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ABSTRACT: Esthesioneuroblastoma, or olfactory neuroblastoma, is an uncommon malignant tumor arising in the upper nasal cavity. Surgical approaches to this and other sinonasal malignancies involving the anterior skull base have traditionally involved craniofacial resections. Over the past 10years to 15years, there have been advances in endoscopic approaches to skull base pathologies, including malignant tumors. In this study, we review our experience with purely endoscopic approaches to esthesioneuroblastomas. Between January 2005 and February 2012, 11 patients (seven men and four women, average age 53.3years) with esthesioneuroblastoma were treated endoscopically. Nine patients presented with newly diagnosed disease and two were treated for tumor recurrence. The modified Kadish staging was: A, two patients (18.2%); B, two patients (18.2%); C, five patients (45.5%); and D, two patients (18.2%). All patients had a complete resection with negative intraoperative margins. Three patients had 2-deoxy-2-((18)F)fluoro-d-glucose avid neck nodes on their preoperative positron emission tomography-CT scan. These patients underwent neck dissections; two had positive neck nodes. Perioperative complications included an intraoperative hypertensive urgency and pneumocephalus in two different patients. Mean follow-up was over 28months and all patients were free of disease. This series adds to the growing experience of purely endoscopic surgical approaches in the treatment of skull base tumors including esthesioneuroblastoma. Longer follow-up on larger numbers of patients is required to clarify the utility of purely endoscopic approaches in the management of this malignant tumor.
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 09/2012; 19(11):1478-82. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The co-existence of pituitary adenomas (PA) and carotid artery aneurysms has been described and may be particularly frequent in acromegaly. The co-occurrence of an intracranial aneurysm in the setting of a PA presents significant risk to the patient, particularly when the aneurysm is within or near the operative field. We describe a 48-year-old, right-handed female patient with a large skull base lesion who had a left cavernous carotid artery aneurysm detected on her preoperative imaging studies. This patient was managed using a staged approach. She first underwent endovascular stent-assisted coiling of the aneurysm followed, six months later, by resection of the tumor via an expanded endonasal endoscopic approach. Histopathological analysis revealed a pituitary macroadenoma with neuronal metaplasia. Angiographic embolization followed by an expanded endonasal endoscopic approach is a safe and effective treatment for such lesions. Vascular imaging studies and a low index for suspicion are required for preoperative identification of such complex situations.
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 07/2012; 19(10):1437-41. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Environmental factors such as inhaled pollutants like cigarette smoke may play a significant role in diseases of the upper airway including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The objectives of this review are to summarize prior studies that describe the correlation between active smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) on CRS. We also review the pathophysiologic effects of cigarette smoke on sinonasal mucosa and discuss its impact on surgical outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).
A literature search was conducted of the PubMed database using the terms "sinusitis" or "rhinosinusitis" and "smoking." Additional search terms of "nasal epithelial" and "smoke" were used to find articles that discussed pathophysiologic effects of tobacco smoke, whereas "secondhand smoke" was added to identify articles analyzing the correlation of SHS and CRS. Finally "endoscopic sinus surgery" and "outcomes" were linked to "smoking" to find articles that analyzed the impact of smoking on surgical results.
We identified 204 articles in the initial search. An additional 72 articles were reviewed for their relevance to the pathophysiologic effects of tobacco smoke while 31 articles were analyzed to determine the correlation of SHS and CRS. Twenty-nine articles were reviewed to analyze the impact of smoking on surgical results.
There is clear evidence in the literature that cigarette smoke, either through active smoking or passive exposure to SHS, contributes to CRS. Recent prospective studies suggest that active smoking is not a contraindication to ESS, whereas the impact of smoking volume and long-term smoking after ESS has not been sufficiently evaluated.
International forum of allergy & rhinology. 06/2012; 2(5):362-9.
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ABSTRACT: Historically concurrent FESS/rhinoplasty was avoided due to concerns of increased risk of complication. Recent studies have shown that FESS/rhinoplasty can be performed simultaneously with good outcomes and no significant increase in complications. A thorough and effective approach to the patient with sinonasal obstruction requires attention to aesthetic, functional, and inflammatory issues. Medical treatment is an important adjuvant to surgery in order to optimize outcomes by improving patient symptoms long-term. Surgery for these patients should be performed in a careful, stepwise approach to address the nasal septum, inferior turbinates, paranasal sinuses, and external nasal structures.
