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Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a severe form of chronic rhinosinusitis, which has a strong negative impact on quality of life. Rhinoscopy is helpful for diagnosis, and initial management depends on intra-nasal corticosteroids and sometimes short-term oral corticosteroids (1 to 3 weeks). If well-conducted drug therapy fails, surgery is considered. In the event of post-surgery recurrence or in case of concomitant severe asthma, biologic therapies represent an interesting option. These drugs include dupilumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab and omalizumab. The choice of medication depends on the individual patient context, which includes the presence of atopic dermatitis, eosinophilia, or asthma., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Nasal polyposis is a specific phenotype of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Some cases can be managed with topical and infrequent use of systemic steroids, while many patients require surgery. Despite postoperative, regular steroid administration, recurrences may be found especially in patients suffering from Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), a particularly severe form of CRS with polyps, asthma and non-steroid-anti-inflammatory-drug (NSAID) intolerance. We report two cases of difficult-to-treat AERD patients following revision surgery, treated with monoclonal anti-IgE antibody (omalizumab) and successful control of the disease and symptoms. Omalizumab may be a promising alternative in selected cases of CRS with nasal polyps to avoid overuse of systemic steroids and frustrating repetition of paranasal sinus surgeries., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

The incidence of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis is constantly increasing, due to the growing number of immunocompromised patients. We report the case of a 73-year-old patient with a severe aortic stenosis whose preoperative evaluation revealed a recurrence of a left maxillary sinusitis operated many years ago. The patient underwent meatotomy and drainage. Pathologic examination of the sinus mucosa revealed the presence of septate and branched fungal hyphae invading the blood vessels. The diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis was thus established and the patient was treated by oral voriconazole. Our report describes the case of an invasive chronic form of a fungal rhinosinusitis occurring in an immunocompromised patient, and exposes the different forms of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. The diagnosis of an invasive form of fungal rhinusinusitis should be suspected in immunocompromised patients in particular, but also in immunocompetent patients. The appropriate treatment should be promptly set up, given the bad prognosis of acute and fulminant cases., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Granulomatous invasive aspergillosis rhinosinusitis is a rare disease. Anatomopathologic and mycological examination allows the diagnosis. Treatment must be rapidly started in order to avoid orbital and intracranial complications., Objectives: To analyze the main clinical, radiological, histopathological, mycological and therapeutic aspects of granulomatous invasive aspergillosis rhinosinusitis., Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study included five patients operated for granulomatous invasive aspergillosis rhinosinusitis at the Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Department of La Rabta Hospital from 2000 to 2011., Results: These are four women and one man with mean age of 24.8 years. Functional symptoms were dominated by nasal obstruction and purulent rhinorrhea. Imaging showed a unilateral pansinusien filling extended to the nasal cavity with bone lysis. An orbital and endocranial extension was noted in two cases. Endonasal approach was performed in four patients and external approach in one patient. Anatomopathologic and mycological examination confirmed the diagnosis. All patients were started on antifungal therapy. One reccurence had been noted. Endonasal approach was performed., Conclusion: Granulomatous invasive aspergillosis rhinosinusitis is a rare infection. The prognosis is particularly serious which warrants a rapid therapeutic care to avoid complications., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

This document provides health care practitioners with information regarding the management of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) to enable them to better meet the needs of this patient population. These guidelines describe controversies in the management of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) and include recommendations that take into account changes in the bacteriologic landscape. Recent guidelines in ABRS have been released by American and European groups as recently as 2007, but these are either limited in their coverage of the subject of CRS, do not follow an evidence-based strategy, or omit relevant stakeholders in the development of guidelines and do not address the particulars of the Canadian health care environment.Advances in understanding the pathophysiology of CRS, along with the development of appropriate therapeutic strategies, have improved outcomes for patients with CRS. CRS now affects large numbers of patients globally, and primary care practitioners are confronted by this disease on a daily basis. Although initially considered a chronic bacterial infection, CRS is now recognized as having multiple distinct components (eg, infection, inflammation), which have led to changes in therapeutic approaches (eg, increased use of corticosteroids). The role of bacteria in the persistence of chronic infections and the roles of surgical and medical management are evolving. Although evidence is limited, guidance for managing patients with CRS would help practitioners less experienced in this area offer rational care. It is no longer reasonable to manage CRS as a prolonged version of ARS, but, rather, specific therapeutic strategies adapted to pathogenesis must be developed and diffused.Guidelines must take into account all available evidence and incorporate these in an unbiased fashion into management recommendations based on the quality of evidence, therapeutic benefit, and risks incurred. This document is focused on readability rather than completeness yet covers relevant information, offers summaries of areas where considerable evidence exists, and provides recommendations with an assessment of the strength of the evidence base and the degree of endorsement by the multidisciplinary expert group preparing the document.These guidelines have been copublished in both Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology and the Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Inhaled therapies are preferred to systemic ones during pregnancy and breast feeding. A real paradox exists however between the necessity to ensure an optimal treatment for pregnant women with asthma, in order to prevent fetal hypoxia, and the precaution linked to any drug prescription during pregnancy. Thus, the use of topical corticosteroids remains the first choice for asthma as well as rhinitis. Inhaled beta2-agonists are also recommended. Systemic corticosteroids may however be prescribed without hesitation when their use is required for asthma treatment. It is also interesting to note that oral second-generation antihistamines are currently allowed during pregnancy and breast feeding. This type of antihistamines is indeed to be preferred to first-generation ones that generate more side-effects and generally are thus not to be prescribed during breast feeding.

