Dupilumab: a delayed response in asthmatic and atopic patients treated for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

PURPOSE: Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) is a common disease, which was previously approached with sinus surgery or systemic corticosteroids. The advent of biological therapies radically changed the approach to this disease. On the other hand, there is scarce scientific evidence of how specific subsets of patients respond to this treatment. METHODS: this is a monocentric, prospective study investigating the long-term efficacy on biweekly 300 mg dupilumab therapy in CRSwNP, prescribed to 61 patients. Patients were evaluated at baseline and every 2 months for the first 6 months, then at 9, 12, 16, 20 and 24 months. RESULTS: dupilumab proved to be an effective treatment, neatly improving both subjective and objective measurements in CRSwNP. The main finding of the study is the difference between specific subgroups of patients: while the overall response is similar, patients with Th2 comorbidities such as asthma and atopy tend to reach a stable response later, with the improvement ongoing even after 6 months of therapy, while non-asthmatic, non-atopic patients attain an earlier stability in response. CONCLUSIONS: dupilumab provides an excellent long-term control of CRSwNP, but the response in asthmatic and atopic patients appears to be different and delayed when compared to non asthmatic and non atopic ones.

Early increase in eosinophil count may predict long-term hypereosinophilia during dupilumab treatment: a 2-year observational study.

KEY POINTS: In a limited subset of patients, dupilumab-induced hypereosinophilia is persistent. Two-month follow-up eosinophil count may predict long-lasting hypereosinophilia.

Spontaneous extracapsular parathyroid adenoma hemorrhage: when surgery is required?

PURPOSE: Spontaneous bleeding is a rare but serious complication of parathyroid adenomas and few cases were reported in the literature. Clinical manifestations and treatment may vary but sometimes an immediate surgery is required. In other cases a conservative approach can be preferred based on clinical stability and patients' conditions. The purpose of this work is to describe our case and to carry out a review of the current literature on this topic. METHODS: We reported a case of a parathyroid adenoma hemorrhage in an elderly patient describing its management. Moreover, a literature review of 57 cases was carried out, with the aim of collecting data about the most involved parathyroid gland and identifying the most correct management based on clinical manifestations and chosen treatments. RESULTS: The patients had an age between 29 and 81 years (mean 56.9 ± 16.4 years). Forty-four patients were females (77.2%), whereas 12 were males (21.8%). Based on clinical severity, age, comorbidities and calcemic status, three possible scenarios were identified, each with a recommended management. CONCLUSIONS: In parathyroid adenoma hemorrhages a careful clinical assessment is crucial to identify emergency conditions requiring immediate intubation, tracheostomy or neck exploration. Elderlies and comorbid patients have a higher risk of perioperative complications and indication for surgery should be evaluated case by case: whenever feasible, a conservative approach should be preferred in these subjects, especially in those with a stable course and without hypercalcemia-related symptoms.

Dacryocystorhinostomy: Evolution of endoscopic techniques after 498 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is a well-known surgical practice used to treat nasolacrimal duct obstruction and widely considered as a valid alternative to external approaches. PURPOSE: We present a retrospective case series of 498 endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomies on 401 patients, from July 2004 to May 2018, at the Department of Otolaryngology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. METHODS: Of the 498 procedures, 426 were unilateral and 72 were bilateral dacryocystorhinostomy. All patients underwent routine preoperative workup including fluorescein test (Jones test 1-2), probing and irrigation of the lacrimal way, nasal endoscopy, and maxilla-facial computed tomography scan. Surgical technique was based on nasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy followed by positioning of a Catalano's silicone stent, which was left in place for about 3 months. Anatomical success was defined as a patent ostium on irrigation, whereas functional success was defined as free lacrimal flow on functional test and resolution of epiphora. RESULTS: Anatomic success was achieved in 91.54% cases in primary dacryocystorhinostomy and in 89.36% after revision, whereas functional success was obtained in 90.4% in primary and 85.1% in secondary dacryocystorhinostomies. After a second revision of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, anatomical success was achieved in 90.1% and functional success in 88.7% of procedures. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy can be considered as a valid surgical approach to primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction and revision cases. The key aspects in achieving functional and anatomical results are meticulous surgical procedure and precise follow-up.