Nasal Crust-Related Morbidity and Debridement After Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

Abstract Introduction: Nasal crust after endoscopic skull base surgery can cause nasal congestion, obstruction, and pain, which can affect quality of life. The use of debridement aims to provide symptomatic relief and improve quality of life. Generally, most adult patients tolerate office-based debridement, except in a few select patients that require further sedation in the operating room for a debridement. The study sought to determine the rate of symptomatic crust-related morbidity and the rate of debridement in both the office and the operating room. Methods: Premorbid, operative, and postoperative data of adult patients who had endoscopic skull base surgery in our institution from 2014 to 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The characteristics of nasal symptoms in the postoperative period were determined and the numberofdebridementsin theoffice and the operatingroomwere analyzed. Results: Two hundred and thirty-four (234) patients with 244 surgeries were included in the study. The majority, 68.9%, had a sellar lesion and a free mucosa graft (FMG) was the most common skull base reconstruction at 53.5%. One hundred and twenty (49.0%) had crust-related symptoms during the postoperative period and 11 patients (4.5%) required the operating room for debridement. The use of a pedicled flap, anxiety, and preoperative radiotherapy were significantly associated with intolerance to in-office debridement (p-value=0.05). Conclusions: The use of a pedicled flap or anxiety may predispose patients to require an OR debridement. Previous radiotherapy also influenced the tolerance to the in-office debridement.

A Case of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Successfully Treated with Kampo Medicine and Western Medicine / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We report a case of obstructive sleep apnea improved with the treatment both of Kampo medicine and Western medicine. The patient aged 52 years old was struggling with daytime drowsiness. Through the sleep test, he was diagnosed as severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and was received a continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP). Generally, positive air from CPAP applies through the nose and usage reports were recorded in the device. If having nasal congestion, it may be hard to continue CPAP. In this case he had a severe nasal congestion, and he nearly became CPAP failure. It was clear from the poor usage reports. Using Eppikajutsuto for nasal congestion, he felt decrease of nasal congestion. By switching to Shoseiryuto or kakkontokasenkyusin’i from Eppikajutsuto with reference to CPAP usage and nasal CT images, CPAP was continued effectively. Eventually, his daytime sleepiness disappeared.To continue CPAP, which is one of Western medicine, Kampo medicine was useful. On the other hand, to evaluate the effectiveness of Kampo medicine, Western medicine was necessary. CPAP reports and nasal CT images, which are Western medicine, contributed to the switch to Kampo medicine. This case showed the worth of the combined therapy of Kampo medicine with Western medicine.

Olfactory neuroblastoma

@#This 57 year-old woman presented with a seizure. She had a history of attending the ENT and neurosurgical departments for more than a decade. At the time of her initial presentation many years prior, her main complaint was of nasal congestion. A nasopharyngeal biopsy confirmed an olfactory neuroblastoma. Olfactory neuroblastoma is an uncommon slow growing tumour of the nasal cavity with no established etiological basis. With a neuroectodermal origin, it arises from the olfactory epithelium of the upper nasal cavity.1 Most cases arise from the cribriform plate, upper third of the nasal septum, superior turbinates or anterior ethmoidal air cells. However, it typically presents late when multiple structures are involved, which may include the orbits and intracranial compartments.2 Accounting for approximately 2% of sinonasal tumors, although often late to present, ironically only a minority of patients experience anosmia.3 The commonest complaint at initial presentation is nasal blockage accounting for nearly a quarter of cases, with headache and epistaxis the next most frequent symptoms.1 Multi-modality imaging is essential in that the most recognized management of this infrequent tumor is a combination of craniofacial surgery and radiotherapy. The imaging pathway in this case was typical, with CT and MRI complementing each other in maximizing tumor delineation. Computed Tomography has superior definition is reviewing bony involvement which is a typical finding, whereas MRI has superiority in evaluating the extent of soft tissue invasion and establishing tumor boundaries against post obstruction fluid in the paranasal sinuses.3 In this case the CT illustrates the gross destruction of the skull base, orbital and sinus margins. (Figure 1-4) The MRI outlines the extension of disease involving the pituitary fossa, brainstem and frontal sinus invasion. (Figures 5 and 6)

Quality of life after FESS among patients with nasal polyps using the NOSE questionnaire translated in Filipino (NOSE-Ph)

