Setting of an endoscopic nasal reference point for surgical access to the anterior base through an anatomical study on cadavers

AbstractIntroductionDiseases of paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and skull base can be treated by endonasal operations using a nasal rigid endoscope. When conducting this kind of surgery, anatomical references are critical for safety.ObjectiveTo measure the distance from the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus to the skull base, according to socio-demographic characteristics, and to detail an anatomical reference point for paranasal sinus operations and for an access to the anterior skull base, comparing anatomical variations between right and left sides, gender, height, weight, age, and ethnicity in cadavers.MethodsMeasures were taken from the 90° angle (the starting point where deflection of the skull base begins to form the anterior wall of the sphenoid, also known as Δ90°) to the upper, middle, and lower points of the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus. This study used 60 cadavers aged over 17 years, and evaluated these bodies with respect to age, height, BMI, weight, gender, and ethnicity, comparing measurements of right and left sides.ResultsThe measurements were >1.5cm in all cadavers and did not vary with age, height, weight, gender, and ethnicity on their right and left sides. The lack of association between the measurement from Δ90° to the upper, middle, and lower posterior walls of the maxillary sinus (categorical or quantitative) is noteworthy, considering the characteristics studied.ConclusionThe methodology defined the nasal point of reference, considering an absence of variation in the cadavers’ characteristics

Setting of an endoscopic nasal reference point for surgical access to the anterior base through an anatomical study on cadavers

Abstract Introduction: Diseases of paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and skull base can be treated by endonasal operations using a nasal rigid endoscope. When conducting this kind of surgery, anatomical references are critical for safety. Objective: To measure the distance from the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus to the skull base, according to socio-demographic characteristics, and to detail an anatomical reference point for paranasal sinus operations and for an access to the anterior skull base, comparing anatomical variations between right and left sides, gender, height, weight, age, and ethnicity in cadavers. Methods: Measures were taken from the 90° angle (the starting point where deflection of the skull base begins to form the anterior wall of the sphenoid, also known as Δ90°) to the upper, middle, and lower points of the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus. This study used 60 cadavers aged over 17 years, and evaluated these bodies with respect to age, height, BMI, weight, gender, and ethnicity, comparing measurements of right and left sides. Results: The measurements were >1.5 cm in all cadavers and did not vary with age, height, weight, gender, and ethnicity on their right and left sides. The lack of association between the measurement from Δ90° to the upper, middle, and lower posterior walls of the maxillary sinus (categorical or quantitative) is noteworthy, considering the characteristics studied. Conclusion: The methodology defined the nasal point of reference, considering an absence of variation in the cadavers’ characteristics

Reprodutibilidade do estadiamento endoscópico tridimensional da polipose nasal Reproducibility of the three-dimensional endoscopic staging system for nasal polyposis

A polipose nasossinusal é um processo inflamatório crônico da mucosa nasal, caracterizado pela presença de pólipos nasais múltiplos e bilaterais. Vários tipos de medicações têm sido usados no seu tratamento. Para estudar o resultado de diferentes formas de tratamento, é preciso alguma forma de estadiamento. OBJETIVOS: Apresentar um novo método endoscópico de estadiamento, baseado na endoscopia nasal e na avaliação tridimensional dos pólipos, comparar sua reprodutibilidade entre outros dois métodos já difundidos. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Estudo de coorte histórica com corte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Três examinadores avaliaram exames de 20 pacientes portadores de polipose nasossinusal em diferentes momentos, antes e 15 e 30 dias após o início de um tratamento com prednisona, na dose de 1 mg/kg/dia por 7 dias. Foi avaliado o grau de concordância entre os examinadores para cada método, utilizando-se o Kappa múltiplo para análise estatística. RESULTADOS: Os três métodos mostraram-se reprodutíveis, sendo que o método proposto apresentou menor concordância entre os examinadores. CONCLUSÃO: O estadiamento proposto mostrou-se reprodutível, apesar de apresentar menor concordância do que os outros dois estadiamentos.<br>Nasal Polyposis is a chronic inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa, characterized by multiple and bilateral nasal polyps. Different drugs have been used in its treatment. In order to study the results of different treatment modalities it is necessary to have some kind of staging. AIM: to present a new endoscopic staging method, based on nasal endoscopy and on the three-dimensional nasal polyp assessment; and compare its reproducibility with that from two other systems already established in the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three experts assessed the exams of 20 patients with nasal polyposis at different times, before, at 15 and at 30 days after the start of oral prednisone, 1 mg/kg/day, during 7 days. We assessed the agreement rate among the experts, using Kappa for statistic analysis. RESULTS: The three methods were reproducible, and the method hereby proposed had the least agreement among the examiners. CONCLUSIONS: the three-dimensional staging system proposed proved reproducible, despite showing less agreement among the examiners than the other as the other two methods

Reproducibility of the three-dimensional endoscopic staging system for nasal polyposis

SummaryNasal Polyposis is a chronic inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa, characterized by multiple and bilateral nasal polyps. Different drugs have been used in its treatment. In order to study the results of different treatment modalities it is necessary to have some kind of staging.Aimto present a new endoscopic staging method, based on nasal endoscopy and on the three-dimensional nasal polyp assessment; and compare its reproducibility with that from two other systems already established in the literature.Study designCohort study.Material and methodsThree experts assessed the exams of 20 patients with nasal polyposis at different times, before, at 15 and at 30 days after the start of oral prednisone, 1 mg/kg/day, during 7 days. We assessed the agreement rate among the experts, using Kappa for statistic analysis.ResultsThe three methods were reproducible, and the method hereby proposed had the least agreement among the examiners.Conclusionsthe three-dimensional staging system proposed proved reproducible, despite showing less agreement among the examiners than the other as the other two methods

