Lack of long-term add-on effect by montelukast in postoperative chronic rhinosinusitis patients with nasal polyps.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Eosinophils and mast cells are among the key cells in inflammatory diseases like chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and asthma. Leukotriene antagonists have proven to be effective in the treatment of asthma, but data about their efficacy in CRS are scarce, whereas data on montelukast as an add-on treatment to intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) in a postoperative setting are completely lacking. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, open-label trial. METHODS: In this trial with long-term follow-up, we evaluated the efficacy of montelukast as an add-on treatment to INCS in postoperative CRS with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) patients. CRSwNP patients (N = 72) undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were randomized in two arms for the postoperative treatment. One group (N = 36) received INCS in monotherapy, whereas the other group (N = 36) received INCS in association with montelukast for 1 year. The efficacy of montelukast with INCS was evaluated by assessing both subjective (total five-symptom score [T5SS]) and objective (nasal polyp score [NPS], Lund-Mackay [LMK] score, and subjective olfactometry [Barcelona Smell Test 24]) outcome parameters and compared with the gold standard of INCS in monotherapy. RESULTS: After 1 year of surgery, T5SS, NPS, and LMK score were significantly reduced in patients treated with either INCS or INCS plus montelukast, without significant differences between the two treatment arms. Improvement of smell loss by olfactometry was also observed with no differences between arms. Similar findings were observed at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the addition of montelukast to INCS should not be recommended in the treatment of postoperative CRSwNP patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b Laryngoscope, 1743-1751, 2018.

Etiología bacteriana de la otitis media aguda en España en la era de la vacuna neumocócica conjugada / Bacterial etiology of acute otitis media in Spain in the post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era

INTRODUCCIÓN: La otitis media aguda (OMA) es común en niños menores de 3 años. En España hay disponible una vacuna neumocócica conjugada (VNC) (VNC7; Prevenar (Pearl River, NY), Pfizer/Wyeth, EE. UU.) desde 2001, habiéndose alcanzado una cobertura vacunal del 50-60% en niños menores de 5 años. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se reclutó a niños de 3 a 36 meses con OMA confirmada por especialista en otorrinolaringología en 7 centros españoles (febrero 2009-mayo 2012) (Proyecto GSK: 111425). Se obtuvieron muestras de exudado del oído medio mediante timpanocentesis o de otorrea espontánea, y se hizo cultivo para identificación bacteriana. En muestras con cultivos negativos se realizó análisis adicional mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). RESULTADOS: De 125 episodios de OMA confirmados en 124 niños, se analizaron 117 (edad mediana: 17 meses [rango: 3-35]); 8 episodios de OMA fueron excluidos del análisis. En total, combinando resultados de cultivo y PCR, se identificaron uno o más patógenos bacterianos en el 69% (81/117) de los episodios; identificándose Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) en el 44% (52/117) y Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) en el 39% (46/117). En 77 de los 117 episodios se hizo cultivo para uno o más patógenos, resultando positivo en 63, con mayor frecuencia para Spn (24/77; 31%) e Hi (32/77; 42%). La PCR en episodios con cultivos negativos detectó Hi en el 48% y Spn en el 55% de las muestras. El serotipo de Spn más común fue el 19F (4/24; 17%) seguido del 19A (3/24; 13%); todos los episodios en los que se identificó Hi correspondieron a Hi no tipificable (HiNT). Un total de 81/117 episodios de OMA (69%) se presentaron en niños que habían recibido una o más dosis de vacuna antineumocócica. CONCLUSIONES: HiNT y Spn resultaron ser los principales agentes etiológicos de la OMA en España. Para conocer el impacto de la vacunación antineumocócica en la OMA en España harán falta estudios adicionales cuando se haya alcanzado un nivel de cobertura mayor

