Background:The body of knowledge regarding rhinosinusitis (RS) continues to expand, with rapid growth in number of publications, yet substantial variability in the quality of those presentations. In an effort to both consolidate and critically appraise this information, rhinologic experts from around the world have produced the International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR:RS).
Methods:Evidence-based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs) were developed for scores of topics, using previously reported methodology. Where existing evidence was insufficient for an EBRR, an evidence-based review (EBR) was produced. The sections were then synthesized and the entire manuscript was then reviewed by all authors for consensus.
Results:The resulting ICAR:RS document addresses multiple topics in RS, including acute RS (ARS), chronic RS (CRS) with and without nasal polyps (CRSwNP and CRSsNP), recurrent acute RS (RARS), acute exacerbation of CRS (AE-CRS), and pediatric RS.
Conclusion:As a critical review of the RS literature, ICAR:RS provides a thorough review of pathophysiology and evidence-based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment. It also demonstrates the significant gaps in our understanding of the pathophysiology and optimal management of RS. Too o en the foundation upon which these recommendations are based is comprised of lowerlevel evidence. It is our hope that this summary of the evidence in RS will point out where additional research efforts may be directed. C 2016 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
Key Words:rhinosinusitis; chronic rhinosinusitis; acute rhinosinusitis; recurrent acute rhinosinusitis; evidence-based medicine; systematic review; endoscopic sinus surgery
List of Abbreviations Used
Although much has been reported on the short-term outcomes of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), little has been reported with regard to its long-term impact on chronic sinusitis. The senior author (D.W.K.) previously reported detailed subjective and endoscopic follow-up on 120 patients at a mean of 18 months following surgery. This current study represents a long-term follow-up (average, 7.8 years) of 72 patients (60%) from the same cohort. Of patients responding to a question about overall symptoms, 98.4% (n = 66) reported improvement compared with before surgery. There was a trend toward continued subjective improvement in symptom scores with longer follow-up, but the changes did not reach statistical significance. Thirteen patients (18%) required subsequent surgical procedures. Preoperative stage, prior surgery, and other factors that might affect outcome were evaluated. The study demonstrates that excellent subjective results following FESS can be maintained in the long term with appropriate postoperative management. The study also validates the concept that patients in whom the cavity can be normalized following surgery are unlikely to require further surgery.
The authors review their experience with endoscopic repair of skull base defects associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and/or encephaloceles involving the paranasal sinuses. Between January 1991 and December 1995, 51 patients were evaluated for anterior and middle cranial fossa defects at a tertiary care facility. Of these patients, 36 underwent endoscopic repair of skull base defects. Factors related to surgical success were analyzed. These factors included etiology, defect location, number of prior attempts at repair, type of graft(s) used, fluorescein use, complications, durations of lumbar drain placement, and duration of CSF leakage prior to repair. During the first attempt, successful endoscopic repair was accomplished in 34 (94.4%) of the 36 patients. The mean duration of follow-up was 24.6 months, with a range of 2 to 57 months. The authors conclude that an endoscopic approach provides a safe and effective means for repairing many skull base defects.
The Rhinosinusitis Initiative was developed by 5 national societies. The current guidance document is an expansion of the 2004 publication, "Rhinosinusitis: Establishing definitions for clinical research and patient care" and provides templates for clinical trials in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and symptom-relieving therapies for the following: (1) acute presumed bacterial rhinosinusitis, (2) chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without nasal polyps, (3) CRS with nasal polyps, and (4) classic allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. In addition to the templates for clinical trials and proposed study designs, the Rhinosinusitis Initiative has developed 6 appendices, which address (1) health outcomes, (2) nasal endoscopy and staging of CRS, (3) radiologic imaging, (4) microbiology, (5) laboratory measures, and (6) biostatistical methods.
In this preliminary study, MIER of ASB neoplasia did not differ significantly from tCFR in operative time, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, or complication rate. Survival and recurrence rates were similar also. This early experience suggests that MIER is a viable alternative for the surgical management of ASB lesions in appropriately selected patients.
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