Paranasal sinus inflammation and non-specific orbital inflammatory syndrome: an uncommon association

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to present a series of patients with orbital inflammatory symptoms associated with significant paranasal sinus inflammation, and to discuss the diagnostic and management modalities.MethodsA retrospective, non-comparative, interventional case series of all patients diagnosed with orbital inflammatory syndrome and significant sinus inflammation, seen at two Orbital Units between January 1999 and October 2005. The clinical records of all patients were reviewed.ResultsOf 91 cases diagnosed with non-specific orbital inflammatory syndrome, six (6.6%, four males, two females mean age 51+/-17 years) had significant sinus inflammation. Symptoms and signs were periorbital swelling and erythema, proptosis, globe displacement and ocular motility restrictions with diplopia. On imaging, there was extraocular muscle enlargement and/or orbital fat haziness, as well as almost complete ipsilateral maxillary sinus opacification with varying degrees of opacification of adjacent sinuses. Sinus biopsy in four cases showed a non-specific inflammatory reaction. Treatment with steroids alone (four cases) or a combination of oral antibiotics and systemic steroids (two cases) resulted in resolution of signs and symptoms within 24-72 h. One case of recurrence was noted during a mean follow-up period of 9 months (range, 3-24 months), and this responded well to oral steroids.ConclusionAlthough uncommon, paranasal sinusitis can be associated with a non-specific orbital inflammatory syndrome. When an infectious etiology is excluded, systemic steroids may play a major role in the management of these patients and result in prompt resolution of orbital signs and symptoms

Effect of Modafinil on Impairments in Neurobehavioral Performance and Learning Associated with Extended Wakefulness and Circadian Misalignment

Although worldwide millions of people work prolonged hours, at adverse circadian phases, evidence suggests that cognitive function is impaired under these conditions with important societal consequences. In a double-blind placebo-controlled laboratory-based study, we investigated the effect of the wakefulness-promoting drug modafinil as a countermeasure against such neurobehavioral impairments induced by both prolonged wakefulness and circadian misalignment. Neurobehavioral performance, alertness, and sleep were studied in young healthy participants (N=18) who underwent a 25-day forced desynchrony protocol in which the period of the sleep-wakefulness cycle was scheduled to be 42.85 h (duration of each wakefulness episode: 28.57 h; sleep/rest episode: 14.28 h). Each waking day, participants were treated with either 400 mg modafinil, divided into three doses, or placebo, according to a randomized, parallel-group design. Treatment with modafinil significantly attenuated the performance decrements seen for several parameters including cognitive-psychomotor speed, visual attention and reaction times both with progressive hours awake and when working at adverse circadian phases. Subjective alertness and sleep parameters were similar between treatment groups, but modafinil-treated participants had fewer bouts of inadvertent sleep during scheduled waking. Modafinil reduced the neurobehavioral impairment associated with work, both during prolonged wakefulness and at adverse circadian phases, without adversely affecting subjective alertness or subsequent sleep. These features suggest that modafinil might be a particularly relevant countermeasure against the deleterious effects of prolonged work hours, shift work, and transmeridian travel