Facial plastic surgery clinics of North America 02/2012; 20(1):43-54.
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ABSTRACT: Benign smooth muscle tumors rarely occur in the head and neck and, to the best of our knowledge, have not been reported in the pterygopalatine fossa. In this report, we describe a 15-year-old adolescent who presented with facial pain and was found to have a large skull base tumor centered in the pterygopalatine fossa. The patient underwent an expanded endonasal endoscopic approach for complete resection of this lesion with resolution of his symptoms. Pathology revealed a well-differentiated smooth muscle neoplasm consistent with a leiomyoma. This case adds to the growing body of literature supporting a role for endoscopic procedures in the treatment of skull base pathologies in pediatric patients.
Child s Nervous System 01/2012; 28(1):151-8. · 1.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Approximately 20% of the U.S. population suffers from allergic rhinitis (AR), and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is estimated to affect 12.5% of the population. Frequently, many patients suffer from both disorders. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between AR and chronic rhinosinusitis as far as impact on nasal symptoms in a community-based case-control study of adult nonsmokers.
In Washington County, MD, 200 subjects were recruited and interviewed from the same community. Subjects were divided into 4 study groups: AR without CRS, CRS without AR, AR with CRS, and a control group without AR or CRS. A validated questionnaire was used to assess upper respiratory symptoms, and disease-specific quality of life.
Upper respiratory symptoms were significantly more severe for the affected subjects when compared to controls. Symptom severity was greatest for the CRS groups with or without AR, followed by AR without CRS, and controls least symptomatic. Subjects with AR plus CRS were most likely to have had previous nasal surgery, and use nasal decongestants when compared to the other groups.
While both AR and CRS are common in the United States, it appears that patients who suffer from both disorders have more severe symptoms and are more likely to have undergone nasal surgery than if they have only 1 of these disease states.
International forum of allergy & rhinology. 01/2012; 2(1):51-6.
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ABSTRACT: The present study uses population-based data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to evaluate the behavior of sinonasal tumors.
Data for all sinonasal malignancies reported between 1973 and 2006 (n = 6739) were extracted from the database. Time-dependent trends in incidence and survival were analyzed by linear regression.
The overall incidence of sinonasal cancer was 0.556 cases per 100,000 population per year with a male:female ratio of 1.8:1. The most common histologies were squamous cell carcinoma (51.6%) and adenocarcinoma (12.6%), whereas the most common primary sites were the nasal cavity (43.9%) and maxillary sinus (35.9%). The incidence of sinonasal cancer remained relatively stable during the study period. No significant changes in overall relative survival were noted. The best relative survival was noted in patients treated with surgery or a combination of surgery and radiotherapy.
The prognosis of patients with sinonasal cancer is generally poor, and has not changed substantially over the last 3 decades.
Head & Neck 08/2011; 34(6):877-85. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Unilateral frontal sinus obstruction presents a surgical challenge when outflow tract osteoneogenesis or dense scarring is present. Frontal sinus obliteration is often employed as a last resort, but this procedure has potential long-term complications. In some cases, endoscopic modified Lothrop or unilateral drillout procedures may be effective options; however, restenosis rates are often high. Here we report our experience using frontal intersinus septum takedown (FISST) to address unilateral obstruction while preserving the opposite frontal outflow tract.
A retrospective review was performed of 12 patients with unilateral frontal sinus opacification due to irreversible frontal recess obstruction who underwent FISST. Surgical outcomes were assessed based on symptoms and computed tomography (CT) resolution of frontal sinus disease.
All 12 patients undergoing FISST had significant improvement in their symptoms. Ten postoperative CT scans were available for review, all showing continued patency of the interfrontal connection, and nine out of 10 with resolution of radiographic frontal sinus disease. Eleven of the procedures were performed via trephination, and one was achieved endoscopically.
In patients with one obstructed frontal sinus and a functional contralateral sinus, removal of the intersinus septum allows for adequate sinus drainage and significant clinical improvement. The success of FISST may be surprising given knowledge of mucociliary clearance patterns, but may be effective because of the naturally dependent position of the frontal sinus ostium.
