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PubMedDate not supplied

Normal structures in the intracranial dural sinuses: delineation with 3D contrast-enhanced magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo imaging sequence.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of dural sinus thrombosis include the presence of arachnoid granulations, intrasinus fibrotic bands (so-called septa), and hypoplasia or aplasia of the dural sinuses. The purpose of this study was to assess the appearance, distribution, and prevalence of arachnoid granulations and septa in the dural sinuses by using a high resolution 3D contrast-enhanced magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE) imaging sequence. METHODS: Conventional MR images and contrast-enhanced MPRAGE images of 100 consecutive patients who had no abnormalities of the dural sinuses were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence, site, number, size, signal intensity, and shape of arachnoid granulations and septa within the sinuses and their relationship with adjacent veins were recorded. RESULTS: With 3D contrast-enhanced MPRAGE imaging, 433 round, oval, or lobulated focal filling defects were found in a total of 90 patients. Curvilinear septa were observed in 92 patients. Sixty-nine patients had round, oval, or lobulated defects in the transverse sinus, 59 had such defects in the superior sagittal sinus, and 47 had such defects in the straight sinus. All except two of the above defects were isointense relative to CSF on all images. These structures were presumed to be arachnoid granulations. Of 431 arachnoid granulations, 233 (53.8%) were located in the superior sagittal sinus, 122 (28.1%) in the transverse sinus, and 76 (17.6%) in the straight sinus. One or more veins were seen to enter arachnoid granulations in 414 (96%) instances. CONCLUSION: The contrast-enhanced 3D MPRAGE imaging sequence showed a much higher prevalence and a different distribution of arachnoid granulations and septa within dural sinuses than have been observed in previous radiologic studies. Arachnoid granulations were closely related spatially to veins.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Computer-aided image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery in unusual cases of sphenoid disease.

The vital neurovascular structures that border the sphenoid sinus make extensive sphenoid sinus surgery hazardous despite the advent of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Computer-aided image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery (CAIGESS) has facilitated safer surgery by providing real-time analysis of complex, three-dimensional anatomic landmarks. We present 6 cases of atypical sphenoid disease, which greatly benefited from the unique superiority of CAIGESS in avoding surgical complications. Two cases of cerebrospinal-fluid (CSF) leak with concomitant meningoencephalocele of the sphenoid sinus were successfully managed with this technique. An inverting papilloma originating from the sphenoid sinus was successfully exenterated using CAIGESS. One patient, who experienced a lateral-rectus muscle palsy from sphenoid sinusitis, underwent successful sinusotomy with CAIGESS. Another patient, who had refractory left-sided sphenoid sinusitis despite 2 ESS procedures, was found to have an obliquely oriented intersinus septum which misled the previous surgeons to enter mistakenly the contralateral sphenoid sinus. CAIGESS allowed accurate identification and removal of the intersinus septum and relief of the sinusitis. Finally, a sphenoid-sinus mucocele that developed after a prior pituitary surgery was safely decompressed with CAIGESS. This surgical approach offers a new and effective adjunct to ESS in selected revision or difficult sinus cases and has proven invaluable in complicated sphenoid cases where the surrounding neurovascular anatomy could otherwise be jeopardized.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Functional endoscopic sinus surgery].

Treatment of chronic paranasal sinusitis (CPS) by functional endoscopic sinus surgery refers to removal of the pathologic tissue which interferes with the physiologic function of the sinuses in the ostiomeatal complex under direct vision by use of endoscopes to restore the ventilation and drainage of the sinuses. While the ventilation and drainage of the sinuses become normal, the lesions of sinus mucosa will recover spontaneously and the function of the sinuses will be restored. From May to August 1988, functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in 47 cases based on the operative methods described by Dr. Stammberger. We excised the uncinate process of middle meatus and entered the infundibulum. The pathologic tissue in the frontal recess was removed first. The anterior ethmoid sinus and posterior ethmoid sinus were cleared depending on the excisable extent of the lesion and the sphenoid sinus wound be opened if necessary. Middle meatal antrosomy was finally performed to enlarge the obstructed ostium of the maxillary sinus. Seventeen of them met the criteria: 1. a history of the disease for more than 3 months and not improving or recovering after medical treatment 2. no past history of surgical treatment for CPS 3. the etiology is not dentigerous or septal deviation. Because one patient lost to follow up, sixteen patients constituted the materials of this study. About 80% of patients were improved or asymptomatic. No serious complication occurred in all patients and the most common one was the adhesion between the middle turbinate and the lateral nasal wall.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Paranasal sinus anatomy and pathophysiology.

