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Am J Rhinol Allergy 2021 Feb 23:1945892421994999. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.

Background Objective Study Design: RARS is a challenging clinical problem that impacts many patients. This article seeks to systematically review the literature on RARS management.

Methods: Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE, and other databases were queried for articles related to RARS dating from 1990 to present, according to PRISMA guidelines. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2021 Feb 19:145561320986030. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Skin and Allergy Hospital, 159841Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Objectives: The aim of this controlled follow-up study was to compare the need for revision surgery, long-term efficacy, and satisfaction in chronic rhinosinusitis patients who had undergone maxillary sinus operation with either balloon sinuplasty or traditional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) technique.

Methods: Thirty-nine ESS patients and 36 balloon patients of our previously described cohort, who had been primarily operated in 2008 to 2010, were contacted by phone. Symptoms, satisfaction, and need for revision surgery were asked. Read More

J Craniofac Surg 2020 Sep;31(6):1731-1733

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital.

Objective: Balloon sinuplasty is being used worldwide, however the olfactory functions after balloon sinuplasty are underestimated. The authors aimed to study the effects of conventional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) compared to the balloon sinuplasty on olfactory function.

Materials And Methods: Forty-four subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups as ESS and balloon sinuplasty. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2020 Mar;26(10):1080-1087

Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 7019 Yitian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen 518036, Guangdong Province, China.

Background: Endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) has become the first line of therapy for benign esophageal strictures (ESs); however, there are few publications about the predictive factors for the outcomes of this treatment.

Aim: To assess the predictive factors for the outcomes of EBD treatment for strictures after esophageal atresia (EA) repair.

Methods: Children with anastomotic ES after thoracoscopic esophageal atresia repair treated by EBD from January 2012 to December 2016 were included. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 May 3;162(5):761-766. Epub 2020 Mar 3.

Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to describe national variations in sinus balloon dilation (SBD), examine the relationship between endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and SBD prevalence patterns, and evaluate associations between reimbursement rates and regional variations in sinus surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment (PUP) Part B Data from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 10 11;161(4):683-687. Epub 2019 Jun 11.

Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Objective: Balloon sinuplasty (BS) is a surgical management option in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this study was to examine BS utilization among children with a national database.

Study Design: Retrospective review. Read More

J Clin Med 2019 May 15;8(5). Epub 2019 May 15.

Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy.

Rhinosinusitis (RS) is a common disease in children, significantly affecting their quality of life. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is frequently linked to other respiratory diseases, including asthma. Children affected by CRS may be candidates for surgery in the case of failure of maximal medical therapy comprising three to six weeks of broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics with adjunctive therapies. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 11 7;128(11):2455-2459. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting millions of people in the United States every year. Balloon sinus dilation is a minimally invasive intervention that was introduced as a possible alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). In select patients, balloon dilation has been advocated as a relatively safe procedure with comparable efficacy to traditional ESS. Read More

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2018 10 8;8(10):1204-1210. Epub 2018 Jun 8.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.

Background: The ostiomeatal complex (OMC), comprising a small natural maxillary sinus ostium and narrow infundibulum, transmits the air diffusion into the antrum and mucociliary transport from the antrum, and is considered a key area in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Thin membranous anterior and posterior fontanelle areas below the OMC can rupture forming a perforation, accessory maxillary ostium (AMO), that increases antral airflow changing the anatomy and function of the sinus. The purpose of this study was to report the first case series of CRS patients who had undergone repair of fontanelle defects aiming to reconstruct normal structures. Read More

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2018 04 25;18(5):32. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

Department of Otolaryngology, West Virginia University Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Chronic sinus and upper airway disease in children is a common health problem encountered every day. Its pathophysiology is complicated which leads to different treatment options and approaches. We seek to review the current literature and evidence to surgical treatments. Read More

Acta Otolaryngol 2018 Mar;138(3):339-344

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018 Jan;22(2):285-293

Department of Sensory Organs, "Sapienza University", Azienda Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.

Objective: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) of the frontal sinus is a complex pathological condition and many surgical techniques were described to treat this area endoscopically, like traditional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and balloon catheter dilation (BCD).

