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Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a rapidly expanding class of oncologic therapies whose mechanism of action can result in unique immune-related adverse events (irAEs) not seen in other cancer therapeutics. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of sinonasal irAEs with these medications. Methods: A case report of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) caused by an ICI is presented and was the impetus for this review. Review of the literature using Pubmed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was performed. Additionally, we searched the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) database for sinonasal AEs in the 7 FDA-approved ICIs. Results: We demonstrate an emerging scientific literature describing cases of CRS associated with multiple ICIs with a particular predilection toward TH2 driven phenotypes. Review of the FAERS also demonstrates a small percentage of patients who report sinonasal complaints after initiating ICI therapy. Conclusion: Sinonasal symptoms and the development of CRS, in particular, are not currently well recognized as potential irAEs for ICIs. Increased awareness and further study may help to elucidate if these are more common than currently reported and if irAE-related CRS is a unique phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Commonly used endoscopic nasal polyp grading scales have been shown to correlate poorly with symptom scores and quality of life metrics. The recently described Postoperative Polyp Scale (POPS) is a grading system that more accurately characterizes polyp recurrence in postoperative sinus cavities by describing incremental recurrence in relation to the surgically opened sinus cavities. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if the POPS correlated with sinonasal symptoms. Methods: CRSwNP patients were prospectively administered SNOT-22 questionnaires and graded according to the POPS starting at their 1-month postoperative appointments. Total POPS scores (sum of each side) and Max POPS score (larger value of left and right) were correlated with SNOT-22 total scores and subdomains using Kendall correlation testing. Results: A total of 127 patients were enrolled in the study. Both Total POPS or Max POPS were significantly correlated to the SNOT-22 total score (P <.001, P <.001), Rhinologic (P <.001, P <.001), Extra-Nasal Rhinologic (P <.001, P <.001), Ear/Facial (P <.001, P <.001), and Psychologic (P =.028, P =.017) subdomains. Kendall's tau indicated strong correlation (≥0.3) with Rhinologic subdomain, moderate correlation (.21-.29) with Extra-Nasal Rhinologic and Ear/Facial subdomains, and weak correlation (.1-.19) with Psychologic subdomain. Conclusion: Previous endoscopic nasal polyp grading scales poorly correlate with symptoms and patient reported outcome measures. The new POPS moderately correlates with the total SNOT-22 score and strongly correlates with the Rhinologic subdomain, indicating that it may have good potential as a tool to evaluate postoperative CRSwNP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), gender differences in epidemiology as well as quality of life have been reported. However, whether gender differences in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) preoperative concerns exist is unclear. Methods: CRS patients undergoing ESS at 3 tertiary care centers in Los Angeles completed the validated Western Surgical Concern Inventory - ESS assessing ESS preoperative concerns. Results: Of the 75 patients included, female patients expressed greater concern than male patients in regard to nasal packing, undergoing anesthesia, impact of surgery on daily activities, and pain and discomfort following surgery. Conclusion: This study suggests there are gender differences in ESS preoperative concerns and otolaryngologists should be aware of these possible concerns during preoperative discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fungal tissue invasion in the setting of sinonasal malignancy has been rarely described in the literature. Only a handful of studies have discussed cases of suspected chronic and acute IFS (CIFS and AIFS, respectively), having an underlying undifferentiated sinonasal carcinoma, sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma, and NK/T-cell lymphoma. Methods: Here, we describe 3 cases of carcinoma mimicking IFS from a single institution. Results: Each of our patients presented with sinonasal complaints as an outpatient in the setting of immunosuppression. Intranasal biopsies consistently were predominated by necrotic debris, with and without fungal elements, ultimately leading to a delay of oncologic care. The final pathologies included NK/T-cell lymphoma and SNEC. All patients were followed by radiation and chemotherapy, with 1 case of mortality. Conclusions: We aim to emphasize the importance of obtaining viable tissue as pathology specimens as the presence of necrosis with fungal elements may limit the diagnosis and ultimately delay the care of an underlying sinonasal carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anosmia and hyposmia significantly affect patients' quality of life and have many etiologies, including trauma, inflammatory conditions including chronic rhinosinusitis, neoplasm, and viral infections, such as rhinovirus and SARS-CoV-2. Objective: Our purpose was to establish whether a consensus exists regarding optimal management of olfactory dysfunction and to provide insight into the treatment of anosmia in the current climate of increased prevalence secondary to COVID-19. Thus, we aimed to systematically review the literature on the management of non-Chronic-rhinosinusitis- related anosmia/hyposmia. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for articles published since January 1990 using terms combined with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). We included articles evaluating management of anosmia and hyposmia written in the English language, with original data, a minimum of 3 months of follow-up except for COVID-related studies, at least 2 patients, and well-defined and measurable outcomes. Results: A total of 3013 unique titles were returned upon the initial search. Of these, 297 abstracts were examined, yielding 19 full texts meeting inclusion criteria (8 with level 1 evidence, 3 with level 2, 1 with level 3, and 7 with level 4). The studies included a total of 1522 subjects, with follow up ranging from 3 to 72 months, with an exception for COVID related studies. Endpoints were based on clinically significant improvements of olfactory functions as measured through validated smell tests. Treatments with the most robust data were intranasal corticosteroids and olfactory training. Conclusion: The literature on the treatment of anosmia and hyposmia includes randomized trials showing the efficacy of a few modalities. While further research is needed to expand therapeutic options for this debilitating condition, the current literature supports the use of olfactory training and topical corticosteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the patient experience of a virtual otolaryngology clinic visit to an in-person visit, especially with its significantly increased implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Patient satisfaction (PS) metrics from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey were queried from March 1, 2020 to May 1, 2020 for telehealth visits and January 1, 2020 to March 1, 2020 for in-person visits. Overlapping and comparable questions were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test for independence, and Student's t -test. Results: There were 1284 partial or complete PS surveys from in-person visits and 221 partial or complete virtual PS surveys. There were statistically significantly worse virtual visit evaluations of provider listening, conveyance of information, likelihood to recommend, and overall provider ratings compared to in-person visits. Conclusion: Telehealth has become the new norm for most healthcare providers in the United States. This study demonstrates some of the initial shortcomings of telehealth in an otolaryngology practice and identifies challenges with interpersonal communication that may need to be addressed as telehealth becomes increasingly prevalent. Level of Evidence: 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The inverted and oncocytic subtypes of sinonasal Schneiderian papillomas are benign tumors with possible rare malignant transformation and are typically managed with complete surgical resection and close follow-up. While computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are mainstays in preoperative evaluation of bony invasion and soft tissue extension of the lesion, their imaging characteristics by 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is less well characterized. Objective: To describe the clinical presentation and management of a PET positive sinonasal lesion. To conduct a literature review of FDG uptake in benign sinonasal papillomas. Methods: Case report (n = 1) and literature review of similar cases (n = 32). Results: We report the case of a 69-year-old man presenting with an isolated left maxillary sinus mass with avid FDG uptake, discovered on PET/CT imaging. An endoscopic left maxillary mega-antrostomy provided successful definitive treatment for final pathologic diagnosis of oncocytic papilloma. Literature review of cases of sinonasal papillomas with avid FDG uptake found that oncocytic papillomas, on average, exhibit greater uptake than inverted papillomas and both may be mistaken as malignancies on PET. Conclusion: While PET imaging demonstrating avid FDG uptake is associated with an increased risk of malignancy, it does not rule out the possibility of a benign sinonasal papilloma nor other benign inflammatory lesions. Particularly, oncocytic papillomas may have very high FDG uptake and mimic malignant lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and balloon sinus ostial dilation (BSD) are well-recognized minimally invasive surgical treatments for chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) refractory symptoms to medical therapy. Patients on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies (AAT) usually are recommended to discontinue their medications around the period of endoscopic sinus surgery. The goal of this study is to assess the clinical experience of BSD in CRSsNP patients with concurrent anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. Methods: A review of prospectively-collected clinical data from October 2012 to March 2017 were used to perform a cohort study of subjects with CRSsNP who met criteria for surgical intervention while on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. Data were collected on demographics, details of the procedures, type of AAT used, pre- and postoperative 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores, and complications. Results: Thirty-five patients underwent in-office BSD while on antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant therapy. The mean difference in pre- and postoperative SNOT-22 scores of 9.9 (SD 14.4, P <.001) was both statistically significant and exceeded the minimal clinically important difference of 8.9. Absorbable nasal packing was used for persistent bleeding immediately post-procedure in two patients. Intraoperative bleeding was associated with aspirin 325 mg and warfarin. FESS was required for further management of chronic sinusitis in four patients after anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy could be discontinued. There were no systemic complications. None of the patients experienced significant bleeding events postoperatively after leaving the office. Conclusion: In-office BSD appears to be a safe alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery in select patients who cannot discontinue antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. Levels of Evidence: IV [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]