Faculty Bibliography

Amyloid is defined as a pathologic proteinaceous substance which, when deposited between the cells of tissues and organs, leads to various clinical conditions. Immunohistochemistry has allowed for better classification and understanding of the pathophysiology of amyloidosis. In the upper aerodigestive tract, amyloidosis is a rare condition occurring most frequently in the larynx. We present the case of a 42-year-old woman with complete nasal obstruction due to primary nasopharyngeal amyloidosis. This represents the first reported case of primary nasopharyngeal amyloidosis containing both the lambda and kappa immunoglobulin light chains. The clinical and radiologic findings, as well as the management of primary amyloidosis of the upper aerodigestive tract, will be discussed. A review of the literature pertaining to nasal and nasopharyngeal amyloidosis will be presented

Osseointegrated dental implants are a widely used method of replacing lost or missing teeth. Resorption of the alveolar ridge of the edentulous posterior maxilla may necessitate augmentation before osseointegration to provide adequate bone for implant fixation. This can be accomplished through an intraoral approach to the maxillary sinus, with elevation of the mucosa of the sinus floor creating a pocket for graft placement. Disruption of the intact sinus mucosa may result in sinusitis, graft infection, or extrusion with secondary formation of an oroantral communication. To treat these patients effectively, the otolaryngologist must be aware of the techniques of sinus augmentation and osseointegration as well as the etiology of associated complications. We will discuss the management of four patients with significant sinus complications, and evaluate the otolaryngologist's role in the preoperative and postoperative care of these patients

Endoscopic data reveal that mucosal disease frequently recurs following the surgical treatment of chronic diffuse hyperplastic frontal sinus and nasofrontal duct disease. However, this group of patients often remains asymptomatic. We present 40 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery with a 4-year mean follow-up. Postoperative endoscopy revealed mucosal disease within the frontal recess in 39 of the 40 (97.5%) patients; however, only 3 of the 40 (7.5%) were symptomatic. Of these 3 patients, 1 underwent revision surgery. Historical information demonstrates the potential for significant nasofrontal duct stenosis associated with such revision surgery. On the basis of our initial results, endoscopic observation and medical therapy seem to be successful in controlling the symptoms associated with this disease process

Synechiae formation is a frequent occurrence after endoscopic sinus surgery and may cause symptomatic sinus outflow tract obstruction. Various means are used to reduce the incidence of synechiae formation. These include meticulous operative technique, partial middle turbinate resection, middle meatus spacers or stents, and postoperative debridement. The microdebrider is a powered rotary shaving device that precisely resects tissue, minimizing inadvertent mucosal trauma and stripping. We present 40 cases of endoscopic sinus surgery performed with the microdebrider. Patients had at least a 5-month follow-up and demonstrated rapid mucosal healing, minimal crust formation, and a low incidence of synechiae formation. These initial data suggest that the microdebrider may be advantageous in surgery for chronic sinusitis

Revision endoscopic sinus surgery is performed when symptoms associated with sinusitis persist after sinus surgery and despite continued medical therapy. The causes of treatment failure are varied and may include systemic, mucosal, and anatomic factors associated with persistent inflammatory disease. The purpose of this retrospective review was to define the sites of recurrent or persistent sinonasal disease in patients undergoing revision endoscopic sinus surgery. This data was based on our preoperative CT scan and nasal endoscopy, as well as intraoperative findings. This study includes an evaluation of the most recent sinus surgery in a group of 153 patients and 265 operated sides. The frequency and distribution of regional anatomic sites of disease is presented and discussed

Agger nasi cells contribute to nasofrontal duct (NFD) obstruction and chronic frontal sinus disease. To investigate this relationship, we conducted a review of the surgical outcome and computed tomographic imaging in 26 patients with chronic frontal sinusitis. Coronal and sagittal images were used to delineate the anatomic variability and mucosal disease in the NFD and frontal sinus region. Data from coronal and sagittal images were compared. The results were also correlated with the outcome of frontal sinus surgery in patients with a clinical history of chronic frontal sinus disease. Our data suggest that agger nasi cell pneumatization with narrowing of the frontal sinus outflow tract is a significant cause of persistent frontoethmoid pain and chronic frontal sinusitis. Sagittal reformatted images are more capable than coronal images of demonstrating agger nasi cell encroachment on the NFD, as well as NFD mucosal disease. Endoscopic frontal sinusotomy is an effective treatment for chronic frontal sinus disease

A retrospective analysis was performed on 174 patients operated on from 1992 to 1995 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuous lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CLCFD) in the management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks following acoustic neuroma surgery. There was a 17% incidence of CSF leak. CLCFD stopped the leak in 87% of cases. There were no cases of meningitis associated with CLCFD. One deep vein thrombosis was treated without sequelae. It is concluded that CLCFD is safe and efficacious. The authors recommend that CLCFD be implemented immediately when indicated, foregoing a trial of conservative therapy. Indications and precautions are discussed

Chronic sinus disease associated with progressive mucosal disease is often a cause for anosmia. Despite aggressive allergic, medical, and surgical intervention, long-term relief of anosmia has been difficult to document. Fifty patients sought treatment for subjective anosmia and symptoms of progressive sinusitis and underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. After surgery 52% maintained significant improvement in smell by subjective measures that correlated with objective olfactory University of Pennsylvania Small Identification test ('UPSIT') results. Of the remaining patients, some had intermittent improvement, but most remained hyposmic or anosmic despite clinically well-healed ethmoid surgical beds. Of the preoperative and postoperative historical, clinical, and radiological data analyzed, severity of the presenting sinus disease (defined as stage II In the Kennedy staging criteria or disease extending beyond the ethmoids on preoperative computed tomography scan) and persistent mucosal disease in the surgical bed are associated with persistent anosmia (p = 0.005)

The ostiomeatal complex has been identified as an important anatomic region in the pathogenesis of sinusitis. Functional endoscopic techniques rely on removal of mucosal disease from this site to improve drainage and aeration. Structural variations and the use of a sharp blade to create the infundibulotomy can result in inadvertent injury to the orbit. To avoid orbital penetration we perform the infundibulotomy with a curved, blunt dental elevator and displace the uncinate with its medial and lateral mucosa toward the middle turbinate. This stretches the infundibulum to reveal the maxillary ostium at its depth. The remaining mucosal attachments of the uncinate process are then incised under direct vision, and the complex is resected, creating an initial wide antrostomy. This technique has avoided orbital penetration in 700 cases in patients with early or late stages of mucosal disease

Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a serious complication of acoustic neuroma surgery. The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of 492 patients who underwent acoustic neuroma surgery to determine the efficacy of fibrin glue in preventing postoperative CSF leak. Thirteen of 92 patients (14%) undergoing retrosigmoid/transmeatal surgery experienced CSF leak when fibrin glue was used; 29 of 199 patients (15%) when it was not used. Nineteen of 85 patients (22%) experienced CSF leak when fibrin glue was used following translabyrinthine surgery; 23 of 116 patients (20%) when it was not used. No decrease was noted in the incidence of CSF leak following acoustic neuroma surgery with the use of autologous fibrin glue