The impact of neo-osteogenesis on disease control in chronic rhinosinusitis after primary surgery

Correlation of Eosinophils and Type 2 Inflammatory Mediators with Osteitis in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Objective

Osteitis is more prevalent in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), making the disease refractory and prone to recurrence. However, the pathophysiologic mechanism of osteitis formation in CRS has not been fully elucidated, and this study aimed to further elucidate the association of eosinophils and type 2 inflammatory mediators with osteitis in patients with CRSwNP.

Methods

This retrospective study collected clinical data on 125 cases of CRSwNP. The participants were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of osteitis in their sinus CT scan. The groups were classified as the osteitis group and the non-osteitis group. The clinical baseline data, type 2 inflammatory mediators, and eosinophils were compared between the two groups. The correlation between these factors and the Global Osteitis score scale (GOSS) was also evaluated.

Results

There were 69 cases in the osteitis group and 56 cases in the non-osteitis group of CRSwNP patients. The prevalence of concomitant asthma (P=0.009), SNOT-22 score, LUND-MAKAY score, and LUND-KEDENY score were significantly higher in the osteitis group than in the non-osteitis group (All P values were < 0.001); the absolute values of IL-13 (P<0.001), periosteal proteins (P<0.001), and tissue eosinophils (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the osteitis group as compared with the non-osteitis group. Logistic regression analysis showed that IL-13 and periosteal proteins were risk factors for CRSwNP osteitis (P<0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed that IL-13 had the highest predictive value (AUC=0.786) with a cut-off value of 5.8059 pg/mL, the sensitivity of 58.0%, and a specificity of 89.3% respectively.

Conclusion

Osteitis could indicate the more severe symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and elevated IL-13, periosteal proteins, and tissue eosinophils are risk factors for osteitis formation in patients with CRSwNP.

Heterogeneity in the definition of chronic rhinosinusitis disease control: a systematic review of the scientific literature

PURPOSE

Disease control is conceptually recognized to be an important outcome measure for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, inconsistent usage is a significant factor in disadoption of important concepts and it is presently unclear how consistently the construct of CRS 'control' is being defined/applied. The objective of this study was to determine the heterogeneity of CRS disease control definitions in the scientific literature.

METHODS

Systematic review of PubMed and Web of Science databases from inception through December 31, 2022. Included studies used CRS disease control as an explicitly stated outcome measure. The definitions of CRS disease control were collected.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies were identified with more than half published in 2021 or later. Definitions of CRS control were variable, although 48.4% of studies used the EPOS (2012 or 2020) criteria to define control, 14 other unique definitions of CRS disease control were also implemented. Most studies included the burden CRS symptoms (80.6%), need for antibiotics or systemic corticosteroids (77.4%) or nasal endoscopy findings (61.3%) as criteria in their definitions of CRS disease control. However, the specific combination of these criteria and prior time periods over which they were assessed were highly variable.

CONCLUSION

CRS disease control is not consistently defined in the scientific literature. Although many studies conceptually treated 'control' as the goal of CRS treatment, 15 different criteria were used to define CRS disease control, representing significant heterogeneity. Scientific derivation of criteria and collaborative consensus building are needed for the development of a widely-accepted and -applied definition of CRS disease control.

Clinical and immunologic implication of neo-osteogenesis in chronic rhinosinusitis

INTRODUCTION

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial disease characterized by long-term inflammation of the nasal and sinus passages. Neo-osteogenesis which is a major finding of recalcitrant CRS is clinically related to the disease severity and surgical outcomes of CRS.

AREAS COVERED

The immunological and molecular mechanisms underlying neo-osteogenesis of CRS remain unclear, and many recent studies have suggested the importance of inflammatory mediators secreted by immune cells. This paper provides a broader understanding of neo-osteogenesis in CRS by reviewing recent updates and evidence of the association between CRS pathophysiology and neo-osteogenesis.

EXPERT OPINION

Crosstalk between the bone and mucosa eventually results in refractory CRS. In addition, both eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic CRS cytokines can play a role in neo-osteogenesis and trigger an enhanced CRS-associated immune response. The significance of predicting neo-osteogenesis in advance or during postoperative care could be essential for effectively managing refractory CRS and enhancing the prognosis of CRS patients.