Sinusitis or acute rhinosinusitis, is defined as an acute viral or bacterial infection characterised by inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Although antibiotics are routinely prescribed for the treatment of acute sinusitis, most cases are caused by viral infections and will resolve without antibiotic therapy. Given concerns about global antibacterial resistance, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines recommend a conservative approach to antibiotic treatment, with mild or moderately severe acute sinusitis managed symptomatically. Intranasal corticosteroids act on the nasal mucosa to relieve inflammation and its associated symptoms, and may be a useful symptomatic treatment option. Two randomised, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated that the corticosteroid mometasone furoate, administered as a nasal spray (MFNS), is effective as an adjunct to antibiotics in acute sinusitis. The design of these studies show a therapeutic approach known in Europe, but this attitude is still different from the current French guidelines. Furthermore, the efficacy and safety of MFNS monotherapy has been compared with antibiotic therapy in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with acute uncomplicated sinusitis and probably viral. In this study, twice-daily (BID) MFNS 200 microg produced statistically greater improvements in overall symptoms and most individual symptoms compared with amoxicillin or placebo, even though Amoxicillin is not the one recommended by the French guidelines for this indication. These findings suggest that MFNS may play an important role in the management of acute sinusitis, either as monotherapy or as adjunctive treatment to antibiotics. These results lead also to think over its interest in the treatment of uncomplicated common forms of sinusitis, where antibiotics are still widely prescribed in daily practice.

Sinus infections, often viral, are a common reason for physician visits. The multiplicity of clinical presentations makes its diagnosis difficult. The problem is to recognize bacterial infection without additional testing, except in cases of treatment failures, complications or relapse. Patients with signs suggestive of rhinosinusitis fall into one of four basic clinical situations: common colds, 'doubtful' rhinosinusitis, apparent acute maxillary bacterial rhinosinusitis, and complications. Anterior rhinoscopy may help confirm diagnosis. Current bacterial epidemiology is based on the results of clinical studies, microbial ecology, and samples taken in cases of treatment failure. The two bacteria isolated most frequently are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, both of which pose resistance problems. Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus are isolated less often. The dominant issue in management of acute rhinosinusitis is whether to use antibiotic or symptomatic treatment. For viral infections, antibiotic therapy is useless and highly inadvisable. For 'doubtful' infections, symptomatic treatment is likely to lead to recovery. The use of non-recommended antibiotics also increases the risk of selection of resistant bacteria. When bacterial rhinosinusitis is strongly suspected, recourse to antibiotic treatment is recommended in view of the benefits in this situation (AFSSAPS 2005). This treatment is probabilistic, should be decided at the end of the consultation, and follows the AFSSAPS guidelines.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerance of Dérinox (D) to Rhinofluimucil (R) and placebo (P) in the treatment of common cold, using an objective measure of nasal obstruction, the Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF--Clement Clarke International, Harlow, Angleterre)., Patients and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group study enrolled 354 patients (34 P, 165 D et 155 R) included by 85 general practitioners. The treatment duration was 5 days at usual recommended dosage regimens. PNIF measures were done before drug administration (T0) as well as 15 min and 3 h after each intake. Moreover, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea and global discomfort were subjectively assessed., Results: The efficacy of D was superior to that of P and R when comparing PNIF from T0 to T3 h after the first intake. At T15 min, rhinorrhea was significantly improved with both active treatments and global discomfort was significantly improved with D only. Treatment tolerance was satisfactory and comparable between the 3 groups., Conclusion: Efficacy of Dérinox(R) was superior to that of P and R for the improvement of the nasal obstruction (PNIF) between T0 and T3h (main criteria) after the first intake in patients suffering from common cold.

