Respiratory polygraphy in children with sleep-disordered breathing.

At-home respiratory polygraphy has been shown to be a reliable substitute for in-laboratory polysomnography in adults for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea, but this is less well studied in children. One aim of this study was to examine the quality of at-home respiratory polygraphy in children with sleep-disordered breathing and to evaluate the interrater reliability of the results. Another aim was to study whether calibrated respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) flow can be used for the scoring of respiratory events when the airflow measurements are unreliable. Children aged 4-10 years, with sleep-disordered breathing, underwent at-home respiratory polygraphy. Of 113 polygraphies, only 46% were of acceptable quality, with missing nasal airflow being the most common problem (40%). The median recorded time with artifact-free signal present in three traces simultaneously was 228 min (0-610 min). Seventeen polygraphy studies were selected for further study. Each study was scored by two independent scorers, with and without the nasal airflow signal present, the latter relying on RIP flow for the scoring of respiratory events. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from the four different measurements was compared using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Comparison of the two scorers showed moderate agreement, with (ICC = 0.66) and without (ICC = 0.53) nasal airflow. One scorer had good agreement between AHI with and without nasal airflow (ICC = 0.81), whereas the other had poor agreement (ICC = 0.12). In conclusion, the scoring of respiratory events based on RIP flow is scorer dependent even for experienced scorers. The nasal airflow signal is frequently missing in paediatric respiratory polygraphies, which limits the usefulness of the method.

Intranasal Budesonide and Quality of Life in Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective To study the efficacy of budesonide nasal spray on the health-related quality of life and symptoms among children with sleep-disordered breathing. Study Design Randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods Sixty children (ages, 4-10 years) who were referred because of snoring and/or apneas for >3 months were included between January 2015 and June 2016 and randomized in a double-blind design to treatment with 64 µg/mL of budesonide nasal spray (n = 30) or placebo nasal spray (n = 30) twice daily for 6 weeks. The primary outcome measurement was the change in the mean OSA-18 total score from baseline. Other variables examined were individual OSA-18 domains, a visual analog scale for quality of life, symptoms (snoring, apneas, and nasal obstruction), and adenoid and tonsil size. The trial was investigator initiated and not sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. Results Fifty-five children completed the trial. An intention-to-treat analysis revealed a significantly greater improvement in the mean OSA-18 total score after treatment with budesonide than placebo (19.5 vs 7.5, P = .0014). Intranasal budesonide also improved 2 OSA-18 domains (sleep disturbance, caregivers' concerns), the visual analog scale score for quality of life, as well as snoring, apneas, and nasal obstruction. No serious adverse events were reported that could be linked to the treatment. Conclusion Among children with sleep-disordered breathing, 6 weeks' treatment with intranasal budesonide significantly improved quality of life and symptoms as compared with placebo nasal spray.

Displaced nasal dilator caused severe pain: Case report and literature review.

Internal nasal dilators are widely used but have not been reported to cause severe symptoms. We describe a case in which a male adult had accidentally, during sleep, inhaled a nasal dilator into his right nasal cavity, and we review the relevant literature. A PubMed search was performed of nasal dilators, especially of the internal types, including "Nasaline Snooze'" (ENTPro, Stockholm, Sweden). A foreign body in adults may be an inhaled nasal dilator. It may be overlooked on computed tomography scans, and thorough inspection of the nose is diagnostic.

Atresia of the submandibular duct orifices: an unusual cause of feeding problems and failure to thrive in an infant.

UNLABELLED: Atresia of the submandibular duct orifice is a rare developmental anomaly, which causes swelling of the duct by accumulation of saliva. The cystic mass in the floor of the mouth can cause feeding problems, which can be treated by surgical opening of the duct. We report the first Swedish case in a male infant, who had severe difficulties to feed because of bilateral swellings of the submandibular ducts caused by orifice atresia. CONCLUSION: This is the first case that has described failure to thrive because of this condition and catch up after treatment. It is important to remember that evaluation of feeding problem in an infant must include inspection of the oral cavity.

Studies on the relationship between electrogustometry and sour taste perception.

