Search

Asthma, with several phenotypes and endotypes, is considered particularly suited for precision medicine. The identification of different non-invasive biomarkers may facilitate diagnosis and treatment. Recently, Staphylococcus aureus and its enterotoxins (SE) have been found to have a role in inducing persistent type 2 airway inflammation in severe asthma, but also in such comorbidities as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of SE-IgE sensitization in a multicentric Italian cohort of severe asthmatic patients and correlate it with demographic and clinical characteristics.A total of 249 patients were included in the analysis, out of which 25.3% were staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-IgE positive. We found a meaningful association between SEB-IgE and female gender, a positive association was also measured between CRS and CRSwNP. No significant association was found between SEB-IgE sensitization and atopy, the occurrence of exacerbations and corticosteroid dosages. In the SEB-IgE-positive patient, blood eosinophil count does not appear to be correlated with the severity of the disease. Patients with SEB-IgE sensitization are, on average, younger and with an earlier disease onset, thus confirming the possibility to consider SEB-IgE sensitization as an independent risk factor for developing asthma.Our data confirm that the search for SE in the initial screening phase of these patients is helpful to better phenotype them, may predict the evolution of comorbidities and lead to a targeted therapeutic choice; in this point of view this represents a goal of precision medicine.

Achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant genetic disease representing the most common form of human skeletal dysplasia: almost all individuals with achondroplasia have identifiable mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor type 3 (FGFR3) gene. The cardinal features of this condition and its inheritance have been well-established, but the occurrence of feeding and nutritional complications has received little prominence. In infancy, the presence of floppiness and neurological injury due to foramen magnum stenosis may impair the feeding function of a newborn with achondroplasia. Along with growth, the optimal development of feeding skills may be affected by variable interactions between midface hypoplasia, sleep apnea disturbance, and structural anomalies. Anterior open bite, prognathic mandible, retrognathic maxilla, and relative macroglossia may adversely impact masticatory and respiratory functions. Independence during mealtimes in achondroplasia is usually achieved later than peers. Early supervision of nutritional intake should proceed into adolescence and adulthood because of the increased risk of obesity and respiratory problems and their resulting sequelae. Due to the multisystem involvement, oral motor dysfunction, nutrition, and gastrointestinal issues require special attention and personalized management to facilitate optimal outcomes, especially because of the novel therapeutic options in achondroplasia, which could alter the progression of this rare disease.

Introduction: Type 2 targeting biologics have reached the market first for asthma and since 2019 also for CRSwNP. As clear guidelines and predictors for optimal biological choice are missing, patients are sometimes required to switch biologic therapy in order to find the optimal treatment result. In this paper, we evaluate reasons for switching biologics and the treatment effects after each sequential switch. Materials and methods: Ninety-four patients who switched from one biologic to another for their treatment of CRSwNP and asthma were evaluated. Results: Twenty patients experienced satisfactory control of CRSwNP, but insufficient control of severe asthma. Fifty-one patients experienced satisfactory control of severe asthma, but insufficient control of CRSwNP/EOM. Twenty-eight patients experienced insufficient control of both upper and lower airways. Thirteen patients had to switch because of side effects. Furthermore, two cases are described to clarify clinical decision-making. Discussion: For abovementioned patients, a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to find the best suitable biologic. It seems ineffective to switch to a second anti-IL5 treatment if the first one is not successful. Most patients that failed omalizumab and/or an anti-IL-5 treatment are well controlled on dupilumab. Therefore, we suggest to use dupilumab as first choice when switching biologic agents.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in the most severe forms is associated with a poor quality of life. Dupilumab has been suggested as an add-on treatment option for severe CRSwNP. Severe CRSwNP patients treated with dupilumab in different rhinological units were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months from the first administration and were considered for this study. At baseline (T0) and at each follow-up, patients underwent nasal endoscopy and completed the sinonasal outcome test (SNOT)-22, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for smell/nasal obstruction, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and the Sniffin’ Sticks identification test (SSIT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dupilumab in patients with severe uncontrolled CRSwNP on recovering nasal obstruction and smell impairment. Moreover, the method between PNIF and SSIT with the highest correlation with patients’ response to dupilumab was evaluated. One hundred forty-seven patients were included. All parameters improved during treatment (p < 0.001). At T0, no correlations were found between PNIF and nasal symptoms. Nevertheless, during the following evaluations significant correlations between PNIF changes and both nasal symptoms and NPS were observed (p < 0.05). At T0, SSIT did not correlate with SNOT-22. Similarly to PNIF, during the follow-up SSIT changes significantly correlated with nasal symptom and NPS (p < 0.05). Comparing PNIF and SSIT correlations with SNOT-22 and NPS, PNIF showed a higher correlation with both. Dupilumab improves nasal obstruction and the sense of smell. PNIF and SSIT are effective tools in monitoring patients’ response to dupilumab.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a crucial function in the central nervous system and in sensory structures including olfactory and auditory systems. Many studies have highlighted the protective effects of BDNF in the brain, showing how it can promote neuronal growth and survival and modulate synaptic plasticity. On the other hand, conflicting data about BDNF expression and functions in the cochlear and in olfactory structures have been reported. Several clinical and experimental research studies showed alterations in BDNF levels in neurodegenerative diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous system, suggesting that BDNF can be a promising biomarker in most neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, shearing loss, or olfactory impairment. Here, we summarize current research concerning BDNF functions in brain and in sensory domains (olfaction and hearing), focusing on the effects of the BDNF/TrkB signalling pathway activation in both physiological and pathological conditions. Finally, we review significant studies highlighting the possibility to target BDNF as a biomarker in early diagnosis of sensory and cognitive neurodegeneration, opening new opportunities to develop effective therapeutic strategies aimed to counteract neurodegeneration.

