Goran Geber

Histopathologic Parameters as Predictors of Response to Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Nonallergic Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the predictable value of histopathologic parameters in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) for response to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). STUDY DESIGN: Symptomatology was rated in 100 patients prior to as well as 12 and 24 months after surgery. Specimens taken during the procedure were examined and scored for goblet cells, subepithelial thickening, mast cells, and eosinophils. Multiple regression analysis was performed to predict the total score of subjective symptoms before treatment by histopathologic parameters. The correlation between histopathologic parameters and postoperative symptoms was then evaluated. RESULTS: Goblet cells were the best predictor correlating with 5 symptoms. Subepithelial thickening correlated with 4 symptoms. Mast cell infiltration correlated with 3 symptoms. Eosinophilic infiltration correlated with only one symptom (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Certain histopathologic parameters in CRS are predictive of favorable response to ESS. SIGNIFICANCE: Pathologic evaluation may help the ENT surgeon to predict the persistence of certain CRS symptoms after ESS, even in patients at low risk for surgical failure. EBM rating: C-4

Local IgE and inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis of asthmatics and non-asthmatics.

The aim of the study was to show the difference in the pattern of inflammation, and Th1/Th2 polarization between asthmatic and non-asthmatic patients with CRS, specifically eosinophil activation, local IgE levels in the sinus fluid and tissue, and the severity of inflammation were measured. The maxillary sinus lavages, mucosal biopsies and bacteriological swabs were taken in 17 asthmatic and 36 non-asthmatic adult patients with CRS. The concentrations of IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and tryptase were analyzed and IgE+ cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells were counted. The granulocyte activation markers and IgE in sinus lavages, and the inflammatory and IgE+ cells counts were significantly higher in the asthmatics with the greatest difference in ECP and IgE concentrations. The tryptase concentrations did not differ, but only in the asthmatics they correlated significantly with the IgE concentrations and IgE+ cells count. Asthmatic patients present a distinct subgroup among the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The levels of the cellular markers and IgE in the sinus fluid differ from those of non-asthmatic patients with CRS. The activation of granulocytes (especially eosinophils), local IgE concentrations and the inflammatory cells infiltration are significantly higher in the asthmatics.

Algorithm for navigated ESS.

ENT navigation has given new opportunities in performing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) and improving surgical outcome of the patients` treatment. ESS assisted by a navigation system could be called Navigated Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (NESS). As it is generally accepted that the NESS should be performed only in cases of complex anatomy and pathology, it has not yet been established as a state-of-the-art procedure and thus not used on a daily basis. This paper presents an algorithm for use of a navigation system for basic ESS in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The algorithm includes five units that should be highlighted using a navigation system. They are as follows: 1) nasal vestibule unit, 2) OMC unit, 3) anterior ethmoid unit, 4) posterior ethmoid unit, and 5) sphenoid unit. Each unit has a shape of a triangular pyramid and consists of at least four reference points or landmarks. As many landmarks as possible should be marked when determining one of the five units. Navigated orientation in each unit should always precede any surgical intervention. The algorithm should improve the learning curve of trainees and enable surgeons to use the navigation system routinely and systematically.

Females have stronger neurogenic response than males after non-specific nasal challenge in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis

Epidemiological studies show female predominance in the prevalence of non- allergic rhinitis (NAR) and local allergic rhinitis (LAR). Experimental studies show female patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) demonstrate higher levels of sensitivity to irritants and airway hyperresponsiveness than males. Bronchial asthma shows female predominance in post-puberty patients, and gender interaction with severe asthma endotypes. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine and chronic cough, syndromes, which are commonly related to neurokinin substance P (SP) in the literature, also show strong female predominance. Studies have demonstrated that sex hormones, primarily oestrogens, affect mast cell activation. Mast cell proteases can amplify neurogenic inflammatory responses including the release of SP. Based on human epidemiological data and animal experimental data we hypothesized that female patients have different interaction between mast cell activation and neurogenic inflammation, i.e. substance P release, resulting in a different nasal symptom profile. To test the hypothesis we performed allergen and non-specific nasal challenges in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) out of season and looked for gender differences in subjective and objective responses. The interaction between subjective and objective reactivity was evaluated through the comparison of subjective symptom scores, concentrations of neurokinin substance P (SP) and cellular markers in nasal lavages after low doses of nasal allergen challenges. Female allergic subjects tended to have higher substance P (SP) concentrations both before and after non-specific challenges. The difference between post-allergen and post - hypertonic saline (HTS) challenge was highly significant in female patients (p = 0.001), while insignificant in male subjects (p = 0.14). Female patients had significantly stronger burning sensation after HTS challenge than male. These data indicate difference in the interaction between inflammatory cells and the neurogenic response, which is gender- related, and which may affect symptom profiles after challenges. Different regulation of neurogenic inflammation in females may have impact on symptoms and endotyping in respiratory disorders, not only in allergic rhinitis, but also asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and irritant -induced cough.

08:36 AM: Predictors of Response to Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze histopathologic mucosal findings as predictors of response to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in allergic and nonallergic patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: Fifty allergic and 50 nonallergic patients with CRS who underwent ESS were enrolled in the study. Patients completed a questionnaire concerning sinusitis symptoms (congestion, discharge, nasal secretion, headache, sneezing, cough, facial swelling and olfaction) before intervention and at 12 and 24 months after surgery. The following histopathologic parameters were assessed: goblet cells, subepithelial thickening, mast cells and eosinophils. Multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate prediction of total score of subjective symptoms by histopathologic findings. The correlation between histopathologic findings and postoperative symptoms was then evaluated. The results in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Analysis showed prediction of improvement in total scores at 12 and 24 months after surgery by subepithelial thickening and mast cells in allergic patients (P 0.001). Analysis showed prediction of outcome in nonallergic patients (P 0.05) was not possible. The following histopathologic findings correlate with symptoms at both observed terms in allergic patients: goblet cells correlate with 3 symptoms as well as subepithelial thickening (P 0.005). Mast cells infiltration correlate with 1 symptom (P 0.005). Eosinophilic infiltration does not correlate with any symptom (P 0.05). In the nonallergic patients goblet cells correlate with 4 symptoms (P 0.005). Subepithelial thickening correlates with 3 symptoms (P 0.005). Mast cells infiltration correlates with 2 symptoms as well as eosinophilic infiltration (P 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Certain histopathologic findings in CRS are predictive of favorable response to ESS.

Endosinusal treatment impact and prognostic value of IL-5 in chronic maxillary sinusitis

Abstract Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate subjective outcomes in patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis after steroid/antibiotic endosinusal treatment. Furthermore, the aim was to test the hypothesis that pretreatment levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in sinus fluid could predict response to endosinusal steroid/antibiotic treatment. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis were recruited for the study. Patients were treated endosinusally with 2 mg dexamethasone and 40 mg gentamycine per maxillary sinus for 5 days. Patients rated nasal/CRS disease-specific symptoms and completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning sinusitis symptoms at inclusion and after 30 days. Sinus lavage, collected at inclusion, was analyzed for IL-5 concentration. Results: 56.6% of patients had improvement after endonasal treatment with decrease in symptoms (responders), and 43.4% were unchanged or worsened after treatment (nonresponders). Significant improvement was noted for overall sinusitis symptoms score (P = 0.02) and for obstruction, postnasal drip, headache, sneezing, and cough (P Conclusions: Steroid-antibiotic endosinusal treatment in patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis was proven effective in reducing subjective sinusitis symptoms. Improvement rate to endosinusal treatment is expected be higher in patients with increased level of IL-5 in maxillary sinus lavage. Increased concentrations of IL-5 in sinus fluid might be used as a predictor of a good response to endosinusal treatment of maxillary chronic sinusitis.