American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy最新文献

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) supplementation in the treatment of COVID-related olfactory dysfunction (OD).

Methods: Patients with laboratory-confirmed or clinically-suspected COVID-19 infection and new-onset OD from August 2020 to November 2021 were prospectively recruited. Patients with quantitative OD, defined as a brief smell identification test (BSIT) score of 9 or less, were eligible for study inclusion. The experimental group received 2 g of O3FA supplementation, while the control group received an identical placebo to be taken daily for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in BSIT score between the initial and 6-week follow-up tests.

Results: One hundred and seventeen patients were included in the analysis, including 57 patients in the O3FA group and 60 in the placebo group. O3FA group patients demonstrated a mean BSIT improvement of 1.12 ± 1.99 compared to 0.68 ± 1.86 in the placebo group (p = 0.221). Seventy-seven patients, 42 within the O3FA group and 35 in the placebo group, completed a follow-up BSIT survey at an average of 717.8 days from study onset. At long-term follow-up, there was an average BSIT score improvement of 1.72 within the O3FA group compared to 1.76 within the placebo group (p = 0.948).

Conclusion: Among patients with persistent COVID-related OD, our study showed no clear evidence of relative short-term or long-term olfactory recovery among patients receiving high doses of O3FA supplementation.

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is useful in the management of asthma and predicting the efficacy of standard corticosteroids and biologics. However, the diagnostic value of FeNO in asthmatic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains unclear.

Objective: We assessed FeNO levels in patients with CRSwNP and evaluated the diagnostic value of FeNO for screening type 2 CRSwNP (T2-CRSwNP) with asthma.

Methods: We enrolled 94 patients who were diagnosed with CRSwNP and underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. FeNO levels, the blood eosinophil percentage, total IgE, spirometry tests (FEV1/FVC), Lund-Mackay CT score, and percentage of patients with comorbid asthma were compared among CRSwNP subgroups. Spearman rank correlation test was used to assess the degree of association between variables. ROC curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic capability to differentiate T2-CRSwNP based on clinical and histological classifications.

Results: FeNO levels and the blood eosinophil percentage were significantly higher in patients with T2-CRSwNP(h) based on histological data (P < .05). FeNO was correlated with the blood eosinophil percentage (r = 0.420, P < .001) and FEV1/FVC (r = -0.324, P = .001). A FeNO level of 27 ppb had a good ability to discriminate patients with asthmatic T2-CRSwNP(h) (AUC = 0.848; 95% CI = 0.7602-0.9361; sensitivity = 90.9%; specificity = 63.9%). The optimal cutoff values for FeNO and the blood eosinophil percentage for diagnosing asthmatic T2-CRSwNP(h) were 68 ppb and 5.6% (sensitivity = 95.5%; specificity = 86.1%; AUC = 0.931; 95% CI = 0.8832-0.9791). In the diagnosis of severe T2-CRSwNP(c) based on clinical data, a FeNO level of 36 ppb showed the highest AUC (0.816; 95% CI = 0.7173-0.914; sensitivity = 72.7%; specificity = 79.2%).

Conclusion: FeNO is a useful marker for screening asthmatic T2-CRSwNP even prior to biopsy or asthma evaluation and may assist in selecting a proper treatment.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a relevant risk factor asthma as it may frequently precede asthma onset. There is evidence that lung function may be early impaired in AR patients. In this regard, the forced expiratory flow at 25%-75% of vital capacity (FEF_25-75) could be a reliable marker of bronchial impairment in AR. Therefore, the present study investigated the practical role of FEF_25-75 in young people with AR. The parameters included history, body mass index (BMI), lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). This cross-sectional study included 759 patients (74 females and 685 males, mean age of 29.2 years) suffering from AR. The study demonstrated a significant association between low FEF_25-75 values and BMI (OR 0.80), FEV₁ (OR 1.29), FEV₁/FVC (OR 1.71), and BHR (OR 0.11). Stratifying the patients on the basis of the presence (or absence) of BHR, sensitization to house dust mites (OR 1.81), AR duration (OR 1.08), FEF_25-75 (OR 0.94), and FeNO (OR 1.08) were associated with BHR. Stratifying patients based on high FeNO values (>50 ppb), BHR was associated with high FeNO (OR 39). In conclusion, the present study showed that FEF_25-75 was associated with low FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC and BHR in AR patients. Therefore, spirometry should be considered in the long-term workup of patients with allergic rhinitis as impaired FEF_25-75 might suggest an initial progression toward asthma.

Background: Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors that are rarely diagnosed in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Objective: This systematic review summarizes the histopathologic and clinical tumor characteristics, surgical management, and follow-up of sinonasal leiomyomas.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature on sinonasal leiomyoma was performed by applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were assessed for level of evidence. Patient demographics, clinical and pathological tumor characteristics, primary intervention, and results of follow-up were evaluated.