Objective: Acute maxillary rhinosinusitis (AMRS) is a pathology in which the pain is often severe and requires appropriate treatment. Although the use of antibiotics is widely documented, the interest of short cycles of corticosteroids in the treatment of the functional manifestations of AMRS is based on professional experience. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerance to prednisone administered for 3 days in addition to antibiotherapy in patients presenting with an AMRS., Method: This was a double blind, randomised study in parallel groups and controlled versus a placebo, involving patients aged over 18, presenting with an AMRS confirmed by X-ray and endoscopy, having developed less than 5 days and complaining of spontaneous pain assessed as >or=50 millimetres on a visual analog scale (VAS). Together with cefpodoxime, the patients received either prednisone (0.8 to 1.2 mg/kg) for 3 days or a placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean of the differences versus the baseline value of pain (MPID - mean pain intensity difference) assessed on the VAS from Day 1 to Day 3. The secondary endpoints assessed were the mean of the differences in intensity of nasal obstruction, assessed in the same way as the MPID, the time lapse before the orally expressed relief of the pain (PRID - pain reflief intensity difference) and the administration of paracetamol during the first 3 days., Results: 289 patients (placebo 147, prednisone 142) were assessable for analysis in intent-to-treat (ITT). The global spontaneous pain on inclusion, measured by a VAS was of 73.0 +/- 14.1 mm. The assessments made during the first 3 days of treatment showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the prednisone group regarding MPID: - 4.82 mm (CI 95% -9.25; -0.40) (p=0.03), nasal obstruction - 5.0 mm (CI 95% -9.1; -0.8) (p=0.02) and consumption of paracetamol (p=0.03). There was no difference between the two groups after the end of the antibiotherapy. The tolerance measured throughout the study was comparable between the two groups., Conclusion: This study clearly showed the efficacy of a short course of oral prednisone (3 days), versus a placebo, in the treatment of the functional signs of acute maxillary rhinosinusitis with severe pain in adults in addition to an appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Immediate hypersensitivity remains the fundamental mechanism of respiratory allergy, emphasizing the importance of the antigen-immunoglobulin (IgE) reaction. Development of innovating treatments has naturally centered on a search for compounds inhibiting the IgE response, in particular anti-IgE antibodies. Humanized anti-IgE antibodies have been recently developed for administration in humans. These antibodies are designed to form complexes with circulating IgE which can be eliminated. The first trials have demonstrated an efficacy in allergic asthma, expressed by a significant decrease in consumption of systemic steroids in severe asthma. Other work has also showed a lower number of hospitalizations for acute asthma. Other therapeutic approaches have focused on limiting the production of IgE by an effect on the auxiliary lymphocyte balance, or more generally, by inhibiting the Th2 response while favoring the Th1 response. Early results obtained with anti-IL-5 were disappointing since the decrease in the eosinophilic response was not associated with any alteration in bronchial hyperreactivity. Administration of IL-12 has given similar results but the first trials with nebulized anti-IL-4 are more promising.

Histamine is an important mediator for early phase allergic reactions that are involved in atopic diseases, mediated by specific IgE antibodies. After allergenic contact, its liberation induces unpleasant symptoms like itching, several manifestations as local vasodilatation, bronchoconstriction, mucus hypersecretion. Antagonists of H1 histamine receptors are the most prescribed drugs, due to their symptomatic effects at the levels of nasal or conjunctival mucosa, and the skin. Their major indications cover allergic rhinitis, either seasonal or perennial, and idiopathic chronic urticaria, as a first line medication. The pharmacological evolution allows to distinguish three generations of products differing at the levels of specificity, long acting period, and toxicity. The authors are discussing the respective benefits of two recent molecules presented as 3rd generation molecules: fexofenadine and levocetirizine, while repositioning their use among available treatment strategy.

