Algorithm for airway management in benign intra-tracheal lesions.

The authors have conducted a retrospective analysis based on two cases of patients with intra-tracheal pathologies who received treatment from the same surgeon at a tertiary referral center. The effective management of airways in patients with intra-tracheal lesions necessitates close collaboration between surgeons and anesthesiologists. Factors such as the size, location, rigidity of the tumor, and the remaining tracheal lumen space should be carefully considered. In situations where there is near complete obstruction of the trachea and a substantial risk of worsened respiratory function, resorting to cardiopulmonary bypass or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is advisable. This pilot study aims at devising an algorithm for the airway management of intra-tracheal lesions, although a larger case cohort is needed to assess its applicability and effectiveness.

Intramuscular Lipoma of the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle: A Rare Entity Revisited.

Intramuscular lipomas, typically found in subcutaneous tissue, rarely affect deeper muscular planes, especially those of the head and neck region. The following are 3 cases of intramuscular lipomas involving the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The first 2 patients presented with painless, palpable masses confirmed by diagnostic imaging as well-circumscribed intramuscular lipomas. One was treated surgically, while the other was managed conservatively with monitoring and close follow-up. The third patient reported dysphagia associated with occasional dyspnea and mild pain. The mass was identified as infiltrative lipoma and was resected surgically. Complete tumor removal with no recurrence at 6 months was observed for the first and last cases. The second case was serially followed at 3 and 6 months with no interval changes. We report the largest case series on intramuscular lipomas of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to enhance our understanding of this rare entity.

The use of different intranasal splints Doyle splints versus Reuter bivalve splints versus no splints in primary septal surgeries: A randomised clinical trial looking at morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the morbidity of different types of intranasal splints (Doyle splints and Reuter bivalve splints) with no intranasal splints in primary septal surgeries and concomitant submucosal reduction of the inferior turbinate. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial SETTING: Single-Center trial at a tertiary care facility PARTICIPANTS: In this randomised clinical trial, 123 consecutive patients underwent primary septoplasty with bilateral submucosal reduction of the inferior turbinate, with no other concurrent procedure. Patients were randomised into three groups: Doyle splints, Reuter bivalve splints and patients with no splints placed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Following surgery, the patients were seen at three consecutive visits. During each visit, the Visual Analogue Scale score for headache, nasal obstruction, overall pain and bleeding and an endoscopic score for secretions, oedema and synechiae was filled. RESULTS: Patients were randomised into three groups, 42 received Doyle splints, 41 Reuter bivalve splints and 40 had no splints inserted. When comparing the three groups, the first two post-op visits were scheduled significantly earlier in patients with splints (p < .05). The scores from both groups with splints were statistically higher for headache, nasal obstruction and pain, for the first visit only (p < .05). There was no statistical difference between groups when looking at each subset of the endoscopic score, at each visit (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Increased post-operative pain, headaches and nasal obstruction scores were encountered in patients who had splints after surgery. However, endoscopic scores were statistically similar across the three groups with no difference in post-operative endoscopic scores at each visit. and no difference was seen in symptom scores and endoscopic scores between patients with different splints.

Tips and Tricks to Safely Perform an Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-Sphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: A Surgeon's Checklist.

The authors aimed to develop an extensive preoperative checklist of CT scan findings during endoscopic access to the ventral skull base and implement it in clinical practice. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the radiological landmarks crucial to endoscopic skull base surgery. Four electronic databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar using search terms/keywords such as "radiological landmarks," "endoscopic skull base surgery," "CT scan," "pituitary surgery," "anatomical variations," "internal carotid," "optic nerve," "sphenoid sinus," "pneumatization," "dehiscence," and "protrusion". Inclusion criteria were limited to original articles and systematic reviews published in English, between the years 2000 and 2021, which pertained to the radiological landmarks to be identified during endoscopic skull base surgery. Full-text articles were retrieved and collated into a narrative review focused on a 12-item checklist the authors agreed upon. The mnemonic "O ROAD TO SELLA" was used to represent the checklist and include the following landmarks: Sphenoid Ostium, Sphenoid Rostrum, Onodi cells, Anatomic variations of the sphenoid sinus, Distance between the carotids, Tumor characteristics, Optic nerve dehiscence/protrusion, Septation/insertion of the sphenoid sinus, Entrance to the sellar floor, Lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, cLinoid process pneumatization, and internal carotid Artery dehiscence/protrusion. The checklist is designed to be used by attending physicians, fellows, and residents and the authors intend to implement it into electronic medical records at the institution's medical center to monitor the outcomes of EEPS after implementation.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part III: Management strategies in primary and cough-specialty care. Updates in COVID-19.

