(9R)-9-chloro-11-17-dihydroxy-17-(2-hydroxy-1-oxoethyl)-10-13-16-trimethyl-6-7-8-11-12-14-15-16-octahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one and Ethmoid-Sinusitis

Nasal allergy is statistically related to inflammatory chronic sinusitis as a risk factor. But one question still remains unanswered: are the reactions and modifications observed in the sinuses after natural exposure to a nasal allergen or after nasal allergen challenge linked to an IgE mediated mechanism? Similarities in symptoms, eosinophils and mediators of inflammation in the mucosa have been found between allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The same applies for the deposition of Major Basic Protein (MBP) and treatment results, especially when topical steroids are found. An original prospective study was held among 106 patients (24 patients allergic to perennial allergens, 82 non allergic patients) suffering from bilateral chronic inflammatory (no polyposis) ethmoidal sinusitis. The allergic group was submitted to a 3 months antiallergic treatment (Cetirizine 10 mg once a day, Beclomethasone dipropionate 50 micrograms three times a day) before being referred for bilateral endonasal ethmoidectomy under endoscopic control. Scores for rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and global comfort (global assessment) were compared before and after ethmoidectomy. Both groups were significantly improved by surgery. Comparing both groups, no significant difference was found before and after surgery regarding the three above mentioned parameters. This suggests that 1) symptoms are common to both perennial nasal allergy and chronic ethmoidal sinusitis, 2) medical treatment failure in allergy must require a CT scan of the sinuses to assess a possible accompanying chronic sinusitis, 3) chronic ethmoidal sinusitis is probably the leading factor responsible for nasal symptoms such as rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction when associated with perennial allergy.

Topics: Allergens; Anti-Allergic Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Beclomethasone; Blood Proteins; Cetirizine; Chronic Disease; Endoscopy; Eosinophil Granule Proteins; Eosinophils; Ethmoid Sinus; Ethmoid Sinusitis; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Inflammation Mediators; Mucous Membrane; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Obstruction; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Ribonucleases; Risk Factors; Sinusitis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Chronic refractory sinusitis is a common feature in patients with primary immunodeficiencies. The efficacy of standard therapeutic strategies is questionable. In an open trial we evaluated the efficacy of azithromycin, N-acetylcysteine and topical intranasal beclomethasone (100 microg twice daily for 6 weeks) in 16 patients with primary immunodeficiencies (median age 13.5 years, range 5-32 years). All patients suffered from chronic sinusitis despite regular immunoglobulin replacement therapy every 3 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed before and after 6 weeks of treatment to evaluate morphological changes in the paranasal sinuses. Nasal swabs and washings were taken for microbial analysis and measurement of inflammatory mediators (IL-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP)) before and post therapy. Inflammatory mediators in nasal secretions were significantly elevated in patients: IL-8 median 2436 pg/ml (range 441-5435 pg/ml), TNF-alpha 37.3 pg/ml (3.75-524 pg/ml) and ECP 33 ng/ml (1.5-250 ng/ml) versus age-matched healthy controls: IL-8 median 212 pg/ml (99-825 pg/ml), TNF-alpha 3.77 pg/ml (2.8-10.2 pg/ml) and ECP 1.5 ng/ml (1.5-14.8 ng/ml) (P < 0.0001). Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses was confirmed by MRI scans in all patients, additionally infection of the ethmoidal and frontal sinuses was recorded in five patients. Bacterial growth appeared in 11 out of 16 cultures. In spite of therapy, no improvement in sinal inflammation visualized by MRI was achieved. Moreover, no significant decrease in pathogens and levels of inflammatory mediators could be detected (IL-8 1141 pg/ml, 426-4556 pg/ml; TNF-alpha 13.9 pg/ml, 4.1-291.6 pg/ml; ECP 32.3 ng/ml, 3.7-58.4 ng/ml). Our results demonstrate that conventional management of sinusitis is of little benefit in patients with chronic refractory sinusitis with an underlying immunodeficiency. More studies are needed to test antibiotic regimens, probably combined with surgical drainage and anti-inflammatory agents.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Administration, Intranasal; Adolescent; Adult; Agammaglobulinemia; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antiviral Agents; Ataxia Telangiectasia; Azithromycin; Beclomethasone; Blood Proteins; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Common Variable Immunodeficiency; Eosinophil Granule Proteins; Ethmoid Sinusitis; Female; Frontal Sinusitis; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Interleukin-8; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Nasal Lavage Fluid; Paranasal Sinuses; Radiography; Ribonucleases; Sinusitis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Allergy does not modify the symptoms and steroid consumption (oral and local) of nasal polyposis (NP) patients after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).. To assess the role of allergy in the evolution after FESS of patients presenting with the diagnosis of NP.. This was a prospective study of 63 consecutive patients with NP (57% males, mean age 45.8 years), who were analyzed to detect whether the results of a surgical treatment of NP were influenced by the presence of positive allergic tests (Phadiatop). Three nasal criteria were scored: nasal obstruction, posterior rhinorrhea, and the loss of smell. The frequency of asthma was evaluated. Medical treatment of NP after FESS consisted of washing of the nasal cavities, steroid spray, and oral steroid administration. The amount of consumption of steroids (prednisolone and beclomethasone) was studied.. Decrease of all nasal symptoms was not statistically different in the two groups of patients with and without allergy. Cumulative consumption of prednisolone and beclomethasone after surgery was similar in the two groups.

Topics: Adult; Asthma; Beclomethasone; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Combined Modality Therapy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endoscopy; Ethmoid Sinusitis; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Obstruction; Nasal Polyps; Olfaction Disorders; Postoperative Complications; Prednisolone; Recurrence; Respiratory Hypersensitivity

In 1990 we reported an initial prospective study of 100 patients using a four-stage system for classification of chronic rhinosinusitis. Between January 1988 and July 1992, we used this system in staging an additional 1814 patients, on whom 2980 intranasal sphenoethmoidectomies were performed. In this staging system a protocol trial of medication was given for 2 weeks, followed by axial and coronal computed tomography. Medication consisted of a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, usually cefuroxime; a 4-day burst of intraoral steroids, usually prednisone; and an antihistamine decongestant if not contraindicated. The stages of chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis included the stages described in the 1990 report (i.e., stage I, single-focus disease; stage II, discontiguous disease throughout the ethmoid labyrinth; stage III, diffuse disease responsive to medication; and stage IV, diffuse disease unresponsive to or poorly responsive to medication). The results of this study have shown that the computed tomography staging system based on computed tomography extent of disease after medical therapy is a simple, easily remembered, and very effective modality for the classification of chronic sinusitis. This system provides a rationale for discussing and planning surgery with patients and physicians and is a convenient reference for the reporting of end results. More importantly, a linear relationship between disease stage and outcomes is demonstrated. This statistically highly significant feature of the staging system provides a firm basis for the production of outcomes after various treatment strategies, particularly ethmoidectomy and the treatment of sinusitis.

Topics: Beclomethasone; Cefuroxime; Chronic Disease; Clinical Protocols; Combined Modality Therapy; Ethmoid Sinus; Ethmoid Sinusitis; Follow-Up Studies; Guaifenesin; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Hyperplasia; Nasal Decongestants; Patient Care Planning; Prednisone; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Sphenoid Sinus; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome