Richard A. Lebowitz

Chronic sinusitis complicating sinus lift surgery.

Sinusitis has been reported as a complication of sinus lift surgery with antral bone augmentation. The procedure involves the creation of a submucoperiosteal pocket in the floor of the maxillary sinus for placement of a graft consisting of autogenous, allogenic, or alloplastic material. This can result in inadvertent tearing of the mucoperiosteal flap with extrusion of graft material into the antrum. Obstruction of the sinus outflow tract by mucosal edema and particulate graft material may result in sinusitis. We will discuss the clinical presentation and management of 14 cases of chronic sinusitis following sinus lift surgery with alloplastic hydroxyapatite (HA) augmentation of the maxillary antrum.

Histopathologic evaluation of the ethmoid bone in chronic sinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is defined as a condition lasting for a period greater than 12 weeks, and manifested by an inflammatory response involving the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, fluids within these cavities, and/or the underlying bone. The mucosal changes that occur in CRS have been well described, and include edema, decreased number of ciliated cells, and goblet cell hyperplasia. However, the changes that may occur in the underlying ethmoid bone have only recently been investigated. We evaluated decalcified ethmoid bone specimens from 20 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS. Our analysis revealed histopathologic changes consistent with varying grades of bone remodeling. Polarized light microscopy demonstrated changes in the extracellular matrix, such as bone resorption and neo-osteogenesis. Preoperative clinical data and CT staging were recorded on all patients and correlated with the histopathologic findings. These findings suggest that CRS may be associated with osteitis of the underlying ethmoid bone.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage in the Management of CSF Leak Following Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

A retrospective analysis was performed on 174 patients operated on from 1992 to 1995 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuous lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CLCFD) in the management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks following acoustic neuroma surgery. There was a 17% incidence of CSF leak. CLCFD stopped the leak in 87% of cases. There were no cases of meningitis associated with CLCFD. One deep vein thrombosis was treated without sequelae. It is concluded that CLCFD is safe and efficacious. The authors recommend that CLCFD be implemented immediately when indicated, foregoing a trial of conservative therapy. Indications and precautions are discussed.

Anosmia and Chronic Sinus Disease

Chronic sinus disease associated with progressive mucosal disease is often a cause for anosmia. Despite aggressive allergic, medical, and surgical intervention, long-term relief of anosmia has been difficult to document. Fifty patients sought treatment for subjective anosmia and symptoms of progressive sinusitis and underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. After surgery 52% maintained significant improvement in smell by subjective measures that correlated with objective olfactory University of Pennsylvania Small Identification test (‘UPSIT’) results. Of the remaining patients, some had intermittent improvement, but most remained hyposmic or anosmic despite clinically well-healed ethmoid surgical beds. Of the preoperative and postoperative historical, clinical, and radiological data analyzed, severity of the presenting sinus disease (defined as stage II in the Kennedy staging criteria or disease extending beyond the ethmoids on preoperative computed tomography scan) and persistent mucosal disease in the surgical bed are associated with persistent anosmia (p = 0.005).

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis

Isam Alobid, MD, PhD1, Nithin D. Adappa, MD2, Henry P. Barham, MD3, Thiago Bezerra, MD4, Nadieska Caballero, MD5, Eugene G. Chang, MD6, Gaurav Chawdhary, MD7, Philip Chen, MD8, John P. Dahl, MD, PhD9, Anthony Del Signore, MD10, Carrie Flanagan, MD11, Daniel N. Frank, PhD12, Kai Fruth, MD, PhD13, Anne Getz, MD14, Samuel Greig, MD15, Elisa A. Illing, MD16, David W. Jang, MD17, Yong Gi Jung, MD18, Sammy Khalili, MD, MSc19, Cristobal Langdon, MD20, Kent Lam, MD21, Stella Lee, MD22, Seth Lieberman, MD23, Patricia Loftus, MD24, Luis Macias‐Valle, MD25, R. Peter Manes, MD26, Jill Mazza, MD27, Leandra Mfuna, MD28, David Morrissey, MD29, Sue Jean Mun, MD30, Jonathan B. Overdevest, MD, PhD31, Jayant M. Pinto, MD32, Jain Ravi, MD33, Douglas Reh, MD34, Peta L. Sacks, MD35, Michael H. Saste, MD36, John Schneider, MD, MA37, Ahmad R. Sedaghat, MD, PhD38, Zachary M. Soler, MD39, Neville Teo, MD40, Kota Wada, MD41, Kevin Welch, MD42, Troy D. Woodard, MD43, Alan Workman44, Yi Chen Zhao, MD45, David Zopf, MD46

Initial report on postoperative healing after endoscopic sinus surgery with the microdebrider.