Patients And Methods: We designed a multicenter prospective randomized study to assess the validity and safety of BCD vs. ESS in symptomatological chronic rhinosinusitis of the frontal sinus enrolling a population of 102 adult patients (64 men and 38 women; overall 148 frontal sinuses studied) with non-polypoid CRS. Read More

Am J Rhinol Allergy 2018 Jan;32(1):34-39

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

Background: There currently are no data on the relative frequency of endoscopic sinus surgeries (ESS) performed for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) versus chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) in the United States.

Objectives: To compare the rate of surgical interventions for CRSwNP and CRSsNP.

Methods: Cases identified by CPT codes were extracted from the 2009-2011 State Ambulatory Surgery Databases for California, Florida, Maryland, and New York. Read More

Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017 Dec;25(6):486-492

aDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New YorkbDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Purpose Of Review: To review the recent literature of pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Recent Findings: Sinus balloon catheter dilation is an important addition to the surgical treatment tools for pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (PCRS). ESS is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for uncomplicated PCRS. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 06 8;128(6):1299-1303. Epub 2017 Oct 8.

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

Objectives/hypothesis: Balloon dilation (BD) represents a minimally invasive alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Although BD was introduced in 2006, distinct Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were not available until 2011, making prior analysis of population-based trends difficult. Our objectives were to evaluate these trends and compare any changes to the use of traditional ESS techniques. Read More

Laryngoscope 2017 May 3;127(5):1021-1025. Epub 2017 Feb 3.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Objective: To study whether balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) is a feasible and safe procedure under local anesthesia.

Study Design: Prospective multicenter case-control study.

Methods: Patients undergoing either BET (n = 13) or endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) (n = 12) under local anesthesia, with the possibility of sedation and analgesia, were monitored during the procedure and recovery period for possible adverse effects. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2017 Jun 4;126(6):433-437. Epub 2017 Apr 4.

1 Skull Base Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to review the clinical outcomes and efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the management of Pott's puffy tumor (PPT).

Methods: Literature PubMed review using a combination of MeSH terms and keywords was undertaken, combined with a single surgeon case series of 3 patients.

Results: A total of 29 (20 males, median age 25 years) cases were reviewed. Read More

Am J Rhinol Allergy 2016 Nov;30(6):418-423

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.

Background: The management of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (PCRS) is evolving.

Objective: To assess current practice patterns of members of the American Rhinologic Society (ARS) in managing PCRS.

Methods: A 27-item Web-based survey on treatment of PCRS was electronically distributed to the ARS membership. Read More

Rhinology 2017 Mar;55(1):53-58

Center for Cranial Base Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Background: Skull base injury is an infrequent complication during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). We hypothesize that late recognition and repair of CSF leaks during ESS is associated with increased neurologic morbidity.

Methodology: A retrospective review was performed of patients with skull base injury during ESS at a tertiary center from 1999-2015. Read More

Acta Otolaryngol 2017 Feb 20;137(2):202-206. Epub 2016 Sep 20.

a Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.

Conclusion: In terms of operation time, anesthesia method, and low complication rate, ESS and balloon sinuplasty seemed comparable. The advantages of balloon sinuplasty were shown to be shortness of sick leave, possibility to be performed as an in-office procedure, and lower adhesion formation.

Background: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has been considered as a treatment of choice for persistent chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Read More

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2017 Jan 16;18(1):11-18. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

Department of Interventional Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Thoraxcenter, z120 Dr Molerwaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transport simulation in reconstructed arteries derived from computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) to predict coronary segments that are prone to progress.

Methods And Results: Thirty-two patients admitted with an acute coronary event who underwent 64-slice CTCA after percutaneous coronary intervention and at 3-year follow-up were included in the analysis. The CTCA data were used to reconstruct the coronary anatomy of the untreated vessels at baseline and follow-up, and LDL transport simulation was performed in the baseline models. Read More

Acta Otolaryngol 2016 5;136(5):532-6. Epub 2016 Feb 5.

a Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki , Finland ;

Conclusion: This is the first controlled study of balloon sinuplasty's long-term efficacy with the follow-up time over 5 years. The results are in accordance with a previous 2-year-follow-up study. Both techniques retained the efficacy and patient satisfaction on average 6 years after the surgery. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016 Jan 30;154(1):33-40. Epub 2015 Oct 30.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Objective: Paranasal sinus balloon catheter dilation (BCD) represents a commonly used tool in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) for which the indications, utilization, and outcomes have not been well established. A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to evaluate change in quality of life and sinus opacification following paranasal sinus BCD in the treatment of CRS.