@#<p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To evaluate the quality of life before, and after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) among patients with nasal obstruction due to nasal polyposis using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire translated in Filipino (NOSE-Ph) in a tertiary government hospital in Metro Manila.</p> <p><strong>METHODS:</strong></p> <p><strong>Design:</strong>Cross-Sectional QOL Study</p> <p><strong>Setting:</strong>Tertiary Government Hospital</p> <p><strong>Participants:</strong>  40 patients with nasal polyposis who underwent FESS from April 2014 to June 2015 were included in the study. Patients who underwent FESS due to other nasal tumors other than nasal polyp were excluded. The subjects answered the previously-validated NOSE-Ph questionnaire pre- and post-operatively and the scores were gathered and analyzed.</p> <p><strong>RESULTS:</strong>Based on the pre and post-operative scores, there was a statistically significant improvement in all 5 parameters (1. nasal congestion, 2. nasal obstruction, 3. trouble breathing, 4.  trouble sleeping, and 5. inability to get enough air through the nose during exercise).</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong>There was a statistically significant improvement in the quality of life of patients who underwent FESS based on the pre and post-operative scores using the NOSE-Ph questionnaire translated in Filipino.  </p>

Efeitos do dilatador nasal Qiar® na obstrução nasal, ronco, apneia obstrutiva do sono, exercícios físicos e na respiração pelo nariz / Effects of nasal dilator Qiar® on nasal obstruction, snoring,obstructive sleep apnea, physical exercise, and nose breathing

Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o uso do Dilatador Nasal Qiar®– Abridor Nasal e Levantador da Ponta Nasal, em pacientes com obstrução nasal e seus efeitos no ronco, apneia obstrutiva do sono, exercício físico, congestão nasal e respiração nasal. Métodos: Participaram do estudos 30 pacientes que responderam ao questionário da escala de sonolência Epworth, Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburgh, realizaram exame otorrinolaringológico completo, Rinometria Acústica e Polissonografia. Resultados: Polissonografias demonstraram diferenças significativas entre noite controle e noite de tratamento com Qiar®na eficiência, arquitetura e fragmentação do sono, tempo de ronco e Índice de apneias-hipopneias; Qiar® teve bom impacto no IAH, reduziu 50% do número de eventos respiratórios e em 64,1% o tempo de ronco. Testes de aptidão física demonstraram melhora significativa no tempo e VO2 máximo no grupo Qiar® (31,8 ml/kg/min), comparado ao controle (25,8 ml/kg/min). Houve significativo bem-estar usando Qiar®, 28 pacientes (93,3%) relataram ser melhor ou muito melhor sua respiração e desempenho no teste físico. Todos os resultados foram correlacionados com Rinometria, PSG e Teste de Aptidão Física. Conclusões: Este estudo demonstrou que Qiar® é eficaz na redução da obstrução nasal, roncos e apneia obstrutiva do sono, melhora da respiração durante exercícios físicos, diminuição da congestão nasal, facilita respiração pelo nariz, melhora arquitetura e qualidade do sono. Seu efeito é imediato, sem efeitos colaterais, com ação mecânica, sem medicamentos, pode ser recomendado como alternativas para descongestionantes e corticosteroides nasais tópicos e também para pacientes que não querem ou não podem fazer outros tipos de tratamentos.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of Nasal Dilator Qiar®, a nasal opener and nasal tip lifter, in patients with nasal obstruction and its effect on snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, exercise, nasal congestion and nasal breathing. Methods:The study included 30 patients who answered the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index questionnaires, and underwent complete ENT examination, acoustic rhinometry and polysomnography (PSG). Results: PSG showed significant differences between control night and night with Qiar® treatment in the efficiency, architecture and fragmentation of sleep, time snoring and apnea-hypopnea index (AIH); Qiar® had good impact on the AHI, and it reduced the number of respiratory events by 50% and time snoring by 64.1%. Physical fitness tests demonstrated significant improvement in time and peak VO2 in the Qiar® group (31.8 ml/kg/min) as compared to the control group (25.8 ml/kg/min). There was significant well-being using Qiar®, as 28 patients (93.3%) reported better or much better breathing and physical performance. All results were correlated with Rhinometry, PSG and Physical Fitness Test. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that Qiar® is effective in reducing nasal obstruction, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, improves breathing during exercise, reduces nasal congestion, eases breathing through the nose and improves the architecture and quality of sleep. Its effect is immediate, without side effects, with mechanical action, without medication, and it can be recommended as an alternative to decongestants and topical nasal corticosteroids and also for patients who do not want or cannot use other types of treatments.

