Paediatric nasal polyps in cystic fibrosis.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at increased risk of nasal polyps. We present the case of a 17-month-old Caucasian patient with CF who presented with hypertelorism causing cycloplegic astigmatism, right-sided mucoid discharge, snoring and noisy breathing. Imaging suggested bilateral mucoceles in the ethmoid sinuses. Intraoperatively, bilateral soft tissue masses were noted, and both posterior choanae were patent. Polypectomy and bilateral mega-antrostomies were performed. Histological examination revealed inflammatory nasal polyposis typical of CF. The role of early functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in children with CF nasal polyposis remains questionable as the recurrence rate is higher, and no improvement in pulmonary function has been shown. Our case, however, clearly demonstrates the beneficial upper airway symptom relief and normalisation of facial appearance following FESS in a child with this condition.

Predictive value of sleep nasendoscopy in the management of habitual snorers.

Sleep nasendoscopy (SN) is claimed to identify the site of obstruction in habitual snoring and is used to select patients for palatal surgery. The validity of SN is, however, unproven. This is the first prospective blind assessment of the role of SN in the management of habitual snorers. Fifty-five consecutive patients listed for laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) for simple snoring on clinical criteria underwent SN immediately before surgery. Snoring severity and Epworth Sleepiness Scales were completed before the operation and at least 3 months after the operation. The postoperative scores on the snoring severity scale had significantly improved after LAUP, for each SN grade: grade 1 (palatal obstruction; p = .04) and grade 2 (multisegmental obstruction; grade 2A, p = .003, and grade 2B, p = .01). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale showed significant improvement in the whole group (p = .02). We conclude that SN grading of sites of pharyngeal collapse is an insufficient basis to exclude patients from LAUP. Sleep nasendoscopy is thus not of value in the management of habitual snoring, as the measure is a poor predictor of favorable outcome after palatal surgery.

A waterborne outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections and hemolytic uremic syndrome: implications for rural water systems.

In the summer of 1998, a large outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections occurred in Alpine, Wyoming. We identified 157 ill persons; stool from 71 (45%) yielded E. coli O157:H7. In two cohort studies, illness was significantly associated with drinking municipal water (town residents: adjusted odds ratio=10.1, 95% confidence intervals [CI]=1.8-56.4; visitors attending family reunion: relative risk=9.0, 95% CI=1.3-63.3). The unchlorinated water supply had microbiologic evidence of fecal organisms and the potential for chronic contamination with surface water. Among persons exposed to water, the attack rate was significantly lower in town residents than in visitors (23% vs. 50%, p<0.01) and decreased with increasing age. The lower attack rate among exposed residents, especially adults, is consistent with the acquisition of partial immunity following long-term exposure. Serologic data, although limited, may support this finding. Contamination of small, unprotected water systems may be an increasing public health risk.