Data Sources: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Read More

Rhinology 2014 12;52(4):300-5

Objectives: To conduct the first prospective randomized controlled trial that evaluates and compares the clinical outcome and impact of ballonsinuplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) on the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis (CRS) of the maxillary sinus.

Methods: Adult patients with symptomatic chronic or recurrent rhinosinusitis without severe findings in the sinuses, as documented in the sinus’ Computer Tomography scan and clinical exam, were randomized in 2 groups: ESS and Balloon Sinuplasty.The main variable in our study is the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT 22) and its parameters. Read More

Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2014 Dec 14;7(4):302-6. Epub 2014 Nov 14.

Department of Hematology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Itlay.

Objectives: In onco-hematological diseases, the incidence of paranasal sinuses infection dramatically increase and requires a combination of medical and surgical therapy. Balloon dilatation surgery (DS) is a minimally invasive, tissue preserving procedure. The study evaluates the results of DS for rhinosinusitis in immunocompromised patients. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2015 Mar 9;124(3):194-7. Epub 2014 Sep 9.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the non-Food and Drug Administration-approved off-label use of a 10F Foley catheter as a tool during endoscopic frontal sinus surgery.

Method: A cohort of 40 patients with chronic frontal rhinosinusitis was prospectively evaluated using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), computed tomography (CT) imaging, and endoscopic examination. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) was performed in the usual fashion, however, when approaching the frontal sinus, a 10F Foley catheter was inserted and the balloon inflated in the frontal outflow. Read More

Laryngoscope 2015 Jan 2;125(1):49-56. Epub 2014 Sep 2.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.

Objectives/hypothesis: To study the utilization of balloon catheter dilation (BCD) compared to traditional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis

Methods: Cases identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes as BCD (2,717) or traditional ESS (31,059) were extracted from the State Ambulatory Surgery Databases 2011 for California, Florida, Maryland, and New York. Patient demographics, surgical center and surgeon volume, mean charge, and operating room (OR) time were compared.

Results: There were 33,776 patients who underwent sinus surgery in the included states in 2011. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014 Nov 4;151(5):852-60. Epub 2014 Aug 4.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA Center for Healthcare Studies, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Objectives: To study the utilization of balloon catheter dilation (BCD) compared to traditional endoscopic surgery (ESS) in pediatric patients.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis.

Setting: Hospital and freestanding ambulatory surgery centers in California, Florida, Maryland, and New York

Subjects: Patients less than 18 years who underwent BCD(316) or ESS(2346), as identified by CPT codes from the State Ambulatory Surgery Databases 2011. Read More

Med Devices (Auckl) 2014 28;7:83-9. Epub 2014 Apr 28.

Medical Affairs, Acclarent Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Company, Menlo Park, CA, USA ; Cleveland Nasal-Sinus and Sleep Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Purpose: Endoscopic sinus surgery for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) unresponsive to medical therapy has traditionally been performed under general anesthesia and in the operating room. Balloons for catheter dilation of paranasal sinuses were introduced in 2005, allowing sinus surgery to be safely performed either in the operating room or the office care setting, under local anesthesia. This change in care setting has raised concerns of overuse or expanded indications for sinus surgery. Read More

Otolaryngol Pol 2014 Jan-Feb;68(1):15-9. Epub 2013 Oct 5.

ENT Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy. Electronic address:

Introduction: Headache attributed to rhinosinusitis, commonly called sinus headache (SH), is probably one of the most prevalent secondary headaches. The purpose of our study was to examine further sinus headache comparing the effect of conventional functional endoscopic sinus surgery and the balloon sinuplasty.

Material And Methods: Eighty-three consecutive patients were enrolled from 2009 to 2012, who were diagnosed sinus headache according the diagnostic criteria of AAO-HNS and of HIS. Read More