The complex pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) generates a spectrum of phenotypes with a wide variety of inflammatory states. We enrolled 44 very-likely-to-be type 2 CRSwNP patients in order to evaluate the load of inflammation and to analyze human interleukins in nasal secretion. Clinical data were collected to evaluate the severity of the disease. High levels of IL-5, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-33 were detected in all type 2 CRSwNP patients. By analyzing type 2 cytokine profiles and local eosinophil count, we identified two coherent clusters: the first was characterized by high levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and a high-grade eosinophil count (type 2-high); the second had lower levels of cytokines and poor or absent eosinophilic inflammation (type-2 low). IL-5 levels were significantly higher within the type 2 cytokine and it was the most reliable biomarker for differentiating the two clusters. In type 2-high inflammatory profile clinical scores, the mean number of previous surgeries and need for systemic corticosteroids were significantly higher compared to type 2-low. Our research demonstrated the potential role of type 2 biomarkers, and in particular, of IL-5 in identifying patients with a more severe phenotype based on a high inflammatory load.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a common disease of the nose and paranasal sinuses with important economic and sanitary burdens, as well as having a great impact on patients’ quality of life. In this field, a new therapeutic approach for those patients who have been described as affected by severe uncontrolled CRSwNP, resistant to medical and best surgical treatment, is represented by subcutaneous human monoclonal antibodies (including dupilumab) that block specific targets involved in the type 2 inflammatory pathway which most commonly drives CRSwNP pathophysiology. This paper aims to report our experience in the management of severe uncontrolled CRSwNP and, in particular, describe our diagnostic workup including baseline evaluation and follow-up visits in the first year of treatment. We also describe into detail our multidisciplinary approach to the disease. We finally report the outcomes of treatment in a real-life setting. In this outpatient real-life setting, our results confirmed the effectiveness of dupilumab in reducing the volume of nasal polyps and restoring nasal obstruction and sense of smell, as well as improving patients’ quality of life. The adherence to the dupilumab treatment was very high. The dose of administration was never modified in patients in the first year of treatment. All the patients respected the plan of the visits at proposed time points. We believe that the structural organization of our outpatient clinic appears to be functional: it allows us to study patients thoroughly before starting treatment and to make a proper follow-up after it starts. We believe that sharing both our strict clinical flowchart and growing experience with dupilumab with the medical community can lead to more standardized and effective pathways of care for CRSwNP patients.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to describe BPPV in COVID-19 patients by discussing the possible mechanisms underlying the onset of this vertigo. Methods: We studied eight patients (4 F, 4 M, aged between 44 and 69 years) with COVID-19 infections complaining of vertigo. Patients were evaluated at the end of infection with an accurate clinical history, and the investigation of spontaneous, positional and positioning nystagmus. Results: The vestibular findings showed benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in all the patients. Three patients had a mild phenotype of the COVID infection, whereas five subjects were hospitalized for the COVID infection and in three cases intensive care was required. Vestibular evaluation showed an involvement of posterior semicircular canals in five patients and horizontal in three. Three patients were treated with the Epley maneuver, two with Semont, one with Lempert and two with Gufoni maneuvers. Conclusions: We hypothesize that BPPV in COVID-19 infections can be relate to drugs, prolonged bed rest and to direct damage by viral infection on the peripheral vestibular system and in particular on the otolitic membrane due to the cytopathic effect of the virus and to the inflammatory response. Studies on large series of patients are needed to confirm our preliminary observation and to better evaluate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying BPPV in these patients.