Mucociliary function keeps the normal sinuses free of drainage despite the fact that several of the sinus otia are not favorably located for gravitational drainage. This function of drainage is lost if the ostium becomes occluded or mucociliary function is impaired. The precise mechanisms of ostial occlusion remain to be elucidated. The normal healthy sinus is free of bacteria, despite the presence of normal bacterial flora in the nasopharynx. In sinusitis bacteria probably gain access to the sinus via the ostium, although in some cases (eg, dental abscess) bacteria penetrate from contiguous structures. Bacteria in an occluded sinus rapidly convert the gas environment to favor their rapid growth. The increased growth and purulence as well as the low PO2 may impair local immune defense mechanisms by degradation of immunoglobulins as well as impaired granulocyte killing. The natural course of sinusitis continues until the ostial occlusion resolves, allowing mucociliary function to drain the affected sinus. In this way spontaneous resolution of sinusitis is possible. Spontaneous drainage cannot occur if the mucociliary function is congenitally deficient, damaged by scarring from previous severe infection, or surgically removed. In addition, chronic sinusitis may occur if there is persistent ostial obstruction from nasal polyps or tumors. The drainage may be diminished by an anatomically small ostium or tortuous drainage duct. Drainage of the sinus may be increased by the effects of erect posture on ostial resistance. Besides adequate drainage, the importance of the local immune defense mechanisms must be emphasized. The occurrence of chronic sinusitis in patients with various immunoglobulin deficiencies reinforces this point.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cilia↗
PubMed1984

Relationship of optic neuritis to disease of the paranasal sinuses.

The relationship of paranasal sinusitis to optic neuritis remains an intriguing curiosity to both the otolaryngologist and the ophthalmologist. The literature is replete with anecdotal case reports of patients whose sinusitis appears to have caused optic neuritis. There is much speculation about the pathophysiological mechanisms which relate these two distinct disease entities. Five new cases are described which highlight distinct pathophysiologic routes through which paranasal sinus disease has caused optic neuritis. These include compressive optic neuropathy secondary to mucoceles and/or pyoceles; direct extension of sinus infection to the optic nerve from suppurative paranasal sinusitis; and, in one case, from osteomyelitis of the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. The usefulness of computerized axial tomography of the orbits and paranasal sinuses to evaluate optic neuritis and to elucidate in detail the pathophysiology of its relationship to disease of the paranasal sinuses is emphasized. Currently, optic neuritis is felt to be a rare complication of paranasal sinusitis. Paranasal sinus surgery is advocated in those cases where sinus suppuration is suspected, or when a compressive optic neuropathy is caused by a sinus mucocele or pyocele. Since in most cases, however, optic neuritis is self-limited, it is difficult to evaluate the results of surgery in circumstances other than those mentioned already. Continued careful evaluation, management, and documentation of this group of patients is necessary to help better define the relationship between these two disease entities.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Conservative and reconstructive surgery of the superior longitudinal sinus].