Results: Forty studies including 84 patients with sinonasal leiomyoma were identified. The tumor was most often located in the nasal cavity (47/84, 56%) originating from the inferior turbinate (32/84, 38%). Patients mostly presented with symptoms originating from an intranasal mass, including recurrent epistaxis (41/84, 49%), nasal obstruction (43/84, 51.2%), and localized facial or head pain (25/84, 29.8%). Surgery was performed in all cases. An endoscopic approach was most frequently chosen. Recurrence occurred only twice (2.4%). Morbidity was noted in 2 cases (2.4%) following postoperative bleeding and 1 (1.2%) case following a CSF leak.

Conclusion: Sinonasal leiomyomas are neoplasms of the smooth muscle manifesting clinically with recurrent epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Management goal is total resection with clear margins to avoid local recurrence.

Background: There is limited evidence supporting the usage of prophylactic antibiotics in the setting of nasal packing for epistaxis. It is unclear what current antiobiotic usage patterns are by otolaryngologists.

Objectives: Characterize the antibiotic prescribing practices employed by otolaryngologists in the management of epistaxis patients treated with packing as well as the underlying rationale. Explore the impact of experience, geography, and academic affiliation on treatment decisions.

Methods: An anonymous survey of antibiotic prescribing patterns for patients with epistaxis requiring nasal packing was distributed to all physician members of the American Rhinologic Society. Responses to each question were descriptively summarized including 95% confidence intervals and were linked to demographics using Fisher's exact tests.

Results: One thousand one hundred and thirteen surveys were distributed with 307 responses (27.6%). Antibiotic prescription rates varied based on packing type, with 20.0% prescribing antibiotics for dissolvable packing compared to 84.2% to 84.6% for nondissolvable packing. The absorbance of nondissolvable packing does not impact the decision to prescribe antibiotics (P > .999). Precisely 69.7% (95% CI: 64.0%-74.8%) stop antibiotics immediately following packing removal. Precisely 85.6% (95% CI: 81.6%-89.9%) cite the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) when prescribing antibiotics. Notable regional differences include greater utilization of amoxicillin-clavulanate in the Midwest (67.6%) and Northeast (61.4%) as compared with the South (42.1%) and West (45.1%) (P = .013). Further, years in practice were positively associated with several patterns including prescribing antibiotics for patients with dissolvable packing (P = .008), citing prevention of sinusitis as a rationale for antibiotic use (P < .001), and a higher likelihood of having treated a patient with TSS (P = .002).

Conclusions: Antibiotic use in patients with epistaxis controlled with nondissolvable packing is common. Treatment patterns are influenced by geography, years in practice, and practice type.

Level of evidence: 4.

Purpose: Intermittent hypoxia (IH) results in low-grade inflammation, sympathetic overactivity, and oxidative stress. However, the specific effects of IH on olfaction have not yet been directly assessed and remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of IH exposure on the mouse olfactory epithelium and the relationship between the concentration of hypoxia and the degree of destruction of the olfactory system.

Methods: Thirty mice were randomly divided into six groups: control (room air for 4 weeks), recovery control (room air for 5 weeks), IH 5% oxygen concentration, IH 7% oxygen concentration, recovery 5% hypoxia, and recovery 7% hypoxia groups. Mice in the two hypoxia groups were exposed to 5% and 7% oxygen for 4 weeks. Mice in the two recovery groups were exposed to room air for 1 week after 4 weeks of hypoxia period.

Results: Based on, the olfactory marker protein (OMP), Olfr1507, ADCY3, and GNAL were lower, whereas S100b and NGFRAP1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were higher in the 5% hypoxia group than those in the control group in the olfactory neuroepithelium. In the brain tissue, the changes in RNA analysis for Olfr 1507, OMP, ADCY, and GNAL mRNA were not typical. However, NeuN and GFAP levels were decreased under 5% hypoxia in the brain tissue. In the recovery state, CNPase, S100b and NeuN levels were increased significantly in both the olfactory neuroepithelium and brain tissue in the 5% hypoxia group. The change in RNA activity in PCR was much higher in the 5% hypoxia group than in the 7% hypoxia group.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IH damages the olfactory neuroepithelium and brain tissue in mouse model. The activity of olfactory marker genes and neurogenesis in the olfactory neuroepithelium were decreased. The levels of oxygen may be affect changes in the olfactory neuroepithelium. The olfactory ensheathing cell may be a major factor in the recovery of the olfactory neuroepithelium.

Background: Adult and elderly patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) undergo similar therapeutic management. Few studies have undertaken sinonasal tissue-level comparisons of these groups. This study examines histopathological differences between adults (>18, <65 years) and the elderly (≥65 years) with CRS, with the goal of optimizing medical management.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort analysis, demographic factors, comorbidities, and a structured histopathological report of 13 variables were compared across adult and elderly patients with CRS who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. These cohorts of adult and elderly patients included patients with and without nasal polyps (NP).

