Role of preoperative versus postoperative itraconazole in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.

Antifungals used as adjuvant to surgery in AFRS (Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis) have shown varying success in delaying recurrences. Itraconazole has been used both as preoperative and postoperative adjuvant. This study investigates the role of itraconazole in AFRS and compares its role between preoperative and postoperative administration of the drug. Patients were randomly divided into groups as: Group 1 (n = 25), received 4 weeks itraconazole in the preoperative period and operated subsequently, Group 2 (n = 25), received 4 weeks itraconazole in the postoperative period, Group 3 (n = 50), matched patients of AFRS, who didn't receive itraconazole. All the groups received oral steroids in tapering doses staring from 1 mg/kg for 6 weeks in the postoperative period. Symptomatic (SNOT 20), radiologic (Lund Mackay, LM) scores and endoscopic (Kupferberg's NE Grades) were noted. Primary postoperative follow-up was for 24 weeks with routine CT scans and nasal endoscopies, followed by which all the patients were followed with nasal endoscopies only with CT scans when required. Both preoperative and postoperative itraconazole showed significant improvement in the SNOT, LM, and Kupferberg's grades in the follow-up period. Preoperative itraconazole therapy showed significantly better results compared to postoperative itraconazole therapy though the recurrence rates were similar in both groups. Itraconazole is a better preoperative adjunct in AFRS than postoperative.

CSF rhinorrhea-feasibility of conservative management in children.

PURPOSE: To study the role of conservative management in CSF rhinorrhea in pediatric population. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study in a tertiary care center. METHODS: Cases with a diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea discharged after conservative management but required skull base repair for recurrence of CSF rhinorrhea or meningitis were included in the study between periods 2000 and July 2010. RESULTS: 12 cases of CSF rhinorrhea managed were treated conservatively, 7 patients again required rehospitalisation for recurrence of CSF rhinorrhea or meningitis. Male:female ratio was 4:1. The age ranged from 3 years to 14 years. Duration of recurrence of the CSF leak or meningitis varied from 6 to 121 months. Presenting symptoms included headache, rhinorrhea, or recurrent meningitis. The time from the initial injury to surgical exploration ranged from 163 to 3650 days. All patients were under regular follow-up and doing well except one had recurrence of the leak 2 months after surgery requiring revision surgery following which the patient had no recurrence. DISCUSSION: The management of CSF fistulae is still a matter of debate and there will be a risk of recurrent meningitis on conservative management. Most comprehensive study to date indicates there is a 9.8% annual risk of developing meningitis. Duration of recurrence of the CSF leak or meningitis varied from 6 months to 121 months. The overall incidence of meningitis as a result of skull base defect and CSF leak ranges from 9% to 50% with a reported cumulative risk of 85% in 10 years if no repair is performed. As seen in our series CSF repair can resolve with conservative management but there is a risk of intermittent CSF leak or meningitis due to an incompletely healed or tenuous mucosal regeneration which should be addressed surgically. The patients with traumatic CSF leak who were treated with conservative management alone had a 25-29% risk of subsequent meningitis. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment of CSF leaks may lead to recurrent meningitis or leaks, therefore surgical closure of defects at the skull base should be considered treatment of choice to prevent ascending meningitis.