INTRODUCTION: Acute otitis media (AOM) is common in children aged <3 years. A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (PCV7; Prevenar, Pfizer/Wyeth, USA) has been available in Spain since 2001, which has a coverage rate of 50-60% in children aged <5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged greater than or equal to 3 to 36 months with AOM confirmed by an ear-nose-throat specialist were enrolled at seven centers in Spain (February 2009-May 2012) (GSK study identifier: 111425). Middle-ear-fluid samples were collected by tympanocentesis or spontaneous otorrhea and cultured for bacterial identification. Culture-negative samples were further analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Of 125 confirmed AOM episodes in 124 children, 117 were analyzed (median age: 17 months (range: 3-35); eight AOM episodes were excluded from analyses. Overall, 69% (81/117) episodes were combined culture- and PCR-positive for greater than or equal to 1 bacterial pathogen; 44% (52/117) and 39% (46/117) were positive for Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) and Streptococcus pneumoniae(Spn), respectively. 77 of 117 episodes were cultured for greater than or equal to 1 bacteria, of which 63 were culture-positive; most commonly Spn (24/77; 31%) and Hi (32/77; 42%). PCR on culture-negative episodes identified 48% Hi- and 55% Spn-positive episodes. The most common Spn serotype was 19F (4/24; 17%) followed by 19A (3/24; 13%); all Hi-positive episodes were non-typeable (NTHi). 81/117 AOM episodes (69%) occurred in children who had received greater than or equal to 1 pneumococcal vaccine dose. CONCLUSIONS: NTHi and Spn were the main etiological agents for AOM in Spain. Impact of pneumococcal vaccination on AOM requires further evaluation in Spain, after higher vaccination coverage rate is reached

[Bacterial etiology of acute otitis media in Spain in the post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era]. / Etiología bacteriana de la otitis media aguda en España en la era de la vacuna neumocócica conjugada.

INTRODUCTION: Acute otitis media (AOM) is common in children aged <3 years. A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (PCV7; Prevenar, Pfizer/Wyeth, USA) has been available in Spain since 2001, which has a coverage rate of 50-60% in children aged <5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged ≥3 to 36 months with AOM confirmed by an ear-nose-throat specialist were enrolled at seven centers in Spain (February 2009-May 2012) (GSK study identifier: 111425). Middle-ear-fluid samples were collected by tympanocentesis or spontaneous otorrhea and cultured for bacterial identification. Culture-negative samples were further analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Of 125 confirmed AOM episodes in 124 children, 117 were analyzed (median age: 17 months (range: 3-35); eight AOM episodes were excluded from analyses. Overall, 69% (81/117) episodes were combined culture- and PCR-positive for ≥1 bacterial pathogen; 44% (52/117) and 39% (46/117) were positive for Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), respectively. 77 of 117 episodes were cultured for ≥1 bacteria, of which 63 were culture-positive; most commonly Spn (24/77; 31%) and Hi (32/77; 42%). PCR on culture-negative episodes identified 48% Hi- and 55% Spn-positive episodes. The most common Spn serotype was 19F (4/24; 17%) followed by 19A (3/24; 13%); all Hi-positive episodes were non-typeable (NTHi). 81/117 AOM episodes (69%) occurred in children who had received ≥1 pneumococcal vaccine dose. CONCLUSIONS: NTHi and Spn were the main etiological agents for AOM in Spain. Impact of pneumococcal vaccination on AOM requires further evaluation in Spain, after higher vaccination coverage rate is reached.

Oral plus nasal corticosteroids improve smell, nasal congestion, and inflammation in sino-nasal polyposis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the effect of oral plus intranasal corticosteroids on subjective outcomes (smell and nasal congestion) and objective outcomes (tissue eosinophilia and nitric oxide) in severe nasal polyposis (NP). STUDY DESIGN: After a 4-week steroid washout period (w0), severe NP were randomized into a treatment group (n = 67) that receive oral prednisone for 2 weeks (w2) plus intranasal budesonide for 12 weeks (w12), and a control group (n = 22) that received no steroid treatment. METHODS: Barcelona Smell Test 24 (BAST-24), nasal congestion, tissue eosinophilia, and nasal nitric oxide (nNO) were assessed. RESULTS: Before treatment, patients showed a significant impairment of smell detection (30.7 ± 39.5%), identification (7.1 ± 16.1%), and forced choice (13.8 ± 23.3%) in BAST-24 compared to healthy population. At w2, the treatment group showed a significant improvement in detection, identification, and forced choice. Positive effect was also seen after 12 weeks of intranasal corticosteroids. A significant reduction of nasal congestion (1.17 ± 1.0 vs. 2.73 ± 0.5) and polyp tissue eosinophilia (10.9 ± 4.2 vs. 41.2 ± 12.2) with an increase of nNO (650 ± 317 vs. 420 ± 221 ppb) were observed at w2 compared to w0 and to the control group. These effects were also seen at w12. CONCLUSIONS: Combined oral and intranasal corticosteroids improve smell and nasal congestion and decrease nasal inflammation, as measured by reduced tissue eosinophilia and increased detection of nNO. Severity of smell loss correlates with degree of nasal congestion but not with inflammation, as measured by tissue eosinophilia or nasally exhaled nNO. Our findings suggest that improvement in smell may be related to improved conduction of odorants to the olfactory neuroepithelium.

