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Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a disease with a significant impact on quality of life. The overall goal of CRSwNP management, as with other chronic conditions, is to achieve "disease control", and for that reason, a definition of control of disease is pivotal in deciding the best treatment strategy. Although many staging systems have already been developed to evaluate the disease, disease control is not yet to be standardized, and a specific tool that is consistently applied and accepted by all practitioners is still missing in daily clinical practice. To gain an overview of the implementation and limitations of existing guidelines and to shed light on real-life definitions of control and disease severity, we conducted a nationwide survey of otorhinolaryngologists routinely treating CRSwNP to identify unmet clinical needs in Italy. The results showed homogeneous responses regarding the knowledge contained in international guidelines while highlighting the difficulty of their implementation in day-to-day practice. Respondents called attention to the importance of clinical symptoms, giving more weight to the patient's perspective. Among the symptoms to be considered, respondents emphasized nasal obstruction, followed by loss of sense of smell and rhinorrhea. Others also believe that the physician's perspective should be considered, and the inclusion of endoscopy as a measure of control was warranted by many. The need for a specific tool that is able to unequivocally ascertain disease control is increasingly pivotal in this new era of biologics for treating CRSwNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is associated with significant morbidity and reduced health‐related quality of life. Findings from clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of dupilumab in CRSwNP, although real‐world evidence is still limited. Methods: This Phase IV real‐life, observational, multicenter study assessed the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe uncontrolled CRSwNP (n = 648) over the first year of treatment. We collected data at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of follow‐up. We focused on nasal polyps score (NPS), symptoms, and olfactory function. We stratified outcomes by comorbidities, previous surgery, and adherence to intranasal corticosteroids, and examined the success rates based on current guidelines, as well as potential predictors of response at each timepoint. Results: We observed a significant decrease in NPS from a median value of 6 (IQR 5–6) at baseline to 1.0 (IQR 0.0–2.0) at 12 months (p <.001), and a significant decrease in Sino‐Nasal Outcomes Test‐22 (SNOT‐22) from a median score of 58 (IQR 49–70) at baseline to 11 (IQR 6–21; p <.001) at 12 months. Sniffin' Sticks scores showed a significant increase over 12 months (p <.001) compared to baseline. The results were unaffected by concomitant diseases, number of previous surgeries, and adherence to topical steroids, except for minor differences in rapidity of action. An excellent‐moderate response was observed in 96.9% of patients at 12 months based on EPOS 2020 criteria. Conclusions: Our findings from this large‐scale real‐life study support the effectiveness of dupilumab as an add‐on therapy in patients with severe uncontrolled CRSwNP in reducing polyp size and improving the quality of life, severity of symptoms, nasal congestion, and smell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an uncommon B-cell malignant disease. It usually presents with mediastinal and/or laterocervical lymph node localization, while primary extranodal HL is a rare entity giving rise to diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. It rarely presents as just extranodal localization, so its presence within the maxillary sinus without any lymphadenopathy is exceptional. Given the rarity of this localization, there is no standard treatment for maxillary sinus HL. We present a case of a patient with extranodal HL of the right maxillary sinus treated with primary surgery followed by adjuvant sequential chemoradiation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous studies have reported a diverse range of threshold values for blood eosinophilia. In addition, a single predictive biomarker for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) has not yet been identified. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical characteristics of ECRSwNP and non-ECRSwNP to evaluate the preoperative risk of tissue eosinophilia of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) through a multiparametric statistical analysis. Methods: One hundred ten patients with evidence of chronic polypoid rhinosinusitis were included in this study and clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. Eosinophilic CRSwNP was diagnosed based on the presence of at least 10 eosinophils per high-power field. The demographic and clinical features of ECRSwNP and non-ECRSwNP are described. The values of blood eosinophilia as predictors of tissue eosinophilia have been identified using receiver operating characteristic curves. As the predictive value of the identified cutoff through regression analysis was low, we evaluated whether other risk factors could be statistically associated with ECRSwNP, and from this, a new predictive model was proposed for the identification of eosinophilic nasal polyps before surgery. Results: We found that the best method for predicting ECRSwNP is based on a model having asthma, blood eosinophil percentage, posterior ethmoid value in Lund-Mackay score, and modified Lund-Kennedy score as explanatory variables. Conclusions: This study provides new data for a better understanding of the polypoid CRS endotypes, and the proposed model allows the endotype to be identified preoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Odontogenic sinusitis affects a significant proportion of patients with paranasal sinus infections. Nevertheless, no shared diagnostic criteria for this condition have yet been implemented and published studies differ in their definition of the disease. Objective: The present systematic review of the literature was undertaken to characterize and analyze the different diagnostic criteria currently employed for odontogenic sinusitis. Methods: Systematic searches for studies published between 2009 and 2019 were performed in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Search criteria were designed to identify all studies focusing, even partially, on odontogenic sinusitis. Human original studies except single case reports published in the English, French, German, Spanish, or Italian language were included. We removed duplicate abstracts and conducted full-text reads, data extraction, and quality assessment procedures (using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine levels of evidence and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Study Quality Assessment Tools). We reviewed articles for diagnostic criteria, both in terms of definition and etiology identification. Results: Among 1,000 unique citations, 63 studies were