Journal Reviews
Widen the ostium or keep it: that is the question
The original concept of wide endoscopic sphenoethmoidectomy for sinonasal polyposis has been a well-established principle since 1995. However, with the evolution of the understanding of sinonasal physiology, this might change. The authors present arguments based on the evolutionary and developmental...
DISE as a rationalising tool for sleep apnoea surgery
This retrospective study on 85 adult obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients provides further interesting information for sleep surgeons. These patients were all investigated with polysomnography (PSG) and drug induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). They all then underwent a simple uvulopalatoplasty with...
CRSwNP initiation, not always an interleukin fault
CRSwNP, similar to asthma, is an inflammatory disorder (type II) with eosinophilia and raised IL-5 and IL-13. Inflammation in CRSwNP is thought to be started by IL-25, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), all of which form an important part...
Balloons – more complicated than first thought?
This study describes the complications seen after balloon sinuplasty (BSP) - a commonly performed procedure (particularly in the USA where it is often performed as an office procedure) versus traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The data source was a...
The relevance of rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty from the commissioners
The rising costs of running the National Health Service and its overburdened resources has led to the constant monitoring of the low clinical value treatments. The operations of rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty inevitably fall into this group and are subject to...
Does Tranexamic acid reduce intraoperative bleeding during FESS?
Intraoperative bleeding during FESS can reduce visibility and obscure important landmarks. This can result in longer operative times, increase risks of complications and even lead to incomplete surgery. Tranexamic acid is a drug which prevents fibrinolysis and stabilises blood clots....
Three-dimensional endoscopy for sinonasal procedures: is it really better?
In this interesting study the authors looked at the efficacy of two-dimensional (2D) versus 3D high-definition endoscopes in novice users, not those already trained in 2D. Ninety-two medical students used 2D and 3D endoscopes to complete two validated tasks and...
Sinonasal inverting papilloma: who is at risk of recurrence?
This study from a tertiary sinus surgery unit, describes some useful information in the follow-up of sinonasal inverted papilloma patients - in particular those likely to recur - and discusses the optimal staging systems to use to attempt to predict...
Predicting CSF leaks pre FESS: Gera classification - a new tool?
An interesting study from Italy looking at an anterior skull base classification that may be useful in predicting risk of intraoperative CSF leak during FESS surgery. Traditionally we have used the Keros classification system, developed in 1962 to categorise olfactory...
Chronic rhinosinusitis, are we treating the same disease?
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a heterogenic disease. The effects of heterogeneity on treatment outcome are not very clear. Authors used clinical features such as endoscopic findings scores and full blood count findings in addition to analysis of 35 molecular markers....
Interleukins, cilia and polyps
Interleukins (ILs) including IL13 (Th2 cytokine) are inflammatory mediators and their role in asthma has been detailed before. This study explores IL13 receptor expression in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The authors investigate protein and mRNA expression levels of...
Is a chest x-ray necessary in making urgent referrals for suspected head and neck cancer?
The article presents an audit on urgent referrals for suspected head and neck cancer in 2144 patients. Only 8.6% of cases proved positive for head and neck cancer. The Scottish Referral Guidelines were adhered only in 55.1% of cases. Interestingly,...