Amigdalectomía mediante electrodisección y mascarilla laríngea / Electrodissection tonsillectomy with laryngeal mask

Introducción: La electrodisección con bisturí de Colorado® se utiliza desde hace 30 años como alternativa a la disección fría. Alexander fue el primero en publicar resultados de la mascarilla laríngea en otorrinolaringología y cirugía maxilofacial. Posteriormente se ha introducido como alternativa anestésica habitual en nuestra especialidad. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es comprobar los resultados de la aplicación combinada de estas 2 técnicas en amigdalectomías, ya por separado han demostrado sus beneficios. Métodos: Presentamos un estudio observacional prospectivo de 107 amigdalectomías con o sin adenoidectomía pediátricas. Se analizan una serie de variables durante todo el proceso como el dolor (escala de Brodman), la analgesia, el sangrado, el edema de úvula, los días hasta normalizar la dieta, la habituación a la vida normal y los tiempos quirúrgico, anestésico y total de quirófano. Resultados: La técnica de electrodisección con bisturí de Colorado® minimiza el sangrado intraoperatorio y la necesidad de hemostasia. El edema de úvula y el dolor local aumenta comparado con la disección en frío. No hay variaciones clínicas en cuanto a los días que tarda el paciente en recuperar su vida normal. La combinación de la anestesia con mascarilla laríngea y la electrodisección con Colorado® reduce el tiempo quirúrgico, anestésico y total de quirófano. Conclusiones: La combinación de ambas técnicas es un método seguro, rápido y eficaz que se beneficia de las ventajas de ambas sin suponer un aumento de los riesgos quirúrgicos ni anestésicos (AU)

Introduction: The Colorado® microdissection needle has been used for 30 years as an alternative to cold dissection. Alexander was the first to publish the results of laryngeal mask in otorhinolaryngology and maxillofacial surgery. Later on it was introduced as a standard anaesthetic technique in our speciality. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the results of using laryngeal mask combined with Colorado® microdissection needle in tonsillectomies. The benefits of each of these 2 techniques are already known. Methods: We present a prospective observational study of 107 paediatric tonsillectomies associated or not to adenoidectomy. Variables analysed are pain (Brodman scale), analgesia, bleeding, uvula oedema and days up to the restoration of diet and normal life. Surgical, anaesthetic and total surgery room times are also discussed. Results: The Colorado® electrodissection technique minimised intraoperative bleeding and the need for haemostasis. However, uvula oedema and local pain increased compared with cold dissection. There were no clinical variations in the recovery of normal life. Combining the Colorado® microdissection needle and laryngeal mask reduced intraoperative, anaesthetic and total surgery room times. Conclusions: The combination of these two techniques is a secure, quick and effective method that derives benefits from the advantages of both of them, without increasing surgical or anaesthetic risks (AU)

Electrodissection tonsillectomy with laryngeal mask.

