BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in children with asthma, not associated with cystic fibrosis, is yet to receive the recognition it deserves. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the presentation of ABPA in children with asthma. METHODS: This retrospective review documents the occurrence of pediatric ABPA over a period of 31 years in one unit. Children with asthma, eosinophilia and infiltrates on chest radiograph were screened for ABPA. In these patients, demonstration of immediate hypersensitivity response against Aspergillus species along with serological profile and pulmonary function testing were done. Bronchography/computed tomography (CT) of the chest demonstrated central bronchiectasis (CB). CT of the paranasal sinuses was done in patients with upper airways symptoms. In those suspected with allergic Aspergillus sinusitis (AAS) consent was sought from the parents for the invasive procedure needed for the diagnosis of AAS. RESULTS: Of the 349 patients with ABPA diagnosed, 42 (12.03%) were in the pediatric age group. The mean age on presentation was 12.9 ± 4 years with a male preponderance. All patients had asthma and positive intradermal/skin prick test against Aspergillus species. Ring shadows, the most common radiological presentation, were seen in 28 of 42 patients. Bronchography/CT of the chest demonstrated CB, a feature pathognomic of ABPA, in 32 of 42 patients. High attenuation mucus plugs was observed in 7 of 36 patients while ABPA-seropositive was diagnosed in 10 of 42 patients. On imaging, sinusitis was seen in 20 of 30 patients with upper airways symptoms of whom eight had suspected AAS. Three parents consented for surgery, which confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need to evaluate asthmatic children for ABPA as also to exclude AAS.
Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary ; Aspergillus ; Asthma ; Bronchiectasis ; Child ; Cystic Fibrosis ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophilia ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; Male ; Mucus ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Parents ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; Thorax

A case of a papillary thyroid carcinoma in a patient with situs inversus with associated bronchiectasis and chronic sinusitis (Kartagener's syndrome) is reported. A 61-year-old male patient has the symptoms of nasal obstruction. nasal purulent discharge and headache for 2 years. Physical examination: right nasal purulent in right nasal cavity and multiple lychee-like opaque mass in right middle meatus. A nodule, one centimeter in diameter, locates in the upper pole of right thyroid. Evidence of full situs inversus viscerum can be confirmmed by chest radiographs and ultrasound doppler. Pathology: right nasal polyps, the right small papillary thyroid cancer. TEM Tip primary ciliary dyskinesia. Clinical diagnosis: Kartagener syndrome, papillary thyroid carcinoma (T1a N0 M0, I period), chronic sinusitis-nasal polyps.
Carcinoma ; complications ; diagnosis ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Kartagener Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Obstruction ; pathology ; Nasal Polyps ; pathology ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Rhinitis ; pathology ; Sinusitis ; pathology ; Situs Inversus ; pathology ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis

A 68-year-old Chinese man presented with an eight-month history of pyrexia of unknown origin and chronic sinusitis despite multiple courses of antibiotics. He underwent extensive investigations, including workups for infections, chronic granulomatous diseases and malignancy. Nasal biopsies were performed twice under local anaesthesia, but did not show any evidence of malignancy. Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal variant, based on histopathological findings from harvested deep tissue obtained via functional endoscopic sinus surgery. This study highlights that, for patients presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin and nasal symptoms, NK/T-cell lymphoma must be considered as a differential diagnosis. Generous amounts of tissue should be harvested under general anaesthesia rather than limited tissue under local anaesthesia, in order to facilitate and ensure a definitive diagnosis.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; Biopsy ; China ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; pathology ; Nose Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; radiotherapy ; Prognosis ; Radiography ; Radiotherapy ; Sinusitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Treatment Outcome

sinusitis after this procedure was considered to be the major drawback, therefore, preoperative evaluation of paranasal sinus is considered to be important. In order to evaluate the condition of the sinus, we used Waters' projection. In this study, asymptomatic patients were evaluated by Waters' view, and compared to timing to assess the sinus cavity.METHODS: The retrospective study was based on 14 patients who were performed sinus elevation surgery in Seoul National University Dental Hospital. These patients did not show any signs of maxillary sinusitis. These patients were taken Waters' view at preoperative, postoperative 1 day, 3 months, 6 months. In Waters' view, presence of air fluid level, radiopacity of sinus wall, or radiopacity of entire maxillary sinus were evaluated. The density, and sinus dimension changes were assessed using Adobe Photoshop CS5(R) (Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA, USA).RESULTS: Findings of Waters views in patients with clear maxillary sinus at preoperative time were followed by elevated sinus floor with transplanted bone, mucosal swelling, and air fluid level. At postoperative 3 months, and 6 months, the radiographic findings were similar to preoperative state. By contrast, patients with preoperative mucosal swelling, or haziness in sinus cavity showed radiopacity entire sinus in Waters' view. In cases of the patients who were treated with simultaneous treatment to mucosal swelling, good status of sinus cavity were found.CONCLUSION: Although Waters' projections provide the limited information, and is less sensitive method compared with computed tomography, it is simple, easy, and economical method to assess of maxillary sinus. We suggest using Waters' view as radiographic routine tool for evaluation of sinus condition, especially in the sinus elevation surgery.]]>
Floors and Floorcoverings ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Radiography, Dental ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Sinusitis ; Transplants

