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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]

Anosmia is common among COVID‐19 patients and anosmia assessment is proposed to be useful in the early diagnosis and prognosis of patients. Data on the pathogenesis of anosmia during COVID‐19 suggest potential olfactory nerve involvement. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that regulates the immune responses, and zinc deficiency is known to induce anosmia and ageusia. We previously proposed that a drop in nasal zinc level is a normal nasal immune response to acute viral infections, including SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and play a role in the pathogenesis of anosmia. The drop in the local zinc level in response to SARS‐CoV‐2 may lead to lower type 1 interferons and shift toward Th2 immune responses; if prolonged, it may lead to increased viral replication and more severe disease. In people who are at risk for baseline systemic zinc deficiency, such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases such as, chronic lung disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection‐induced drop in nasal zinc level may be more severe and prolonged and lead to an insufficient anti‐viral nasal immune response and control the spread of the virus systemically and to the lungs. A better understanding of the clinical implications of baseline systemic zinc deficiency on anosmia and nasal immune responses may allow the development of new treatment strategies to slow down or stop the systemic invasion of SARS‐CoV‐2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: After significant restrictions initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, otolaryngologists have begun resuming normal clinical practice. However, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to health care workers through aerosolization and airborne transmission during rhinologic surgery remains incompletely characterized. The objective of this study was to quantify the number concentrations of aerosols generated during rhinologic surgery with and without interventions involving 3 passive suction devices. Study Design: Cadaver simulation. Setting: Dedicated surgical laboratory. Subjects and Methods: In a simulation of rhinologic procedures with and without different passive suction interventions, the concentrations of generated aerosols in the particle size range of 0.30 to 10.0 µm were quantified with an optical particle sizer. Results: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery with and without microdebrider, high-speed powered drilling, use of an ultrasonic aspirator, and electrocautery all produced statistically significant increases in concentrations of aerosols of various sizes (P <.05). Powered drilling, ultrasonic aspirator, and electrocautery generated the highest concentration of aerosols, predominantly submicroparticles <1 µm. All interventions with a suction device were effective in reducing aerosols, though the surgical smoke evacuation system was the most effective passive suction method in 2 of the 5 surgical conditions with statistical significance (P <.05). Conclusion: Significant aerosol concentrations were produced in the range of 0.30 to 10.0 µm during all rhinologic procedures in this cadaver simulation. Rhinologic surgery with a passive suction device results in significant mitigation of generated aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Both endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and biologic therapies have shown effectiveness for medically-refractory chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) without severe asthma. The objective was to evaluate cost-effectiveness of dupilumab versus ESS for patients with CRSwNP.Study Design: Cohort-style Markov decision-tree economic model with a 36-year time horizon.Methods: A cohort of 197 CRSwNP patients who underwent ESS were compared with a matched cohort of 293 CRSwNP patients from the SINUS-24 and SINUS-52 Phase 3 studies who underwent treatment with dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks. Utility scores were calculated from the SNOT-22 instrument in both cohorts. Decision-tree analysis and a 10-state Markov model utilized published event probabilities and primary data to calculate long-term costs and utility. The primary outcome measure was incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which is expressed as an Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.Results: The ESS strategy cost $50,436.99 and produced 9.80 QALYs. The dupilumab treatment strategy cost $536,420.22 and produced 8.95 QALYs. Because dupilumab treatment was more costly and less effective than the ESS strategy, it is dominated by ESS in the base case. One-way sensitivity analyses showed ESS to be cost-effective versus dupilumab regardless of the frequency of revision surgery and at any yearly cost of dupilumab above $855.Conclusions: The ESS treatment strategy is more cost effective than dupilumab for upfront treatment of CRSwNP. More studies are needed to isolate potential phenotypes or endotypes that will benefit most from dupilumab in a cost-effective manner.Level Of Evidence: 2C Laryngoscope, 131:E26-E33, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Studies have demonstrated improvement in Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) symptomatology after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS); however, factors associated with ETD symptom alteration have not been elucidated. This study evaluated factors associated with improvement and normalization of ETD symptoms after FESS. Methods: A case‐control study was performed of FESS patients who had clinically significant ETD symptoms based on the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire‐7 (ETDQ‐7 ≥ 2.1) without middle