Neurosurgeons are confronted with the superior longitudinal sinus (SLS) in three circumstances: following injuries; compression or invasion of the sinus by tumors, particularly parasagittal meningiomas; and other less common occasions such as measuring pressure in the SLS or in the presence of a ventriculosinusal shunt or phlebitis of the SLS. Anatomical and physiological features of the sinus can be summarized as follows. The emissary veins open directory into the sinus at different angles according to whether they are anteriorly, medially, or posteriorly located. Their orifices are protected by willis cords, provoking laminar flow in the sinus. Pacchionian bodies are found mainly in the parasinusal blood lakes. To ensure an effective cerebral blood flow, pressure in the sinus must be less than that of the cerebrospinal fluid which itself must be at a lower pressure than that in the cortical veins. The anatomical structure of the sinuses in the rigid dural folds explains why they are compressed little or not at all by increased intracranial pressure. Surgery on the sinus should therefore include conservation or re-establishment of its two fold structure; internal venous, perfectly visible under the operating microscope, and external dura mater structure. Based on these anatomophysiological considerations, experimental sinus surgery was performed in the dog: either replacement of one or two sinus walls by a venous autograft doubled with dura mater. These techniques have been employed in humans mainly for parasagittal meningiomas, but they can be used for sinus injuries. A provisional shunt is necessary only when there is cerebral edema with venous turgescence, particularly posterior to the rolandic veins. Suturing of wounds, or their repair by means of a vein graft is employed whether they are associated or not with hematomas. Sinus invasion of meningiomas is diagnosed from the venous time of bilateral carotid angiography employing the subtraction process.

Brain↗
PubMed1997

Microbiology of chronic sinusitis.

Much controversy still exists about the role of viruses, bacteria and fungi in sinusitis. Until recently, it was not really known that the sinuses take part in the infectious process of a common cold (viral rhinitis). Indeed, CT scans show that in the vast majority of otherwise healthy volunteers with a common cold, and without a previous history of recurrent or chronic sinusitis, the sinuses are involved too. A viral rhinitis alone, however, does not seem to be able to elicit a "clinical" acute sinusitis. Bacteria determine the clinical picture and outcome of sinusitis. There is not much controversy about the role of bacteria in acute sinusitis, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis being the most frequently involved bacteria. Much more conflicting reports are published about the normal flora of the sinuses, the role of anaerobes and the microbiology of chronic sinusitis. In this chapter the defense and pathophysiologic mechanisms of viral, bacterial and fungal infection of the nasal and sinusal mucosa are described. It is postulated that, although bacteria are very important in acute sinusitis, their role in chronic sinusitis is minimal, the bacteria being opportunistic colonisers.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Extended endoscopic frontal sinus surgery to interrupted nasofrontal communication caused by scarring of the anterior ethmoid: long-term results.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the long-term results of extended endoscopic frontal sinus surgery, including removal of the floor of the frontal sinus (Draf type II procedure) and the median drainage operation (Draf type III procedure or modified Lothrop procedure), for obstructive frontal sinusitis caused by postoperative scar formation, with the emphasis on the long-term success of the median drainage procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective review of 22 consecutive cases of extended endonasal frontal sinus surgery in patients with obstructive frontal sinusitis caused by postoperative scarring. SETTING: The procedures were performed at a private surgicenter in Japan. PATIENTS: Twenty-two patients (15 males and 7 females) ranging in age from 14 to 61 years. All patients had scar formation in the anterior ethmoid, either with or without middle turbinate lateralization or ethmoiditis. Three patients underwent Draf type II procedure followed by Draf type III procedure because of surgical failure of the type II procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Restoration of communication to the frontal sinus was evaluated by computed tomography. All patients were examined at least 12 months after surgery or stent removal. RESULTS: Of the 16 patients who underwent the type III procedure, in 14 (88%) the patency of the opening to the frontal sinus and an aerated sinus were confirmed. Of 12 sides in 9 patients who underwent Draf type III procedure, 5 sides (42%) were also confirmed as "cured." CONCLUSIONS: The median drainage operation (Draf type III procedure) on the frontal sinus showed excellent long-term results compared with the type II procedure. Extended endoscopic frontal sinus surgery, particularly the median drainage procedure, is useful in the functional treatment of obstructive frontal sinusitis caused by postoperative scarring.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Factors in the pathogenesis of tumors of the sphenoid and maxillary sinuses: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To explain the processes that lead to the development of tumors in the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses. STUDY DESIGN: A 32-year review of the world's literature on neoplasms of these two sinuses and a randomized case-controlled study comparing the normal mucosal architecture of the maxillary to the sphenoid sinus. METHODS: Analysis of a 32-year world literature review reporting series of cases of maxillary and sphenoid sinus tumors. Tumors were classified by histological type and separated into subgroups if an individual incidence rate was reported. Histomorphometry of normal maxillary and sphenoid sinus mucosa was performed in 14 randomly selected patients (10 sphenoid and 4 maxillary specimens). Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, and stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and hematoxylin. Histomorphometric analysis was performed with a Zeiss Axioscope light microscope (Carl Zeiss Inc., Thornwood, NY) mounted with a Hamamatsu (Hamamatsu Photonics, Tokyo, Japan) color-chilled 3 charge coupled device digital camera. The images were captured on a 17-inch Sony (Sony Corp., Tokyo, Japan) multiscan monitor and analyzed with a Samba 4000 Image Analysis Program (Samba Corp., Los Angeles, CA). Five random areas were selected from strips of epithelium removed from each sinus, and goblet and basal cell measurements were made at magnifications x 100 and x 400. RESULTS: The literature review revealed that the number and variety of tumors in the maxillary sinus are much greater than those in the sphenoid. The incidence of metastatic lesions to each sinus is approximately equal. No recognized pattern of spread from any particular organ system could be determined. On histomorphometric study there were no statistically significant differences between the sinuses in the concentration of goblet cells, basal cells, or seromucinous glands. CONCLUSIONS: Factors involved in the pathogenesis of tumors of the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses include differences in nasal physiology, embryology, morphology, and topography. There are no significant histological differences in the epithelium and submucous glands between the two sinuses to explain the dissimilar formation of neoplasms.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2005

