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Introduction  Microvascular free flaps offer an alternative to local and regional flaps for coverage of complex or large skull base defects. Routes and approaches to these reconstructive options are complicated and require an understanding of complex head and neck anatomy. Methods  A systematic review of the literature was performed using a set of search terms with the help of a qualified librarian. Articles were reviewed and selected for inclusion based on relevance. We were interested in reporting possible routes for free flap accessibility to the skull base as well as microvascular vessel options, as this choice may affect the geometry and accessibility to the defect. Results  A total of 1,917 articles were obtained from a comprehensive search and 11 articles were ultimately found to be relevant to this review. Published options for vessel anastomosis and corridors to the skull base following endoscopic endonasal surgery are reviewed, including Caldwell-Luc/transbuccal space, prevertebral space, transpterygoid/parapharyngeal, and transmaxillary approaches. Conclusion  The field of endoscopic surgery has continued to advance and provide options for tumors of the skull base. This has led to a need for creative routes to the skull base for free flap reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition, prescription costs for medications other than omalizumab, such as nasal/oral steroids, albuterol/steroid inhalers, and oral antibiotics, were statistically significantly higher in the omalizumab-user group (median costs of $1613 and $513, respectively; I p i < 0.001). After omalizumab use, overall cost was significantly higher and patients had increased costs related to nonbiologic medications, but there was a decreased need for surgery. Biologics were recently approved for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP),1 with promising results regarding symptom improvement. [Extracted from the article]

Objective  To investigate the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) to determine the origin, skull base involvement, and stage of sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP). Design  This is a retrospective cohort study. Setting  This is set at a tertiary care medical center. Participants  Patients with preoperative CT imaging who underwent extirpative surgery for histologically confirmed sinonasal IP between January 2005 and October 2019. Main Outcome Measures  The likely sites of tumor origin, skull base involvement, and radiographic tumor stage were determined by two board-certified neuroradiologists after re-reviewing preoperative CT imaging. These radiologic findings were then compared with intraoperative and pathologic findings. Results  Of 86 patients, 74% (64/86) had IP lesions with correctly classified sites of origin on CT. CT was not sensitive for diagnosing ethmoid sinus origin (48%, 52%), frontal sinus origin (80%, 40%), and skull base origin (17%, 17%). CT was not sensitive (62%, 57%) but specific (86%, 98%) for identifying any skull base involvement. There was substantial-to-near perfect agreement between radiographic and pathologic Cannady stages (weighted κ = 0.61 for rater 1; weighted κ = 0.81 for rater 2). Interrater agreement was substantial for identifying tumor origin (κ = 0.75) and stage (weighted κ = 0.62) and moderate for identifying skull base involvement (κ = 0.43). Conclusion  Interrater agreement on CT findings was substantial except on skull base involvement. CT correctly predicted site of tumor origin in up to 74% of subjects. CT was not sensitive for diagnosing skull base involvement but had substantial-to-near perfect agreement with pathologic tumor staging. CT is a useful but albeit limited adjunct for tumor localization and surgical planning for sinonasal IP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sinonasal inverted papillomas (IP) are benign neoplasms with a propensity for local recurrence. Many risk factors are reported, with little consistency between studies. This study aimed to comprehensively assess for demographic, imaging, histopathologic, and intraoperative risk factors for recurrence.Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients with pathologically diagnosed IP without malignancy who underwent surgical resection between 1997 and 2018. Eligible patients were identified through a database maintained by the Department of Pathology. Logistic regression identified variables associated with recurrence, and conjunctive consolidation was performed to create a predictive model.Results: Of 76 subjects, 37% (n = 28) had recurrence. Median follow-up and time to recurrence were 2.9 (range 0.5-21.1) and 1.7 (range 0.2-13.0) years, respectively. Confirmed negative margins on histology were protective (odds ratio [OR] 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08-0.85). Frontal sinus involvement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.83, 95% CI 1.20-28.37), incomplete resection (aOR 9.67, 95% CI 2.24-41.72), and presence of dysplasia (aOR 4.38, 95% CI 1.01-19.10) were significantly associated with recurrence on multivariable analysis. A three-level composite recurrence risk staging system was created by consolidating the above three variables. The recurrence risks of composite stage I, II, and III disease were 20%, 38%, and 100%, respectively. No demographic, imaging, staging, or surgical approach variables were associated with recurrence.Conclusion: Frontal sinus involvement, incomplete resection, and dysplasia were significant risk factors for IP recurrence, whereas confirmed negative margins were protective. Creation of a composite staging system using the above variables may allow for risk stratification and a patient-specific approach to postoperative IP management.Level Of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 130:590-596, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is the triad of asthma, nasal polyposis, and sensitivity to cyclooxygenase‐1 inhibitors. Treatment options include medical management, surgical intervention, and aspirin desensitization (AsaD). Methods: AERD patients were identified using the MarketScan Database from 2009 to 2015. Patients were included using International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition (ICD‐9) codes for asthma, nasal polyposis, and drug allergy. Treatments were determined by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for drug desensitization and endonasal procedures. Geographic trends and timing of interventions between those exposed and not exposed to desensitization were explored. Results: A total of 5628 patients met inclusion criteria for AERD, with mean age 46 years, 60% female; 395 (7%) underwent AsaD and 2171 (39%) underwent sinus surgery. Among patients who were desensitized, 229 (58%) underwent surgery, of whom 201 (88%) had surgery prior to AsaD (median [quartile 1, quartile 3]; 61 days [30, 208] prior to desensitization). For patients undergoing surgery following AsaD (n = 46), surgery was performed a median of 302 (163, 758) days after AsaD. Nineteen patients had multiple surgeries post‐AsaD with median time between surgeries being 734 days (312, 1484); 261 patients were not desensitized to aspirin but did undergo multiple surgeries, with the median of the median time between surgeries being 287 days (15, 617), which is shorter than for patients post‐AsaD (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A very small percentage of AERD patients undergo AsaD. Patients who had AsaD underwent surgery approximately 2 months prior to AsaD. Patients who underwent AsaD experienced an increased time between surgeries compared to patients who did not undergo AsaD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhinitis can cause quality-of-life impairment and may be a potentially significant cost to society. SP 3,4 sp Previous research has focused on allergic rhinitis when considering cost. SP 3,5-7 sp The overall cost of rhinitis, including nonallergic causes, has not been well studied. Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Health Care Economics; Allergy immunotherapy EN Allergic rhinitis Health Care Economics Allergy immunotherapy 946 948 3 04/24/21 20210501 NES 210501 Rhinitis is a common diagnosis with estimates of up to 30% of the Western population suffering from either allergic or nonallergic rhinitis. SP 1 sp Several medication options exist for rhinitis patients. SP 2 sp For more accurate diagnosis and consideration of allergy immunotherapy, in vitro or in vivo allergy testing can be done. The mean annual total cost per patient for the comprehensive rhinitis group was $281, which included endoscopy procedures, CT scans, allergy testing and treatment, inferior turbinate reduction procedures, and clinic visits. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To summarize the current evidence regarding a relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and allergy. Methods: Literature review. Results: Despite frequent assumption of an association between CRS and allergy the relationship between these entities remains poorly defined. Certain CRS entities, however, have demonstrated a strong association with allergy—namely allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and central compartment atopic disease. Conclusion: Studies are heterogeneous and largely retrospective in design with inconclusive evidence for an association between CRS and allergy. Knowledge of CRS endotypes is important in order to understand which entities may or may not be associated with allergy. Level of Evidence: 5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points In patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and comorbid asthma, patients with surgical intervention required less asthma rescue medication, as compared to those who did not undergo surgery. Following sinus surgery, patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma required more asthma medication, as compared to the time period prior to surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: To explore neural connectivity changes associated with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the temporoparietal junction for patients with bothersome tinnitus.Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.Methods: Thirty patients with subjective, nonpulsatile tinnitus for 6 months duration or longer and a score of 36 or greater on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory completed the study. Participants were randomized to receive either sham or active treatment with rTMS to the temporoparietal junction for either 2 or 4 weeks of therapy. Participants underwent resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging before therapy and immediately following treatment. Functional connectivity changes between active and sham treatment groups were compared using regions of interest in auditory, default mode, ventral attention, and executive attention networks.Results: Sixteen patients received active rTMS treatment; 14 patients received sham treatment. There were no differences between the active and sham groups in baseline functional connectivity. Neither treatment with rTMS nor sham therapy resulted in statistically significant functional connectivity changes in the examined brain networks.Conclusions: The analysis did not identify any changes in neural connectivity following treatment in patients with bothersome tinnitus. These results are consistent with our findings of lack of symptom changes previously reported in the same group of patients. Measures of neural connectivity may inform future work using rTMS to better understand the possible benefits of neural stimulation for tinnitus.Level Of Evidence: 1b. Laryngoscope, 126:1201-1206, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Despite the aggressive progression of fulminant acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS), data on prognostic factors have been disparate, hindering the development of a staging system. A composite staging system may improve prognostication for patient counseling and conduct of clinical research., Objective: To identify prognostically important factors in AIFS and to incorporate the factors into a comprehensive Functional Severity Staging System and Clinical Severity Staging System., Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients diagnosed with pathology-proven AIFS from June 1, 1992, to December 31, 2022, at Washington University Medical Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a tertiary care center in St Louis, Missouri. Data were analyzed from April to July 2023., Main Outcome and Measures: Sequential sequestration and conjunctive consolidation was used to develop a composite staging system to predict 6-month overall survival., Results: Of 71 patients with pathology-proven AIFS over the 30-year period, the median (range) age of the cohort was 56 (19-63) years, and there were 47 (66%) male patients. The median (range) follow-up time was 2 (0-251) months. There were 28 patients alive within 6 months, for a 39% survival rate. Symptoms, comorbidity burden, and presence and duration of severe neutropenia were associated with 6-month survival and were consolidated into a 3-category Clinical Severity Staging System with 6-month survival of 75% for stage A (n = 16), 41% for stage B (n = 27), and 18% for stage C (n = 28). The discriminative power of the composite staging system was moderate (C statistic, 0.63)., Conclusion and Relevance: This cohort study supports the clinical importance of symptomatology, comorbidity burden, and prolonged severe neutropenia at the time of AIFS presentation. The composite clinical staging system may be useful for clinicians when counseling patients with AIFS and conducting clinical research.