Jennifer C. Fuller

Assessment of the EuroQol 5-Dimension Questionnaire for Detection of Clinically Significant Global Health-Related Quality-of-Life Improvement Following Functional Septorhinoplasty

Importance Nasal airway obstruction is a common presenting complaint among patients in otolaryngology practices, and its treatment necessitates critical outcomes evaluation and cost-utility analysis. Objective To evaluate the utility and applicability of the EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ5D) global health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) questionnaire for the assessment of clinical outcomes in functional septorhinoplasty. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective cohort study at a university-based tertiary medical center of patients undergoing functional septorhinoplasty for treatment of nasal obstruction. Interventions Patient demographic characteristics, operative intervention, and preoperative and postoperative Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and EQ5D scores were collected and analyzed between November 2013 and June 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures Comparison of preoperative and postoperative EQ5D and NOSE scores at 2 and 6 or more months following surgery (long-term follow-up). Results A total of 135 patients (56.3% male; mean [SD] age, 36.8 [14.8] years) completed EQ5D and NOSE surveys preoperatively and postoperatively, with mean (SD) follow-up of 5.82 (4.1) months. Of these, 117 completed the 2-month survey and 64 completed their last survey at 6 or more months. Baseline NOSE and EQ5D visual analog scale (VAS) scores were moderately correlated (r = −0.37, P < .001) as were changes in NOSE and EQ5D VAS scores at long-term follow-up (r = −0.33, P = .007). Mean baseline NOSE score of 64.3 (95% CI, 60.5-68.2) decreased to 24.8 (95% CI, 18.8-30.9) at long-term follow-up (P < .001). The frequency of patients reporting problems in the EQ5D domains of pain/discomfort and usual activity decreased by more than half in the long-term follow-up group (30 [47%] vs 14 [22%] and 11 [17%] vs 4 [6%]; P = .002 and .02, respectively). The minimal clinically important difference of the EQ5D VAS score was calculated at 9.5. The EQ5D VAS scores had statistically and clinically significant improvement at long-term follow-up in patients with NOSE score improvements of 30 to 60 points (EQ5D VAS increased from mean [SD] of 72.3 [20] to 85.9 [10]; P < .001) and 65 to 100 points (EQ5D VAS increased from mean [SD] of 66.2 [25] to 82.0 [13]; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance The EQ5D, a global HRQoL instrument, was able to detect clinically significant improvement following functional septorhinoplasty for nasal obstruction. Nasal valve correction improved not only disease-specific quality of life but also global HRQoL. The ability to calculate health utility values from the EQ5D and its low response burden make it an attractive tool for septorhinoplasty outcomes research. Level of Evidence 4.

Polydioxanone plates are safe and effective for L-strut support in functional septorhinoplasty: PDS Plate Use in Septorhinoplasty

To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and result stability of polydioxanone (PDS) plate use for L‐strut stabilization.

Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow as an Objective Measure of Nasal Obstruction and Functional Septorhinoplasty Outcomes

Author Contributions: Ms Yim and Dr Leitman had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: All authors. Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors. Drafting of the manuscript: All authors. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors. Statistical analysis: Ferrandino, Leitman. Administrative, technical, or material support: Yim, Ferrandino, Chelnis. Study supervision: Chelnis, Leitman.

Update on Surgical Outcomes of Lateral Temporal Bone Resection for Ear and Temporal Bone Malignancies

Objectives Review outcomes of lateral temporal bone resections for ear and temporal bone malignancy. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of all lateral temporal bone resections performed from 2008 to 2015 at a single tertiary care center. Main Outcome Measures Patient demographics, perioperative variables, overall survival, disease‐free survival (DFS), and comparison of Kaplan‐Meier curves. Results Overall, 56 patients were identified with a mean follow‐up period of 2.3 ± 1.8 years. The predominant histopathologic diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, 54%), followed by salivary gland tumors (18%), and basal cell carcinoma (9%). Tumor stages were T1‐T2 in 23%, T3‐T4 in 73%, and two unknown primary lesions. Mean overall survival was 4.6 ± 0.4 years. Comparison of tumors with and without lymph node involvement or perineural invasion approached statistical significance for overall survival (p = 0.07 and 0.06, respectively). DFS was 2.5 ± 0.3 years. Stratification by lymph node status had a statistically significant difference in DFS (p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis of SCC patients did not reveal significant differences. Conclusions Based on our cohort, most patients with temporal bone malignancies present with advanced disease, making it difficult to achieve negative margins. Overall, lymph node status was the strongest predictor of survival in this group.

