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Biomedical subjects

J W Sonkens

Publications and source records attributed to J W Sonkens.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Sinonasal polyposis: investigation by direct coronal CT.

To demonstrate the typical clinical and CT features of sinonasal polyposis, we reviewed the clinical records and preoperative direct coronal CT scans of 35 patients with surgically proven disease. Symptoms included progressive nasal stuffiness (100%), rhinorrhea (69%), facial pain (60%), headache (43%) and anosmia (17%). We found associations with rhinitis (46%), asthma (29%) and aspirin sensitivity (9%). Coronal CT features included polypoid masses in the nasal cavity (91%), partial or complete pansinus opacification (90%), enlargement of infundibula (89%), bony attenuation of the ethmoid trabeculae (63%) and nasal septum (37%), opacified ethmoid sinuses with convex lateral walls (51%) and air-fluid levels (43%). The latter feature correlated with symptoms and signs of acute sinusitis in only 40% of patients. Recognition of sinonasal polyposis is important to the endoscopic surgeon since it can be the most troubling sinonasal inflammatory disease to manage due to its aggressive nature and tendency to recur despite appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1991

The impact of screening sinus CT on the planning of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

The clinical and radiologic records of 500 sequential patients who underwent screening sinus CT as a prelude to possible functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) were reviewed in order to answer three clinical-radiologic questions: (1) Can distinct radiologic patterns of inflammatory disease be identified on screening sinus CT (SSCT)? (2) If so, what are these radiologic patterns? (3) How do the findings seen on SSCT influence the endoscopic surgical plan? Five basic radiologic patterns of sinonasal inflammatory disease were identified among the 500-member patient population. These were based on known patterns of mucociliary drainage correlated with obstructive patterns observed on the CT scans. These radiologic patterns included: (1) infundibular (129 of 500 or 26%), (2) ostiomeatal unit (126 of 500 or 25%), (3) sphenoethmoidal recess (32 of 500 or 6%), (4) sinonasal polyposis (49 of 500 or 10%), and (5) sporadia (unclassifiable) (121 of 500 or 24%) patterns. Normal SSCT was seen in 133 of the 500 patients (27%). Although the ostiomeatal unit is the central feature in sinonasal inflammatory disease, obstruction of the infundibulum alone or of the sphenoethmoidal recess can cause unique inflammatory patterns of disease that require tailored FESS. The identification of sinonasal polyposis raises a different set of FESS considerations. The sporadic pattern of inflammatory disease, when identified, creates unique FESS challenges, depending on the specific sinus or sinuses involved. Assignment of these patterns to the individual case also assists in patient management by grouping patients into nonsurgical (normal CT), routine (infundibular, ostiomeatal unit, and most sporadic patterns) and complex (sinonasal polyposis and sphenoethmoidal recess) surgical groups.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Sinonasal polyposis.

The SSCT findings of the SNP pattern are nearly diagnostic for this entity. SNP is characterized by the major findings of nasal polypoid masses and infundibular enlargement. Patients may also show individual sinus involvement with polypoid masses and/or opacification of the paranasal sinuses without visualization of polypoid masses. The presence of polypoid masses within the sinuses also can be inferred if the major findings are present, especially if there are the minor findings of nasal septal and sinus trabeculae attenuation and bulging of the lateral ethmoid sinus walls. Air/fluid levels are frequent in SNP but do not always indicate acute sinusitis. Patients typically present with nasal stuffiness and rhinorrhea. They often have facial pain and less often headaches. Common associations exist between SNP and atopy (either allergic or nonallergic), asthma, infection, cystic fibrosis, and aspirin intolerance. Therapy may be either medical or surgical, with steroids being the mainstay of the medical treatment. FESS provides a relatively atraumatic means of removing polyps and creating better sinus drainage. Regardless of the type of therapy, recurrences are common, requiring repeated bursts of systemic steroids, nasal steroid maintenance, and frequent additional surgical procedures. Identification of the SNP pattern on SSCT helps the otolaryngologist to institute an appropriate therapy aimed at alleviating symptoms. The SSCT is adequate for evaluation of SNP in the vast majority of cases and serves as a detailed road map for the treating endoscopic surgeon.

Acute Disease↗