Background: In order to evaluate the efficacy of intranasal mometasone furoate in patients with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), a real-life, observational, prospective study is performed. Methods: Thirty-one patients (age 18–64 years) receive intranasal (mometasone furoate, 200 µg b.i.d. for 15 consecutive days per month for 6 consecutive months), plus isotonic nasal saline. The cytologic pattern of local inflammation, nasal airflow, through peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), quality of life (QoL), through the rhinitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), the sinonasal outcome test (SNOT-22), the short-form 36-item health survey (SF-36v2), and the combined symptom medication score (CSMS), and, finally, olfactory function, through Sniffin’ sticks-16 identification test (SSIT-16), are evaluated at baseline and after treatment. Results: NARNE is the most frequent cytological pattern (48% of the total sample). The therapeutic response shows improvement in olfactory function and QoL. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that intranasal mometasone furoate is an effective treatment for patients with NAR.

Approccio multidisciplinare ai tumori maligni del vestibolo del naso: verso la definizione di nuovi standard.I tumori maligni del vestibolo del naso, principalmente SCC, sono considerati neoplasie rare. Nel presente lavoro, rivediamo lo stato attuale dell’arte per quanto riguarda la classificazione e il trattamento, e descriviamo le evidenze attuali a supporto di un cambiamento di paradigma. Nell’attuale classificazione AJCC il vestibolo del naso è considerato parte della cavità nasale/etmoide. Nella pratica clinica quotidiana, le lesioni del vestibolo del naso sono spesso erroneamente classificate come primarie della pelle. Questo porta a una sottovalutazione della reale incidenza e a una cattiva gestione. Quando i tumori primitivi del vestibolo del naso sono correttamente classificati come a origine dal naso/seni paranasali, l’attuale AJCC TNM appare inadeguato per la stratificazione prognostica e un vecchio sistema di stadiazione descritto 4 decenni fa da Wang ha dimostrato di essere più affidabile ed è preferito nei centri con il maggior volume di casi trattati. I principi della classificazione di Wang dovrebbero essere applicati e il vestibolo del naso dovrebbe essere riconosciuto dall’AJCC/UICC come una nuova sottosede distinta di naso e seni paranasali. La chirurgia, la radioterapia a fasci esterni (EBRT) e la radioterapia interventistica (IRT, BrachyTherapy BT) sono le attuali opzioni terapeutiche per il carcinoma del vestibolo del naso (NVSCC). Sempre più evidenze dimostrano che la IRT, da effettuarsi in un contesto rigorosamente multidisciplinare, è almeno equivalente alla chirurgia e all’EBRT per il trattamento delle lesioni primarie in termini di esiti oncologici, ma nettamente superiore in termini di risultati estetici e funzionali, supportando l’HDR (high dose rate) IRT come nuovo standard per il trattamento della lesione primaria in questi tumori maligni. Per ottimizzare i vantaggi della IRT come modalità terapeutica primaria abbiamo impostato un nuovo approccio alla fase di impianto della IRT sfruttando i piani anatomici della chirurgia estetica e funzionale del naso e le potenzialità della brachiterapia a intensità modulata e guidata dalle immagini, per evitare la perforazione del setto e dell’ala (impianto anatomico).Nose vestibule malignancies, mainly SCCs, are considered rare neoplasms. In the present paper, we review the current state of the art concerning classification and treatment, and describe current evidence supporting a paradigm shift. In the current AJCC classification nose vestibule is considered part of nasal cavity/ethmoid. In daily clinical practice, nose vestibule lesions are often misclassified as skin primaries. This leads to an underestimation of the real incidence and to a mis-management. When nose vestibule primaries are correctly classified as nose primaries, the current AJCC TNM appears inadequate for prognostic stratification and an old staging system described 4 decades ago by Wang has been demonstrated to be more reliable in the literature and is preferred in centers with the largest volume of cases treated. The principles of Wang classification should be applied and nose vestibule acknowledged as a new distinct subsite of nose and paranasal sinuses by the AJCC/UICC. Surgery, External Beam RadioTherapy (EBRT) and Interventional RadioTherapy (IRT, BrachyTherapy BT) are the current therapeutic options for nose vestibule (NV) SCC.Increasing evidence demonstrates that IRT, with a proper multidisciplinary approach, is at least equivalent to surgery and EBRT for treatment of the primary lesions in terms of oncological outcomes, but markedly superior in terms of cosmetic and functional results, supporting HDR (high dose rate) IRT as the new standard for the treatment of the primary lesion in these malignancies. To optimize the advantages of IRT as primary therapeutic modality we set up a new approach to the implantation phase of IRT exploiting the anatomic planes of esthetic and functional nose surgery and the potential of intensity modulated and image guided brachytherapy to avoid septal and alar perforation (anatomic implantation).