Clinical Validation and Extension of an Automated, Deep Learning-Based Algorithm for Quantitative Sinus CT Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Sinus CT is critically important for the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. While CT is sensitive for detecting mucosal disease, automated methods for objective quantification of sinus opacification are lacking. We describe new measurements and further clinical validation of automated CT analysis using a convolutional neural network in a chronic rhinosinusitis population. This technology produces volumetric segmentations that permit calculation of percentage sinus opacification, mean Hounsfield units of opacities, and percentage of osteitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively from adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, including serum eosinophil count, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic scores, and the SinoNasal Outcomes Test-22. CT scans were scored using the Lund-Mackay score and the Global Osteitis Scoring Scale. CT images were automatically segmented and analyzed for percentage opacification, mean Hounsfield unit of opacities, and percentage osteitis. These readouts were correlated with visual scoring systems and with disease parameters using the Spearman ρ.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight subjects were included. The algorithm successfully segmented 100% of scans and calculated features in a diverse population with CT images obtained on different scanners. A strong correlation existed between percentage opacification and the Lund-Mackay score (ρ = 0.85, P < .001). Both percentage opacification and the Lund-Mackay score exhibited moderate correlations with the Lund-Kennedy score (ρ = 0.58, P < .001, and ρ = 0.58, P < .001, respectively). The percentage osteitis correlated moderately with the Global Osteitis Scoring Scale (ρ = 0.48, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our quantitative processing of sinus CT images provides objective measures that correspond well to established visual scoring methods. While automation is a clear benefit here, validation may be needed in a prospective, multi-institutional setting.

Clinical Assessment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease that affects >10% of the adult population in Europe and the United States. It has been delineated phenotypically into CRS without nasal polyps and CRS with nasal polyps. Both have a high disease burden and an overlapping spectrum of symptoms such as nasal obstruction, olfactory dysfunction, facial pain, pressure, and nasal discharge. Primary assessment includes evaluation of patient symptoms and impact on quality of life, nasal endoscopic examination, and imaging. Significant progress has been made in the understanding of CRS pathophysiology. There is a move toward describing CRS in terms of the predominant endotype or inflammatory pattern pathomechanism rather than the traditional classification of patients with and without nasal polyps. An increased elucidation of the disease endotypes, as characterized by their inflammatory pathways and mediators, is leading to a tailored more personalized treatment approach to the different disease subtypes.

Alleviation of Surgery-Induced Osteitis in Sinonasal Cavity by Dexamethasone-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) Microparticles with Strong Calcium-Binding Affinity

For the treatment of sinus surgery-induced osteitis in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), oral or intranasal administration of corticoids is generally used, although it has critical limitations and unavoidable side effects. To overcome these limitations, we designed dexamethasone (Dex)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles with bone-specific binding affinity, which could release the encapsulated Dex in a sustained manner on the exposed bone after the surgical wound in the nasal cavity. In a previous report, we prepared poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate) (PBMP) with both calcium-binding phosphomonoester groups and PLGA-binding butyl groups to introduce strong calcium-binding property to PLGA particles. In this study, after successful encapsulation of Dex in the PBMP-coated PLGA particles, we applied the Dex-PLGA/PBMP to the treatment of post-operative osteitis in the sinonasal cavity. The Dex-PLGA/PBMP showed more than 5-times higher binding affinity to the hydroxyapatite (HA) surface compared to the non-coated PLGA particles, without altering the morphology and encapsulation efficiency. After establishing the neo-osteogenesis mouse model by mechanical injury of the nasal mucosa, the activity of intranasally administered Dex-PLGA/PBMP was examined to inhibit the formation of undesirable new woven bone during the wound healing process. In addition, significantly lower osteocalcin activity was observed in the group treated with Dex-PLGA/PBMP, indicating decreased activation of osteoblasts. Overall, these results demonstrate that the PLGA/PBMP microparticle strategy has great potential for the treatment of CRS-related osteitis by localized corticoid delivery on the exposed bones with minimal side effects.

International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: rhinosinusitis 2021

I.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BACKGROUND: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR-RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR-RS-2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence-based findings of the document.

