Inflammatory pseudotumors of the paranasal sinuses

Pseudotumor inflamatório pode ser definido como uma lesão que simula neoplasia clínica e radiologicamente. Não se trata de uma entidade clínico-patológica única, mas um termo genérico para qualquer lesão expansiva inflamatória crônica inespecífica. Há poucos relatos de pseudotumor inflamatório em cavidade nasal e seios paranasais. RELATO DE CASOS: Apresentamos três casos de pseudotumor inflamatório em nariz e seios paranasais atendidos na Divisão de Clínica Otorrinolaringológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. DISCUSSÃO: Pseudotumor inflamatório de seios paranasais apresenta sintomatologia variável conforme o local de origem. Geralmente, segue curso benigno, porém pode ser localmente agressivo.Inflammatory pseudotumors may be defined as lesions that clinically and radiologically simulate neoplasms. These tumor are not a single clinical-pathological entity, but rather a generic term applied to any nonspecific, chronic, inflammatory expanding lesion. There are few reports of inflammatory pseudotumors in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. CASE REPORT: We report three cases of inflammatory pseudotumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses seen at the Division of Otolaryngology of the Medical School University Hospital, Sao Paulo University. DISCUSSION: Inflammatory pseudotumors of the paranasal sinuses present a variety of symptoms according to the site

The role of endoscopic surgery in the treatment of nasal inverted papilloma

SummaryThe inverted papilloma is a benign neoplasm, prone to malignancy, and bearing a high rate of post-op recurrence. There is much debate in the literature concerning the issue that an endoscopic approach may offer a benefit over an external approach.AimDemonstrate the efficacy of an endonasal endoscopic approach in the treatment of inverted papilloma.Study designRetrospective.Materials and MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with inverted papilloma operated at the University Hospital - FMUSP from 1994 to 2004.ResultsTwenty-eight patients' records were studied. Nine patients (32.1%) had tumor recurrence, one being operated via the endoscopic method and eight by external approach.DiscussionKrouse's staging system for inverted papillomas can facilitate both treatment planning and comparison of surgical outcomes. The use of the endoscopic approach resulted in fewer relapses than when the external one was used in cases with the same tumor staging.ConclusionThe use of the endoscope in this type of surgical treatment is an important success factor in the treatment of inverted papilloma

A new cultural adaptation of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test

OBJECTIVES: The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, a test of olfactory function that is widely used by otolaryngologists, geriatricians, and neurologists, has been translated into more than a dozen languages. In some instances, cultural and socioeconomic factors have necessitated changes in the odorant items or the response alternatives to make the test scores congruent with North American norms. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of Brazilian subjects on a new Portuguese language version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test with their performance on an earlier Portuguese language version of the test, as well as to assess the influences of gender, age, ethnicity, and economic status on the test scores. METHODS: Based on pilot data, several response alternatives of the earlier Portuguese language version of the test were altered in an effort to improve test performance. Forty-nine healthy Brazilian volunteers, who represented several economic classes, were tested. The test scores of the study cohort who received the newer version of the test were compared with those of a group of 25 subjects who received the earlier version of the test. RESULTS: The mean score for the new version [35 (2.1)] was significantly (p = 0.002) higher than that for the earlier version [32.5 (3.5)]. Although no apparent influence of socioeconomic status was observed, the female participants outperformed the male participants in the current subject cohort. CONCLUSION: The changes made in the new cultural adaptation of the Portuguese version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test were effective in increasing the average test scores of the participants. Overall, the female subjects outperformed the male subjects on the test

Convergence of two major pathophysiologic mechanisms in nasal polyposis : immune response to Staphylococcus aureus and airway remodeling

This review is addressed two pathophysiologic mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis: the unique remodeling process found in nasal polyp tissue and the immune response of patients with nasal polyposis to Staphylococcus aureus. These two theories converge to the same direction in different aspects, including decreased extracellular matrix production, impaired T regulation and favoring of a Th2 immune response. In patients with nasal polyposis, an exaggerated immune response to Staphylococcus aureus may aggravate the airway remodeling process

Nasal polyposis : more than a chronic inflammatory disorder : a disease of mechanical dysfunction : the São Paulo position

Introduction The importance of our study lies in the fact that we have demonstrated the occurrence of mechanical dysfunction within polypoid tissues, which promotes the development of polyps in the nasal cavity. Objective To change the paradigm of nasal polyposis (NP). In this new conception, the chronic nasal inflammatory process that occurs in response to allergies, to pollution, to changes in the epithelial barrier, or to other factors is merely the trigger of the development of the disease in individuals with a genetic predisposition to an abnormal tissue remodeling process, which leads to a derangement of the mechanical properties of the nasal mucosa and, consequently, allows it to grow unchecked. Data Synthesis We propose a fundamentally new approach to intervening in the pathological process of NP, addressing biomechanical properties, fluid dynamics, and the concept of surface tension. Conclusion The incorporation of biomechanical knowledge into our understanding of NP provides a new perspective to help elucidate the physiology and the pathology of nasal polyps, and new avenues for the treatment and cure of NP