Chiari malformations: An important cause of pediatric aspiration

Chronic aspiration poses a major health risk to the pediatric population. We describe four cases in which work up for chronic aspiration with a brain MRI revealed a Chiari I malformation, a poorly described etiology of pediatric aspiration. All patients had at least one non-specific neurologic symptom but had swallow studies more characteristic of an anatomic than a neurologic etiology. Patients were referred to neurosurgery and underwent posterior fossa decompression with symptom improvement. A high index of suspicion for Chiari malformation should be maintained when the standard work up for aspiration is non-diagnostic, particularly when non-specific neurologic symptoms are present.

Peak nasal inspiratory flow is a useful measure of nasal airflow in functional septorhinoplasty: Septorhinoplasty Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow

To evaluate the utility of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) as a measure of nasal airflow and functional septorhinoplasty (FSRP) outcomes.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of Nasal Airway Obstruction: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

Importance Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is a common complaint in the otolaryngologist’s office and can have a negative influence on quality of life (QOL). Existing diagnostic methods have improved, but little consensus exists on optimal tools. Furthermore, although surgical techniques for nasal obstruction continue to be developed, effective outcome measurement is lacking. An update of recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic management of NAO is warranted. Objective To review advances in diagnosis and treatment of NAO from the last 5 years. Evidence Review PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, LILACS, Web of Science, and Guideline.gov were searched with the terms nasal obstruction and nasal blockage and their permutations from July 26, 2012, through October 23, 2017. Studies were included if they evaluated NAO using a subjective and an objective technique, and in the case of intervention-based studies, the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and an objective technique. Exclusion criteria consisted of animal studies; patients younger than 14 years; nasal foreign bodies; nasal masses including polyps; choanal atresia; sinus disease; obstructive sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing; allergic rhinitis; and studies not specific to nasal obstruction. Findings The initial search resulted in 942 articles. After independent screening by 2 investigators, 46 unique articles remained, including 2 randomized clinical trials, 3 systematic reviews, 3 meta-analyses, and 39 nonrandomized cohort studies (including a combined systematic review and meta-analysis). An aggregate of approximately 32 000 patients were reviewed (including meta-analyses). Of the subjective measures available for NAO, the NOSE scale is outstanding with regard to disease-specific validation and correlation with symptoms. No currently available objective measure can be considered a criterion standard. Structural measures of flow, pressure, and volume appear to be necessary but insufficient to assess NAO. Therefore, novel variables and techniques must continue to be explored in search of an ideal instrument to aid in assessment of surgical outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance Nasal airway obstruction is a clinical diagnosis with considerable effects on QOL. An adequate diagnosis begins with a focused history and physical examination and requires a patient QOL measure such as the NOSE scale. Objective measures should be adjunctive and require further validation for widespread adoption. These results are limited by minimal high-quality evidence among studies and the risk of bias in observational studies. Level of Evidence NA

Functional septorhinoplasty in the pediatric and adolescent patient

OBJECTIVES To describe pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing functional septorhinoplasty and to analyze both subjective and objective outcomes. METHODS Retrospective review of prospective cohort study of patients ≤18 years old undergoing functional septorhinoplasty between 2013 and 2016 at a tertiary care center. Patient demographics, nasal exam, procedure, and pre- and postoperative nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) score, EuroQOL 5-dimension (EQ5D), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) scores were analyzed. RESULTS 39 patients, 48.7% male, mean age 15.9 years (range 7-18), with nasal obstruction underwent functional septorhinoplasty with mean follow up of 8.5 months. Patients reported a history of allergies (46.5%), nasal fracture (59.0%), and previous nasal surgery (25.6%). Most common exam findings included internal nasal valve narrowing (92.3%), superior/dorsal septal deviation (74.4%), external nasal valve narrowing (43.6%), caudal septal deviation (35.9%), and a narrow middle vault (33.3%). Septal cartilage grafts were placed in 79.5% of patients and PDS plate was used in 28.2%. Most common procedures included spreader grafts (84.6%), columellar strut graft (30.8%), and swinging door (23.1%). Of patients with both baseline and postoperative scores, at last follow up NOSE scores (SD) decreased from 59.0 (23.7) to 21.2 (8.8) (n = 26, p < 0.001), EQ5D VAS scores increased from 76.2 (17.7) to 85.8 (13.5), (n = 19, p = 0.056), and PNIF scores increased from 66.2 (25.3) to 90.8 (46) L/min, (n = 13, p < 0.01); all mean differences met the minimal clinically important difference for each score. 2 patients underwent revision surgery and there was one complication of a nasal abscess. CONCLUSIONS Functional septorhinoplasty is safe and effective in select pediatric and adolescent patients with significant nasal obstruction and results in significant improvements in both subjective and objective outcomes measures.