Charles W. Gross

Chronic Sinusitis: Relationship of Computed Tomographic Findings to Allergy, Asthma, and Eosinophilia

OBJECTIVE To develop a technique for evaluating the severity of chronic sinus disease and to examine the correlation with allergy, asthma, and eosinophilia. DESIGN A survey of 104 patients undergoing surgery for chronic sinusitis. SETTING A university hospital ear, nose, and throat clinic. PATIENTS A referral population of adult patients being scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery was eligible; 104 completed questionnaires and agreed to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Computed tomographic scans were reviewed and scored for extent of disease. Serum samples were assayed for total IgE and specific IgE antibodies to common inhalant allergens. Peripheral blood samples were analyzed for total eosinophil count. Surgical biopsy specimens were examined for eosinophilia and cultured for bacteria and fungi. RESULTS Extensive disease was present in 39% of subjects and correlated well with asthma, specific IgE antibodies, and eosinophilia, but not with elevated total IgE. Among patients with peripheral eosinophilia, 87% had extensive disease. All cultures grew aerobic bacteria; anaerobes and fungi were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS We present a system for quantitation of disease extent using computed tomographic scans of patients with chronic sinusitis. The well-accepted associations of chronic sinusitis with asthma and allergy appear to be restricted to the group with extensive disease. The presence of peripheral eosinophilia in patients with sinusitis indicates a high likelihood of extensive disease.

Suppurative intracranial complications of sinusitis

Objectives: To familiarize the contemporary surgeon with the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and appropriate management of suppurative intracranial complications of sinusitis. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: All patients admitted to the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center with a diagnosis of intracranial suppuration between 1992 and 1997 were reviewed. Results: One hundred seventy‐six cases were identified, of which 15 patients had 22 suppurative intracranial complications of sinusitis. These were epidural abscess (23%), subdural empyema (18%), meningitis (18%), cerebral abscess (14%), superior sagittal sinus thrombosis (9%), cavernous sinus thrombosis (9%), and osteomyelitis (9%). Conclusions: The diagnosis of suppurative intracranial complications of sinusitis requires a high index of suspicion and confirmation by imaging. Central to the success of treatment is the management of the primary source of sepsis within the paranasal sinuses in combination with neurosurgical drainage and intravenous antibiotics. This approach has resulted in a mortality rate of 7% and morbidity of 13%, which compare favorably with previous series. Laryngoscope, 108:1635–1642, 1998

Modified transnasal endoscopic lothrop procedure as an alternative to frontal sinus obliteration.

Persistent frontal sinusitis traditionally has been treated with external procedures such as osteoplastic frontal sinus obliteration or the Lynch procedure. Currently, functional endoscopic sinus surgery can be used in most cases to remove disease from the frontal recess, the most frequent site of frontal sinus obstruction, thereby relieving the sinusitis. In some cases, however, frontal recess exploration has failed to relieve the obstruction of the frontal sinus, necessitating an osteoplastic frontal sinus obliteration. We present our experience with a transnasal modification of the Lothrop procedure. The Lothrop procedure, first described in 1914, uses a combined external and transnasal approach to resect the median frontal sinus floor, superior nasal septum, and intersinus septum to drain the frontal sinus. This procedure was largely abandoned and forgotten by modern otolaryngologists. However, with the advent of the computed tomography scan and endoscopic techniques, we sought to reassess the basic tenant of the Lothrop procedure (i.e., wide median frontal sinus drainage). An anatomic study of cadaver heads was performed to quantify the surprisingly large potential opening and to better understand the pertinent anatomy. This procedure was performed on 10 patients, with no resulting complications and no failure to maintain patency of the frontal sinus drainage throughout the follow-up period (mean, 7 months). We are encouraged by our initial favorable results and intend to use the procedure in the future as needs arise.

Preliminary report: endoscopic versus external surgery in the management of inverting papilloma.

Since January 1977, twenty‐four patients with inverting papilloma of the nose and paranasal sinuses have been treated at the University of Virginia. Two patients had bilateral disease, for a total of 26 surgically treated sides. Patients were aged from 10 to 83 years, and 71% were male. Most tumors originated on the lateral nasal wall, with 62% involving the adjacent sinuses. Nineteen sides were treated by external approach and 7 were treated intranasally. There was a total of 5 recurrences in 4 patients and no associated squamous cell carcinomas. Seven patients were treated with endoscopic excision (4 primary tumors and 3 recurrences). There have been no recurrences since endoscopic treatment. These preliminary data give further evidence that endoscopic excision is a viable surgical option for many inverting papillomas.

