Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Heart 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbridge, UK.

CLINICAL INTRODUCTION: A 50-year-old woman presented with an inferoposterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Angiography revealed acute occlusion of the circumflex and right coronary (RCA) arteries. PCI was uncomplicated. Read More

Ci Ji Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Jan-Mar;31(1):63-65

Department of Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.

Isolated sphenoid sinusitis is a rare disorder and may present with severe complications due to its proximity to the orbital and intracranial areas. We report a 13-year-old boy hospitalized for septic shock with fever of unknown origin. Facial palsy was later noted. Read More

Allergy Rhinol (Providence) 2019 Jan-Dec;10:2152656718821281. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California.

Background: Chronic cough in children is a diagnostic challenge.

Objective: To discover the utility of nasal dipsticks and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-DNA analysis in differentiating bacterial sinusitis from other causes of chronic cough and identifying pathogens from the nasal cavity.

Method: We recruited 22 patients under 15 years of age with cough lasting longer than 4 weeks (group 1), 7 controls with allergic rhinitis (group 2), and 10 controls without respiratory symptoms (group 3). Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Jun 1;1(2):e180243. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Importance: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the syndrome for which antibiotics are most commonly prescribed; viruses for which antibiotics are ineffective cause most ARIs.

Objectives: To characterize antibiotic prescribing among outpatients with ARI during influenza season and to identify targets for reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for common ARI diagnoses, including among outpatients with laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Cohort study enrolling outpatients aged 6 months or older with ARI evaluated at outpatient clinics associated with 5 US Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network sites during the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 influenza seasons. Read More

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ.

Background: Although some causes of rhinogenic headache, such as acute sinusitis, have clear diagnostic criteria, others, such as "sinus headache" and mucosal contact points, are more nebulous. Misdiagnosis of these entities and primary headaches may result in unnecessary medical or surgical treatment. The purpose of this systematic review is to delineate current understanding of diagnosis and treatment of rhinogenic headaches, including sinus and mucosal contact point headaches, in children. Read More

Clin Otolaryngol 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Otolaryngology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Objective: To evaluate whether outpatient treatment of periorbital cellulitis with daily administration of intravenous antibiotics and physician evaluation is an effective and safe alternative to admission.

Design: A retrospective chart review study of paediatric patients treated on an outpatient basis for periorbital cellulitis at a tertiary children's hospital between 2013 and 2015 was performed. Children were assessed day by a paediatrician to monitor for resolution of symptoms or complications. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Dec 20;18(1):686. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Semmelweis University, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Budapest, Hungary.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by Actinomyces spp. including brain abscess, actinomycoma, subdural empyema and epidural abscess are well described, however reports of Actinomyces-associated meningitis are scarcely reported.

Case Report: We present the case of a 43-year-old Hungarian male patient with poor socioeconomic status who developed acute bacterial meningitis caused by Actinomyces turicensis originating from the left side mastoiditis. Read More

Infect Drug Resist 2018 8;11:2199-2205. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Catanzaro, Italy,

Purpose: The overuse, misuse, and underuse of antimicrobial agents often lead to the spread of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. The aim of our study was to describe the pattern of antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs) among the adult population and the factors associated with antibiotic prescribing.

Patients And Methods: The study involved patients who visited a general practitioner with suspected acute RTI. Read More

Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Feb;27(1):7-13

Rhinology & Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, UCLA Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of the review is to evaluate the current indications and contraindications for balloon sinuplasty and review the clinical trials performed in this area.

Recent Findings: The indications for balloon sinus dilatation are somewhat similar to those for endoscopic sinus surgery. Balloon sinus ostial dilation (BSD) has been found to be most effective in the treatment of recurrent acute sinusitis (RARS) and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) that has been refractory to medical therapy. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No. 325, Cheng-Kung Road Section 2, Taipei 114, Taiwan, ROC.

Objective: Nasal septal abscess is an uncommon condition but it can cause potentially life-threatening intracranial complications and cosmetic nasal deformity.

Methods: We analyzed ten years of cases to determine the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. A retrospective review of case notes from Tri-Service General Hospital archives was performed. Read More

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2019 Feb 19;9(2):140-148. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

The Sinus & Respiratory Disease Center at the Texas Institute, Dallas, TX.

Background: A limited number of studies have demonstrated symptomatic improvement for recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) patients after endoscopic sinus surgery. In this randomized, controlled study we evaluated 24-week outcomes for balloon sinus dilation (BSD) performed in-office (IO) with medical management (MM) as compared with MM only for RARS patients.

Methods: Adults diagnosed with RARS were randomized to groups with BSD plus MM (n = 29) or MM alone (n = 30). Read More

Pediatr Infect Dis J 2018 Dec;37(12):1248-1254

Medical and Clinical Pharmacy Policy, Anthem, Inc, Chicago, Illinois.

Background: Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs). This study describes the distribution of ARI diagnoses and specifically quantifies antibiotic dispensing for bronchitis and upper respiratory infection (URI) by treatment setting and specialty.

Methods: This retrospective, observational cross-sectional study used data from the HealthCore Integrated Research Environment containing claims from 14 commercial health plans for 2012 to 2014. Read More

J Am Coll Radiol 2018 Nov;15(11S):S403-S412

Specialty Chair, Riley Hospital for Children Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sinusitis is common in children that usually resolves spontaneously. Imaging is not part of the standard of care for initial diagnosis, however may be necessary in cases with persistent or chronic sinusitis to guide surgical intervention, or to rule out intracranial and vascular complications of sinusitis. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the leading imaging modalities. Read More

J Adv Pract Oncol 2017 Nov-Dec;8(7):721-728. Epub 2017 Nov 1.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.

A male patient aged 67 years with a 2-year history of refractory anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with del(5q) started lenalidomide (Revlimid) treatment as a participant in the MDS-001 trial (List et al., 2005). At the time of the study, this patient had been transfusion-dependent since 2001, and at study entry he had received a total of 12 units of red blood cells (RBCs). Read More

Neurol Clin Neurosci 2018 Sep 10;6(5):146-147. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Department of Neurology JA Toride Medical Center Toride Ibaraki Japan.

Because fungi usually spread from the paranasal sinuses to the orbital apex in invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS), IFS often presents as an orbital apex syndrome (OAS) characterized by dysfunction of cranial nerves II, III, IV, V1, and VI. We report a case of sphenoid sinus mucormycosis that presented as isolated retrobulbar optic neuropathy. A 94-year-old woman presented with acute blindness in the right eye. Read More

Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2018 Oct 8. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Księcia Trojdena 2c, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Stefana Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland Department of Rehabilitation, Public Central Teaching Clinical Hospital, ul. Stefana Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland Department of Rehabilitation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, ul. Marymoncka 34, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland 2nd Department of Clinical Radiology, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Stefana Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Stępińska 19/25, 00-739 Warsaw, Poland.

The patient with bacterial infection sequelae in the form of damage to cranial nerves (CN) III, IV, and VI was followed-up. He had exhibited clinical and radiographic signs of paranasal sinusitis. Prior to his physiotherapy, the patient received standard treatment with natural and synthetic antibiotics and steroids. Read More

Iran J Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Sep;30(100):301-304

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar ,Odisha ,India.

Introduction: Complications of acute sinusitis affecting multiple sites are very uncommon in the antibiotic era. However, a significant proportion of patients (5-40%) suffering from acute sinusitis can have these complications mostly due to the delayed diagnosis of the disease. Patients can have variable presentations according to the site and extent of the infection. Read More

Am J Rhinol Allergy 2018 Nov 30;32(6):485-490. Epub 2018 Aug 30.

1 Department of Otolaryngology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York.

Background: The use of systemic corticosteroids remains controversial in the treatment of orbital complications of sinusitis.

Objective: To compare and contrast the current practice patterns of the use of systemic corticosteroid in the management of orbital complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) among fellowship-trained members of American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) and American Rhinologic Society (ARS).

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Sep 12;112:10-15. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Otolaryngology, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.

Objective: Intracranial extension is one of the most serious and morbid complications of pediatric sinusitis. Managing this complication continues to be challenging even after widespread pneumococcal vaccination adoption. We aim to identify risk factors associated with complicated clinical courses, and to assess for altering microbial communities and increased antibiotic resistance. Read More

Rhinology 2018 Dec;56(4):323-329

Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: The frequency of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) exacerbations is an independent predictor of quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate if increased CRS exacerbations predict decreased productivity.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of adult CRS patients. Read More

Indian J Pediatr 2018 Dec 29;85(12):1090-1095. Epub 2018 Jun 29.

Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of invasive fungal infections (IFI), predictors of IFI, identify etiological species and outcome (mortality/discharge) in persistent febrile neutropenia in children with acute leukemia.

Methods: It was a prospective, observational study conducted from January 2013 through June 2014 in a tertiary care centre in New Delhi. Children between 1 and 12 y of age, on chemotherapy for acute leukemia with persistent febrile neutropenia (> 96 h) were enrolled. Read More

Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2018 Jun 9;17(1):26. Epub 2018 Jun 9.

The Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar Ilan University, Zefat, Israel.

Background: Antibiotics are frequently prescribed at many of the visits to primary care clinics, often for conditions for which they provide no benefit, including viral respiratory tract infections.

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate primary care visits due to infectious diseases, and to estimate antibiotic prescribing and antibiotic dispensing by pharmacies.

Methods: Diagnosis of infectious disease, antibiotic prescribing and dispensing data at the individual patient level were extracted for 2015 from Clalit Health Services' electronic medical records and linked to determine the condition for which the antimicrobial was prescribed. Read More

PLoS One 2018 8;13(6):e0197851. Epub 2018 Jun 8.

Division of Infection Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan, R.O.C.

This study investigated the epidemiology and risk factors associated with invasive fungal infections (IFIs) during induction chemotherapy in a cohort of Taiwanese patients with newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). IFIs are a significant complication in the management of immunocompromised cancer patients; such infections are associated with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality, particularly in many South-Asian countries, where IFI rates are increasing. We retrospectively analyzed IFI incidence data from 105 patients with newly diagnosed AML at a single center undergoing their first course of induction chemotherapy without primary antifungal prophylaxis between November 2008 and December 2014. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Jul 11;110:147-151. Epub 2018 May 11.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology, United States; Children's Medical Center Dallas, United States.

Objective: To study the role of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the management of intracranial complications of children with acute rhinosinusitis METHODS: Retrospective chart review at a tertiary care pediatric hospital MAIN OUTCOMES: Demographics, intracranial complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), neurological sequelae, ESS, neurosurgical procedures RESULTS: Twenty-four children with a mean age (SD) of 12.9 years (+/-3.2) with an intracranial complication(s) of acute rhinosinusitis were identified between 2005-2016. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Jul 8;110:123-129. Epub 2018 May 8.

Department of Otolaryngology, Boston University School of Medicine, 4th Floor, FGH Building, 820 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, United States. Electronic address:

Objectives: Orbital complications account for 74-85% of all complications from acute sinusitis, more often affect the pediatric population, and can result in devastating consequences. Therefore these patients require prompt diagnosis and proper management. We review and summarize the current literature to determine the appropriate management of each stage of pediatric orbital cellulitis and offer a new comprehensive literature-based algorithm. Read More

J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2018 Nov 10;76(11):2361-2369. Epub 2018 May 10.

Associate Professor, Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC. Electronic address:

Purpose: Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) implants have become increasingly popular for use in reconstructive procedures. It is imperative to understand the consequences of using this biomaterial in anatomic sites that can pose a risk of infection. Specifically, the use of PEEK in paranasal sinus cavity reconstruction is not well documented. Read More

J Neurol Surg Rep 2018 Apr 25;79(2):e36-e40. Epub 2018 May 25.

Department of Surgery - Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, United States.

A pituitary abscess is an often-overlooked diagnosis in the clinical presentation of a sellar mass. Due to its rare incidence and nonspecific presentation, diagnosis and treatment is often delayed. The authors describe a 56-year-old male patient presenting with acute onset of severe headache, visual field deficit, and radiologic findings of an expansile sellar lesion. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Feb;32(3):220-224

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Capital Medical University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100730, China.

The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical features of different subtypes of fungal ball sinusitis. Four hundred and forty-nine cases with fungal ball rhinosinusitis (FBS) were involved in this retrospective analysis. The clinical features including symptoms, signs, and imaging scans, pathological results were all collected for each patient and the patients were classified into different subtypes according to these clinical features and the follow-up treatment. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2018 Jul 16;127(7):429-438. Epub 2018 May 16.

3 Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.

Objective: The impact of perioperative risk factors on outcomes following outpatient sinus surgery is well defined; however, risk factors and outcomes following inpatient surgery remain poorly understood. We aimed to define risk factors of postoperative acute respiratory failure following inpatient sinus surgery.

Methods: Utilizing data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database from the years 2010 to 2014, we identified patients (≥18 years of age) with an Internal Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) procedure code of sinus surgery. Read More

Allergol Int 2018 Sep 10;67S:S3-S11. Epub 2018 May 10.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan; Allergy Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.

Background: Severe asthma is a complex disease with heterogeneous features and involves type 2 airway inflammation, including eosinophil accumulation. Surrogate biomarkers, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophil count (b-EOS), may predict eosinophilic airway inflammation. Here we investigated clinical characteristics of severe asthma phenotype using a combined analysis of FeNO and b-EOS. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 May 11;5:CD011341. Epub 2018 May 11.

