Topical gel therapy for sinonasal polyposis in Samter's triad: preliminary report

[ASA-intolerance syndrome and persistent rhinosinusitis : Differential diagnosis and treatment]

BACKGROUND

A differential diagnosis of persistent chronic rhinosinusitis is ASA-intolerance syndrome (AIS), also known as Aspirin®‑exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), Samter-Trias (Samter's disease, Morbus Widal). Particularly in cases of frequent recurrency of nasal polyps in combination with bronchial asthma and hypersensitivity reactions to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAR) can often be referred to an underlying AIS. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is attributed to a misallocation of the arachidonic acid metabolism, resulting in an increased leukotriene production.

METHODS

The diagnosis may be difficult in the early stages of the disease with incomplete triad of symptoms.

RESULTS

Therapy may consist of paranasal sinuses surgery, drug therapy and adaptive deactivation as the only causal treatment option for patients with AIS.

CONCLUSION

For adaptive desactivation, positive effects were actually shown even in patients with long-term recurrent or persistent complaints of chronic rhinosinusitis.

A golden experience: Fifty years of experience managing the frontal sinus

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The frontal sinus is one of the most anatomically complex and inaccessible of the paranasal sinuses. As a result, surgeons have continually tried to improve surgical management of the frontal sinus. The senior author (c.w.g.) shares 50 years of experience managing the frontal sinus.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed literature search.

REVIEW METHODS

Review of the literature regarding landmark innovations in frontal sinus surgery.

RESULTS

Open approaches established that the frontal sinus is accessible, and in certain circumstances, such as with large osteoma or papilloma, are still required. The endoscope changed the surgical landscape and allowed for greater finesse and decreased morbidity. Sinus balloon dilation is the newest change in frontal sinus management and shows promise in properly selected cases.

CONCLUSION

Surgery of the frontal sinus continues to evolve and improve. Although there are new techniques, the older techniques are still pertinent.