OBJECTIVE: Electrogustometry is used as a measurement of taste perception. The prevailing theory is that the anodal current delivered to the tongue mucosa stimulates the sour taste receptors, but this is not universally accepted. Our aim was to evaluate to what extent electrogustometry relates to an ability to detect sour taste--rather than sweet, salt, or bitter. METHODS: We compared automated electrogustometric thresholds with visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings of various tastant solutions in 114 subjects. The whole mouth, and each side of the tongue were tested separately. VAS scores from the strongest set of solutions, and the lowest electrogustometry thresholds for each location were used for statistics. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between electrogustometry threshold and the whole mouth perception of the salt taste solution. Electrogustometry correlated significantly but weakly for all taste qualities when testing was confined to left and right oral tongue. The positive predictive values of electrogustometry were no better in relation to sour taste perception than to the other taste qualities. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not support the theory that electrogustometry is mediated by sour taste receptors or even that it reflects the sour taste quality. We postulate that electrogustometry measures a function of taste perception, which is different from that induced by chemical stimuli.

Rhinitis in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and some endocrine disorders.

By clinical experience, rhinitis has been suggested as caused by some endocrine disorders, but the evidence for this is vague, and the few descriptions almost anecdotal. Rhinitis of the menstrual cycle has been more described, although a solid picture is still lacking. Pregnancy rhinitis is therefore so far the only clearly defined "hormonal rhinitis." However, the cause of pregnancy rhinitis is not simply estrogen or progesterone, but seems multifactorial, and may possibly be associated with the PGH. Treatment consists mainly of information, physiological measures, and nasal saline washings.

Pregnancy rhinitis.

Pregnancy rhinitis has gained attention as a defined clinical entity that is recognized increasingly by medical professionals and by the public. It affects one in five pregnant women, and as far as we know, it is not caused by one single factor. Pregnant women should be informed about this cause of nasal congestion, and how to handle it. There is no cure known, but symptomatic treatment may be needed, because impaired nasal breathing can reduce quality of life and possibly affect the fetus. Simple measures, such as elevated head end of the bed, physical exercise, nasal saline washings, and nasal alar dilation can improve nasal breathing.

Mechanical nasal alar dilators.

Most studies on nasal dilators have used Breathe Right or Nozovent. Both devices dilate the nasal valves, reduce nasal resistance, and improve nasal airflow. The use of dilators improves airflow most on inspiration, as the valve is stabilised and prevented from collapse. The response varies greatly between individuals, and can be impressive. The effect of nasal dilators may be lower in non-Caucasians. During exercise, nasal dilators delay the onset of oronasal breathing, and can have only small effects on performance thereafter. Nozovent and Breathe Right can reduce snoring, and improve otherwise obstructed breathing during sleep in selected patients. It is a challenge to find those patients, and one way could be to perform polysomnography with and without nasal dilator.

Special considerations in the treatment of pregnancy rhinitis.

Pregnancy rhinitis is a common condition that is not yet fully recognized by the public. This form of rhinitis affects approximately one in five pregnant women, can start in almost any gestational week, and disappears after delivery. However, as it reduces quality of life, and also possibly affects the fetus, treatment is often required. Saline irrigations, exercise and mechanical alar dilators are a safe and general means of relieving nasal congestion. Nasal corticosteroids have not been shown to be effective. As nasal decongestants provide good temporary relief, women tend to overuse them. Therefore, to avoid an additional rhinitis medicamentosa, nasal decongestants should be restricted to a few days use. Invasive methods of turbinate reduction may be effective, but are not recommended. The differential diagnosis towards sinusitis is often difficult. Antral irrigation is the ultimate diagnostic for purulent sinusitis and often needs to be repeated for therapeutic reasons. If beta-lactam antibiotics are used, an increased dosage is required during pregnancy.

Clinical and pathogenetic characteristics of pregnancy rhinitis.

