Jacquelynne P. Corey

A Comparison of the Nasal Cross-Sectional Areas and Volumes Obtained with Acoustic Rhinometry and Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

Acoustic rhinometry (AR) evaluates the geometry of the nasal cavity with acoustic reflections and provides information about nasal cross-sectional areas (CSA) and nasal volume within a given distance. The accuracy of the information obtained by AR was compared with that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the nasal cavity. Five healthy subjects were evaluated with AR and the MRI before and after the application of a long-acting nasal decongestant spray, to eliminate possible interference of the nasal cycle with both measurement techniques. The MRI images of 2 mm coronal sections of the nasal cavity were traced by three independent observers and the CSAs were calculated by computer-aided imaging digitization, to be compared with the calculated CSAs obtained with the AR at the corresponding distance from the nasal tip. Digitized data from the MRI images were also used to calculate the nasal volume within the first 6 cm from the nasal tip and compared with the AR volume measurements. The interobserver variation of digitized MRI data predecongestant and postdecongestant was not significant. The correlations of CSA and volume measurements between the AR and MRI were high (0.969) after the application of the decongestant. The correlation between the AR and MRI measurements before the decongestant was low (0.345). This may have been the result of interference of the nasal cycle during the long MRI measurements (1 hour) or other unknown factors. We conclude that AR measurements of nasal CSAs and volumes provide accurate information when compared with the MRI of the decongested nasal airway.

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis: Allergic, Infectious, or Both?

Allergic fungal sinusitis is a benign noninvasive sinus disease related to a hypersensitivity reaction to fungal antigens. A wide variety of fungal agents has been implicated, with the vast majority belonging to the Dematiaceae family. Allergic fungal sinusitis should be suspected in any atopic patient with refractory nasal polyps. Sinus computed tomograms and magnetic resonance imaging findings can be quite distinctive, but not diagnostic. Diagnosis requires histopathologic examination, which shows characteristic allergic mucin. Hyphae can be demonstrated on special fungal stains or confirmed by a positive fungal culture. At surgery, the diagnosis should be considered if thick, tenacious allergic mucin is encountered in the atopic patient with nasal polyps. Fungal cultures should then be obtained, and the pathologist alerted to the possible diagnosis of allergic fungal sinusitis. Current recommendations for therapy include conservative but complete exenteration of all allergic mucin. This can often be accomplished endoscopically. Adjunctive short-term systemic steroids are often helpful, and nasal steroid sprays should be continued long term. The length and dose of steroid therapy is controversial. Persistence of allergic fungal sinusitis with recurrence of sinonasal symptoms is common, particularly when there has been incomplete eradication of allergic fungal mucin. Even when the patient is clinically disease free, recurrence can occur, presumably from reexposure to fungal antigens. Therefore close clinical, endoscopic, and radiographic follow-up is important.

Normative standards for nasal cross-sectional areas by race as measured by acoustic rhinometry

Acoustic rhinometry evaluates the geometry of the nasal cavity with acoustic reflections and provides information about nasal cross-sectional area and nasal volume within a given distance. Variations in internal nasal diameters have attracted increased interest since the advent of endoscopic surgical techniques. Race is known to be one of the most important factors affecting the nasal structure. In this study, we evaluated 106 healthy adult volunteers with acoustic rhinometry to determine internal nasal diameters and volumes and obtained normative data for four racial/ethnic groups. The data were analyzed with regard to race, sex, height, and weight. All measurements were made before and after the application of a topical nasal decongestant so that the effects of the nasal cycle were eliminated by decongestion.

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis: Pathophysiology, epidemiology, and diagnosis

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is believed to have a cause similar to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Both are thought to be mediated by both type I (IgE) and type III (IgE-antigen immune complexes) Gell and Coombs reactions. ABPA patients also exhibit unique characteristics, such as HLA-DR2 or HLA-DR5 genotypes, and elevated suppressor T cell activity. While the pathophysiology of AFRS is similar histopathologically, similar immunologic studies have not been as well documented. Most cases of AFRS involve dematiaceous fungi, rather than Aspergillus. A suggested laboratory work-up for the disease is presented.

Comparison of complications following frontal sinus fractures managed with exploration with or without obliteration over 10 years

Two hundred twelve patients were treated for facial or skull trauma at the West Virginia University Hospital between the years 1977 and 1987. Sixty‐she of these patients had frontal sinus or nasofrontal duct trauma. Follow‐up information was obtained on 64 of these patients through clinic visits, chart review, questionnaires to patients and physicians, and telephone calls to the patients. Follow‐up greater than 1 year was obtained on 52 patients. Sixty‐four patients were managed either with a frontal sinus obliteration or with an open exploratory procedure. The incidence of complications occurring in the past 10 years after each of these procedures is compared. Because the indications for each procedure vary somewhat, data is presented on fracture etiology, associated injuries, specific fracture location, fracture displacement, severity of injury, and associated cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

Anatomic correlates of acoustic rhinometry as measured by rigid nasal endoscopy

Acoustic rhinometry (AR) evaluates the cross-sectional areas and volume of the nasal cavity through acoustic reflections. Successive valleys displayed on an AR graph are believed to correspond to anatomic landmarks. To assess the anatomic accuracy of AR, we performed AR and endoscopic measurements with a rigid endoscope in 85 normal human subjects after topical decongestion. Endoscopic measurements were recorded for distances between the midcolumella and the nasal valve, the anterior end of the inferior turbinate, the anterior end of the middle turbinate, the midportion of the middle turbinate, and the posterior nasopharynx. The first AR valley most closely corresponded with endoscopic measurements of the nasal valve. The second valley had a mean value that corresponded with the anterior end of the inferior turbinate. The third valley matched best with the values of the anterior end of the middle turbinate. Nasopharyngeal measurements by each modality yielded a good agreement. AR appears to correspond to nasal anatomic landmarks but not in an exact point-to-point manner.