METHODS

ICAR-RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence-based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence-based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary.

RESULTS

ICAR-RS-2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence-based management algorithm is provided.

CONCLUSION

This ICAR-RS-2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence-based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS.

Crosstalk Between Mucosal Inflammation and Bone Metabolism in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial and highly heterogeneous upper airway disease that affects approximately 12% of the general population. There is increasing evidence supporting the impact of osteitis on the pathophysiology of CRS. Osteitis is frequently observed in patients with CRS, and is associated with severe sinonasal inflammation and recalcitrant cases. The overlying inflammatory sinonasal mucosa plays a critical role in the initiation of osteitis; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms and functional significance remain unclear. Increasingly many studies have suggested that immune cells play a crucial role in the bone remodeling process in CRS. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the specific role of sinonasal inflammation in bone remodeling in CRS patients.

Impact of Paranasal Sinus Surgery in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Longitudinal Computed Tomography Study

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Severe chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) failing medical therapies can be treated with paranasal sinus surgery. Whether this surgery protects from progressive sinonasal damage remains unknown. Here, we aimed to analyze time-dependent relations between sinus surgeries and computed tomography (CT) imaging features in the CRS of GPA.

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal observational study.

METHODS

We assessed CRS features including bone thickening by global osteitis scoring scale, bone erosions, and mucosal thickening by Lund-Mackay scores in serial paranasal sinus CT scans (742 CT scans in total) from a cohort of 127 well-characterized GPA patients. Data on sinonasal surgical procedures were from a mandatory national registry and from chart review. We defined the time from baseline CT to last CT as the study observation period in each patient. Datasets were analyzed by linear mixed models.

RESULTS

We found that 23/127 cohort patients had one or more paranasal sinus surgical procedures, and 96% of these (22/23) had osteitis by CT after surgery. In patients with nasal surgery alone or no surgery, we identified osteitis in 7/11 (64%) and 45/93 (48%), respectively. During the observation period of a median of 5 years, 38 patients had progression of their sinus osteitis, with the highest annual osteitis progression rates observed around the time of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, paranasal sinus surgery was associated with prevalence, severity, and progression rate of sinus osteitis, indicating that sinus surgery does not reduce the bone damage development in the CRS of GPA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 130: E460-E468, 2020.

Radiological and endoscopic findings in patients undergoing revision endoscopic sinus surgery

Over the last three decades, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has become one of the most common surgical techniques, with significant data supporting its efficacy in treating chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, despite this initial published success rate, approximately 10-15% of them will require a subsequent revision surgery. The severity of the disease, the comorbidities and the anatomical variation that are not addressed adequately in the primary surgery, are considered the main factors that cause the failure of the primary surgery. Our objective is to report anatomical findings that may contribute to recurrent disease to improve the success rate in the primary surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted for 24 patients presenting for revision functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Lund-kennedy and Lund-Mackay score systems, pre and intraoperative CT scan and endoscopic assessments utilized, respectively, to delineate the causes of the primary surgery's failure. The most common finding was persistent frontoethmoidal cell, anterior and posterior ethmoid cell: 81.2%, 72.9%, 70.8%, respectively. Bony osteitis and scarred frontal recess were visible in 66.7%. Recirculation phenomena, resected concha bullosa and persistent Onodi cell, were the least noticeable findings: 6.25%, 8.3%, 8.30% consecutively CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence of the CRS that needs revision FESS is multifactorial in etiology ranging from sever mucosal disease to anatomical variations that is not addressed precisely in primary surgery. Trials of studies with a larger number of patient series comparing the anatomical variations that impact on recurrence of CRS with and without polyp are required.

Risk factors for neo-osteogenesis in cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this retrospective review was to determine how patient-related factors and culture data affect neo-osteogenesis in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with CRS.

METHODS

Information from a database associated with a large tertiary medical center was used to assess adult patients with CF CRS and non-CF CRS (total, n = 102; CF CRS, n = 31; non-CF CRS, n = 71). Radiologic evidence of neo-osteogenesis was measured using the Global Osteitis Scoring Scale (GOSS), and mucosal disease was assessed using the Lund-Mackay score (LMS) by 2 independent reviewers who were blinded to the patient's disease state. Bacterial cultures were obtained endoscopically. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effect of age, sex, number of previous surgeries, CF, and culture species on the odds of neo-osteogenesis.