INTRODUCTION: The Colorado® microdissection needle has been used for 30 years as an alternative to cold dissection. Alexander was the first to publish the results of laryngeal mask in otorhinolaryngology and maxillofacial surgery. Later on it was introduced as a standard anaesthetic technique in our speciality. Objective The objective of this study was to compare the results of using laryngeal mask combined with Colorado® microdissection needle in tonsillectomies. The benefits of each of these 2 techniques are already known. Methods We present a prospective observational study of 107 paediatric tonsillectomies associated or not to adenoidectomy. Variables analysed are pain (Brodman scale), analgesia, bleeding, uvula oedema and days up to the restoration of diet and normal life. Surgical, anaesthetic and total surgery room times are also discussed. Results The Colorado® electrodissection technique minimised intraoperative bleeding and the need for haemostasis. However, uvula oedema and local pain increased compared with cold dissection. There were no clinical variations in the recovery of normal life. Combining the Colorado® microdissection needle and laryngeal mask reduced intraoperative, anaesthetic and total surgery room times. Conclusions The combination of these two techniques is a secure, quick and effective method that derives benefits from the advantages of both of them, without increasing surgical or anaesthetic risks.

Persistent asthma has an accumulative impact on the loss of smell in patients with nasal polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Loss of sense of smell is one of the most frequent complaints in patients with nasal polyposis (NP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of asthma and its severity on the sense of smell. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with massive NP and healthy controls were included. More than half of patients presented with asthma. Olfactometry by Barcelona Smell Test 24, nasal symptoms score, nasal endoscopy, allergy study, and paranasal sinus CT scan were assessed. RESULTS: NP patients showed a significant impairment in smell detection, identification, and forced choice compared to the control. Asthmatics reported lower scores for detection, identification, and forced choice than non-asthmatic patients. Patients with persistent asthma had an increased impairment of sense of smell on detection, identification, and forced choice than patients with intermittent asthma. No significant differences were found between mild, moderate, and severe persistent asthmatics. Paranasal sinuses opacification was inversely correlated with smell detection, identification and forced choice. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that patients with NP have an impaired sense of smell, that asthma -particularly persistent asthma- has a further impact on sense of smell, and that loss of smell may be used as a clinical tool to identify the severity of both NP and asthma.

Persistent allergic rhinitis has a moderate impact on the sense of smell, depending on both nasal congestion and inflammation.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: A degree of smell disturbance has been found in seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, but alterations in olfaction in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (PER) have not yet been evaluated. The aims of the study were to evaluate the impact of PER on the sense of smell, and to characterize this impact based on self-reported hyposmia (SRH) and PER severity. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: A prospective controlled study was performed on 49 consecutive patients with PER. PER patients were subclassified depending on severity and the presence of SRH. Olfactory function was evaluated by the Barcelona Smell Test-24 (BAST-24) olfactometry for smell detection, identification, and forced choice for first and fifth cranial nerve (CN) dependent odors in comparison to a group of 60 healthy volunteers. In patients with SRH, obstruction was evaluated by peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and acoustic rhinometry; and nasal inflammation was evaluated by nasal nitric oxide (nNO). RESULTS: Most patients with PER (67%) presented SRH. Moderate/severe PER (84.8%) predominated among patients with SRH, while mild PER (75%) predominated among patients without SRH. Smell detection, identification, and forced choice tests were significantly worse in PER patients (P < .05) than in healthy controls for the odors related to the first and fifth CN. Among subgroups, patients with moderate/severe PER and/or with SRH presented a significant reduction in smell detection (P < .05) compared to healthy controls. Nasal NO correlated (R: 0.4; P < .05) with loss of smell. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PER have a moderate loss of smell (BAST-24) with a higher impairment in those with self-reported hyposmia and moderate-to-severe PER. These results suggest that the sense of smell should be further investigated in all patients with allergic rhinitis, both in a clinical setting and in clinical trials.

Antileukotrienes in rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis.

Nasal polyposis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa that, despite different hypotheses of its cause, remains poorly understood. The management of nasal polyposis has been the topic of countless frequent controversial debates for many decades. International guidelines generally suggest that first-line treatment should be based on a medical approach with mainly nasal and oral corticosteroids. Surgical procedures are often viewed as adjunctive to medical therapy. Given that antileukotrienes are currently indicated in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis and there exists an increased leukotriene production in nasal polyps, antileukotrienes, especially montelukast, may represent a potential effective therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis, including nasal polyps.