Background: Chronic cough management necessitates a clear integrated care pathway approach. Primary care physicians initially encounter the majority of chronic cough patients, yet their role in proper management can prove challenging due to limited access to advanced diagnostic testing. A multidisciplinary approach involving otolaryngologists and chest physicians, allergists, and gastroenterologists, among others, is central to the optimal diagnosis and treatment of conditions which underly or worsen cough. These include infectious and inflammatory, upper and lower airway pathologies, or gastro-esophageal reflux. Despite the wide armamentarium of ancillary testing conducted in cough multidisciplinary care, such management can improve cough but seldom resolves it completely. This can be due partly to the limited data on the role of tests (eg, spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide), as well as classical pharmacotherapy conducted in multidisciplinary specialties for chronic cough. Other important factors include presence of multiple concomitant cough trigger mechanisms and the central neuronal complexity of chronic cough. Subsequent management conducted by cough specialists aims at control of cough refractory to prior interventions and includes cough-specific behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy with neuromodulators, among others. Preliminary data on the role of neuromodulators in a proof-of-concept manner are encouraging but lack strong evidence on efficacy and safety. Objectives: The World Allergy Organization (WAO)/Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) Joint Committee on Chronic Cough reviewed the recent literature on management of chronic cough in primary, multidisciplinary, and cough-specialty care. Knowledge gaps in diagnostic testing, classical and neuromodulator pharmacotherapy, in addition to behavioral therapy of chronic cough were also analyzed. Outcomes: This third part of the WAO/ARIA consensus on chronic cough suggests a management algorithm of chronic cough in an integrated care pathway approach. Insights into the inherent limitations of multidisciplinary cough diagnostic testing, efficacy and safety of currently available antitussive pharmacotherapy, or the recently recognized behavioral therapy, can significantly improve the standards of care in patients with chronic cough.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part 1: Role of TRP channels in neurogenic inflammation of cough neuronal pathways.

BACKGROUND: Cough features a complex peripheral and central neuronal network. The function of the chemosensitive and stretch (afferent) cough receptors is well described but partly understood. It is speculated that chronic cough reflects a neurogenic inflammation of the cough reflex, which becomes hypersensitive. This is mediated by neuromediators, cytokines, inflammatory cells, and a differential expression of neuronal (chemo/stretch) receptors, such as transient receptor potential (TRP) and purinergic P2X ion channels; yet the overall interaction of these mediators in neurogenic inflammation of cough pathways remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The World Allergy Organization/Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (WAO/ARIA) Joint Committee on Chronic Cough reviewed the current literature on neuroanatomy and pathophysiology of chronic cough. The role of TRP ion channels in pathogenic mechanisms of the hypersensitive cough reflex was also examined. OUTCOMES: Chemoreceptors are better studied in cough neuronal pathways compared to stretch receptors, likely due to their anatomical overabundance in the respiratory tract, but also their distinctive functional properties. Central pathways are important in suppressive mechanisms and behavioral/affective aspects of chronic cough. Current evidence strongly suggests neurogenic inflammation induces a hypersensitive cough reflex marked by increased expression of neuromediators, mast cells, and eosinophils, among others. TRP ion channels, mainly TRP V1/A1, are important in the pathogenesis of chronic cough due to their role in mediating chemosensitivity to various endogenous and exogenous triggers, as well as a crosstalk between neurogenic and inflammatory pathways in cough-associated airways diseases.