Treatment of chronic frontal sinus disease with the galeal-frontalis flap: a long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Management of benign chronic frontal sinus disease is difficult. Patients are frequently seen by multiple specialties for medical treatment and endonasal procedures before they seek or require definitive treatment with frontal sinus obliteration. The progression of the disease may lead to serious or life-threatening conditions such as local bone destruction, periorbital abscess, osteomyelitis, meningitis, cranial epidural abscess, or septicemia. This study presents the use of the galeal-frontalis myofascial flap as part of the treatment of this disease. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with chronic frontal sinus disease requiring obliteration were included in this study; all were approached through a coronal incision. The anterior wall of the frontal sinus was removed and the frontal sinus disease was evacuated. The sinus mucosa was completely removed, and the frontal sinus and nasofrontal duct were totally obliterated with either a unilateral flap or a bilateral galeal-frontalis flap. RESULTS: All patients had failed medical therapy and many had failed endonasal and endoscopic procedures. The mean follow-up was 43.6 months (range, 1 to 125 months). There were two early complications, a seroma and a hematoma. Sinus infection recurred in one patient 3 months postoperatively. The recurrent infection was treated in the same manner, using the available and viable galeal-frontalis flap to obliterate the frontal sinus, with no recurrence after 40 months. CONCLUSIONS: The galeal-frontalis flap has been investigated by angiography and is based on the supratrochlear and supraorbital vessels. Its location and vascularity make it reliable and effective for frontal sinus obliteration. In the head and neck area and elsewhere, filling defects with vascularized tissue prevents infection. A further advantage is that any residual defects are usually well tolerated by patients, and those requesting correction can be easily accommodated. The risks and complications from using exogenous materials and from performing secondary procedures for graft harvest are avoided. Considering that most patients presented with complications from advanced disease and that after one revision no patients have had recurrence of disease, obliterative treatment with the galeal-frontalis myofascial flap should be contemplated earlier in treating patients with chronic frontal sinus disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Carotid sinus hypersensitivity in asymptomatic older persons: implications for diagnosis of syncope and falls.

