Search

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of atypical Mycobacterium identified by routine sinus cultures and review the recent literature on management., Methods: A retrospective case series was performed in a tertiary academic hospital. A retrospective case series of all patients treated with atypical Mycobacterium rhinosinusitis from 2005 to 2010 was performed. Cases were identified from a prospective database of 676 endoscopically guided sinus cultures., Results: Eight patients with atypical Mycobacterium sinusitis were identified. There were five women and three men. Median age was 63 years (range, 55-71 years). All patients had prior endoscopic sinus surgery a median of 14 months (range, 0.8-162 months) before a positive culture result. Species identified included Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium abscessus, and Mycobacterium avium complex. Chief presenting symptoms were postnasal discharge (88%), followed by decreased smell and taste (63%), and facial pain/pressure (38%). Patients were treated based on sensitivity results with long-term oral antibiotics for at least 2 months based on improvements on endoscopy. Median follow-up for patients in this study after treatment was 1.3 years (range, 0.6-4.6 years)., Conclusion: In this study, atypical mycobacteria were identified in <1% of sinus cultures. Prolonged, culture-directed antibiotic therapy remains the mainstay of treatment when there is clinical evidence of infection. Previous endoscopic sinus surgery may represent a risk factor for colonization and subsequent infection. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal treatment duration and management to prevent disease relapse.

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a common treatment option for adolescents with various diseases; however, the aggressive therapy often causes significant side effects that can lead to poor eating. There is little documentation of eating experiences and necessary support needed after the initial BMT hospitalization. This phenomenological study, guided by Martin Heidegger's philosophical influences, revealed the meaning of adolescents' eating experiences, eating strategies, and the impact of eating on the adolescents' quality of life during the first 100 days post-BMT. Individual interviews were conducted at 50 and 100 days post-BMT. Data analysis used the hermeneutic circle and revealed 5 themes. Adolescents discussed the slow return of eating, barriers that affected their eating, personal eating strategies, significance of eating, and feelings regarding eating. Eating issues do not end when a BMT patient is discharged from the hospital, and caregivers need to have a better understanding of the ongoing issues affecting adolescents throughout the BMT recovery phase.