RESULTS

Fifty-one of the 102 patients (50%) met radiologic criteria for neo-osteogenesis. Sixty-nine patients (67.6%) with CF CRS and non-CF CRS had culture data. In the multiple logistic regression model, male gender was significantly associated with neo-osteogenesis (odds ratio [OR], 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68-17.86; p = 0.006). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was not associated with neo-osteogenesis (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 0.84-12.80; p = 0.097). Age, number of surgeries, CF, Staphylococcus aureus, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess risk factors associated with neo-osteogenesis and patients with CF CRS. Interestingly, male gender was the only significant predictor of neo-osteogenesis.

Osteitis in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Osteitis is recognized as a common factor in recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). There is evidence for the association of osteitis with revision surgeries and CRS severity, in terms of higher Lund-Mackay scores. This is a narrative review on the osteitis in CRS patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence to date is inconclusive with regard to the etiology and pathogenesis of this bony thickening. Histopathology of osteitis in primary CRS is likely a process of neo-osteogenesis and bone remodeling. For better understanding, various associating factors have been studied including an inflammatory pattern of rhinosinusitis. Recent studies have associated osteitis with nasal polyps and tissue eosinophilia with the increase in periostin expression and P-glycoprotein mucosal expression. There is no association of osteitis to symptoms or quality of life. Osteitis is an outcome of neo-osteogenesis rather than inflammatory processes in CRS patients without a prior history of surgery. While CT has become a staple in osteitis assessment, the standards for grading osteitic severity remain in an experimental stage. There is no association between the presence or severity of osteitis at the time of surgery and clinical outcomes at 1 year after surgery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and correlation with clinical and biological factors of osteitis in CRS patients.

Sino-Nasal outcome test-22 outcomes after sinus surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The goal of the study was to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the mean change in the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) across patients who have had endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in the literature.

METHODS

A literature search was performed to identify studies that assessed SNOT-22 scores before and after ESS in adult patients with CRS. A random effects model with inverse variance weighting was used to generate the mean change after surgery, along with the forest plot and 95% confidence interval (CI). The impact of patient-specific factors across studies was assessed using a mixed-effects meta-regression.

RESULTS

The final study list included 40 unique patient cohorts published from 2008 to 2016. All studies showed a statistically significant change in mean SNOT-22 scores between baseline and postoperative time points (P < .001), ranging from 12.7 to 44.8, at an average follow-up of 10.6 months. The summary change in mean SNOT-22 across all studies was 24.4 (95% CI: 22.0-26.8). After forward, step-wise multivariate modeling, studies with higher mean preoperative SNOT-22 score and higher asthma prevalence were associated with greater changes in SNOT-22 score after ESS, whereas studies with longer mean follow-up had smaller changes in SNOT-22 score.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies evaluating quality-of-life outcomes after sinus surgery using the SNOT-22 instrument universally show significant improvement after ESS. Across the published literature, the magnitude of change is quite variable and appears to be influenced by a number of factors including baseline SNOT-22 score, asthma prevalence, and length of follow-up. Laryngoscope, 128:581-592, 2018.

Revision Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Refractory chronic rhinosinusitis can be challenging to treat. Initial treatment focuses on medical and nonsurgical treatments. If these treatments fail, revision endoscopic sinus surgery is an option. A plan for revision surgery must address anatomic factors contributing to recurrence. Preoperative imaging and sinonasal endoscopy are systematically reviewed; areas of disease and "danger" zones are identified. Traditional anatomic landmarks are often obscured or absent; thus, a set of consistent landmarks (unchanged despite prior surgery) are used to navigate the revision endoscopic sinus surgery. Wide sinusotomies permit visualization and access to disease intraoperatively. Large sinus openings also facilitate post-operative debridements in clinic, endoscopic disease monitoring, and topical sinus therapy.