WAO-ARIA consensus on chronic cough - Part II: Phenotypes and mechanisms of abnormal cough presentation - Updates in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough can be triggered by respiratory and non-respiratory tract illnesses originating mainly from the upper and lower airways, and the GI tract (ie, reflux). Recent findings suggest it can also be a prominent feature in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), laryngeal hyperresponsiveness, and COVID-19. The classification of chronic cough is constantly updated but lacks clear definition. Epidemiological data on the prevalence of chronic cough are informative but highly variable. The underlying mechanism of chronic cough is a neurogenic inflammation of the cough reflex which becomes hypersensitive, thus the term hypersensitive cough reflex (HCR). A current challenge is to decipher how various infectious and inflammatory airway diseases and esophageal reflux, among others, modulate HCR. OBJECTIVES: The World Allergy Organization/Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (WAO/ARIA) Joint Committee on Chronic Cough reviewed the current literature on classification, epidemiology, presenting features, and mechanistic pathways of chronic cough in airway- and reflux-related cough phenotypes, OSA, and COVID-19. The interplay of cough reflex sensitivity with other pathogenic mechanisms inherent to airway and reflux-related inflammatory conditions was also analyzed. OUTCOMES: Currently, it is difficult to clearly ascertain true prevalence rates in epidemiological studies of chronic cough phenotypes. This is likely due to lack of standardized objective measures needed for cough classification and frequent coexistence of multi-organ cough origins. Notwithstanding, we emphasize the important role of HCR as a mechanistic trigger in airway- and reflux-related cough phenotypes. Other concomitant mechanisms can also modulate HCR, including type2/Th1/Th2 inflammation, presence or absence of deep inspiration-bronchoprotective reflex (lower airways), tissue remodeling, and likely cough plasticity, among others.

Rhinolithiasis: A Misleading Entity.

INTRODUCTION: Rhinolithiasis is a rare entity; it entails a stone located in the nasal cavity. The entity presents with different signs and symptoms that can be easily confused with other more common clinical entities such as chronic rhinosinusitis. However, it can also mimic sinonasal tumors, making its proper diagnosis crucial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this article, we present a case series of 15 patients over the past 13 years between 2002 and 2015 who were seen in the clinics at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. We will shed light on the common presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, proper diagnostic modalities, and treatment options. Our data will be compared to the literature. CONCLUSION: Rhinolithiasis could present with a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms and could be overlooked or mistaken for other diagnosis such as sinusitis or malignancy. It could be differentiated from other entities by rigid nasal endoscopy and computed tomography scan. The diagnosis of rhinolithiasis requires a high index of suspicion.

Management of Pituitary Adenomas: Mononostril Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The endoscopic transsphenoidal approach for pituitary adenomas and other sellar lesions is quickly becoming the procedure of choice in their surgical management. The most common approach is binostril three-hand technique which requires a large exposure and subjects both nasal cavities to potential trauma. To reduce nasal morbidity, we employ a mononostril two-hand technique with the help of the endoscope holder. In this research, we review our series to determine efficacy of this approach in the management of pituitary adenomas. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of our initial series of 64 consecutive patients with pituitary adenomas operated by the same surgical team from 2008 till 2014 using a mononostril endoscopic approach. After categorizing the lesions into microadenomas, noninvasive macroadenomas, and invasive macroadenomas, we reviewed the radiological and biochemical outcomes of the surgeries after 3 months, 12 months, and 18 months. We also assessed recurrences and complications. Extent of resection was divided into gross total resection, near total resection (>90% resection), and partial resection for the remaining. RESULTS: Our results show resection rates comparable to most series in the literature, with a gross total resection of 87% in non-invasive macroadenomas, and surgical disease control in 75% of invasive nonfunctioning adenomas. The remission rate in Cushing's disease was 81%, where it achieved up to 58% surgical remission in growth hormone secreting pituitary adenomas (including the invasive adenomas). The complication rate was very low. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the mononostril endoscopic approach is well suited for most pituitary tumor operations and carries comparable remission and resection rates to most endoscopic series with minimal complications and nasal morbidity.

Assessing the effect of micafungin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation using confocal microscopy and gene expression.