Synechiae formation is a frequent occurrence after endoscopic sinus surgery and may cause symptomatic sinus outflow tract obstruction. Various means are used to reduce the incidence of synechiae formation. These include meticulous operative technique, partial middle turbinate resection, middle meatus spacers or stents, and postoperative debridement. The microdebrider is a powered rotary shaving device that precisely resects tissue, minimizing inadvertent mucosal trauma and stripping. We present 40 cases of endoscopic sinus surgery performed with the microdebrider. Patients had at least a 5-month follow-up and demonstrated rapid mucosal healing, minimal crust formation, and a low incidence of synechiae formation. These initial data suggest that the microdebrider may be advantageous in surgery for chronic sinusitis. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:800–3.

Asymmetry of the Ethmoid Roof: Analysis Using Coronal Computed Tomography†

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine the incidence and degree of asymmetry in the height and contour of the ethmoid roof.

Nasal obstruction and sleep-disordered breathing: a study using acoustic rhinometry.

Background The relationship between nasal airway function and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) remains unclear. Although correction of nasal obstruction can significantly improve nighttime breathing in some patients, nasal obstruction may not play a role in all cases of SDB. An effective method of stratifying these patients is needed. Acoustic rhinometry (AR) is a reliable, noninvasive method of measuring the dimensions of the nasal airway. Methods In 44 patients, we performed acoustic rhinometric measurements of nasal airway cross-sectional area, followed by hospital-based polysomnography and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) level titration. We compared anatomic nasal obstruction to perceived nasal obstruction, as well as respiratory distress index and nCPAP titration level, using the Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis within body mass index groups. Results Perceived nasal obstruction correlated significantly with objective anatomic obstruction as measured by AR (r = 0.45, p < 0.01). For certain subgroup analyses inpatients with a body mass index below 25, AR measurements correlated significantly with both nCPAP titration pressure (r = 0.85, p < 0.01) and respiratory distress index (r = 0.67, p = 0.03). Conclusion Nasal airway function may be a significant component of SDB in some patients, perhaps playing a larger role in patients who are not overweight. The best responders to nasal surgery for SDB may be nonoverweight patients with nasal obstruction. AR along with nasal examination may be helpful in the evaluation and treatment of the SDB patient.

Flat panel cone beam computed tomography of the sinuses

Objective: This study aims to compare the image quality and potential diagnostic accuracy of paranasal sinus CT scans generated by flat panel cone beam CT at three specific data acquisition times. Study Design: Prospective, single blinded analysis. Subjects and Methods: Eleven patients without previous radiologic evaluation were selected based on history and findings suspicious for chronic sinusitis. Each patient was scanned at three different acquisition times: 10, 20, and 40 seconds. A panel of neuroradiologists and otolaryngologists, blinded to the scan acquisition time, individually reviewed images and rated overall image quality and visualization of specific anatomic sites. Image noise values were also calculated. Techniques were compared with a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed ranks test. Results: Compared to the 10-second acquisition time, the 40- and 20-second acquisition time techniques had significantly better image quality (P < 0.05) and image noise (P < 0.05). No difference in image quality and image noise existed between the 20- and 40-second techniques. No difference in visualization of specific anatomic structures existed between any of the time techniques. Conclusion: The quality of flat panel CT imaging of the sinuses directly relates to scan time and thus radiation dose.

Role of local immunoglobulin E specific for Alternaria alternata in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis.

Objective/Hypothesis: The role of fungal pathogens in the etiology of nasal polyposis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a correlation between the presence of Alternaria‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies, eosinophilic inflammation, and the development of nasal polyps.