Transnasal Endoscopic Repair of Cranionasal Fistulae: A Refined Technique With Long‐term Follow‐up

Although the management of cranionasal fistulae has historically plagued otolaryngologists, recent reports of endoscopic techniques for repair of these lesions offer promising results. We present our series of 42 patients whose cranionasal fistulae were managed endoscopically between December 1989 and August 1995. Follow‐up ranged from 5 to 68 months, thereby including long‐term results from our previously reported series of 29 cases. Resolution of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea was achieved in 35 (83.3%) of 42 patients with one endoscopic procedure, and 3 patients had successful closure at a second surgery. All five cephaloceles were successfully treated with one procedure. We have refined our technique to include specific indications for the use of free grafts depending on the location and size of the cranionasal fistula.

Aggressive Endoscopic Resection of Inverted Papilloma: An Update:

Objective: Endoscopic resection has been proposed for sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP). Our objective was to determine the efficacy of aggressive endoscopic resection of IP. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients undergoing endoscopic resection of IP at the University of Virginia between 1990 and 1996. Total ethmoidectomies, wide maxillary antrostomies, frontal recess explorations, sphenoidotomies, and turbinate resection were performed as required. Once all visible papilloma was removed, residual mucosa was removed by using a diamond burr to polish bone at the site of origin. Results: Twenty-one patients were treated with endoscopic resection of IP. Only 1 of 21 patients had an adjunctive external procedure (an osteoplastic flap without obliteration). Average follow-up was 41.9 months after initial aggressive endoscopic resection at the ureterovesical angle. Recurrences occurred in 19% (4/21) of patients. One of the 4 had two recurrences. Recurrences occurred in 16 months or less, except for one noted at 35 months and another at 56 months. Conclusions: Aggressive endoscopic resection of IP by experienced rhinologists is an acceptable treatment.

MORBIDITY IN PEDIATRIC TONSILLECTOMY

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations performed in the pediatric age group. Previous literature on morbidity in tonsillectomy has dealt predominantly with postoperative hemorrhage. Children undergoing tonsillectomy were divided in a prospective and random fashion into eight study groups to evaluate postoperative morbidity as it relates to the surgical technique used (electrocautery, dissection, KTP laser), methods of hemostasis (electrocautery, suture ligature), and the use of postoperative antibiotics. A total of 80 children were evaluated. Using the parameters of morbidity as defined in this study, blunt dissection tonsillectomy using suture ligatures for hemostasis, without postoperative antibiotics was found to result in the least morbidity in the pediatric age group.

Modified transnasal endoscopic Lothrop procedure : further considerations

The Lothrop procedure resects the medial frontal sinus floor, superior nasal septum, and intersinus septum to create a large frontonasal communication. However, the external approach often allowed medial collapse of soft tissue and stenosis of the nasofrontal communication. We describe a modified transnasal endoscopic Lothrop procedure in which drills are used for cases in which frontal recess exploration fails to relieve obstruction of the frontal sinus. The lateral bony walls are preserved, and medial collapse does not occur. The mucosa of the posterior table and posterior nasofrontal duct is preserved, and a single common frontal opening is created. We have found this approach to be safe and reliable. Fourteen patients have undergone this procedure without complication, achieving resolution or improvement of their symptoms and maintaining wide patency of the frontonasal opening. We recognize that long‐term follow‐up will be required but remain encouraged with our favorable results to date.

Endoscopic Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea

Purpose: Most anterior skull base defects causing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea can be readily approached using endoscopic techniques when surgical repair is necessary. We present our data from endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea with long‐term follow‐up.

Endoscopic management of benign sinonasal tumors: a decade of experience.

Background A variety of benign tumors present in the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Methods We review our experience over the last 10 years with endoscopic management of these tumors and discuss presentation, diagnostic considerations, and therapeutic options. Results Eighteen patients with benign sinonasal tumors were managed with endoscopic techniques. Representative cases are presented, including pleomorphic adenoma, ameloblastoma, meningioma, cholersterol granuloma, ossifying fibroma, fibrous dysplasia, and osteomas. Three patients (16.7%) required one revision endoscopic sinus procedure. Average follow-up was 4 years. Conclusions With the treatment of more complex cases being undertaken endoscopically, the need for individual therapeutic consideration and close follow-up is stressed. The combination of removal of benign tumors endoscopically and endoscopic surveillance in the outpatient setting has allowed a less radical surgical approach while resulting in decreased morbidity and better tumor control.