OBJECTIVE: We investigated low dose digital tomosynthesis (DT) for the evaluation of the paranasal sinus (PNS), and compared its diagnostic accuracy with a PNS radiography series (XR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 43 patients for whom XR, PNS DT, and OMU CT were performed. We measured effective doses (EDs) of XR, DT, and OMU CT using Monte Carlo simulation software. Two radiologists performed independent observation of both XR and DT. For seven PNSs, they scored anatomic conspicuity of sinuses and confidence on the presence of sinusitis using nine point scales. OMU CT was observed by the third radiologist and the findings were regarded as reference standard. We compared scores for conspicuity and sinusitis confidence between XR and DT. RESULTS: Mean EDs were 29 +/- 6 microSv, 48 +/- 10 microSv, and 980 +/- 250 microSv, respectively, for XR, DT, and CT. Mean scores for conspicuity were 6.3 and 7.4, respectively, for XR and DT. Sensitivity per patient basis for sinusitis detection were 52% and 96%, respectively, for XR and DT in observer 1 (p = 0.001) and 80% and 92% for observer 2 (p = 0.25). Specificities for sinusitis exclusion were 100% for both XR and DT for observer 1 and 89% and 100% for observer 2 (p = 0.50). Accuracies for sinusitis diagnosis were 72% and 98%, respectively, for XR and DT for observer 1 (p = 0.001) and 84% and 95% for observer 2 (p = 0.125). CONCLUSION: Patient radiation dose from low dose DT is comparable with that of PNS XR. Diagnostic sensitivity of DT for sinusitis was superior to PNS XR.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monte Carlo Method ; Paranasal Sinuses/*radiography ; ROC Curve ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiographic Image Enhancement/*methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sinusitis/*radiography ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

BACKGROUNDIntersinus septal cell (ISSC) is not a very uncommon frontal recess cell. But it is poorly described in literature. The clinical significance of this anatomic variant still remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the anatomy, classification of ISSC and its clinical significance in Chinese subjects.

METHODSWe prospectively identified ISSC in 200 consecutive subjects who had undergone computed tomography (CT) scans: 120 without frontal sinusitis (group 1) and 80 with frontal sinusitis (group 2). The ISSC was classified into two types: Type I ISSC communicated with frontal sinuses, type II ISSC communicated with frontal recess. The patients of frontal sinusitis had undergone functional endoscopic sinus surgery with the assistance of the classification of ISSC. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate the ISSC and its type to the presence of frontal sinusitis.

RESULTSThe ISSC was obvious when reviewing the coronal and axial CT scans. Of the 200 CT scans reviewed, ISSC were present in 90 (45%). Of the 120 scans in group 1, ISSC were present in 49 (41%), among which type I ISSC was in 22 (18%) and type II was in 27 (23%). Of the 80 scans in group 2, ISSC was present in 41 (51%), among which type I ISSC was in 16 (20%) and type II was in 25 (31%). There were no statistically significant differences about the frequency distribution of total ISSC, type I and II ISSC between group 1 and group 2.