INTRODUCTION: 1,3-ß-D-glucan of the fungal cell wall and extracellular matrix (ECM) of Candida biofilm is also present as a periplasmic glucan and within the ECM of P. aeruginosa biofilm. Micafungin inhibits the synthesis of ß-D-glucans. This project evaluates the effect of micafungin on P. aeruginosa biofilm formation, by determining transcription levels of biofilm formation encoding genes and measuring the thickness of biofilms in treated and untreated samples from BALB/c mice. METHODOLOGY: Relative gene transcription levels of P. aeruginosa biofilm-encoding pelC, algC, and ndvB genes were assessed by RT-qPCR on treated and untreated samples. Thickness calculation by Z-stacking of treated and untreated biofilms obtained from in vitro and in vivo samples was determined by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). RESULTS: Samples from micafungin-treated mice showed decreased pelC, ndvB, and algC transcription levels with values of 260, 74, and 2-fold decreases, respectively. Reduction in biofilms thickness was confirmed with Z-stacking using CSLM that revealed a 16.8% drop in the thickness of biofilms after treatment with micafungin in vitro, and a 64% reduction in thickness post treatment with micafungin in vivo. CONCLUSION: Micafungin inhibits biofilm formation as measured by decrease in transcription levels of biofilm encoding genes and confocal microscopy. This reflects the events occurring in the course of an acute infection with P. aeruginosa, whereby the administration of micafungin would inhibit subsequent slime production, thus eliminating such barrier that could prevent antibacterial delivery to the core planktonic cells in biofilms.

Odontogenic abscess mimicking acute dacryocystitis.

A middle-aged poorly controlled diabetic man developed left-sided orbital and facial swelling several days after extraction of a left upper wisdom tooth. The clinical impression was that of acute dacryocystitis. Opening the skin above the lacrimal sac failed to reveal an inflamed sac establishing the diagnosis of deep facial cellulitis. Complete resolution occurred few weeks after systemic antibiotics and repeated dental drainage of the tooth abscess.

The inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation by micafungin and the enhancement of antimicrobial agent effectiveness in BALB/c mice.

Micafungin inhibits biofilm formation by impeding 1,3-ß-D-glucan synthesis in Candida albicans. Since Pseudomonas aeruginosa also has 1,3-ß-D-glucan in its cell wall, this study assessed the effects of antibacterial agents in vitro and in vivo on micafungin-treated biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa isolates. After treatment with micafungin as well as with a panel of four antibacterial agents, biofilm production was significantly reduced as measured by spectrophotometry. The relative mRNA transcription levels for the genes encoding pellicles (pelC) and cell wall 1,3-ß-D-glucan (ndvB), which were measured by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), significantly decreased with micafungin treatment. In vivo, the survival rates of P. aeruginosa-infected BALB/c mice significantly increased after combined treatment with micafungin and each of the antibacterial agents. Of these treatments, the combination of micafungin with levofloxacin had the highest survival rate; this combination was the most effective treatment against P. aeruginosa-induced infection.

Changing Trends in the Management of Epistaxis.

Epistaxis is a very common complaint seen by many types of physicians including otolaryngologists, family physicians, and others. Management of epistaxis is often challenging and requires many types of intervention. The following review describes the different types of past and current treatment modalities including cautery, nasal packing, maxillary artery ligation, anterior artery ligation, and sphenopalatine artery ligation. The paper also proposes an algorithm for managing such cases.

A case of battery ingestion in a pediatric patient: what is its importance?

This is a case of a two-year-old boy who has been suffering from food regurgitation and frequent vomiting over the past seven months which were progressively worsening with time. He was initially diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease and treated accordingly but responded only minimally. Investigations and interventional procedures including a chest X-ray showed a metallic round object in the upper esophagus consistent with a button battery which was removed via a thoracotomy after an esophagoscopy was not successful. This child would not have developed such serious complications and would not have required major surgery had the foreign body been identified and removed early on.

The impact and treatment of allergic rhinitis in the Middle East: a comparison with the landmark allergy surveys from other worldwide regions.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is a global health problem that significantly affects quality of life. It is associated with illness, disability, health care costs, and comorbidities such as asthma. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2011, a series of patient surveys were conducted covering the United States, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. This article compares data regarding disease burden, treatment patterns, and patient expectations in Middle Eastern countries with those from other regions. RESULTS: The surveys highlighted the relatively low use of intranasal corticosteroids (INCSs), the current "gold standard" treatment for allergic rhinitis. This may be because of side effects, lack of efficacy, or reduced effectiveness over time. A higher proportion of patients in the Middle East reported bothersome side effects of their prescription nasal sprays, and a higher proportion of these patients strongly agreed that there were no truly effective treatments for allergic rhinitis. This suggests that health care practitioners in the Middle East should be encouraged to explain the use of INCSs in greater depth to their patients. CONCLUSION: There remains an unmet need in the treatment of nasal allergies worldwide. The allergy surveys highlight the key factors in choosing an INCS: fast, complete, and long-lasting symptom relief. There is opportunity for novel INCS treatments that address these needs while reducing troublesome side effects. Patient education must play a central role in treatment decision making, particularly in the Middle East, to achieve higher patient satisfaction.