Comprehensive review on endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery

Endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery is the standard procedure for surgery of most paranasal sinus diseases. Appropriate frame conditions provided, the respective procedures are safe and successful. These prerequisites encompass appropriate technical equipment, anatomical oriented surgical technique, proper patient selection, and individually adapted extent of surgery. The range of endonasal sinus operations has dramatically increased during the last 20 years and reaches from partial uncinectomy to pansinus surgery with extended surgery of the frontal (Draf type III), maxillary (grade 3-4, medial maxillectomy, prelacrimal approach) and sphenoid sinus. In addition there are operations outside and beyond the paranasal sinuses. The development of surgical technique is still constantly evolving. This article gives a comprehensive review on the most recent state of the art in endoscopic sinus surgery according to the literature with the following aspects: principles and fundamentals, surgical techniques, indications, outcome, postoperative care, nasal packing and stents, technical equipment.

The Role of the Fibroblast in Inflammatory Upper Airway Conditions

Upper airway inflammation is one of the most frequent health care presentations. This is perhaps not surprising with our exposure to a myriad of environmental microbes, pollutants, and allergens. The precise pathophysiological mechanisms that cause persistent, exaggerated, upper airway inflammation rather than acute resolving illness remain unclear. Analysis of upper airway specimens identifies specific inflammatory cells, cytokine signatures, and fibrotic airway remodeling. Recent research has highlighted the role of stromal cells in the generation and persistence of chronic inflammation. Rather than simply being scaffolding or extracellular matrix-secreting cells on which organ systems are built, stromal cells including fibroblasts and osteocytes have their own independent immunologic functions. Here, we review the emerging inflammatory roles of upper airway fibroblasts, the majority of which appear to influence immune cell chemotaxis and amplify the inflammatory response.

Osteitis and chronic rhinosinusitis: a review of the current literature

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common debilitating condition characterized by inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Osteitis is an associated finding but it is not clear whether it is cause or effect. This review will report on studies that have examined the role of osteitis in CRS, with the ultimate aim of clarifying the definition, pathogenesis and clinical implications of this relatively new clinical entity. Literature searches of Medline, EMBASE and CENTRAL using the search terms osteitis, rhinosinusitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic disease, and recurrence were performed. 21 articles were identified and reviewed. The papers highlighted key pathological features including periosteal thickening, new woven bone formation, bone resorption, fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Radiological grading systems and basic science research into the role of matrix metalloproteinases and P-glycoprotein were also identified and reviewed.

Osteitis is a misnomer: a histopathology study in primary chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

The histological features of osteitis in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in animal studies induced by bacterial inoculation into maxillary sinuses revealed inflammatory involvement of the underlying bone matrix and/or the Haversian system; however, human studies do not mention these findings. The objective of this study was to investigate the inflammatory characterization of osteitis in CRS.

METHOD

A prospective study of primary CRS patients undergoing sinus surgery was conducted (August 2012 to April 2013). Bone-mucosa samples were taken from a predetermined site that correlated to a computed tomography location. Radiological bone thickness was measured. A blinded histopathological assessment included inflammatory infiltrate of bone, periosteal reaction, presence of osteoblasts or osteoclasts, fibrosis, and the percentage of new woven bone to total bone thickness, together with an overall opinion of whether neo-osteogenesis was present.

RESULTS

Twenty-two primary CRS patients (age 45.8 ± 15.6 years; 59.1% female) were recruited. CRS with polyps accounted for 59.1% of patients. The bony thickness measured radiologically was a median 1.72 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.38; range, 0.3-12.14) mm. No samples (0%) had evidence of inflammatory infiltrate of bone; 90.9% had both osteoblasts present and new woven bone formation. Woven bone was greater with periosteal reaction (80.83% ± 9.25% vs. 47.50% ± 29.37%; p = 0.006), greater with osteoclasts present (80.00% ± 12.58% vs 59.00% ± 28.52%; p = 0.03), and greater when fibrosis was present (69.75% ± 24.14% vs 25.00% ± 7.07%; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Most primary CRS patients demonstrated evidence of new woven bone formation. True "osteitis" with inflammatory infiltrate of the bone was not observed. "Osteitis" is likely a process of neo-osteogenesis and bone remodeling, rather than bone inflammation in primary CRS.