Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Allergic fungal sinusitis and the role of fungi in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis are topics of interest and controversy in rhinology. The classification of chronic rhinosinusitis as either a bacterial infection or an allergic (eosinophilic) reaction to fungi has significant implications for treatment of this disease process. We designed a study to determine whether standard isolation techniques, as employed in a university hospital mycology laboratory, could isolate and identify fungi in the intraoperative specimens from patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five random patients with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis by clinical and computed tomography criteria underwent endoscopic sinus surgery during 2001, performed by two senior surgeons (J.B.J., R.A.L.). Specimens of mucin, sinus secretions, and/or tissue were obtained intraoperatively and sent to the New York University Medical Center (New York, NY) mycology laboratory for isolation and identification of fungi. METHODS: Specimens were treated with Sputolysin and chloramphenicol; plated on Sabouraud, ChromAgar/Candida, Mycosel, and Niger seed agar plates; and incubated at 30 degrees C (or 37 degrees C) for up to 1 month. RESULTS: We were able to demonstrate the presence of fungi in 56% of intraoperative specimens obtained from patients undergoing surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSIONS: Using a standard hospital mycology laboratory protocol, which is relatively inexpensive and readily available, fungus can be isolated from a majority of patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. Educational statement: Discuss the possible role of fungus in chronic rhinosinusitis and evaluate the efficacy of documenting the presence of fungus in a routine fashion to encourage clinically relevant directed treatments.)

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the incidence and degree of asymmetry in the height and contour of the ethmoid roof. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of direct coronal paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: Retrospective review of 200 consecutive direct coronal sinus CT scans done at New York University Medical Center from July 25, 2000 to October 11, 2000. The height and contour of the fovea ethmoidalis were examined for symmetry between the right and left sides. When an asymmetry in the height of the fovea ethmoidalis existed, this difference was quantified. RESULTS: In 19 scans (9.5%), there was an asymmetry between the height of the fovea ethmoidalis on the right and left sides. Of these 19, 12 (63.2%) were lower on the right side, whereas 7 (36.8%) were lower on the left. Ninety-six patients (48.0%) demonstrated a contour asymmetry with 'flattening' of the ethmoid roof on one side, 46 on the right and 50 on the left. One patient demonstrated both height and contour asymmetry. The fovea ethmoidalis on the remaining 86 scans (43.0%) was symmetric. CONCLUSIONS: In a patient population with sinus and nasal symptoms, the height and contour of the right and left fovea ethmoidalis were symmetric in less than 50% of individuals. The asymmetry was most often the result of a difference in contour with flattening of the fovea on one side. This underscores the importance of careful preoperative and intraoperative review of paranasal sinus CT scans in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery

Nasal steroid sprays have become a mainstay in the medical treatment of chronic allergic and nonallergic rhinosinusitis. Their effect is dependent on the topical application of the steroid to the nasal mucous membrane. When used properly, the spray should be aimed toward the lateral nasal wall. Specifically, 2 anatomic sites linked to the symptomatology of chronic rhinosinusitis, the inferior turbinate and the middle meatus, are targeted. We conducted a prospective study in patients who regularly use a topical nasal steroid spray to determine the actual distribution of the medication on the nasal mucosa. Participants in the study were given a sample bottle of an aqueous steroid nasal spray that had been colored with a nontoxic food dye, and were instructed to use the spray in their usual manner. Bilateral anterior rhinoscopy and fiberoptic nasal endoscopy were performed after application of the spray to determine its location on the nasal mucosa. The intranasal examination was repeated after 15 minutes to allow for redistribution of the medication by mucociliary transport. Findings were recorded after each examination and are discussed along with potential clinical implications. (18 ref) <2>

Sinusitis has been reported as a complication of sinus lift surgery with antral bone augmentation. The procedure involves the creation of a submucoperiosteal pocket in the floor of the maxillary sinus for placement of a graft consisting of autogenous, allogenic, or alloplastic material. This can result in inadvertent tearing of the mucoperiosteal flap with extrusion of graft material into the antrum. Obstruction of the sinus outflow tract by mucosal edema and particulate graft material may result in sinusitis. We will discuss the clinical presentation and management of 14 cases of chronic sinusitis following sinus lift surgery with alloplastic hydroxyapatite (HA) augmentation of the maxillary antrum