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of ISSC was very high in Chinese patients. The classification of ISSC was helpful for surgeon to operate according to whether it communicated with frontal sinus or frontal recess. The type II ISSC could be relatively easily removed from frontal recess.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Frontal Sinus ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Frontal Sinusitis ; classification ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histopathologic changes of ethmoid bone and its correlation with clinical types of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHOD: All ethmoid bones and mucosa from 180 patients with CRS after endoscopic sinus surgery were collected for histopathologic detection with HE staining. The number and the rate of cases were counted according to different histopathologic types. To analyze the correlation between ethmoid bones and clinical types of CRS, mucosal pathologic change, the CT-scanning types of sinusitis, the course of disease as well as operational history. RESULT: The ethmoid bone of all patients had varying degrees of histopathologic changes. There were 5 cases (2.78%) in stage I, 38 cases (21.11%) in stage II, 71 cases (39.44%) in stage III, and 66 cases (36.67%) in stage NIV. The histopathologic changes of ethmoid bone varied in different clinical types. In type I, there were 5 cases (8.33%) in stage I, 33 cases (55.00%) in stage II, 15 cases (25.00%) in stage III, and 7 cases (11.67%) in stage NV. In type I, there were 5 cases (8.33%) in stage II, 37 cases (61.67%) in stage mI, and 18 cases (30.00%) in stage NV. In type III, there were 19 cases (31.67%) in stage III, and 41 cases (68.33%) in stage NV. All histopathologic changes of ethmoid bone were statistically correlated (P < 0.01) with clinical types of CRS, pathologic mucosal change, the CT-scanning types of sinusitis, the course of disease as well as operational history. CONCLUSION Almost all patients with CRS manifest different-degrees of histopathologic changes, which are correlated with the clinical types of CRS, pathologic mucosal change, the CT-scanning types, the course of disease as well as operational history.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Ethmoid Bone ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Mucosa ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography ; Sinusitis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical treatment effectiveness of clarithromycin for naso-sinusitis after nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy. METHOD: Twenty-four cases of naso-sinusitis after one year nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy were treated with the oral clarithromycin of small dosage (250 mg everyday). The course of treatment were for 12 to 20 weeks. The treatment effectiveness were evaluated with the chronic naso-sinusitis visual analog quality table mark system (VAS) and Lund-Mackay nasal sinuses CT image mark system before and after treatment. RESULT: The VAS mark and CT image mark have significant deviation (P < 0.01) among pretherapy, post-treatment and 6 months after drug withdrawal. No significant deviation was found(P > 0.05) between post treatment and 6 months after drug withdrawal. The treatment effectiveness was judged for very good is 9 cases, for the good is 11 cases and for the bad is 4 cases. CONCLUSION The clarithromycin of small dosage for long-term treatment of naso-sinusitis after nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy has positive clinical treatment effectiveness, which is a better treatment method.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; Clarithromycin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Radiography ; Sinusitis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo characterize clinicopathological features of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS).

METHODSThirty-six cases of AFS were retrieved from the department archival files of Beijing Tongren Hospital from 2002 to 2006. AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B stain were performed using paraffin-embedded tissues of the cases. Ten cases with available fresh diagnostic tissue were investigated by electron microscopy.

RESULTSPatients included 21 males and 15 females. The age of patients ranged from 11 to 53 years. Atopy was very common in these patients. On plain CT scans, the affected nasal sinuses were filled with soft tissue shadow with patchy hyperdensity. The bony sinus wall showed areas of pressure erosion. Skin antigen tests showed fungal positivity in 31 of 36 cases. Serum levels of the total IgE and/or the specific fungal IgE were elevated in 20 cases. The eosinophil quantity was elevated in 23 cases. Fungal culture was positive in 10 cases. Gross examination showed thick putty secretions within the lesions. Light microscopy showed typical "eosinophilic mucin". Fungal elements were seen with AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B stains. Electron microscopy demonstrated degranulation by the eosinophils.

CONCLUSIONS"Eosinophilic mucin" is the typical histopathological feature of AFS. AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B staining methods can used to detect fungal species in mucin. Accurate diagnosis of AFS requires correlations among clinical findings, radiologic examinations, laboratory tests and histopathologic features. However, the ultimate diagnosis requires a histopathologic confirmation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Eosinophils ; microbiology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paranasal Sinuses ; diagnostic imaging ; microbiology ; pathology ; Radiography ; Sinusitis ; blood ; immunology ; microbiology ; pathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Cough may be a consequence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness or inflammation. Empirical treatment is important in this context because it difficult to verify the obvious cause of cough using laboratory tests, Corticosteroid has a nonspecific anti-inflammatory effect, and can be used for cough management. However, its response rate has not yet been fully elucidated. This study investigated the short-term effects of inhaled corticosteroid on chronic cough METHODS: Patients with chronic cough with a normal chest radiograph and a pulmonary function test were enrolled. Cases with a prior respiratory infection within 8 weeks, a history of bronchial asthma, objective wheezing on examination, subjective symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux or taking an ACE inhibitor were excluded. On the first visit, a methacholine bronchial provocation test, spontaneous sputum eosinophil count performed twice and a paranasal sinus radiograph were checked, and the patients were treated with budesonide turbuhaler 800 microgram/day for ten days. The primary outcome measure was a decrease in the cough score after treatment. RESULTS: Sixty nine chronic coughers were finally analyzed. The final diagnoses by the routine tests were as follows: bronchial asthma 13.0%, eosinophilic bronchitis 18.8%, paranasal sinusitis 23.2% and non-diagnostic cases 53.6%. The following responses to the inhaled corticosteroid were observed: definite responders, 76.8%, possible responders, 2.9% and non-responders, 20.3%. The response rate was not affected by the final diagnosis even in the non-diagnostic cases. There were minimal adverse drug related effects during the empirical treatment. CONCLUSION: Routine objective tests such as methacholine provocation, sputum eosinophil count and simple radiographs were notare not suitable for diagnosing chronic cough Therefore, empirical treatment is important. Short term inhaled corticosteroid is effective and can guide a further treatment plan for chronic cough.
Asthma ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Bronchitis ; Budesonide ; Cough* ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Methacholine Chloride ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Sounds ; Sinusitis ; Sputum