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Background Olfactory dysfunction (OD) has been reported to impact social interactions. However, the relationship between OD and loneliness has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between OD and loneliness, controlling for patient factors. Methods Subjects without otolaryngic complaints were enrolled and olfactory function was assessed using: Sniffin’ Sticks test to measure threshold, discrimination and identification (TDI), Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders Negative Statements (QOD-NS) and 9 – item Olfactory-Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Loneliness was assessed using the De Jong Gierveld (DJG) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) loneliness scales. Bivariate analysis was performed followed by regression analysis, controlling for confounders. Results In total, 221 subjects were included with a mean age of 50.5 years (range 20 to 93), 133 (60.2%) females and 161 (72.9%) white. Mean TDI score was 29.3 (7.0) and 49.5% of the cohort was dysosmic. Using DJG, 36.4% of the cohort were classified as lonely, whereas 35.0% were lonely using UCLA. Olfactory measures were significantly associated with DJG, including TDI (β = −0.03, p = 0.050), olfactory discrimination (β = −0.111, p = 0.005), QOD-NS (β = 0.058, p Conclusions In this community-based sample of older adults, both OD and loneliness were common. Those subjects with worse olfactory function were more likely to report loneliness. Further research is necessary to establish causality, as well as explore the role of depression.

Objectives: To determine the utility of Second-look endoscopy with debridement (SLED) after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. To compare outcomes in pediatric CF patients undergoing sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis with or without SLED. To describe findings present at the time of SLED. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 61 ESS procedures performed at a tertiary care pediatric center from 2013 to 2016. Data collected included demographics, SLED findings, and 6-month pre-/postoperative disease specific outcomes including incidence of sinonasal and pulmonary exacerbations and revisions. Results: Sixty-one cases were reviewed. SLED was performed in 38 cases on average 22.4 days postoperatively. Average preoperative Lund-Mackay score was 14.9 and 14.8 among patients undergoing ESS with and without SLED, respectively. Pre-/postoperative intranasal steroid use and extent of surgery performed was similar among all patients. At the time of SLED, rates of synechiae, polyps and maxillary antrostomy obstruction were 26.3%, 23.7%, and 7.9%, respectively. The incidence and number of days to onset of postoperative sinonasal exacerbations requiring antibiotic therapy within 6 months of ESS were 1.0 (SD 1.0) and 85 days (SD 45.7); and 1.3 (SD 1.0) and 80.4 days (SD 40.5) for patients undergoing ESS with and without SLED, respectively ( P value .33). The number of days to first pulmonary exacerbation was 113.9 (SD 45.5) and 47.4 (SD 34.1) among SLED and non-SLED patients, respectively ( P value .01). No significant difference was observed in revision rates and time to revision ESS (30% and overall average 1.4 years, respectively). Conclusion: The utility of SLED among pediatric CF patients remains unclear. While debridement did not have a significant impact on sinonasal exacerbations or revision rates, pulmonary exacerbations for patients undergoing SLED were delayed. Further studies are needed to clarify the impact of SLED.

BACKGROUND The Sinus Control Test (SCT) is a 4-question, patient-reported questionnaire that assesses disease control in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This prospective, multicenter study examines SCT outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), further validating its use as a control instrument for CRS. METHODS Adults with CRS undergoing ESS were prospectively enrolled from 5 centers across North America. The SCT was administered at baseline and once 6 months after surgery. Quality of life and disease burden were evaluated using the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores. Linear regression was used to determine whether specific demographic, comorbidity, or disease severity measures were independently associated with changes in SCT scores postoperatively. RESULTS A total of 218 patients, 111 females (50.9%) and 107 males (49.1%), were enrolled, with mean ± standard deviation age of 50.1 ± 15.6 years. Mean SCT score improved from 8.9 ± 3.5 to 4.3 ± 3.7 postoperatively (p < 0.001). Preoperatively, 21.6% were uncontrolled, 71.5% partially controlled, and 6.9% controlled. Postoperatively, 6.0% were uncontrolled, 42.6% partially controlled, and 51.4% controlled (p < 0.001). Change in SCT score correlated independently with change in SNOT-22 (r = 0.500, p < 0.001) and endoscopy scores (r = 0.310, p < 0.001). Endoscopy scores did not correlate with control status among patients with CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) nor between uncontrolled and partially controlled patients. Demographics and comorbidities were not associated with changes in SCT. CONCLUSION Improvement in disease control following ESS as measured by the SCT correlated with improvements in SNOT-22 and endoscopy scores. The SCT is an easily administered instrument that provides information complementary to existing patient-reported and objective measures of disease severity.

Objectives To present current literature on the topic of odontogenic sinusitis. Data source PubMed literature search for odontogenic sinusitis. Results Odontogenic sinusitis is an inflammatory condition of the paranasal sinuses that is the result of dental pathology, most often resulting from prior dentoalveolar procedures, infections of maxillary dentition, or maxillary dental trauma. Infections are often polymicrobial with an anaerobe-predominant microbiome requiring special considerations for antimicrobial therapy. Medical management and treatment of the underlying dental pathology remains a critical initial step in the treatment of odontogenic sinusitis, however recent literature suggests that a significant portion of patients may require endoscopic sinus surgery for successful disease resolution. Conclusions This review describes the essential epidemiological and etiological factors, relevant clinical findings and diagnostic modalities, microbiologic and antimicrobial considerations, as well as the medical and surgical treatment approaches commonly utilized for the management of odontogenic sinusitis. Level of evidence NA.

Purpose of review Pharyngoesophageal diverticuli such as Zenker's diverticulum are relatively rare diseases that may have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. Open surgical techniques have historically been the mainstay of treatment for Zenker's diverticuli and remain the preferred approach for many surgeons operating on Killian-Jamieson diverticuli (KJD) and pharyngoceles. However, advances in technology in recent decades have allowed for the development of successful endoscopic surgical techniques for the management of these conditions. Recent findings Endoscopic management of Zenker's diverticulum with carbon dioxide laser-assisted diverticulotomy or endoscopic stapler-assisted diverticulostomy has gained wide acceptance in recent years. This is based on studies showing high rates of successful outcomes, low rates of complications and shorter operative time with an associated impact on overall cost and patient recovery. Endoscopic management of KJD and pharyngoceles has recently been described, but remains controversial with many surgeons preferring open surgical approaches for the ability to identify and protect the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Summary Open and endoscopic techniques are accepted for the treatment of Zenker's diverticulum with open approaches remaining the traditional technique for management of non-Zenker's diverticulum. Further investigation of endoscopic approaches for management of KJD is necessary to assess safety and efficacy.

Diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has traditionally been based on clinical symptoms and laryngoscopy findings. More recent applications of dual pH multichannel intraluminal monitoring (dual pH-MII), high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM), and salivary pepsin testing may allow for a more comprehensive assessment of patients with suspected LPR. The limitations of empiric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trials to establish a diagnosis of laryngeal symptoms due to LPR are evolving, and objective diagnostic testing may be warranted in patients who fail to respond to PPI. Dual pH-MII, HRM, and salivary pepsin testing are currently under active study for improved diagnosis of reflux contributions to laryngeal symptoms. The clinical application of these diagnostic testing modalities has been validated in the literature, though more normative data in healthy controls and improved symptom association prediction algorithms are warranted.