Purpose: Nowadays, several efficacious biologic drugs are used for severe asthma with or without chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, it has been observed that not all comorbid patients (asthma/CRSwNP) receiving biologic treatment for asthma experience satisfactory control of both conditions equally. Methods: We selected 20 patients who had both severe asthma and comorbid CRSwNP under biological treatment with benralizumab, omalizumab or mepolizumab with adequate control of asthma but inadequate control of nasal symptoms. Patients were switched to dupilumab and outcomes were evaluated at baseline (T0), at 3 months (T1), at 6 months (T2), at 12 months (T3) and finally at 18 months (T4). Data were collected at each time point including blood tests measuring eosinophil levels and total IgE, SNOT22, ACT, NPS score, rhinomanometry, olfactory testing, and nasal cytology. Results: The results showed an overall improvement in all the outcomes. Peripheral eosinophilia was observed consistently with existing literature. All patients registered an improvement in sinonasal outcomes, while only one patient had a worsening of asthma. Three patients interrupted the therapy due to various causes: poor asthma control, onset of psoriasis and thrombocytopenia. Conclusions: The response to a biologic treatment for CRSwNP control may be heterogenous and it seems that patients may benefit from switching improving control in equal measure in the upper and lower airway. Further studies to explore the endotype/phenotype which best fits with each biologic are mandatory to personalize the therapy.
8 February 2024 in European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Purpose: Sinonasal nuclear protein in testis carcinoma (SNUTC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy caused by genetic rearrangements in the NUTM1 gene. The prognosis of SNUTC ranks among the most unfavorable within the naso-sinusal district, with an overall survival of 9.7 months. This systematic review aimed to determine the best therapeutic strategy for SNUTC. Methods: We reviewed eligible articles for patient demographics, TNM and stage at presentation, best response after primary treatment, disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) times, other following therapy lines, and final outcomes. Results: Among 472 unique citations, 17 studies were considered eligible, with reported treatment data for 25 patients. Most studies (n = 12) were case reports. The most frequently administered treatment regimen was surgery as primary treatment and combined radiochemotherapy as second-line or adjuvant treatment. Four patients were alive at follow-up. Conclusion: Basing on the existing literature, a standardized line in the treatment of SNUTC is not yet well delineated. A self-personalized strategy of therapy should be drawn on each patient affected by SNUTC.
Background: Recreational nasal cocaine use (RNCU) presents a significant challenge for rhinologists due to cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions (CIMDLs). This clinical consensus statement (CCS) offers guidelines for diagnosing, assessing, and managing both proven and suspected cases of CIMDL (including those without a prior RNCU history). It aims to support clinicians in addressing these complex cases effectively. Methods: An international, multidisciplinary panel of 18 specialists employed a three-round modified Delphi-method survey to evaluate statements covering CIMDL management issues such as definition, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, initial management approaches, and surgical management of complications and reconstructions. This study primarily targets otorhinolaryngologists. Results: Out of 44 evaluated statements, 20 achieved strong consensus, 20 reached consensus, 3 approached near-consensus, and 1 failed to achieve consensus. Consensus-covered areas included the definition of CIMDL, clinical evaluations, first-line management, and management of complications. However, reconstructive techniques remained a contentious topic. Conclusions: In the absence of extensive data, this CCS establishes a management framework for CIMDL, significantly bridging a knowledge gap. It highlights the need for standardized assessments, multidisciplinary cooperation, and customized follow-up care for patients with CIMDL. Considering the widespread use of cocaine, physicians should consistently consider the possibility of RNCU when encountering chronic inflammatory lesions in the sinonasal tract.
1 January 2025 in Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica
Objective. Response to dupilumab for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, albeit almost always excellent, is still not predictable. Our study focuses on the role of body mass index (BMI) on the efficacy of dupilumab. Methods. We present a retrospective multicentre study of 106 patients on dupilumab, stratified in 3 subgroups of BMI. The main therapeutic outcomes investigated were Nasal Polyp Score (NPS), Sino-Nasal-Outcome Test - 22 (SNOT-22), Sniffin’ Sticks Identification test and visuo-analogical scale, and the different timing of response, according to De Corso et al. criteria. Results. Dupilumab treatment led to a progressive improvement for all outcomes at all time points. Comparing the different metabolic subgroups, a late response in terms of decrease in NPS was observed only in 3 obese patients. A significant decrease was also found in SNOT-22 score at 6 and 12 months, which was less marked in overweight/obese patients. Conclusions. Our study confirmed the efficacy of dupilumab in each BMI subgroup. However, the efficacy seems to follow different timing with respect to patients’ BMI. Our data suggest that patients with a compromised metabolic state present more severe disease at baseline and a possibly delayed response to dupilumab.
We present a case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and rapidly progressive facial palsy in a female patient in her 40s with no, apparently, notable past medical or surgical history. Investigations revealed a positive serology for B. burgdoferi and the MRI allowed us to identify suggestive signs of Lyme meningitis with multiple cranial nerve involvement. After diagnosis, the patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone with a full recovery of sensorineural deafness and facial palsy. This case report highlights the importance of collecting a complete medical history in all cases of facial palsy and sudden hearing loss while presenting an infrequent clinical presentation of early disseminated Lyme disease with neuroborreliosis.
Key Clinical Message: Soporous state in acute renal failure represent an atypical presentation of parathyroid cancer. Complete prompt investigations and diagnosis have a fundamental role in the management of this disease This report describes a case of parathyroid carcinoma (PC) with an uncommon first clinical presentation: soporous state, depression, and severe cognitive decline in association with acute renal failure. After discovering extremely high serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) was made and a surgical en bloc resection was performed. After the surgical intervention, the histological examination revealed the presence of a malignant parathyroid disease, thus confirming our first preoperative suspicion.
About Me
ENT resident of University “La Statale” of Milan. My major interests are otology and otosurgery.
ENT resident of University “La Statale” of Milan. My major interests are otology and otosurgery.