls (FBs) has not been established. This study aimed to explore their diagnostic value in patients with FBs. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 105 patients (42 with FBs and 63 with chronic rhinosinusitis [CRS]) who underwent serum GM and G tests between June 2020 and May 2021. Olfactory test results and demographics were also analyzed. Results: There were 42 FB patients (10 men, 32 women) and 63 CRS patients (27 men, 36 women). The positivity rates for serum GM (7.1% in the FB group vs. 3.2% in the CRS group, p=0.640) and G test (9.5% in the FB group vs. 11.1% in the CRS group, p=0.482) did not differ significantly between groups. The sensitivities of the GM and G tests were 7.1% and 9.5%, respectively, and their specificities were 96.8% and 88.9%, respectively. The positive predictive values were 60.0% for the GM test and 36.3% for the G test, and the negative predictive values were 61.0% for the GM test and 59.6% for the G test. Conclusion: Serum GM and G tests demonstrated low sensitivity and high specificity, indicating limited effectiveness in differentiating between patients with FBs and those with CRS. Histological examination remains the gold standard for the definitive diagnosis of FBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This retrospective study, conducted at a single tertiary medical center, aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity of allergic rhinitis (AR) based on subjective symptoms and the severity assessed through laboratory data. Methods: In total, 584 patients who were diagnosed with AR by a multiple-allergen simultaneous test were included. Patients were classified into four groups according to the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification guideline. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for overall discomfort and laboratory parameters, including the serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level and peripheral blood eosinophil count, were evaluated in all patients. An analysis was conducted to examine the differences in VAS scores and laboratory findings among the four groups. Additionally, the correlations between the laboratory findings and VAS score were analyzed. Results: The serum total IgE level and the percentage and count of peripheral blood eosinophils showed no significant differences among the groups. However, the VAS score for overall discomfort exhibited notable between-group differences. The average VAS score was 6.14 (95% confidence interval 5.94-6.34) in the overall group. The mean scores of each group showed a noticeable increasing trend from the mild intermittent group to the mild persistent, moderate to severe intermittent, and moderate to severe persistent groups (p<0.001), although there was no clear correlation between the increase in VAS scores and laboratory parameters. Conclusion: Neither the symptom-based ARIA guideline nor the VAS score correlated with the AR laboratory test measurements. The current laboratory data alone may not be sufficient to reflect the severity of AR based on subjective symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Osteomas are the most common benign tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (PNSs). In this study, clinical features and imaging findings were analyzed in patients with osteoma confirmed by ostiomeatal unit (OMU) computed tomography (CT) and PNS CT, and the surgical treatment performed at our hospital was introduced. Methods: The Severance Clinical Research Analysis Portal (SCRAP) service of Severance Hospital was used to collect research data. A total of 128 cases of osteomas of the nasal cavity or PNSs confirmed by OMU CT or PNS CT was retrospectively reviewed, including the location and size of the osteoma, clinical features, accompanying findings on imaging tests, and cases of surgical treatment. Results: In this study, osteomas were found in about 0.55% of patients who underwent computed tomography. Osteomas were most frequently found in the ethmoid sinus, followed by the frontal sinus, fronto-ethmoid sinus, maxillary sinus, intranasal sphenoid sinus, and maxillary sinus-ethmoid sinus. Patients with osteomas complained of symptoms such as rhinorrhea, postnasal drip, nasal congestion, hyposmia, headache, visual disturbance, and lacrimal duct obstruction. Conclusion: Surgical treatment was considered for patients presenting with severe headache, visual field symptoms, or accompanying rhinosinusitis. Surgery was performed by endoscopic or external approaches depending on location and size of the osteoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]