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is defined as a condition lasting for a period greater than 12 weeks, and manifested by an inflammatory response involving the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, fluids within these cavities, and/or the underlying bone. The mucosal changes that occur in CRS have been well described, and include edema, decreased number of ciliated cells, and goblet cell hyperplasia. However, the changes that may occur in the underlying ethmoid bone have only recently been investigated. We evaluated decalcified ethmoid bone specimens from 20 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS. Our analysis revealed histopathologic changes consistent with varying grades of bone remodeling. Polarized light microscopy demonstrated changes in the extracellular matrix, such as bone resorption and neoosteogenesis. Preoperative clinical data and CT staging were recorded on all patients and correlated with the histopathologic findings. These findings suggest that CRS may be associated with osteitis of the underlying ethmoid bone

Diversity of opinion continues to exist among otolaryngologists regarding the potential benefits of preservation or resection of the middle turbinate during endoscopic ethmoidectomy. Rhinologists in favor of middle turbinate preservation cite the potential loss of olfactory function as well as diminished humidification and filtration of inspired air following its resection. In addition, the middle turbinate remnant could lateralize, causing frontal recess obstruction and frontal sinusitis. In general, it is accepted that a diseased or flail middle turbinate should be resected during ethmoidectomy to create a marsupialized surgical bed. However, in the case of a structurally sound middle turbinate, indications for resection vary significantly. We are reporting on 100 primary endoscopic ethmoidectomies for chronic rhinosinusitis followed for at least 2 years. Of these 100 sides, 50 included conservative partial middle turbinectomy and 50 were performed with middle turbinate preservation. The postoperative clinical and endoscopic findings revealed no difference in the incidence of frontal sinusitis or frontal recess stenosis between groups. We compared additional data and present our technique of conservative middle turbinate resection, which preserves a portion of this structure as an important anatomic landmark

The bacteriology of chronic rhinosinusitis is an area of great interest among rhinologists. Numerous studies have reported culture results implicating a variety of aerobic and anaerobic organisms in the etiology of this disease process. Sampling is generally accomplished through the nasal cavity, creating the potential for contamination with resident nasal flora. In some reports, strict anaerobic techniques have not been used, possibly accounting for the failure to recover these fastidious organisms. In an attempt to clarify the microbiology of chronic rhinosinusitis, we used a novel culture and transport system in 50 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. The Accu-CulShure (MLA Systems, Pleasantville, NY, USA) is a self-contained polyethylene culture swab and transport device, capable of collecting a representative sample from the sinus without contamination, and preserving the quality of the material during transport. Our aerobic and anaerobic culture results, as well as pertinent patient data, are presented. The Accu-CulShure device may permit standardization of culture techniques for future studies, and allow for more accurate determination of the microbiology of chronic rhinosinusitis

Endoscopic surgical approaches for chronic frontal sinusitis require the reestablishment of adequate frontal sinus ventilation and drainage for relief of symptoms. After the resection of anterior ethmoid mucosal disease and cellular structure, the anterior to posterior depth of the nasofrontal beak to the base of skull at the insertion of the ethmoidal bulla (frontal sinus ostium) often represents a critical margin for functional success. However, little information concerning this dimension is available. Depending on intraoperative surgical judgment of this distance, extended endoscopic surgical procedures involving additional bone resection may be indicated. These approaches may be hazardous due to the proximity of the cranial cavity and orbit. In addition, secondary stenosis can result from the subsequent inflammatory response. Improved CT imaging, high resolution sagittal reformatting, and computer workstations provide the ability to obtain direct preoperative measurements of the frontal recess. We used a paramedian sagittal section and recorded the maximal anterior to posterior depth from the nasofrontal beak to the base of skull at the insertion of the ethmoidal bulla in 20 patients, 31 sides, undergoing primary endoscopic frontoethmoidectomy. In addition, we found a positive correlation between this distance and agger nasi air cell size measured in the same 31 sides