The Laryngoscope 08/2011; 121(8):1805-9. · 1.75 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Objectives/Hypothesis:Unilateral frontal sinus obstruction presents a surgical challenge when outflow tract osteoneogenesis or dense scarring is present. Frontal sinus obliteration is often employed as a last resort, but this procedure has potential long-term complications. In some cases, endoscopic modified Lothrop or unilateral drillout procedures may be effective options; however, restenosis rates are often high. Here we report our experience using frontal intersinus septum takedown (FISST) to address unilateral obstruction while preserving the opposite frontal outflow tract.Study Design:A retrospective review was performed of 12 patients with unilateral frontal sinus opacification due to irreversible frontal recess obstruction who underwent FISST. Surgical outcomes were assessed based on symptoms and computed tomography (CT) resolution of frontal sinus disease.Results:All 12 patients undergoing FISST had significant improvement in their symptoms. Ten postoperative CT scans were available for review, all showing continued patency of the interfrontal connection, and nine out of 10 with resolution of radiographic frontal sinus disease. Eleven of the procedures were performed via trephination, and one was achieved endoscopically.Conclusions:In patients with one obstructed frontal sinus and a functional contralateral sinus, removal of the intersinus septum allows for adequate sinus drainage and significant clinical improvement. The success of FISST may be surprising given knowledge of mucociliary clearance patterns, but may be effective because of the naturally dependent position of the frontal sinus ostium.
The Laryngoscope 07/2011; 121(8):1805 - 1809. · 1.75 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Esthesioneuroblastoma is an uncommon malignant tumor originating in the upper nasal cavity. The surgical treatment for this tumor has traditionally been via an open craniofacial resection. Over the past decade, there has been tremendous development in endoscopic techniques. In this report, we performed a retrospective analysis of patients with esthesioneuroblastomas treated with a purely endonasal endoscopic approach and resection at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 2005 and April 2010. A total of eight patients with esthesioneuroblastoma, five men and three women, were identified. Six patients were treated for primary disease, and two were treated for tumor recurrence. The modified Kadish staging was A in one patient (12.5%), B in two patients (25%), C in four patients (50%), and D in one patient (12.5%). All patients had a complete resection with negative intraoperative margins. One patient had intraoperative hypertension; there were no perioperative complications. With a mean follow-up of over 27 months, all patients are without evidence of disease. In addition, we reviewed the literature and identified several overlapping case series of patients with esthesioneuroblastoma treated via a purely endoscopic technique. Our series adds to the growing experience of expanded endonasal endoscopic surgery in the treatment of skull base tumors including esthesioneuroblastoma. Longer follow-up on a larger number of patients is required to further demonstrate the utility of endoscopic approaches in the management of this malignancy.
Neurosurgical Review 06/2011; 34(4):465-75. · 2.04 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease that affects approximately one-fifth of the U.S. population. Few studies have evaluated the association between secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure and the impacts on symptom severity in AR. In this study, we evaluated the association of SHS and AR in a community-based study of adult nonsmokers.
In Washington County, Maryland, 83 subjects with AR (physician diagnosed or reported skin test positive), and 117 nonallergic subjects from the same community were recruited and interviewed. A validated questionnaire was used to assess past and present SHS exposure as well as disease-specific quality of life.
SHS was reported in 34/83 allergic subjects. Compared with AR subjects with no SHS exposure, subjects with AR and SHS were more likely to report a family history of chronic sinusitis (p = 0.04) and use nasal decongestants (p = 0.012). There was also a borderline association with reporting more severe nasal obstruction (p = 0.14) and nasal drainage (p = 0.08). Compared with nonallergic subjects, allergic subjects were more likely to report longer SHS exposure currently (adjusted mean difference = 1.6 hours/week; p = 0.01) and 20 years ago (adjusted mean difference = 2.9 hours/week; p = 0.03).
Past and current SHS may be a risk factor for AR. Allergic subjects with SHS exposure were more likely to use nasal decongestants and to report more severe nasal symptoms such as nasal obstruction and nasal drainage than nonexposed allergic subjects.
American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 03/2011; 25(2):e66-71.