1., Common Cold: A rhinovirus, the causal agent usually found in common cold, stimulates the local abundance of polymorphonuclears resulting from IL8 secretion. Enzymes and free radicals released by these polymorphonuclears explain the subsequent inflammation. 2., Treatment: Treatment for viral rhinosinusitis in adults is based on vasoconstrictors, often associated with anti-histamine agents with atropinergic action. The possible contribution of pure atropinergic agents is currently under evaluation. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) appear to have no effect and corticosteroids are not indicated. 3., Rhinosinusopharyngitis in Children: These childhood diseases, which after adaptation disappear spontaneously around the age of 7 to 8 years, result from viruses, distinct from those observed in adults, which have a more pronounced cytolytic and general effect. Proposed treatments are designed to lower the temperature using physical (warm bath, abundant fluids) and medicinal means. Paracetamol is preferred over aspirin because it has less side effects. NSAID have not been found to provide any efficacy. Decongestants are an ideal indication but their use is limited by age. Antibiotics are not warranted, at least for the non-complicated forms. Familial education is indispensable for proper management without antibiotics. 4., Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis: Originating from the relatively constant microbial flora in the nasal cavities, acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in France is basically caused by Haemophilus influenzae, beta hemolytic Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Branhamella catarrhalis. The proportion of Gram negative germs appears to depend on age and rate of recurrence. There is debate about the impact of viral-bacterial interactions; no definite conclusions can be drawn from current knowledge. 5., Bacterial Inflammation in Acute Rhinosinusitis: Antibiotic therapy is the first intention treatment for bacterial inflammation caused by acute rhinosinusitis. In case of failure, surgery (puncture or microsurgery as needed) may be indicated. 6., Nsaid in Bacterial Rhinosinusitis: The contribution of NSAID would be limited due to the unfavorable efficacy-adverse effect ratio. Short courses of corticosteroids are commonly used. Two studies conducted with well-designed methodology, have recently proven the efficacy of coticosteroids in reducing the duration and intensity of spontaneous pain in acute maxillary rhinosinusitis in adults. One of these studies demonstrated a reduction in nasal obstruction. These studies confirm the absence of any notable adverse effect in comparison with placebo. 7., Acute Rhinosinusitis Caused by Dental Problems: Due to the anatomic disposition (sinusal teeth), the rhinosinusitis is generally unilateral, resulting from paradontal or apical infection. Such cases are exceptional (5% to 10% of all cases of acute sinusitis). 8. CONTAMINATING FLORA IN ACUTE RHINOSINUSITIS: Anaerobic and microaerophilic germs predominate, generally coming from the buccal floral or the edodontoid or periodontoid flora. 9., Surgical Treatment: Associated with dental care, sinus puncture or meatomy may be required for evacuation of the sinus. Antibiotics directed against a wide variety of aerobic germs (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or pristinamycin are generally recommended) should be given before and after surgery. The role of NSAID is evaluated in terms of the benefit (pain relief)/adverse effect ratio, which in the present situation can be considered to favor the antalgesic action during or before dental care. 10., The Question of Short Courses of Corticosteroids: The contribution of short courses of corticosteroids is assessed in the same manner as for maxillary sinusitis resulting from the nasal flora.

DRUG PRESCRIPTION: Many pregnant women have asthma and/or rhinitis. Particular attention is required when prescribing drugs in this situation. Medication can be prescribed during pregnancy when the apparent benefit is greater than the apparent risk. Usually at least one drug of each major class used to control these disease can be given safely. In addition, physiological changes associated with pregnancy could affect the upper and lower pathways. CAREFUL MANAGEMENT: Ideally, drug prescription for asthma and/or rhinitis in pregnant women should be part of a global process implicating obstetricians, primary care physicians, and allergy, rhinology or lung specialists. The only way to improve the mother's comfort and avoid complications for both mother and child is to perfectly control the disease. Indeed, it would be regrettable to be too prudent and deprive symptomatic patients of active treatments. Patients should be clearly informed of the benefits and risks of drug therapy.

During the common cold in the adult, involvement of the sinusal mucosa, confirmed by CT scan, is virtually constant and justifies the term "rhinosinusitis" that is now applied. The presence of bacterial superinfection can only be demonstrated by positive laboratory results on a sample, which is never performed in usual practice; thus the practitioner must rely on presumptive factors. Among them, an essential element is the unilateral nature of painful symptoms and purulent rhinorrhoea. When symptoms are bilateral, antibiotics should not be prescribed except when the condition has not been resolved by symptomatic treatment during several days. In such cases, other important discriminating factors are also examination showing pus originating from below the middle meatus or sinusal X-ray showing a liquid level or a total opacity. On the other hand, clinical suspicion of localisation of infection in the frontal or sphenoid sinuses unquestionably requires rapid antibiotic treatment. Presently the choice of antibiotic tends toward products active on both Haemophilus producing beta-lactamase and on pneumococci with reduced sensitivity to penicillin having only a low level of resistance.