Índice de congestão nasal (CQ-7)na avaliação da obstrução nasalde crianças e adolescentes com rinite alérgica / Índice de congestão nasal (CQ-7) na avaliação da obstrução nasal de crianças e adolescentes com rinite alérgica

Verificar se o questionário Congestion Quantifier Seven-Item (CQ-7) permite avaliar a intensidade da rinite alérgica em crianças e adolescentes com rinite alérgica persistente (RAP) comparando-o amétodo objetivo (pico de fluxo inspiratório nasal, PFIN) e ao escore total de sintomas nasais recordatório (ETSNR).Pacientes e métodos: Pacientes (n = 64, 47 por cento gênero masculino,média idade 11 anos) acompanhados por RAP foram avaliados por: CQ-7 eETSNR (espirros, prurido, obstrução nasal e rinorreia; pontuados segundo escala de 0 = ausente a 4 = o tempo todo, tendo-se como base a última semana). A seguir realizou-se a medição do PFIN (Clements Dist®).Resultados: À avaliação clínica, 44,7 relataram obstrução nasale 51,9 respiração bucal a maior parte do tempo. Apesar disso, 84,3 não tiveram interferência da RAP com o trabalho/escola; 43,2 referiram acordar com o nariz obstruído pelo menos uma vez/semana assim comoo sono afetado (37,5 ). À admissão, o CQ-7 oscilou entre zero e 23 pontos (máximo de 28) e o ETSNR entre zero e 16 (média = 6,64) com correlação significante entre ambos (Spearman; rs = 0,748; Intervalo de Confiança [IC] de 95 :0,61-0,81). O mesmo não ocorreu ao confrontarmosos dois escores ao PFIN. Sintomas oculares foram avaliados em35 pacientes (média = 4,8, oscilando entre 0 e 12) e houve correlação significante entre o ESO e o ETSNR (média = 7,26; Spearman; rs = 0,57; IC95 :0,28-0,76).Conclusões: O CQ-7 mostrou-se comparável ao ETSNR, ambosrecordatórios, mas não à medida do PFIN posto que esta avalia a permeabilidade da cavidade nasal no momento da realização da prova. Quadros mais intensos de RAP se associaram à presença de conjuntivite.

To assess whether the Congestion Quantifier Seven-Item(QC-7) questionnaire was able to evaluate the severity of allergic rhinitis in persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) children and adolescents in comparison to an objective method (nasal peak inspiratory flow, NPIF) and with the total nasal symptoms recordatory score (TNSRS).Casuistic and methods: Patients (n = 64, 47 percent male, mean age11 years) treated for PAR were assessed: CQ-7 and TNSRS (sneezing, itching, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea; ranging from 0 = absent to 4 = all the time, taking as basis the last week). After this, they had the NPIF measured (Clements Dist ®).Results: Nasal obstruction and mouth breathing most of the timewere reported by 44.7 percent and 51.9 percent of the patients, respectively.Nevertheless, 84.3 percent had no work/school interference due to PAR, 43.2 percent reported waking up with a blocked nose at least once a week as well as had their sleep affected (37.5 percent). Upon admission, the CQ-7 ranged from zero to 23 points (maximum 28) and TNSRS ranged from zero to 16 (mean = 6.64) with a significant correlation between them (Spearman rs = 0.748, confidence interval [CI] 95 percent :0,61-0, 81). There were nosignificant correlation between both scores and NPIF measurement wasobserved. Ocular symptoms were evaluated in 35 patients (mean = 4.8, ranging between 0 and 12) and significant correlation between ESO and ETSNR (mean = 7.26, Spearman rs = 0.57, 95 percent CI 0.28 -0.76) wasobserved.Conclusions: CQ-7 was comparable to ETSNR, both recalls, but not with NPIF that measured nasal permeability at the evaluation. Moresevere episodes of PAR were associated with conjunctivitis.

Low dose, short-term oral methylprednisolone for nasal polyps: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of a 7-day treatment of methylprednisolone 16mg in reducing the size of nasal polyps and on improvement of nasal symptoms. Methods: Design: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial Setting: Out-patient department of the East Avenue Medical Center Patients: Patients 18 years old and above with nasal polyposis determined by history and endoscopic examination Results: There was a significant decrease in polyp size by an average of 16 percent (P < .05) among 12 out of the 23 patients (52.17 percent) in the steroid group versus placebo. The treatment group also exhibited an improvement in nasal symptoms of rhinorrhea, congestion and anosmia compared to the placebo. Conclusion: Medical treatment with oral methylprednisolone given at a low dose of 16 mg for one week resulted in reduction of the size of nasal polyps and improved the symptoms of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and anosmia. Other associated symptoms like headache, epistaxis, sneezing, itchiness, epiphora, cough, postnasal drip, throat discomfort, facial pain, eyecomplaints and fever did not differ between the steroid and placebo groups. Recommendation: One week of oral steroids can be used to treat nasal polyps initially. If there is response, this mode of management can be combined with a long-term course of intranasal steroid sprays. Patients who do not respond may be referred for surgery. (Author)