European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020

The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery. EPOS2020 also involves new stakeholders, including pharmacists and patients, and addresses new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestions for future research in this area and offers updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings. EPOS2020 contains chapters on definitions and classification where we have defined a large number of terms and indicated preferred terms. A new classification of CRS into primary and secondary CRS and further division into localized and diffuse disease, based on anatomic distribution is proposed. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, allergic rhinitis, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. All available evidence for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is systematically reviewed and integrated care pathways based on the evidence are proposed. Despite considerable increases in the amount of quality publications in recent years, a large number of practical clinical questions remain. It was agreed that the best way to address these was to conduct a Delphi exercise. The results have been integrated into the respective sections. Last but not least, advice for patients and pharmacists and a new list of research needs are included.Peer reviewe

Severe Posterior Epistaxis-Endoscopic Surgical Anatomy

Objective: To describe the anatomy of the sphenopalatine foramen (SPF) region and possible anatomical variations. Study Design: Prospective study accomplished from September, 2006, to January, 2007. Methods: The sphenopalatine foramen (SPF) of 61 cadavers were carefully dissected. Presence of the ethmoidal crest, location of sphenopalatine and accessory foramens, and the number of arterial branches emerging through foramens were observed. Data were analyzed in relation to gender, racial group, and symmetry of the cadaver. Prediction of the presence of accessory foramen was evaluated. Results: Mixed race cadavers prevailed in 122 nasal fossae dissected (75% males). Ethmoidal crest was present in 100% of the cadavers, being anterior to the SPF in 98.4% of the cases. The most frequent SPF location was the transition of the middle and superior meatus (86.9%). Mean distance from the SPF and accessory foramen to anterior nasal spine was 6.6 cm and 6.7 cm, respectively. Accessory foramen was present in 9.83% of the cases. A single arterial stem emerged through the SPF in 67.2% of the cases, and 100% through accessory foramens. The prevalence analyses showed no differences that were statistically significant (P > 0.05) between gender and racial group. The symmetry analyses showed a strong conformity (P < 0.01) between nasal fossae in relation to the SPF location. There was no statistically significant conformity between nasal fossae and accessory foramen (P = 0.53). None of the variables of interest presents any statistically significant (P > 0.05) association with the presence of the accessory foramen. Conclusions: There are anatomical variations in the lateral nose wall that should be considered for successful endoscopic surgical treatment of severe epistaxis

Pleomorphic adenoma of maxillary sinus - a case report

Introduction: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common head and neck benign glandular tumor. Pleomorphic adenoma of the maxillary sinus has rarely been described in the literature. Objective: To report a case of a patient with a unilateral nasal mass, originated from the maxillary sinus, with histopathological diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma. Case Report: A.O.V., 55-year-old male Caucasian patient, who had been suffering from nasal obstruction for years and also presented a polypoid mass in the left nasal cavity. Patient was submitted to endoscopic tumor resection and diagnosed of pleomorphic adenoma. Conclusion: Although pleomorphic adenoma is a rare type of tumor, it is benign, and it must be distinguished from other nasal tumors associated with chronic nasal complaints

Evaluation of inverted papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma by nasal contact endoscopy

Background: Contact endoscopy (CE) was initially described as a method used in the analysis of uterine and vocal folds histology. The first nasal cavity CE studies achieved promising results regarding its use for the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions, considering that biopsy might cause some complications, especially bleeding. This study described and compared the findings of CE on inverted papilloma and nasosinusal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and tested the effectiveness of this exam as a noninvasive method for in vivo differentiation between these tumors. Methods: The patients included in this study were divided into group A, patients diagnosed with inverted papilloma, and group B, patients diagnosed with SCC. CE results were compared among themselves. CE images were presented to examiners not experienced with the method. Results: Twenty-two patients were examined, 13 in group A and 9 in group B. The main relevant differences in CE findings between those two groups were corkscrew vessels, presence of mitoses, keratinization and nuclear pleomorphism in carcinoma, and vacuolated cells in papilloma. The examiners were capable of defining the diagnosis of these nasal tumors only based on CE images. Conclusion: CE may be a useful noninvasive exam to be used in the in vivo diagnosis of inverted papilloma and nasosinusal SCC, which may enable better preoperative planning. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 24, 210-214, 2010; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2010.24.3467