Fungal Diseases of the Sinuses

With recent advances in medicine, fungal diseases are becoming not only better understood, but also increasingly important in the management of patients with paranasal sinus disease. Fungal sinus diseases run the gamut from allergic fungal rhinitis and allergic fungal sinusitis, through fungus balls, to invasive and fulminant fungal sinusitis. Allergic fungal sinusitis may be thought of as the sinus counterpart of allergic bronchopulmonary fungal disease. Patients typically are first seen with chronic sinusitis. They may be atopic, and the peripheral blood often shows elevated IgE levels and absolute eosinophil counts. Such patients may be managed conservatively, requiring only surgical drainage and corticosteroid therapy. Fungus balls are typified by the so-called “aspergilloma.” Although patients often have some predisposing factor, such as local tissue hypoxia or massive fungal exposure, most patients are not immunocompromised. Fungus balls may be treated with the traditional Caldwell-Luc operation or with newer endoscopic procedures. Invasive or fulminant fungal sinusitis generally occurs in immunosuppressed patients and merits aggressive surgical excision and debridement, as well as systemic chemotherapy, usually amphotericin B. In this article, we review fungal disease of the paranasal sinuses and present findings from our review of patients with chronic sinusitis.

Orbital Complications in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Endoscopic sinus surgery can result in both minor and major complications. Among these, orbital complications—including retroorbital hematoma—are among the most feared. Injuries can be direct or indirect from pulling on diseased structures. A retrospective chart review of 616 endoscopic sinus procedures revealed eight orbital complications in seven patients. These included two medial rectus injuries, five orbital hemorrhages, and one nasolacrimal duct injury. Predisposing factors may include hypertension, lamina papyracia dehiscences, extensive polypoid disease, previous surgery, inability to visualize the maxillary ostia, violent coughing or sneezing, and chronic steroid use. Suggested management in the literature includes lateral canthotomy, steroids, and mannitol with ophthalmologic consultation. Opening of the wound by means of an external ethmoidectomy incision has also been suggested. We suggest that adding orbital decompression by means of multiple incisions into the periorbita should be added for fully effective relief. A “management” tree of decision parameters relevant to orbital complications is presented.

The role of leukotrienes in nasal allergy

OBJECTIVE: This review focuses on the role of cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) in nasal allergy. The purpose was to provide knowledge of the role of cysLTs in the pathophysiology of nasal allergy and the role of antileukotrienes in the treatment of nasal allergies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a literature review. RESULTS: The proinflammatory effects of cysLTs have been well described in asthma. Antileukotrienes have proved to be an effective anti-inflammatory treatment for asthma patients. Similar to pathogenesis of asthma, cysLTs exert potent inflammatory effects in the upper airways and play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and other nasal allergies. CONCLUSION: Antileukotriene treatment appears to be beneficial in nasal allergies. Allergic rhinitis is a complex, IgE-mediated inflammatory disease of the upper airways. It is the most common allergic disease, occurring in 10% to 30% of adults and up to 30% of children. It may be perennial or seasonal. Sneezing, itching, watery rhinorrhea, and nasal obstruction are classic symptoms. It may impair cognition, school/work performance and productivity, behavior, mood, and quality of life. On physical examination, clear secretions, nasal congestion, pink-bluish nasal mucosa, the allergic salute, and allergic shiners may be detected. Allergic rhinitis is a common comorbid condition with asthma, sinusitis, otitis media, nasal polyposis, and respiratory infections.

Acoustic rhinometry findings in patients with mild sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Nasal obstruction may contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Acoustic rhinometry (AR) measures nasal patency and congestion, which are useful parameters in objectively evaluating nasal obstruction. The nasal obstruction produced by allergic rhinitis may contribute to the development of OSA and can be easily assessed with AR. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the degree of nasal obstruction seen in allergic patients with and without OSA. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This study was a retrospective data analysis from a tertiary referral center. The AR data from 10 patients with and 40 patients without mild OSA were compared. RESULTS: The mean congestion factors at the first cross-sectional area (CSA1) on the AR graph were found to be significantly higher in the OSA group than in the non-OSA group (P = 0.03). The classification of change in congestion factors demonstrated significant differences at CSA1, CSA2, and CSA3 and in volume (***t distributions <0.001, 0.0312, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). The non-OSA patients noted a significant subjective improvement in nasal congestion after topical nasal decongestion, whereas the OSA patients did not (P < 0.0001 and 0.064, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although the role of nasal obstruction in OSA is controversial, our study lends evidence to the thought that the nasal obstruction associated with allergic rhinitis is associated with the presence of mild OSA. SIGNIFICANCE: Whether allergic rhinitis is a direct cause of OSA is debatable, but we have shown that greater nasal congestion is related to the presence of OSA in a population of patients with allergic rhinitis.