Evaluation of the improvement of quality of life with Azithromycin in the treatment of eosinophilic nasal polyposis

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) is an important tool in assessing the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with a validated version in Brazil. The eosinophilic nasal polyposis (ENP) represents most of the cases of nasal polyposis (85-90%) and belongs to the group of chronic rhinosinusitis. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts the QoL of patients, not only causing localized symptoms, but also resulting in a general malaise. The standard treatments (corticosteroids and nasal endoscopic surgery) lead to partial control of symptoms, but relapses are frequent. Macrolide acting as an immunomodulator is a promising tool for more effective control of this disease. Studies are still lacking to assess the real impact on the QoL in patients treated with macrolides. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the improvement of QL, evaluated using SNOT-22, in patients with PNSE treated with immunomodulatory dose azithromycin. METHODS: This is a paired experimental study in patients with ENP. Comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment with azithromycin was performed. Patients completed the SNOT-22 questionnaire before the start of treatment and returned for evaluation after eight weeks of treatment. Azithromycin was prescribed at a dose of 500 mg, orally, three times a week, for 8 weeks. RESULTS: SNOT-22 score decreased 20.3 points on average. There was a significant decrease in the SNOT-22 (difference greater than 14 points) in 19 patients (57.6%). There was no significant difference in improvement in SNOT in subgroups with or without asthma/aspirin intolerance. CONCLUSION: Azithromycin resulted in significant improvement of QoL, assessed by SNOT-22, in the studied population

Azithromycin for the Treatment of Eosinophilic Nasal Polyposis: Clinical and Histologic Analysis

Introduction Macrolides used as immunomodulators are a promising tool for chronic inflammatory airway diseases. Eosinophilic nasal polyposis (ENP) is still considered a disease that is difficult to control with the currently standardized treatments. Objectives To evaluate prolonged treatment with low-dose azithromycin for ENP based on clinical and histopathologic variables. Methods The present investigation was a self-paired case study of 33 patients with ENP. A comparison was performed between patients before and after treatment with azithromycin for 8 weeks. The patients were subjected to clinical examinations, staging (three-dimensional imaging by endoscopy), application of the questionnaire, and biopsy of nasal polyps at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. Results The treatment yielded a clinical improvement regarding the two variables studied: polyposis staging (69.7%) and questionnaire (57.6%). We did not find significant differences in the inflammatory pattern and in the percentage or absolute number of eosinophils per field between samples obtained before and after the treatment (p > 0.05). There was no difference between the answers obtained from groups with and without asthma and/or aspirin intolerance (p > 0.3). The patients with advanced initial staging exhibited lower subjective improvement index and staging reduction (p = 0.031 and p = 0.012, respectively). Conclusion Based on this study, azithromycin may be considered as another therapeutic option for ENP. However, further studies are necessary to define the real mechanism of action involved

Position statement of the Brazilian Academy of Rhinology on the use of antihistamines, antileukotrienes, and oral corticosteroids in the treatment of inflammatory sinonasal diseases

Abstract Introduction: Inflammatory conditions of the nose and paranasal sinuses are very prevalent in the general population, resulting in marked loss of quality of life in affected patients, as well as significant work, leisure, and social activity losses. These patients require specific and specialized treatment. A wide range of oral medications are available. Objective: The present document is aimed to clarify, for professionals treating patients with inflammatory sinonasal diseases, both specialists and general practitioners, specific oral therapies in noninfectious nasal inflammatory conditions. Methods: The methodology used to create this article included the search for the key words: oral corticosteroids, antihistamines, antileukotrienes, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases in the last 5 years. Since no relevant article was found for the text on the subject of interest in the last 5 years, the search was extended for another 5 years, and so on, according to the authors’ needs. Results: Relevant literature was found regarding the use of antihistamines, antileukotrienes and oral corticosteroids in these conditions. The Brazilian Academy of Rhinology emphasizes, after extensive discussion by the collegiate, key points in the treatment with these drugs. Conclusion: There is support in the literature for the use of these drugs; however, final considerations about the role of each of them have been made

Posicionamento da Academia Brasileira de Rinologia sobre terapias tópicas nasais Brazilian Academy of Rhinology position paper on topical intranasal therapy

Opresente documento tem por objetivo esclarecer àqueles que tratam das doenças nasossinusais, tanto especialistas quanto generalistas, sobre as terapêuticas tópicas nasais. Por meio de uma revisão das evidências científicas, a Academia Brasileira de Rinologia vem proporcionar sua visão prática e atualizada sobre as medicações tópicas nasais mais utilizadas, excetuando-se as medicações que possuam antibióticos tópicos na sua formulação.<br>This documents aims at educating those who treat sinonasal diseases - both general practitioners and specialists - about topical nasal treatments. By means of scientific evidence reviews, the Brazilian Academy of Rhinology provides its practical and updated guidelines on the most utilized topical nasal medication, except for the drugs that have topical antibiotics in their formulas