BACKGROUND: Carotid sinus hypersensitivity is the most commonly reported cause of falls and syncope in older persons. Recent guidelines recommend 5 to 10 seconds of carotid sinus massage in supine and upright positions with beat-to-beat monitoring. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of carotid sinus hypersensitivity in (1) an unselected community sample of older people and (2) a subsample with no history of syncope, dizziness, or falls using recently standardized diagnostic criteria. METHODS: One thousand individuals older than 65 years were randomly sampled from a single general practice register; 272 participants underwent supine and upright carotid sinus massage with continuous heart rate and phasic blood pressure monitoring. Carotid sinus hypersensitivity was defined as asystole of 3 seconds or greater and/or a drop in systolic blood pressure of 50 mm Hg or greater. RESULTS: Carotid sinus hypersensitivity was present in 107 individuals (39%); 24% had asystole of 3 seconds or greater during carotid sinus massage; and 16% had symptoms (including syncope) with carotid sinus hypersensitivity. Age (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.09) and male sex (odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence intervals, 1.04-2.82) were the only predictors of carotid sinus hypersensitivity. In 80 previously asymptomatic individuals, carotid sinus hypersensitivity was present in 28 (35%) and accompanied by symptoms in 10. The 95th percentile for carotid sinus massage response was 7.3 seconds' asystole and a 77-mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid sinus hypersensitivity is common in older persons, even those with no history of syncope, dizziness, or falls. The finding of a hypersensitive response should not necessarily preclude further investigation for other causes of syncope.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1996

The relation between physician-diagnosed sinusitis, asthma, and skin test reactivity to allergens in 8-year-old children.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sinusitis in a nonselected sample of children, and the relation of sinusitis to allergic rhinitis (AR), atopy, asthma, and cough in the same population sample. Of 1246 children enrolled at birth in the Tucson Children's Respiratory Study, 835 were studied at a mean age +/-SD of 8.6 +/- 0.7 years. Questionnaires asking about MD-Sinusitis, MD-AR, MD-Asthma, and cough were completed by parents. Skin tests for seven common aeroallergens in the Tucson area had been performed in 630 of the participating children at the mean age +/-SD of 6.3 +/- 0.9 years. Prevalence of MD-Sinusitis was 13.1%; 78% of subjects with MD-Sinusitis also had MD-AR. Detailed analysis of the relation between MD-Sinusitis and individual environmental allergens tested for showed that only a response to Bermuda grass pollen was significantly associated with MD-Sinusitis after controlling for MD-AR [adjusted odds ratio 2.3 (95% CI 1.2-4.3)]. Having MD-Sinusitis was also significantly associated with MD-Asthma and cough [odds ratios 3.0 (95% CI 1.8-5.2)] and 2.5 (95% CI 1.6-3.8), respectively]. However, logistic regression demonstrated that, after controlling for MD-AR and skin test reactivity, MD-Sinusitis was no longer significantly associated with MD-Asthma or cough. We conclude that MD-Sinusitis is a common condition in childhood. The main independent risk factors in our community for MD-Sinusitis were grass pollen and current MD-AR. MD-Sinusitis was not associated with MD-Asthma or with cough after controlling for skin test reactivity and for MD-AR.