Results: Three hundred adult (158 aCRSsNP, 142 aCRSwNP) and 77 elderly (38 eCRSsNP, 39 eCRSwNP) patients were analyzed. Mean age of the adult cohort was 44.4 ± 12.4 years, while that of the elderly cohort was 71.9 ± 5.9 years (P < .001). Significantly more adults compared to elderly individuals demonstrated a positive atopic status (79.7% vs 64.0%, P = .004). Elderly patients exhibited higher rates of comorbid diabetes mellitus than adult patients (21.6% vs 10.3%, P = .009). Adults exhibited more tissue eosinophilia (43.4% vs 28.6%, P = .012) and presence of eosinophil aggregates (25.0% vs 14.3%, P = .029) compared to elderly patients, regardless of NP status. Conversely, the elderly demonstrated significantly more fungal elements (11.7% vs 3.0%, P = .004), and trended toward increased overall inflammation (63.6% vs 55.3%, P = .118) and tissue neutrophilia (35.1% vs 27.3%, P = .117), compared to adults.

Conclusion: Sinonasal tissue of adult and elderly patients with CRS demonstrates clear histopathological differences. Patient comorbidities, in addition to histopathological characterizations, may provide further context for management optimization.

Level of evidence: 2.

Short summary: Sinonasal tissue samples from adult and elderly patients with CRS demonstrate clear histopathological differences. These patient populations also exhibit unique comorbidities. These distinctions have the potential to inform and optimize management of this condition.

Background: Emergency room (ER) visits after surgery can be inconvenient and costly to the patient and the healthcare system. Estimates of the 30-day ER visit rate following ambulatory sinus procedures and their risk factors are largely unknown in the literature.

Objective: To determine the 30-day postoperative ER visit rate following ambulatory sinus procedures and the causes and risk factors associated with ER visits.

Methods: This is a retrospective, cohort study using data from the State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases (SASD) and the State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) for California, New York, and Florida in 2019. We identified adult (18 years old) patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent ambulatory sinus procedures from the SASD. Cases were linked to the SEDD to identify ER visits occurring within 30 days after the procedure. Logistic regression models were used to identify patient- and procedure-related risk factors associated with the 30-day postoperative ER visit.

Results: Among the 23 239 patients, the 30-day postoperative ER visit rate was 3.9%. The most common reason for ER visit was bleeding (32.7%). A total of 56.9% of the ER visits occurred within the first week. In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with ER visits included Medicare (odds ratio [OR] 1.29 [1.09-1.52], P  =  .003), Medicaid (OR 2.06 [1.69-2.51], P < .001), self-pay/no insurance (OR 1.44 [1.03-2.00], P  =  .031), chronic kidney disease/end-stage renal disease (OR 1.63 [1.06-2.51], P =  .027), chronic pain/opioid use (OR 2.70 [1.02-7.11], P  =  .045), and a disposition other than home (OR 12.61 [8.34-19.06], P < .001).

Conclusion: The most common reason for ER visit after ambulatory sinus procedures was bleeding. An increased ER visit rate was associated with certain demographic factors and medical comorbidities but not with procedure characteristics. This information can help us identify the patient populations who are at higher risk for ER visits to improve their postoperative recovery.

Background: Previous research has shown diminished nasal immune function following nasal saline irrigation (NSI), returning to baseline at 6 hours. The aim of this study was to examine the immune nasal proteome before and after 14 days of nasal irrigation.

Methods: Seventeen healthy volunteers received either isotonic (IsoSal) or low salt (LowNa) NSI. Nasal secretions were collected before and 30 min after NSI at baseline and again after 14 days. Specimens were analyzed using mass spectrometry to detect proteins of relevance to nasal immune function.

Results: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five proteins were identified with significant changes in 71 proteins, of which 23 were identified as part of the innate immune system. Baseline analysis demonstrated an increase of 9 innate proteins after NSI, most after IsoSal. After 14 days, a greater increase in innate peptides was present, with most now in the LowNa group. When NSI solutions were compared, a significant increase in 4 innate proteins, including a 211% in lysozyme, was detected in the LowNa group.

Conclusion: LowNa NSI demonstrates evidence of improving the innate immune secretions, especially lysozyme, in healthy volunteers.

Background: Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) is activated in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and leads to increased expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). However, the role of CHOP in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP remains unclear.

Methods: CHOP expression was detected by immunohistochemistry staining in nasal mucosa of control and CRSwNP patients. Co-localization of CHOP and cleaved caspase3, p-MLKL, and CD68 was detected by immunofluorescence staining in CRSwNP patients. TNFα, IFNγ, IL1β, LPS, and tunicamycin were added to primary dispersed nasal polyp cells (DNPCs) to explore their roles in cell death. Western blot, CCK8 assay, and flow cytometry were employed to detect cell death.

Results: CHOP was specifically activated in CRSwNP compared to controls. It was mainly macrophages that highly expressed CHOP, some of which underwent apoptosis and the other underwent necroptosis. IL1β induced increased CHOP and apoptosis, and a slight p-MLKL. In addition, ER stress could also promote p-MLKL expression. Whereas classical TNFα plus IFNγ and LPS did not induce increased necroptosis in DNPCs.

Conclusion: IL1β induced the apoptotic pathway and minor necroptosis. And ER stress also plays a role in the occurrence of necroptosis in CRSwNP.