The inhibitory effect of micafungin on biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

This study assesses the potential effect of micafungin, an antifungal agent known to inhibit 1,3-ß-D-glucan synthesis in Candida albicans, on biofilm formation of selected Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates by decreasing the synthesis of extracellular matrix ß-D-glucan forming units. The effect of an optimal therapeutic dose of 10 mg ml(-1) micafungin on the production of biofilm was monitored in vitro using a microtiter plate assay. Phenotypic reduction in the formation of biofilm was significant (based on average optical density; p < 0.05) in most of the isolates. Moreover, the relative gene expression of biofilm encoding genes for alginate and pellicles (algC and pelC, respectively), and the cell wall 1,3-ß-D-glucan encoding gene (ndvB) was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription PCR. For all the genes tested, the levels of mRNA transcription were also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in micafungin-treated samples cf. their untreated counterparts. In conclusion, this study presents micafungin as a potential agent for disrupting the structure of a biofilm of P. aeruginosa allowing the possible exposure and treatment of core-planktonic cells.

Nasal allergies in the Middle Eastern population: results from the "Allergies in Middle East Survey".

BACKGROUND: Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are a major public health problem in developing countries including those in the Middle East. However, to date, there is a paucity of information related to physician-diagnosed AR in this region. The Allergies in Middle East Survey was undertaken to help clarify and broaden the understanding of physician-diagnosed AR across Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The survey explores the frequency of physician-diagnosed AR, prevalence and types of associated symptoms, the impact on quality of life (QOL), current treatment practices, and therapy expectations. METHODS: In total, 7411 households in five countries (Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates) were screened to identify individuals that were ≥4 years old with a physician diagnosis of AR and either symptoms and/or treatment in the past 12 months. A total of 501 respondents from the five countries completed the survey. Standardized questionnaires were used to make comparisons across the regions; however, the data collection procedures were tailored for each country. The sample was probability based to ensure valid statistical inference to the population. RESULTS: Ten percent of the Middle East population surveyed had a physician diagnosis of AR, with 65% of respondents stating that their allergies were intermittent in nature. An otolaryngologist or allergist diagnosed the majority of the individuals surveyed. Runny nose, nasal and throat itching, postnasal drip, and nasal congestion or stuffed up nose were the most common and bothersome symptoms of AR. The majority of survey participants (58% of the overall survey population) with AR reported that the condition had an impact on their daily private and professional life. Seventy-two percent of adults reported that their AR symptoms limited their work/school activities and 35% reported that their AR interfered with and caused them to miss work or school within the past 12 months. One factor, in addition to the outward AR symptoms, that could have contributed to these function impairments may have been sleep disturbances. Although a secondary symptom to AR, sleep disturbances (difficulty getting to sleep, waking up during the night or lack of a good night's sleep) were shown in this survey to be extremely troubling in ∼15% of AR sufferers. In the past year >90% of patients reported taking a medication of any type for their AR, with nearly a 4:1 ratio of patients taking a prescription medication versus an over-the-counter (OTC) medication in the past 4 weeks. Over 75% of survey respondents reported taking an intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) in the last 4 weeks and the satisfaction rate of INCS medications was similar to that reported for OTC medications. The most common reasons cited for dissatisfaction with INCS medications were inadequate effectiveness, bothersome side effects (e.g., unpleasant taste and retrograde drainage into the pharynx), decreased effectiveness with chronic use, and failure to provide 24-hour relief. CONCLUSION: These data show that AR is common in the Middle East region as elsewhere in the world. Many patients with AR in Middle East region suffer from their symptoms (e.g., runny nose, nasal itching, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, and other symptoms) on all or most days during the times of the year that their allergies are worst. These symptoms have been shown to reduce QOL and performance at work/school to a significant degree. Additionally, the survey data underscore a considerable treatment gap with current therapies for AR and that many AR patients still have not found adequate effectiveness with currently available medications. Thus, through identification of disease impact on the Middle East population and highlighting treatment gaps, clinicians in the Middle East may better understand and treat AR, leading to improvements in overall patient satisfaction and QOL.