Background: Nasal cytology at birth and in the pediatric age is barely investigated regarding its association with the onset of common pediatric diseases. Methods: We enrolled 241 newborns within their first 24 h of life, studying their nasal cellular composition and repeating this at 1 and 3 years of life. We collected anamneses of perinatal factors and external factors (parental smoking, passive smoking, breastfeeding), and the prevalence of otitis, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, and allergy at all timepoints. Results: 204 children completed the study. At birth, there was a prevalence of ciliated cells and rare neutrophils. At 1 and 3 years, ciliated cells started reducing in favor of muciparous cells and neutrophils. We found that caesarian delivery and nasogastric tube usage for choanal patency are significantly related to a certain cellular nasal composition. Additionally, development of upper respiratory tract infections, AOM (acute otitis media) and allergy correlates with specific cytological compositions which may predict those pathologies. Conclusions: Our study is the first to show the normal nasal mucosa cellular composition and development in the first 3 years of life in a large cohort. Nasal cytology may be a tool for early risk assessment in the occurrence of upper airway disease.

The objective of this analysis was to estimate the incremental cost–utility ratio (ICUR) of dupilumab as an add-on treatment to best supportive care (BSC), versus BSC alone, in Italy for severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). A simulation of outcomes and costs was undertaken using a 1-year decision tree, followed by a lifetime horizon Markov model. Clinical data were derived from a pooled analysis of two studies (SINUS-24 NCT02912468 and SINUS-52 NCT02898454). The Italian National Healthcare Service (NHS) perspective was considered. Model robustness was tested through sensitivity analyses. In the base-case analysis, treatment with dupilumab + BSC resulted in an increase in quality of life-adjusted survival (+1.02 quality-adjusted life years (QALY-gained)), compared to the BSC alone. The resulted ICUR was €21,817 per QALY-gained and it is below the acceptability threshold commonly used in Italy. Both one-way deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of base-case results. The cost–utility analysis showed that dupilumab, as an add-on treatment to BSC, is a cost-effective therapeutic alternative to BSC in the treatment of patients with severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, confirming that it is economically sustainable.