Allergens↗
PubMed2006

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Rhinosinusitis is a well-recognised clinical syndrome affecting patients of all ages and gender. FESS has now become a well-established strategy, comprising several techniques, for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to medical treatment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of functional endoscopic sinus surgery as a treatment for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1966 to January 2006) and EMBASE (1974 to January 2006) were searched. Reference lists were handsearched and experts in the field contacted to identify further studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials. Inclusion criteria were any of the following criteria singly or in combination: patients with chronic rhinosinusitis diagnosed by a health professional; patients with sinusitis symptoms for more than 12 weeks; endoscopic evidence of sinusitis or radiological evidence of sinusitis. Exclusion criteria were immune suppression; cystic fibrosis; Wegener's disease; previous sinus surgery or sinonasal malignancy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: All studies meeting the inclusion criteria underwent validity assessment and the data were extracted independently by the two authors. Comparisons were:FESS versus medical treatmentFESS versus conventional sinus surgeryFESS + medical treatment versus medical treatmentFESS + medical treatment versus conventional sinus surgery + medical treatment MAIN RESULTS: The three included studies were randomised controlled trials. The evidence available does not demonstrate that FESS, as practiced in the included trials, is superior to medical treatment with or without sinus irrigation in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. A middle meatal antrostomy fashioned by FESS was also not shown to be superior to an inferior meatal antrostomy formed by traditional sinus surgery techniques, although the small sample size in the study does not exclude a type II error. In one study there was a relapse rate of 2.4% in the FESS and sinus irrigation group compared to 5.6% in the sinus irrigation only group. The relapse rates were not mentioned in the other studies. There were no major complications such as orbital injury or cerebrospinal fluid leak reported in any of the included trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: FESS as currently practiced is a safe surgical procedure. The limited evidence available suggests that FESS as practiced in the included trials does not confer additional benefit to that obtained by medical treatment (+/- sinus irrigation) in chronic rhinosinusitis. More randomised controlled trials comparing FESS with medical and other treatments, with long-term follow up, are required.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2006

Are lower airway or throat cultures predictive of sinus bacteriology in cystic fibrosis?

The choice of antibiotics for sinusitis in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is empirical or based on lower airway cultures, because sinus cultures are difficult to obtain. The aim of this study was to identify the main organisms cultured from CF children with chronic sinusitis, and to evaluate the concordance of concomitant sinus, oropharyngeal swab (OP), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cultures. OP and BALF cultures were done preoperatively, and sinus cultures were obtained during clinically indicated sinus surgery. The genetic identity of the bacteria was compared if the same organisms were present in upper and lower airway cultures. In total, 45 paired sinus-BALF cultures from 31 patients were included. Twenty-four of these had matched OP cultures. The mean age of patients was 9.5 +/- 4.3 years, and 19 patients were DeltaF508 homozygous. Bacterial sinus infection was present in 96%, caused by S. aureus (49%), P. aeruginosa (42%), and H. influenzae (22%). The diagnostic accuracy of BALF or OP cultures was low in predicting sinus infection, particularly at younger ages. Positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of BALF for P. aeruginosa infection were 65% and 67%, and for S. aureus, 76% and 63%, respectively. Predictive values for OP cultures were similar. Bacterial species were the same in sinus and OP or BALF samples of 12 patients of these bacteria 83% showed genetic identity. We conclude that S. aureus is an important pathogen in pediatric CF sinusitis, and that BALF or oropharyngeal cultures are poor predictors for organisms present in the sinuses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Sinusitis in mechanically ventilated patients and its role in the pathogenesis of nosocomial pneumonia.

Nosocomial sinusitis is a complication of endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients. Its incidence is often underestimated because of a lack of clinical signs. It is suspected in patients with nasal discharge or unexplained fever. Its diagnosis is based on radiological examination, by radiograph or computed tomography scan, and microbiological cultures of maxillary sinus aspirate. Maxillary sinusitis is often associated with involvement of the sphenoid, ethmoid, and/or frontal sinuses. Its incidence varies greatly according to diagnostic criteria and the population studied. Infectious sinusitis is less frequent than noninfectious sinusitis, occurring in 20 to 30% of patients intubated for at least seven days. Its incidence is higher in nasotracheally than in orotracheally intubated patients. Other risk factors include nasogastric tubes and head trauma. The main causative agents are gram-negative bacilli, primarily Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterobacteriaceae, but Staphylococcus aureus and yeasts are also common. Patients with nosocomial sinusitis are more likely to develop pneumonia than those without sinusitis. The sinus provides a bacterial reservoir from which organisms may seed the tracheobronchial tree. The association of sinusitis and pneumonia is mainly due to Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The treatment of sinusitis is based on the removal of all nasal tubes, topical decongestants, and maxillary sinus drainage and lavage. The role of intravenous antibiotics is controversial.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

Effects of surgery on the function of maxillary sinus mucosa.

