Medical Therapy Versus Balloon Sinus Dilation in Adults With Chronic Rhinosinusitis (MERLOT): 12-Month Follow-up

Evaluation of balloon sinuplasty for the treatment of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This year marks 10 years from the publication of the clinical consensus statement on pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Balloon sinuplasty did not meet criteria for consensus at that time because there was insufficient evidence on its efficacy and safety. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current evidence on balloon sinuplasty treatment for pediatric CRS.

RECENT FINDINGS

Balloon sinuplasty is not a cost-effective measure compared to adenoidectomy and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). In the pediatric population, benefits include short operative time, reduced tissue manipulation, and potential for decreased antibiotic courses. Alternatively, balloon dilation has increased equipment costs and there is a lack of robust prospective data that fully elucidates balloon sinuplasty's role in the management of pediatric CRS.

SUMMARY

Pediatric otolaryngologists should continue to perform first-line adenoidectomy and consider ESS based on imaging and other validated clinical scoring systems. Balloon sinuplasty has not yet been proven as an effective treatment for pediatric CRS and further large-scale investigations are required to overcome its lack of cost-effectiveness.

Balloon Sinus Dilation Versus Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of balloon sinus dilation (BSD) compared to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) or medical management for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

METHODS

A qualified medical librarian conducted a literature search for relevant publications that evaluate efficacy of BSD. Studies were assessed independently by 2 reviewers for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis.

RESULTS

From 315 abstracts reviewed, 18 studies were included in qualitative review, and 7 were included in meta-analysis. Quantitative analysis included 4 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and 3 cohort studies comparing baseline and post-operative Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-20 scores in BSD and FESS. A meta-analysis restricted to the studies reporting SD for changes from baseline (2 RCTs, 1 cohort) showed the pooled difference in means to be 0.435, less than a clinically meaningful difference of 0.8. A separate sensitivity analysis of the studies including 4 additional studies with imputed values of SD for changes from baseline showed the pooled difference of means to be 0.237 assuming the highest level of correlation (Corr .8) between the pre- and post-intervention scores.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited high-quality evidence that assesses the efficacy of BSD versus FESS in the management of CRS patients. To better inform CRS management, future studies should compare BSD with endoscopic sinus surgery, hybrid procedures, and/or medical management alone using validated objective and patient-reported outcome measures.

Image guided dilation of sinus ostium in revision sinus surgery

PURPOSE

Assess if a rigid, image-guided balloon could be used effectively and safely in revision sinus surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, non-randomized, single-arm, multicenter study to assess the safety and device performance of the NuVent™ EM Balloon Sinus Dilation System. Adults with CRS in need of revision sinus surgery were enrolled for balloon sinus dilation of a frontal, sphenoid, or maxillary sinus. The primary device performance endpoint was the ability of the device to (1) navigate to; and (2) dilate tissue in subjects with scarred, granulated, or previously surgically-altered tissue (revision). Safety outcomes included the assessment of any operative adverse events (AEs) directly attributable to the device or for which direct cause could not be determined. A follow-up endoscopy was conducted at 14 days post-treatment for assessment of any AEs. Performance outcomes included the surgeon's ability to reach the target sinus (es) and dilate the ostia. Endoscopic photos were captured for each treated sinus pre- and post-dilation.

RESULTS

At 6 US clinical sites, 51 subjects were enrolled; 1 subject withdrew before treatment due to a cardiac complication from anesthesia. 121 sinuses were treated in 50 subjects. The device performed as expected in 100 % of the 121 treated sinuses, with investigators able to navigate to the treatment area and dilate the sinus ostium without difficulty. Ten AEs were seen in 9 subjects, with 0 related to the device.

CONCLUSION

The targeted frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinus ostium were safely dilated in every revision subject treated, with no AEs directly attributed to the device.

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.

Non-research industry payments to pediatric otolaryngologists in 2018

OBJECTIVES

To characterize non-research industry payments to pediatric otolaryngologists in 2018.

STUDY DESIGN

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Payments program was used to obtain all non-research industry payments to pediatric otolaryngology in 2018. Total payment amount information was obtained for years 2014-2017 for trend analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

There were 1704 payments to pediatric otolaryngologists in 2018, totaling $163,716 with a median of $17.79. Of the total payments, 74.77% (1274 out of 1704) were under $50. Payments to 299 physicians were reported for 175 different products, the majority of which were associated with otitis media and sinus disease. The nature of the payments included 1579 ($57,120) towards food and beverage, 64 ($46,251) for travel and lodging, 29 ($39,688) for consulting services, 23 ($1075) for education, 4 ($7898) for royalty or license, and 5 ($11,684) for compensation for services such as serving as faculty or a speaker.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to investigate industry payments to pediatric otolaryngologists in 2018. Most of the payments were under $50 and mainly for food and beverage. The majority of payments were associated with otitis media and sinus disease.

Radiologic Analysis of Balloon Sinuplasty in a Human Cadaver Model: Observed Effects on Sinonasal Anatomy

BACKGROUND

Balloon sinuplasty is increasingly used in the outpatient clinic for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis, but radiologic analysis of its effects on sinonasal anatomy is largely uncharacterized in the known literature.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to examine the anatomic effects of balloon sinuplasty in a cadaveric model.

METHODS

Five fresh cadaver heads underwent sequential endoscopic balloon dilation of maxillary ostia, frontal recess outflow tracts, and sphenoid ostia bilaterally by fellowship-trained rhinologists. Pre- and post-procedural CT imaging was obtained. CT scans were imported into Mimics™ software and sinonasal anatomy was analyzed systematically.

RESULTS

Visual confirmation of balloon dilation was achieved in all 3 sites bilaterally in each cadaver. Radiologic analysis demonstrated that the frontal sinus outflow tract was appropriately dilated 60% (6/10 sites) of the time while the agger was inadvertently dilated 30% of the time (3/10). The sphenoid os was successfully dilated 70% (7/10 sites) of the time. In two cases, a posterior sphenoethmoid (Onodi) cell was dilated instead of the sphenoid. Successful dilation of maxillary os was noted 60% of the time (6/10 sites). No significant change in maxillary os was noted after balloon dilation. Normal middle turbinates were significantly medialized following balloon dilation 75% (6/8 sites) of the time.

CONCLUSIONS

While the goal of balloon sinuplasty is to improve natural sinonasal drainage by dilating existing outflow tracts, as evidenced by radiologic evaluation the procedure appears not to achieve this in all cases, while occasionally creating unintended changes in sinonasal anatomy as well. These unrecognized changes in anatomy may be responsible for the post-procedure change in symptomatology that some patients experience.