Nasal allergies in the Middle Eastern population: Results from the "Allergies in Middle East Survey".

BACKGROUND: Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are a major public health problem in developing countries including those in the Middle East. However, to date, there is a paucity of information related to physician-diagnosed AR in this region. The Allergies in Middle East Survey was undertaken to help clarify and broaden the understanding of physician-diagnosed AR across Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The survey explores the frequency of physician-diagnosed AR, prevalence and types of associated symptoms, the impact on quality of life (QOL), current treatment practices, and therapy expectations. METHODS: In total, 7411 households in five countries (Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates) were screened to identify individuals that were ≥4 years old with a physician diagnosis of AR and either symptoms and/or treatment in the past 12 months. A total of 501 respondents from the five countries completed the survey. Standardized questionnaires were used to make comparisons across the regions; however, the data collection procedures were tailored for each country. The sample was probability based to ensure valid statistical inference to the population. RESULTS: Ten percent of the Middle East population surveyed had a physician diagnosis of AR, with 65% of respondents stating that their allergies were intermittent in nature. An otolaryngologist or allergist diagnosed the majority of the individuals surveyed. Runny nose, nasal and throat itching, postnasal drip, and nasal congestion or stuffed up nose were the most common and bothersome symptoms of AR. The majority of survey participants (58% of the overall survey population) with AR reported that the condition had an impact on their daily private and professional life. Seventy-two percent of adults reported that their AR symptoms limited their work/school activities and 35% reported that their AR interfered with and caused them to miss work or school within the past 12 months. One factor, in addition to the outward AR symptoms, that could have contributed to these function impairments may have been sleep disturbances. Although a secondary symptom to AR, sleep disturbances (difficulty getting to sleep, waking up during the night or lack of a good night's sleep) were shown in this survey to be extremely troubling in ∼15% of AR sufferers. In the past year >90% of patients reported taking a medication of any type for their AR, with nearly a 4:1 ratio of patients taking a prescription medication versus an over-the-counter (OTC) medication in the past 4 weeks. Over 75% of survey respondents reported taking an intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) in the last 4 weeks and the satisfaction rate of INCS medications was similar to that reported for OTC medications. The most common reasons cited for dissatisfaction with INCS medications were inadequate effectiveness, bothersome side effects (e.g., unpleasant taste and retrograde drainage into the pharynx), decreased effectiveness with chronic use, and failure to provide 24-hour relief. CONCLUSION: These data show that AR is common in the Middle East region as elsewhere in the world. Many patients with AR in Middle East region suffer from their symptoms (e.g., runny nose, nasal itching, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, and other symptoms) on all or most days during the times of the year that their allergies are worst. These symptoms have been shown to reduce QOL and performance at work/school to a significant degree. Additionally, the survey data underscore a considerable treatment gap with current therapies for AR and that many AR patients still have not found adequate effectiveness with currently available medications. Thus, through identification of disease impact on the Middle East population and highlighting treatment gaps, clinicians in the Middle East may better understand and treat AR, leading to improvements in overall patient satisfaction and QOL.

Identification of bacteria isolated from nasal polyps and their ability to produce superantigens and biofilms in Lebanese patients.

Staphylococcus aureus superantigens and bacterial biofilms have been implicated in the development of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. We conducted a study of 32 Lebanese patients-21 males and 11 females, aged 15 to 71 years (mean: 39)-to identify bacteria isolated from nasal polyps and to determine if these bacteria produced superantigens and biofilms. Polyps were surgically removed, homogenized, and subjected to bacteriologic studies. The presence or absence of S aureus enterotoxin A, B, C, and D (superantigen) genes was determined in all isolates by polymerase chain reaction. Biofilm production by coagulase-negative staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was assessed by tissue culture plate assay. A total of 34 bacterial species/groups were isolated from the nasal polyps. Of these, only 3 (8.8%) were S aureus, and only 1 possessed an enterotoxin-coding gene (enterotoxin B). Moreover, of the 21 coagulase-negative staphylococci isolates that were found, none possessed the investigated genes, and only 1 had a strong biofilm-formation property. Our results could not confirm that S aureus enterotoxins (superantigens) or biofilm-producing bacteria play a role in the development of nasal polyps in the Lebanese group studied.