The TOI-14 constitutes the first worldwide-validated, disease-specific instrument to measure HR-QOL in adults with CTO. Due to its ease of use, it can be utilized both in the outcome research and in clinical routine.

Possible causes for the development of these postinterventional emphysemas are considered to be mucosal injuries of the ET during manipulations for the correct position of the insertion instrument, through a "kinking" of the balloon catheter or even due to the relative rigid catheter itself, although its form is regarded to be atraumatic. The complication rate of postoperative emphysema was 0.27% (95% CI 0.13-0.50%). The above facts in addition to only minor and transient overall complications after BET reported in literature, can label this procedure as a safe treatment with a low risk profile.

Aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of medical and surgical treatment in divers with paranasal sinus barotrauma (PSB) secondary to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). In this retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study 40 adult divers with CRS were included. Treatment of divers implied a 5-day course of a systemic steroid and a 6-week course of saline nasal irrigations and topical nasal steroid with mometasone in maximal dosage. If symptoms persisted, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was performed. Questionnaires included the Sinonasal Outcome Test-20 German Adapted Version (SNOT-20 GAV), dive-related questions (DRQ) and general questions. Questionnaires were completed retrospectively by recalling the symptoms before and after therapy. Forty of 82 divers completed the questionnaires. Mean follow-up was 42 months (range 13-95 months). There was a statistically significant improvement of the Total score (TS) and of every subscore, except the General Quality of Life score, in the SNOT-20 GAV as well as of the TS in the DRQ. Before treatment, divers who required surgery reported significantly more symptoms than divers who were treated conservatively. Post treatment there were no significant differences between the medical and surgical group. Overall, 35 divers could resume diving after therapy even though PSB still occurred but without complications. Divers with sinus problems can successfully be managed medically and if conservative treatment fails, FESS shows a statistically significant improvement of symptoms and no serious long-term hazards for diving.