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ABSTRACT: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNAs) are rare vascular tumors which arise in the nasopharynx of adolescent males. Patients with these tumors can be cured by surgery, which is the treatment of choice in the majority of patients. Traditional surgical techniques for patients with JNAs have been via open surgical approaches. Since 2000, however, the surgical management of JNAs has changed due to advances in endoscopic procedures and such approaches are standard for early stage lesions which are limited to the nasal cavity, nasopharynx and the paranasal sinuses. The role and limitations of endoscopic approaches for JNAs with skull base and intracranial involvement are being defined. In this report, we describe a patient with a JNA with skull base involvement who underwent an expanded endonasal endoscopic approach for a complete resection. Additionally, we review the literature of endoscopic approaches to JNAs with skull base involvement.
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 11/2010; 17(11):1423-7. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine 08/2010; 4(4):445-9.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the assessment tool for endoscopic sinus surgery when used in the operating room for in-training assessment of operative competency; to identify the tasks that may serve as the best indicators for overall surgical performance.
Cross-sectional validation study.
We implemented the global and checklist parts of the endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) assessment tool to evaluate the surgical skills of 13 Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery residents (PGY 1-5) in the operating room over a period of 15 months. Rhinology faculty scored residents' performance of every step of ESS at the end of each procedure using a previously validated tool. Construct validity was calculated by comparing scores across training levels (using analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Regression analysis was performed to identify tasks on the ESS checklist that most strongly correlated to the overall surgical performance.
Construct validity was demonstrated with senior residents performing better than junior residents. Average checklist and global scores improved with the number of days on rhinology rotation. "Identification of uncinate and boundaries" was found to be the strongest predictor of overall surgical performance.
The results indicate that this evaluation tool is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of surgical competency in the operating room. It can be used to identify weak areas of performance for which additional training may be required early in the rotation/training.
The Laryngoscope 08/2010; 120(12):2540-5. · 1.75 Impact Factor
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Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery 06/2010; 136(6):625-8. · 1.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Abnormalities in host mucosal immunity exist in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs), but it is unclear whether this is a cause or an effect of the eosinophilic inflammation and frequent microbial colonization that characterizes the disease. Sinonasal epithelial cells (SNECs) are critical participants in healthy antimicrobial innate immune defense. They also can promote Th2 inflammation with various mediators, including interleukin (IL)-33, which induces T helper cells to produce Th2 cytokines.
CRSwNP SNECs were obtained during sinus surgery and stored. Patients were subsequently classified as either treatment responsive or treatment recalcitrant, based on long-term outcomes of medical and surgical therapy. Epithelial cells from these patients were grown in air-liquid interface (ALI) culture and treated with IL-13, as well as the bacteria-associated molecule, CpG. Expression of IL-33 mRNA was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Recalcitrant CRSwNP epithelial cells had increased baseline expression of IL-33 compared with responsive CRSwNPs, which was further increased by 24-hour exposure to CpG. Treatment-responsive epithelial cells were not induced by CpG to express IL-33. Prolonged treatment with IL-13 during differentiation at the ALI diminished the baseline expression of IL-33 and prevented the subsequent induction of IL-33 by CpG.
Mucosal innate immunity likely plays an important role in CRSwNP pathogenesis. A definitive link between infectious triggers and the development of Th2 inflammation has been elusive. We have found constitutive IL-33 expression by SNECs in recalcitrant CRSwNPs, which can be further induced by a bacteria-associated molecular pattern. Dysregulated epithelial cell immune interactions between host and environment may contribute to Th2 inflammation in CRSwNPs.
American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 03/2010; 24(2):105-9.
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ABSTRACT: Inverted papilloma are benign sinonasal tumors that have a propensity to recur after surgical resection and may undergo malignant transformation. For this reason, complete resection is essential for the successful management of these tumors. Advances in endoscopic techniques and experience, as well as improved radiologic accuracy and navigation, are increasing the role of minimally invasive, endoscopic approaches for surgical resection of inverted papilloma. The following represents a review of the important and recent literature on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of inverted papilloma.
Studies of altered epithelial cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation have elucidated mechanisms of inverted papilloma pathogenesis. Radiographic findings, such as thickening of bone or osteitis, have been demonstrated to be useful in determining preoperative staging and for surgical planning. Outcomes studies suggest that endoscopic and combined endoscopic/external approaches now equal the effectiveness of traditional open procedures with decreased morbidity and reduced hospital stays.