Previous studies have demonstrated that both subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual specific immunotherapy (SLIT) are effective in treating allergic rhinitis (AR). Further studies have evaluated the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) on different ear, nose, and throat (ENT) manifestations, in which allergy might have an etiopathogenetic role, such as local allergic rhinitis (LAR), rhinosinusitis (RS), otitis media (OM), and adenotonsillar (AT) disease. Nevertheless, the management of allergy in ENT diseases is still debated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review assessing the efficacy of AIT in ENT diseases aside from AR. Literature data confirmed that AIT might be an effective therapeutic option in LAR, although its effect is restricted to studies with short-term follow-up. Furthermore, previous research demonstrated that AIT may improve symptoms and surgical outcomes of chronic rhinosinusitis when used as an adjunctive treatment. Few studies supported the hypothesis that AIT may exert positive therapeutic effects on recurrent upper airway infections as adenotonsillar disease. Finally, some clinical observations suggested that AIT may add some benefits in the management of otitis media with effusion (OME). The results of this systematic review allow us to conclude that the efficacy of AIT in ENT disorders has been only slightly investigated and additional studies are needed.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Different therapeutic strategies have been investigated for the treatment of positional obstructive sleep apnea, but more evidence is needed about efficacy and compliance. The objective of this study was to describe the efficacy of vibrotactile neck-based treatment in patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea with different degrees of obstructive sleep apnea severity who were followed for 6 months. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including 162 patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea undergoing vibrotactile neck-based positional therapy. We compared polysomnographic data obtained at baseline and during positional therapy after 1 month. We performed a subgroup analysis based on obstructive sleep apnea severity. Furthermore, we analyzed follow-up data in 84/162 (51.8%) patients with particular focus on discontinuation and complications related to the device. RESULTS: We observed a significant difference between mean baseline obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI; 21.9 ± 9.9 events/h) and during positional therapy (12 ± 9.2 events/h; P < .01). Moreover, 87/162 (54.9%) patients showed a reduced baseline OAHI of at least 50% and 38/162 (23.4%) achieved complete disease control (OAHI < 5 events/h). At subgroup analysis, at least 50% reduction from baseline OAHI was observed in 56.8% of patients with mild, 55% with moderate, and 47.4% with severe OAHI, whereas complete control of disease was achieved in 50% of patients with mild, 22.5% with moderate, and 7.9% with severe OAHI. At a 6-month follow-up, only 35/84 patients (41.6%) were regularly using the device, with a mean of 5.9 ± 1.2 days per week. CONCLUSIONS: Our results on the efficacy and long-term adherence to vibrotactile neck-based positional therapy showed that positional therapy can be an efficient first-line treatment option for mild positional obstructive sleep apnea and in selected cases of moderate disease. Long-term compliance is limited because of complications and low satisfaction in some patients. CITATION: De Corso E, Mastrapasqua RF, Fiorita A, et al. Efficacy and long-term follow-up of positional therapy by vibrotactile neck-based device in the management of positional OSA. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(10):1711–1719.

OBJECTIVES The primary end point of this study was to evaluate the impact of bile acids on severity of laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) and the possible correlation with esophagitis and upper airway malignancies. The second end point was to evaluate if salivary bile acids and molecules other than pepsin might serve as diagnostic biomarkers of LPR. DESIGN Observational prospective comparative study. SETTING Otorhinolaryngology unit of a tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-two consecutive adult outpatients suspected of LPR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bile acids, bilirubin and pepsinogen I-II were measured in saliva. Patients underwent pH metry and based on the results of bile acids were subdivided as acid, mixed and alkaline LPR. RESULTS Significantly higher Reflux Findings Score (RFS) and Reflux Symptoms Index (RSI) were seen in patients with alkaline and mixed LPR compared to acid LPR. Salivary bile acids >1 µmol/L seem to be a reliable indicator of the severity of LPR. Compared to those without, patients with esophagitis or a history of upper airway malignancy have high concentrations of bile acids in saliva. Among the molecules studied, bile acids were the most suitable for diagnosis of LPR, with a sensitivity of 86% and a positive predictive value of 80.7%. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that high concentrations of bile acids are associated with higher values of RSI and RFS in LPR as well as a higher risk of esophagitis and history of upper airway malignancies. We finally observed that bile acids provided the best biometric parameters for diagnosis of LPR among the molecules tested.