Department of Family Medicine, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, 39 Jabotinski Street, Petah Tikva, Israel, 49100.

Background: Acute sinusitis is a common reason for primary care encounters. It causes significant symptoms including facial pain, congested nose, headache, thick nasal mucus, fever, and cough and often results in time off work or school. Sinusitis treatment focuses on eliminating causative factors and controlling the inflammatory and infectious components. Read More

PLoS One 2018 8;13(5):e0196734. Epub 2018 May 8.

Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, United States of America.

Background: The recommended treatment for acute bacterial sinusitis in adults, amoxicillin with clavulanate, provides only modest benefit.

Objective: To see if a higher dose of amoxicillin will lead to more rapid improvement.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Double-blind randomized trial in which, from November 2014 through February 2017, we enrolled 315 adult outpatients diagnosed with acute sinusitis in accordance with Infectious Disease Society of America guidelines. Read More

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2018 Jan-Dec;6:2324709618770226. Epub 2018 Apr 18.

Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.

Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization. Central nervous system involvement is usually the least common presentation of tuberculosis occurring in about 1% of all cases but yet can have very devastating outcomes. Lupus nephritis is one of the most common complications of systemic lupus erythematosus with up to two thirds of patients presenting with some degree of renal dysfunction. Read More

Vestn Otorinolaringol 2018;83(2):42-45

N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, 117997; Morozovskzya City Children's Clinical Hospital, Moscow Health Department, Moscow, Russia, 111049.

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the peculiar features of acute viral and bacterial sinusitis in the children and to elaborate the algorithm for their treatment based on the results of the primary clinical and laboratory examination. As many as 224 children at the age varying from 1-17 years suffering from acute sinusitis were enrolled in the study. The following methods were employed for the purpose of the study; the analysis of the medical histories of the patients, general examination by an otorhinolaryngologist, diagnostic endoscopy of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, radiological studies and computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, echosinusoscopy, the comprehensive microbiological and virological investigation, and evaluation of the peripheral blood characteristics. Read More

Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2018 Aug 19;51(4):803-813. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address:

Rhinitis and sinusitis are common medical conditions that affect the geriatric population and have a significant impact on their quality of life. Because few studies examine differences in the clinical management between the geriatric and general adult population, therapies should be based on current guidelines. Special considerations should be made when treating these patients in regards to multiple comorbidities and the potential for drug interactions from polypharmacy. Read More

Infect Immun 2018 06 22;86(6). Epub 2018 May 22.

Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health and Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Despite advances in treatment and prevention, the pneumococcus continues to be a dominant cause of severe pneumonia and sepsis and of otitis media, sinusitis, and nonbacteremic pneumonia. Lewnard and colleagues (Infect Immun 86:e00727-17, 2018, https://doi.org/10. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 May 27;108:163-167. Epub 2018 Feb 27.

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin / Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 8915 W. Cornell Ct., Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aims of this project were two-fold: 1) To assess pediatric primary care (PCP), pediatric otolaryngology (ENT) and pediatric urgent care (UC) providers' perception of their adherence to the 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) established guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) in children 1-18 years old and 2) to assess the same providers' practice patterns in the diagnosis and management of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (PCRS).

Method: A 21-item questionnaire (CVI .9) was designed by th investigators using Survey Monkey. Read More

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2018 May - Jun;84(3):265-279. Epub 2018 Feb 25.

Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), Departamento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Electronic address:

Introduction: Bacterial resistance burden has increased in the past years, mainly due to inappropriate antibiotic use. Recently it has become an urgent public health concern due to its impact on the prolongation of hospitalization, an increase of total cost of treatment and mortality associated with infectious disease. Almost half of the antimicrobial prescriptions in outpatient care visits are prescribed for acute upper respiratory infections, especially rhinosinusitis, otitis media, and pharyngotonsillitis. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018 May 20;275(5):1183-1188. Epub 2018 Mar 20.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea.

Introduction: Rhinosinusitis in patients who undergo kidney transplantation (KT) might have specific clinical characteristics due to immune status of recipients. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical course of rhinosinusitis after KT and to evaluate the efficacy of routine sinonasal evaluation before KT.

Methods: The study included 1589 kidney transplant adult patients who underwent preoperative sinonasal evaluation including sinonasal symptoms, nasal endoscopy, and plain X-ray between November 1994 and December 2013 (19 years). Read More

Chest 2018 Mar;153(3):e53-e56

Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Program, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA.