A better understanding of alterations in epithelial cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation in inverted papilloma may lead to adjuvant medical therapies to decrease recurrence rates and improve treatment. Endoscopic approaches continue to gain acceptance and have become the standard of care for resection of sinonasal inverted papillomas.
Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery 03/2009; 17(1):6-10.
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ABSTRACT: To explore surgical technique and outcomes of revision endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with previously repaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.
A case series of 13 patients with previously repaired iatrogenic CSF leaks who underwent revision ESS for recurrent sinus disease; a review of the preoperative workup, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes.
Two academic medical centers.
Patients were included if they had a history of previously repaired skull base defect and iatrogenic CSF leak in the vicinity of the planned revision ESS.
Revision ESS was performed in the vicinity of the previously repaired CSF leak. Dissection was carefully performed to avoid a recurrent CSF leak.
Preoperative workup, intraoperative findings, surgical technique, and complications were reviewed.
The study population consisted of 7 men and 6 women. Surgical navigation was used for all cases. Intrathecal fluorescein was not used in any case. In no instances was an active preexisting CSF leak identified or a new leak created. No minor or major postoperative complications arose in any of the study patients. All patients were discharged home within 24 hours. The mean (SD) follow-up was 26.0 (16.7) months.
Previous skull base injury with CSF leak is not a contraindication to revision ESS. Safe ESS in this setting can be performed and may be recommended to such patients with symptomatic recurrence of their sinus disease.
Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery 12/2008; 134(11):1187-90. · 1.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To identify genes whose expression is most characteristic of chronic rhinosinusitis and aspirin-sensitive asthma through genome-wide transcriptional profiling of nasal polyp tissue.
Prospective, controlled study conducted at a tertiary care institution.
Thirty genome-wide expression microarrays were used to compare nasal polyp tissue from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis alone (CRS, n = 10) or chronic rhinosinusitis and a history of aspirin-sensitive asthma (ASA, n = 10) to normal sinonasal mucosa from patients who underwent surgery for non-sinus related conditions (controls, n = 10). Genes found to be most characteristic of each polyp phenotype, as determined from bioinformatic analyses, were validated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry in different patient sets.
The transcriptional signature of the control mucosa was distinctly different from that of either polyp phenotype. Genes most characteristic of the CRS phenotype included two upregulated genes--met proto-oncogene (MET) and protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 9B (PPP1R9B)-and two downregulated genes--prolactin-induced protein (PIP) and zinc alpha2-glycoprotein (AZGP1). The gene most characteristic of the ASA phenotype was periostin (POSTN), which was upregulated relative to controls. Differences between the CRS and ASA phenotypes were associated with alterations in the 6p22, 22q13, and 1q23 chromosomal regions.
Nasal polyps appear to have characteristic transcriptional signatures compared to normal sinonasal mucosa. The five genes identified in this study likely play roles in the pathogenesis of polyps associated with CRS and ASA, and are therefore attractive targets for novel medical therapies for these common debilitating diseases.
The Laryngoscope 06/2008; 118(5):881-9. · 1.75 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The interfrontal septal cell, which often takes the shape of a wishbone on axial CT scan, was first described by Van Alyea more than 50 years ago; however, its potential role in disease of the frontal sinus was only recently recognized. The purpose of this study was to correlate the incidence and dimensions of this "frontal wishbone" (FWB) with the presence of frontal sinus disease.
The dimensions, drainage pathways, and disease state of the FWB were measured in 150 consecutive sinus CT scans performed at a tertiary care referral center. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate the FWB configuration to the presence of frontal sinus disease.
A FWB was present in 77.3% of patients. The wishbone drained through a discrete ostium into either the left (54.8%), the right (45.2%), or the bilateral (0.8%) frontal sinuses. In those scans with mucosal thickening or opacification of the frontal sinus (36%), concurrent FWB disease was found in 82%. Patients with a large (>1 cm) FWB in the anterior-posterior dimension were more likely to have a diseased frontal sinus (p = 0.02).
The term FWB is used to describe an air cell within the interfrontal septum, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of frontal sinus disease.
American Journal of Rhinology 21(6):725-8. · 1.36 Impact Factor