deemed eligible. Most articles (n = 45) were retrospective case series; a single randomized clinical trial was available. Only 49 studies reported diagnostic criteria, yet relied marginally on published guidelines (n = 10 articles) for identifying sinusitis, often choosing instead to develop their own clinical (n = 15 articles), endoscopic (n = 12 articles), and/or radiologic (n = 30 articles) criteria. For odontogenic focus identification, 14 papers required a multidisciplinary evaluation, 11 papers required a time relationship between dental procedures and sinusitis, 24 papers required oroscopy and/or dental evaluation, and 53 papers required computed tomography. Conclusions: Current diagnostic criteria for odontogenic sinusitis are extremely heterogeneous. Establishing shared diagnostic criteria aimed at defining both sinusitis and related odontogenic foci would spur collaboration between investigators and support more comprehensive outcomes evaluations together with a better understanding of treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Isolated sphenoid sinus inflammatory diseases (ISSIDs) are responsible for about 75% of isolated sphenoid sinus opacifications. Computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be used in a complementary manner for the assessment of ISSIDs. This evaluation sheds some light on the extent of disease and intracranial and intra-orbital involvement. Materials and Methods: The current study aimed to evaluate the medication histories of 14 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for ISSIDs within 2015-2018. This assessment was carried out to analyze the presenting symptoms, diagnostic work-up, additional therapies, and complications. Moreover, it can help us compare our data with pertinent literature. Results: As evidenced by the obtained results, ISSID lesions included bacterial sphenoiditis (42.9%), fungus ball (21.4%), invasive fungal sphenoiditis (14.3%), mucocele (14.3%), and retention cysts (7.1%). In addition, headache was found to be the major complaint, followed by nasal symptoms. Diplopia, and signs and symptoms of the involvement of other cranial nerves were less frequent. All patients underwent endoscopic transnasal sphenoidectomy. The overall survival rate was reported as 92.9% (13/14), and all patients with cranial nerve palsies demonstrated complete clinical remission. Conclusion: Both the review of related literature and our clinical cases were indicative of the dangerous consequences of ISSIDs. Their varied and unspecific presentation and the limited reliability of nasal endoscopy required the cooperation of ENT (ear, nose, and throat) team with other specialists to make an accurate diagnosis and decide on the most appropriate therapeutic choices. If the signs of intracranial complications were detected, surgery should be promptly performed to maximize the chances of recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Paranasal sinus fungus ball (PSFB) is a non-invasive mycosis, which appears in immunocompetent patients, along with unilateral lesion. The purpose of this study was to analyse various symptoms of PSFB and its radiological, pathological, and microbiological findings. In addition, this study involved the investigation of the incidence of bacterial coinfection and surgical techniques applied for this infection and to report the modern developments in this domain. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 40 consecutive patients referring for PSFB treatment to the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department in San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Turin, Italy, from April 2014 to 2017. Pertinent literature was reviewed and compared within the specified period. All patients were examined by preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan, and 26 (65%) patients were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Totally, 33 patients (82.5%) were affected with single sinus infection, whereas most of the cases suffered from maxillary sinusitis. With regard to CT scan findings, microcalcifications were found in 32.5% of the cases; however, mucosal membrane thickening around the fungus ball (FB) was visible in contrast-enhanced CT scans. According to MRI examination, FB showed a characteristic "signal void" on T 2(42.3%). Only 7(17.5%) patients had a positive mycological culture, whereas bacterial coinfections were identified in 47.5% of the cases. Out of 40 patients, 3(7.5%) subjects had only radiological evidence of fungal colonization while having no histopathological evidence. No patient received postoperative antifungal drugs, and there were no serious complications with only one recurrence. Conclusion: Endoscopic endonasal surgery is the treatment of choice for patients with PSFB receiving no associated local or systemic antifungal therapy. A histopathological study facilitates the confirmation of the diagnosis and exclusion of the invasive form of fungal rhinosinusitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to detect inner ear fluid pressure changes induced by glycerol in Meniere's disease (MD) by means of a tympanic membrane displacement analyser (TDA). The study group consisted of 25 MD patients. The V[sub i] (maximum inward displacement of the tympanic membrane) and the V[sub m] (mean displacement of the tympanic membrane) were measured at 10, 20 and 25 dB above the stapedial reflex threshold. Each patient received therapy based on glycerol. The control group consisted of 20 patients with non-hydropic sudden hearing loss. At 20 and 25 dB above stapedial threshold MD patients had lower V[sub i] values before therapy. After glycerol, we observed a V[sub i] increasing in the hydropic ears in 68-96 per cent of patients. Since a V[sub i] improvement implies a reduction of perilymph pressure, our results confirm the effectiveness of V[sub i] in detecting specific action of glycerol in MD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nasal cavity is a disease more likely to affect men than women; it is characterized by a T cell immunophenotype and is often associated with involvement of the paranasal structures and with high recurrence rates. Many authors report that its extremely poor prognosis depends on tumour stage and extension into the paranasal sinuses. Patients with Ann Arbor stage IE limited to only one nasal cavity have better survival rates than those with the same stage but with tumour extension beyond the nasal cavity. Patients with stages IIE, IIIE and IV have a very poor prognosis that does not seem to be affected by the use of conventional chemotherapy. Optimal treatment for the disease is not yet known. The use of radiotherapy alone has been reported in initial stages of the disease; however, given that its prognosis is burdened by frequent local or systemic recurrence or both, combined modality therapy has been applied in all stages. In this case report we describe a case of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nasal cavity localized at the middle turbinate, in combination with an updated literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]