Most authors consider immunotherapy as an efficient and safe treatment for pollen and mite allergic rhinitis. Recent meta-analyses showed that immunotherapy brings a significant benefit to some asthmatic patients depending on the type of allergen used, the severity of the disease, the number of allergenic sensitivities. Nevertheless everybody agrees that pharmacological treatment of asthma and immunotherapy must be complementary when indications of desensitization are given. All precautions to avoid adverse systemic effects or to cure them immediately must be taken. More work is needed as concerning the duration of the treatment, the efficacy of some local allergen administrations, the indications in the young child. The future is based on the use of antigenic peptides and of recombinant allergens.

TREATMENT OF SINUSITIS: For both acute rhinosinusitis in patients with no past history where S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae are the main causal agents, or recurrent sinusitis in a chronic background where anaerobic bacteria are increasingly implicated, pristinamycin is one of the rare compounds which can be expected to be effective and is a treatment of choice for an empirical strategy. LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS: Besides high-risk subjects with non-microbiologically proven bronchial infection, where enterobacteriaceae could involve a pristinamycin is a useful alternative to the conventional strategy (i.e.: amoxicillin, macrolides and cotrimoxazole) in the treatment of LRT infection.

The drugs called "Membrane stabilisers" are composed of cromones (sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil) and Ketotifen. They inhibit the degranulation of mastocytes by a membrane stabilising effect. Ketotifen is distinguished from the cromones by a conjoint antihistamine effect. Nowadays, the indications are for prophylactic treatment of allergic asthma, rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis and the manifestations of food allergy. Therapeutic efficacy seems to be good in intermittent or mildly persistent asthma, especially in children or young subjects. Secondary effects are rare and generally benign, with reduced contra-indications.

The authors, on the basis of 140 cases, analyze the bacterial flora of essentially chronic rhino-sinusitis observed in hospital consultations at the Pellegrin Hospital, the referral centre of the Aquitaine region. Samples taken in the operating theatre from 100 cases, by aspiration and mucosal biopsy, were studied in aerobic and anaerobic media. The results marked by the scarcity of sterile samples and of anaerobic germs, evidence the predominance of an aerobic flora, with in particular Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic Streptococci. No significant difference was recorded between the bacteriology of acute sinusitis as against chronic sinusitis. The flora of sinusitis appear to depend more on the age factor than on the pathogenic type. Branhamella catharralis is present only in patients under 30. The enterobacteria appear in the adult 30-50 year-old age group and, as from the age of 50, are combined by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which account for 18% of the strains. These two types of germs then appear to be predominant over the Staphylococci and the Haemophilus.

Effectiveness and clinical tolerance of the tixocortol-neomycin combination (Pivalone-Neomycin nasal suspension) used as monotherapy were evaluated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study (placebo: vehicle i.e., N-cetylpyridinium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide solution, benzyl alcohol, purified water, monosodium phosphate) in 211 pediatric patients (aged 6 months to 8 years) with uncomplicated acute rhinopharyngitis. After seven days therapy, improvement in symptoms of acute rhinopharyngitis, especially rhinorrhea and nocturnal cough, was greater in the tixocortol-neomycin group. Physical evaluation documented significant improvements in local superinfection with disappearance of mucopurulent nasal secretions and posterior drip. Locoregional outcome, evaluated on severity of infectious complications and antibiotic use, was also more favorable in the tixocortol-neomycin group. These results, together with the good clinical tolerance of the study drug, demonstrate the value of single-drug therapy with this local corticosteroid-neomycin combination in children with uncomplicated acute rhinopharyngitis. They confirm that local administration of corticosteroids to combat inflammatory phenomena is useful not only in the well-recognized lower respiratory tract indications (asthma, respiratory syncitial virus infections) but also in nasal diseases (rhinitis).

The authors propose a method for the investigation of the muco-ciliary function of the nasal mucosa: they record the motion of radioactive particles, which are put by sonic nebulisation on nasal mucosa. The average speed is calculated by means of the analysis of sequential images and by the study of the variation of activity in relation to time in several main zones. A half-clearing time of the initial activity is also measured. The average speed is 8.33 mm/minute for normal persons and 2.36 mm/minute for a group of patients. This simple, accurate, non aggressive method is used for pharmacodynamic tests.