ear effusion (MEE) preoperatively. Study patients were identified as those with a normalized ETDQ‐7 at 2 months postoperatively. Controls were patients whose ETDQ‐7 did not normalize at 2 months. Demographics, surgery characteristics, chronic rhinosinusitis phenotype, Lund‐Mackay score, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), preoperative ETDQ‐7 and SNOT‐22 scores, and tympanograms were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed comparing study cases and controls. Results: Data were collected on 165 patients, with 46% patients having clinically significant preoperative ETD and 60 patients meeting final study inclusion/exclusion criteria. FESS was associated with both SNOT‐22 and ETDQ‐7 improvement (P < 0.001). Nasal polyposis was associated with a higher probability of ETDQ‐7 normalization (OR 4.429, P = 0.035). Factors associated with failure of ETDQ‐7 normalization included TMJD (OR 0.086, P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.019–0.391) and high preoperative ETDQ‐7 (OR 0.140, P = 0.006, 95% CI 0.032–0.613). Conclusion: In patients with clinically significant ETD symptoms without MEE, FESS was associated with ETDQ‐7 improvement. Nasal polyposis was associated with an increased probability of normalization of ETD symptoms postoperatively, whereas TMJD had a negative association. Level of Evidence: 3b Laryngoscope, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: To assess the face, content, construct, and concurrent validity of the PHACON Sinonasal Surgery Simulator (SNSS). Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: A total of 12 otolaryngology residents were recruited to perform sinonasal surgery on the simulator followed by cadaveric heads. Resident performances were recorded and de‐identified. Face and content validities were evaluated based on 5‐point Likert scale questionnaires. The recordings were evaluated by extramural expert rhinologists based on a validated Global Rating Scale (GRS). These results were analyzed and compared to assess construct and concurrent validity. Results: The appearance of anatomic structures was rated as realistic by 75% of all participants, while only 30% and 41.7% rated the mucosal and bony tissues as realistic, respectively. A total of 91.7% of participants found the model useful for teaching anatomy, while 66.7% said it was useful for teaching operative technique. Construct validity was confirmed by showing significant differences in performance between the novice and experienced groups. Concurrent validity was confirmed by showing significant correlation between performance on the model and gold standard (i.e. cadaver head). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the face, content, concurrent, and construct validity of a 3D‐printed SNSS. Although this model has the potential to be a valuable tool in endoscopic sinus surgery training for otolaryngology residents, improvements are required with respect to the quality of simulated mucosal tissue as well as the simulated anatomy of the fronto‐ethmoid compartment Level of Evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  To identify perioperative factors that may predict postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and meningitis following expanded endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (EETS). Study Design  This is a retrospective study. This study was set at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. A total of 78 patients who underwent EETS between January 2007 and November 2018 were participated. The main outcome measures were CSF leak and meningitis. Results  A total of 78 patients underwent a total of 100 EETS procedures; 17.9 and 10.3% of patients developed postoperative CSF leaks and meningitis, respectively. Out of eight, three patients with meningitis did not develop an observable CSF leak. The risk of developing meningitis in patients with a CSF leak was significantly higher than those without a leak, with an odds ratio (OR) of 11.48 (95% confidence interval, 2.33–56.47; p  = 0.004). Pituicytomas were significantly associated with meningitis compared with other pathologies. No other patient-specific factors were identified as risks for leak or meningitis, including method of skull base repair, sex, tumor volume, or body mass index, although there was a strong trend toward reduced CSF leak rates in patient with nasoseptal flaps used for skull base repair, compared with those without (9.5 vs. 25%). CSF protein was consistently elevated on the first CSF values obtained when meningitis was suspected. Conclusion  CSF leak and meningitis are common complications of expanded endonasal surgery No statistically significant risk factors for developing a postoperative leak other than the pathology of pituicytoma were identified, including method of skull base repair, although the use of a vascularized nasoseptal flap did trend toward a reduced CSF leak rate. CSF protein is the most sensitive marker for the presumptive diagnosis and timely treatment of meningitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The taboo of avoiding nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has been waning. The impetus to reduce opioid prescriptions in view of the opioid epidemic led the authors to change their practices to include NSAIDs after sinus surgery. This study's aim was to analyze the differences between patients before and after we began recommending NSAIDs after FESS. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed on patients undergoing FESS or other endoscopic nasal surgeries at 3 institutions, by 5 rhinologists and 1 facial plastic surgeon. Before introducing NSAIDs, all patients were given a prescription for hydrocodone‐acetaminophen 5/325 mg and also recommended preferentially to use acetaminophen 325 mg. After the addition of NSAIDs, ibuprofen 200 mg and acetaminophen 325 mg were recommended preferentially, using the narcotic as a rescue medication. Patients kept a pain diary and medication log, and gave a visual analog scale (VAS) score for overall pain. Demographics, surgical variables, and comorbidities were also analyzed. Results: One hundred sixty‐six total patients were recruited and had data that could be analyzed (65 without NSAIDs, 101 with NSAIDs). Overall, mean pain VAS score was 3.12 ± 1.95 for the non‐NSAID group and 2.33 ± 2.30 for the NSAID group (p value = 0.006). The day with the highest mean pain was the first postoperative day. The mean number of total opioid pills taken was 6.94 ± 6.85 without NSAIDs vs 3.77 ± 4.56 with NSAIDs (p = 0.018). Age and gender were found to be the only consistently significant patient variables to affect pain. There were no bleeding complications. Conclusion: NSAID use was introduced into the practices of 5 practicing rhinologists and 1 facial plastic surgeon. No bleeding complications were seen. Both pain and overall opioid usage were reduced significantly. [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]

Keywords: Eustachian tube dysfunction; ear fullness; aural fullness; ear pressure; intranasal corticosteroids EN Eustachian tube dysfunction ear fullness aural fullness ear pressure intranasal corticosteroids 204 206 3 02/24/21 20210201 NES 210201 The most common treatment for chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is intranasal corticosteroid sprays (INCS) despite no current INCS being U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for this disease. Furthermore, the only adult study investigating INCS efficacy in ETD, a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, demonstrated no benefit over placebo.1 Surgical options for ETD include myringotomy as well as the relatively new balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET). Although no single test has been accepted as a perfect evaluator of ETD status, demonstrating ETD pathology using multiple methodologies is preferable and would decrease the possibility of patients with other etiologies of ear symptoms being misdiagnosed with ETD. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine the long-term results of frontal sinus drillout (also known as modified Lothrop procedure) for the treatment of advanced frontal sinus disease. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods The records of patients who underwent frontal sinus drillout by a single surgeon at an academic medical center from June 1995 through November 2011 were reviewed. Patient demographics and perioperative clinical findings were analyzed for their impact on surgical outcome. Failure was defined as restenosis of the frontal drainage pathways, necessitating additional frontal sinus surgery. Results A total of 204 patients underwent frontal drillout surgery (143 bilateral procedures) over the 16-year period. Mean follow-up was 10.2 years (range 0.9-17 years). Symptomatic re-obstruction of the frontal sinus requiring revision surgery occurred in 61 (29.9%) patients. Drillouts performed for a diagnosis of mucocele or tumor had significantly higher failure rate (38.9%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.9, P = 0.022 and 58.3%, OR = 5.3, P = 0.020, respectively). The majority of surgical failures (61%) occurred within 2 years of surgery, but delayed failures were observed up to 12 years after drillout. Clinical outcome did not correlate with a history of smoking, asthma, nasal allergy, aspirin sensitivity, prior sinus surgery, nasal polyposis, or the presence of eosinophilic mucin. Conclusion For the majority of patients who undergo frontal sinus drillout, patency of the frontal sinus outflow tract appears to be maintained for more than a decade; nevertheless, almost one-third of patients who undergo this procedure will ultimately require additional frontal sinus surgery. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 124:1066-1070, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis Surgical treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is often followed by polyp regrowth with return of symptoms. The purpose of this study is to identify clinical factors that influence the time interval to revision sinus surgery in patients with nasal polyps. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Records of 299 individuals who underwent two or more surgeries for the diagnosis of nasal polyps by the senior author ( RM) from 1987 through 2011 were reviewed. The time between surgical interventions were compared to patient demographics, comorbidities, endoscopic examination, computed tomography (CT) stage, extent of surgery, and pathologic findings. Results The mean time interval between polyp surgeries was 4.87 ± 3.61 years (range 0.7-18.6 years). The median time to revision surgery was shorter in patients who smoked compared to nonsmokers (2.82 vs. 4.31 years, respectively, P = .022) and longer in patients who underwent middle turbinate resection rather than preservation (4.56 vs. 3.93 years, respectively, P = .048). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis confirmed these findings, but the beneficial effect of turbinectomy appeared to dissipate by 8 years. Neither a history of asthma nor advanced CT stage influenced the time to revision surgery. Conclusion The time course between sinus surgeries in patients with regrowth of nasal polyps appears to be affected by certain modifiable extrinsic factors, including smoking on the part of the patient and operative technique on the part of the surgeon. The performance of middle turbinate resection during sinus surgery appears to extend the time interval until a revision procedure is required. Level of Evidence 2b. Laryngoscope, 124:29-33, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]