COVID-19 e olfatto: revisione critica della letteratura sulla valutazione olfattiva.Da dicembre 2019, in seguito alla comparsa in Cina di una nuova infezione da Coronavirus (COVID-19), si è assistito alla diffusione di una pandemia. In un numero significativo di pazienti è stata riscontrata la comparsa di alterazioni dell’olfatto anche in assenza di altri sintomi tipici dell’infezione. In questa revisione della letteratura sono stati inclusi gli articoli pubblicati da gennaio 2020 sull’alterazione olfattiva nei pazienti COVID-19 e in particolare i metodi utilizzati per la diagnosi. L’analisi della letteratura ha mostrato che la diagnosi dell’alterazione olfattiva in questi pazienti è stata eseguita principalmente mediante questionari. Pochi studi si sono basati sulla valutazione olfattiva mediante test psicofisici validati. Sono emerse discrepanze tra l’alterazione olfattiva riportata nei questionari e la valutazione olfattiva eseguita mediante test psicofisici. Ad oggi lo studio dell’olfatto nei pazienti COVID-19 è stato eseguito in maniera eterogenea e principalmente basata sui sintomi riferiti dai pazienti portando a risultati spesso contrastanti. Gli autori suggeriscono di utilizzare test olfattivi psicofisici, semplici, validati e somministrabili anche in assenza di un operatore al fine di confermare l’alterazione olfattiva in questi pazienti che spesso sono in quarantena, isolati o ospedalizzati.Since December 2019, an outbreak of a newly isolated coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) appeared in Wuhan, China, and then spread worldwide. Recently, it has emerged that a number of patients may present with sudden hyposmia, sometimes without other symptoms of the disease. We performed a critical review on the methods used to date to investigate the olfactory function in COVID-19 patients in order to establish which should be considered the most appropriate to use during this pandemic. Literature analysis showed that the diagnosis of hyposmia in COVID-19 patients was mainly made through subjective symptomatology collected by questionnaires and/or interview. Psychophysical tests were carried out in a few studies showing significant discrepancies between the self-reported sense of smell and test results. To date the methods used by authors to investigate smell impairment in COVID-19 patients have been very heterogeneous and predominantly based on self-reported questionnaires leading to confusing and inconclusive results. We suggest that simple validated self-administered psychophysical olfactory tests could be a valuable instrument to investigate isolated/quarantined or hospitalised COVID-19 patients referring smell impairment in order to confirm olfactory dysfunction.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo and its recurrence is fairly common. Several studies correlated the pathophysiological role of different comorbidities—such as diabetes, osteoporosis, vascular, psychiatric and autoimmune diseases—in the development and recurrence of BPPV. The aim of this study is to analyse the pharmacological history of patients with idiopathic BPPV in relation to the risk of developing recurrence. Data regarding 715 patients aged 12 to 87 years (62.7 ± 14) with non-traumatic BPPV were retrospectively evaluated. These refer to the Vestibular Service, day clinic, and were collected over a 4-year period, between 2014 and 2018. Recurrence of BPPV was observed in 220/715 patients (30.76%). A statistically significant correlation (p