Pregnancy rhinitis is a very common condition. Defined as "nasal congestion present during the last 6 or more weeks of pregnancy without other signs of respiratory tract infection, and with no known allergic cause, disappearing completely within 2 wk after delivery," it strikes one in five pregnant women, and it starts in almost any gestational week. The pathogenesis is not clear, but placental growth hormone is suggested to be involved. Smoking and sensitization to house dust mites are probable risk factors. It is often difficult to make a differential diagnosis from sinusitis, which may in pregnancy present with nasal congestion as the only symptom. Antral irrigation is diagnostic for purulent sinusitis and often needs to be repeated, as it should be treated intensively. Because of changes in pharmacokinetics, increased dosage of betalactam antibiotics is needed during pregnancy. As pregnancy rhinitis reduces quality of life and possibly also affects the fetus, there is often need for treatment. Nasal corticosteroid shave not been shown to be effective. Systemic administration should be avoided,but nasal corticosteroids could be used in pregnancy when indicated for other sorts of rhinitis. Nasal decongestants give good temporary relief, so pregnancy rhinitics tend to overuse them, giving an additional rhinitis medicamentosa. Therefore, use of nasal decongestants should be restricted to a few days. Invasive methods of turbinate reduction may be effective but are not recommendable in this self-limiting condition because of side effects. Nasal saline washings, exercise, and mechanical alar dilators are safe general means to relieve nasal congestion, but the ultimate treatment remains to be found.

Short-time variation in nasal mucosal swelling: a rhinostereometry study.

Rhinostereometry is an optical method to detect changes in nasal mucosal swelling. The method needs further specifications for standardised use. This study was performed in order to define the inter-individual variation, and to find whether the intra-individual short-time variation is greater, say, at the beginning of a sequence of registrations, as has been claimed. Bilateral registrations were made every 2 minutes for 30 minutes in healthy, non-smoking subjects, 15 women, and 15 men. The figures of each nasal cavity were evaluated separately. Compared with baseline, the range of changes was -2.9 to 3.0 mm, mean value 0.12 mm, with a standard deviation of 0.39 mm. No stabilisation of the variation was seen over time. There was no correlation with age or sex. The left and right nostrils changed degree of swelling independently in most cases, but in 8 cases there was a significant correlation between the nostrils. The time required for each pair of bilateral registrations varied between 15 and 90 s (mean 34 s, standard deviation 10 s). Data from the present study can be used for statistical power calculations in the planning of rhinostereometry studies using parallel groups.

The etiology and management of pregnancy rhinitis.

Pregnancy rhinitis is defined as nasal congestion in the last 6 or more weeks of pregnancy, without other signs of respiratory tract infection and with no known allergic cause, with complete resolution of symptoms within 2 weeks after delivery. Pregnancy rhinitis occurs in approximately one-fifth of pregnancies, can appear at almost any gestational week, and affects the woman and possibly also the fetus. The pathogenesis of pregnancy rhinitis is not clear, but placental growth hormone is suggested to be involved. Smoking and sensitization to house dust mites are probable risk factors. It is often difficult to make a differential diagnosis from sinusitis: nasendoscopy of a decongested nose is the diagnostic method of choice. In some cases ultrasound or x-ray may be necessary. Sinusitis should be treated aggressively with increased doses of beta-lactam antibiotics and antral irrigation. Nasal decongestants give good temporary relief from pregnancy rhinitis, but they tend to be overused, leading to the development of rhinitis medicamentosa. Corticosteroids have not been shown to be effective in pregnancy rhinitis, and their systemic administration should be avoided during pregnancy. Nasal corticosteroids may be administered to pregnant women when indicated for other sorts of rhinitis. Nasal alar dilators and saline washings are safe means to relieve nasal congestion, but the ultimate treatment for pregnancy rhinitis remains to be found.

Practical aspects on rhinostereometry.

Rhinostereometry is an exact optical method used to detect changes in nasal mucosal swelling, where subjects are fixed to a micrometer table by means of a tooth splint, and the nasal mucosa is observed through a surgical microscope. The method is relatively new, used only by a few groups, and needs further specifications for standardised use. In this paper, I discuss the practical use of the method, including pitfalls, from my own experience. Factors like the need to use a tooth splint, the indoor climate, hairs of the vestibulum, psychological influence, anatomical variations, secretion, crusts, subjective interpretation by the observer, and positioning time are important for obtaining consensus recommendations in rhinostereometry studies.