For chronic maxillary sinusitis, the most popular surgical approach for treatment is endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). After these operations, however, it is not clear how well the surgery restores the normal mucociliary function. We examined the mucociliary clearance (MCC) in maxillary sinuses in chronic sinusitis before ESS and 6 months after the operations. The correlation of histology to MCC was also studied. Measurements of the mean residual mucociliary clearance (MCC) of maxillary sinuses was studied pre- and postoperatively with an isotope method. Biopsies taken during ESS and 6 months postoperatively were studied by electron microscopy (EM). Preoperative residual MCC from the maxillary sinuses was 77+/-26% (mean+/-SD). Six months postoperatively, residual MCC was 70+/-22%, only slightly better than preoperatively. Residual MCC was considered good (< or = 50%) in 12% of sinuses preoperatively and in 20% postoperatively. In preoperative sinuses, 14% did not show any mucociliary clearance compared to 11% postoperatively. As a single EM finding, metaplasia gave the poorest MCC (91%) and microvilli the best (68%). Mucociliary function in maxillary sinusitis remains poor even 6 months postoperatively, with many pathological findings still visible in the sinus epithelium. MCC correlates well with the histology of the mucosa. Surgery does not significantly improve the mucociliary function of sinus mucosa in chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1991

Parasympathetic overactivity and its evaluation in patients with sinus nodal dysfunction.

In 17 controls, and 17 patients with sinus nodal dysfunction, an electrophysiologic study was made of sinus nodal function and atrioventricular nodal conduction in the basal state. The study was then repeated in all patients after atropine. The heart rate, mean sinus cycle length, variations of sinus cycle length, sinus node recovery times, sinuatrial conduction time, AH interval, and atrioventricular nodal Wenckebach threshold were significantly different in patients from those of controls. All these parameters changed significantly in patients after atropine, and were comparable to those of controls except for the atrioventricular nodal Wenckebach threshold. Atropine failed to increase the heart rate beyond 90 beats per minute in 10 of 17 patients (sensitivity of 59%) or by at least 30% above the resting heart rate only in 4 of them (sensitivity of 24%). The variations of sinus cycle length, and their standardized value, could detect sinus nodal dysfunction with sensitivities of 59 and 47%, respectively. From our results, we conclude that there is parasympathetic overactivity in patients with sinus nodal dysfunction. Because of their very low sensitivities, the atropine test and variations of sinus cycle length were not useful in identifying sinus nodal dysfunction noninvasively. The normal response of the heart rate to atropine does not exclude sinus nodal dysfunction, but atropine may help to differentiate abnormalities intrinsic and extrinsic to the sinus node during the electrophysiologic study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Fungal sinusitis: histologic spectrum and correlation with culture.

Fungi are important etiologic agents of sinusitis. However, features of fungal sinusitis including the histologic spectrum, diagnostic mishaps, incidence, and fungal types have not been systematically studied. From 1996 through 2001, a total of 788 surgical pathology sinus specimens from 384 cases was retrieved. Fungal sinusitis was diagnosed in 58 specimens (7%) from 47 cases (12%). Four histologic categories of fungal sinusitis were identified: (1) allergic fungal sinusitis in 34 cases (copious mucin, abundant eosinophils, Charcot-Leyden crystals (so-called allergic mucin), with rare noninvasive fungal hyphae); (2) mycetoma/fungus ball in 11 cases (tightly packed fungal hyphae without allergic mucin or tissue invasion); (3) chronic invasive fungal sinusitis in 1 case (tissue granulomas with fungal hyphae); and (4) acute fulminant fungal sinusitis in 1 case (fungal vascular invasion). The diagnosis was initially missed in 16/34 (47%) cases of allergic fungal sinusitis despite typical features; incorrect classification was noted in 47% of cases. Sixty-seven percent of cases had positive fungal cultures, dematiaceous fungi being the most common. Allergic fungal sinusitis accounted for the majority of fungal sinusitis. Although misdiagnosis or incorrect classification is rather frequent for fungal sinusitis, awareness of the distinctive morphologic features of this entity may prevent these errors.

Adolescent↗