Il trattamento endoscopico dell’atresia coanale e utilizzo delle dilatazioni mediante balloon: nostra esperienza.Scopo di questo studio è quello di descrivere i risultati della nostra esperienza nel trattamento chirurgico endoscopico della atresia coanale e di illustrare in particolare il nostro protocollo che per mantenere pervio lo spazio coanale non prevede l’applicazione di uno stent ma dilatazioni endoscopiche mediante balloon ripetute nel post-operatorio al fine di stabilizzare il risultato chirurgico. Nel periodo compreso fra dicembre 2014 e dicembre 2018, abbiamo arruolato 46 pazienti affetti da atresia coanale e sottoposti a trattamento chirurgico presso l’Unità di Otorinolaringoiatria dell’Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù (17 con atresia coanale bilaterale e 29 con atresia coanale monolaterale), Tutti i pazienti sono stati sottoposti a chirurgia endoscopica transnasale. L’incisione della mucosa è stata realizzata con strumentazione a freddo e a caldo (laser a diodi). L’eliminazione della componente ossea è stata possibile mediante l’utilizzo di frese; la calibrazione delle neo-coane è stata eseguita con la tecnica di dilatazione mediante balloon. Nessuno stent è stato utilizzato e nessun paziente ha ricevuto trattamento topico con mitomicina. Il primo controllo endoscopico post-operatorio con eventuale dilatazione è stato eseguito 7 giorni dopo la procedura chirurgica. Una seconda valutazione endoscopica con medicazione e dilatazione è stata effettuata 15 giorni al fine di stabilizzare il risultato chirurgico. Ulteriori controlli sono stati pianificati ad un mese dall’intervento e i successivi sulla base dei progressi del singolo paziente. In nessuno dei 46 pazienti trattati abbiamo osservato complicanze dopo i trattamenti endoscopici. L’età media dei 17 pazienti con atresia coanale bilaterale è stata di 10,4 giorni al momento del primo trattamento; nel 64% dei casi l’atresia era associata ad altre anomalie. Il protocollo terapeutico ha garantito il raggiungimento di outcome soddisfacenti nell’82% dei casi, con una media di 4.6 procedure realizzate per ogni paziente (range: 3-11). I 29 pazienti affetti da atresia monolaterale presentavano un’età media di 36,6 mesi al primo trattamento, una prevalenza di atresia monolaterale destra (11:6), un’associazione con ulteriori anomalie nel 27% dei casi. Abbiamo ottenuto una percentuale di successo dell’85,7% con una media di 3,5 procedure per paziente (range: 3-7). La chirurgia endoscopica transnasale è attualmente considerata il gold standard terapeutico, sia per l’atresia monolaterale che bilaterale. A nostro parere, andrebbe evitato l’utilizzo di stent post-intervento, anche se ancora oggi vengono utilizzati; la recidiva è ridotta dall’utilizzo della dilatazione mediante balloon che, nella nostra esperienza, è un valido aiuto sia nel trattamento dell’atresia primaria che delle recidive.The aim of this study is to report our experience in surgical treatment of unilateral and bilateral choanal atresia. We describe the endoscopic surgical technique for creation of neo-choanes and following repeating balloon dilation after surgery to stabilise the results. The study was carried out from December 2014 to December 2018, enrolling 46 patients who underwent surgery for choanal atresia at the Otolaryngology Unit of the Paediatric hospital Bambino Gesù: 17 with bilateral choanal atresia (Group A) and 29 with unilateral choanal atresia (Group B). All patients underwent transnasal endoscopic surgery. The incision of the mucosa was made with a cold and hot system (laser diode). The elimination of atresic plaque was possible thanks to the use of a drill; the calibration of the neo-choanes was carried out with the help of balloon dilation. No stent was used, and no patient underwent treatment with topical mitomycin. The first endoscopic follow-up was made 7 days after surgery with surgical curettage and a second balloon dilation 15 days after surgery to stabilise the new choanes. Further check-ups were suggested at 1 month after surgery and later based on individual progress. In group A, the average age for the first treatment was 10.4 days, and atresia was associated with other anomalies in 64% of cases. The therapeutic protocol led to a successful outcome in 82% of cases, with an average of 4.6 procedures per patient (range: 3-11). In group B, the average age for the first treatment was 36.6 months, association with other anomalies was 27% of cases and the prevalent side was the right (11:6). We obtained surgical success in 85.7% of cases and the average number of endoscopic dilations was 3.5 (range: 3-7). Transnasal endoscopic surgery is now considered the therapeutic gold-standard for both unilateral and bilateral atresia. Even if still used, post-surgery stenting can be avoided in our opinion; relapse is reduced with the use of balloon dilation, which, in our experience, is a valid aid in both primary atresia treatment and in cases of relapse.

Background: So far, no medical treatment is available for cholesteatoma (C) and the only effective therapy is complete surgical removal, but recurrence is common even after surgical treatment. While C is classically divided into two clinical phenotypes, congenital and acquired, only a few studies have focused on its potential biomarkers. This study aims to revise the literature to identify which biomarkers can define the endotype of C. Methods: We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) process to identify published experimental articles about molecular biomarkers in C. Results: KGF and its receptor, MMP-9, KRT-1, KRT-10, and MIF might be considered biomarkers of recurrence, whereas Ki-67, TLR-4, RANKL, IL17, MMP-2, MMP-9, IL6, TNF-α, should be considered more specifically as biomarkers of bony erosion. Conclusions: These results are interesting especially from a prognostic point of view, nevertheless more studies are needed to search new biomarkers of C that could completely change not only the therapeutic standards of the disease, but also the clinical history of C itself in the era of precision medicine.