Case Presentation: A 24-year-old woman with ΔF508/Y1092X cystic fibrosis (CF) complicated by severe obstructive lung disease (FEV of 30% predicted) was admitted for IV antibiotics for planned sinus surgery resulting from severe chronic sinusitis causing frequent exacerbations and declining lung function. She had persistent airway infection with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and growth of a fungus presumed to be an airway colonizer, identified as Stephanoascus ciferrii 1 year before presentation. Two days after surgery, she developed acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2018 May 9;127(5):297-305. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

7 Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.

Purpose: Nasal packing is an option for bleeding control after endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty. Although new packing materials have been developed, patients still suffer from pain and require additional analgesics treatments. In this study, a prospective, randomized, and double-blind controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effect of fentanyl-soaked packing on pain after endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2018 Feb;73(suppl_2):ii36-ii43

Modelling and Economics Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK.

Objectives: To identify and quantify inappropriate systemic antibiotic prescribing in primary care in England, and ultimately to determine the potential for reduction in prescribing of antibiotics.

Methods: Primary care data from 2013-15 recorded in The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database were used. Potentially inappropriate prescribing events in the database were identified by: (i) comparing prescribing events against treatment guidelines; (ii) comparing actual proportions of consultations resulting in prescription for a set of conditions with the ideal proportions derived from expert opinion; and (iii) identifying high prescribers and their number of prescriptions above an age- and body-system-specific benchmark. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Apr 15;275(4):943-948. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, 70300, Zerifin, Israel.

Purpose: Our objective was to identify the clinical indicators for subperiosteal orbital abscess (SPOA) among patients who present with periorbital cellulitis secondary to rhinosinusitis, and to evaluate the need for performing a computerized tomography (CT) scan.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to our tertiary care emergency department between 2006 and 2014 was conducted. Included were healthy patients with acute periorbital cellulitis secondary to rhinosinusitis. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Mar 2;106:91-95. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Service d'ORL Pédiatrique, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfants, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Lyon, France; Service d'ORL, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Lyon, France; Université de Lyon, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1028, CNRS, UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, IMPACT Team, Lyon, France. Electronic address:

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the microbiological cultures and the management of acute ethmoiditis complicated by subperiosteal orbital abscess (SPOA) in a pediatric population.

Methods: The medical records of children under 18 years old was performed in a tertiary referral pediatric center from January 2009 to April 2017. Clinical examination, computed tomography scans, medical and surgical treatments were reviewed and compared to other studies in literature. Read More

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2018 02 5;18(2). Epub 2018 Feb 5.

Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Acute and chronic sinusitis can give rise to a wide array of intracranial and orbital complications. These complications include brain abscess, subdural empyema, epidural abscess, meningitis, venous sinus thrombosis, frontal bone osteomyelitis, and orbital cellulitis and abscess. Despite numerous medical advances, these complications carry a risk of mortality and significant morbidity. Read More

Implement Sci 2018 02 5;13(1):23. Epub 2018 Feb 5.

Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: Despite many initiatives to enhance the rational use of antibiotics, there remains substantial room for improvement. The overall aim of this study is to optimise the appropriate use of antibiotics in German ambulatory care in patients with acute non-complicated infections (respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis and otitis media), community-acquired pneumonia and non-complicated cystitis, in order to counter the advancing antimicrobial resistance development.

Methods: A three-armed cluster randomised trial will be conducted in 14 practice networks in two German federal states (Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia) and an added cohort that reflects standard care. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 01 31;8(1):e018788. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Unitat de Rinologia i Clínica de l'Olfacte, Servei d'Otorinolaringologia, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Objectives: Acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) has a high incidence. Diagnosis is clinical, and evolution is mostly self-limited. The aim of this study was to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and use of diagnostic tools and medications in patients with ARS. Read More

J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2018 Feb;24(2):154-159

1 Pharmacy Department, Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, North Dakota.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern, and in recent years, there has been increased interest in ambulatory antimicrobial stewardship. Acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) is one of the most common outpatient diagnoses that results in an antibiotic prescription.

Objective: To determine if a best practice alert (BPA) will affect the percentage of oral antibiotic prescriptions for adults with ARS. Read More

J Oncol Pharm Pract 2018 Jan 1:1078155217752078. Epub 2018 Jan 1.

19968 Southern Arizona VA Health Care System , Tucson, AZ, USA.

Cryptococcal infections are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Reports of these infections in patients on small molecular kinase inhibitors have not been widely reported in clinical trials. We describe one case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and one case of cryptococcal pneumonia in two patients who were receiving ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Read More