Journal Reviews
Narivent – an effective, fast-acting non-vasoconstrictive nasal decongestant?
The nasal obstruction associated with acute and chronic rhinitis is often considered one of the most unpleasant symptoms associated with these conditions. Whilst topical over-the-counter vasoconstrictors such as xylometazoline and oxymetazoline are highly effective at alleviating nasal obstruction, they are...
More markers for sinonasal diseases
In this study, nasal mucus cystatin SN levels were compared in patients with controlled and uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Cystatin SN is an epithelium-derived cytokine which regulates cysteine proteases and enhances IL-5 mediated activation of eosinophils. The study included 98...
Operating room with a live electrical wire!
Education in healthcare is essential for enhancing patient safety, improving informed consent and enabling personal and professional development. Surgical training often focuses on common complications and the consent process for these potential adverse outcomes. But what about education on less...
Incidental paranasal sinus fungal balls
Fungal ball (FB) sinusitis, also referred to as mycetoma or aspergilloma, is a chronic non-invasive mycotic disease. This study aimed at analysing the natural history and outcomes of patients with incidental paranasal FB on imaging. This was a retrospective study...
Does ipratropium responsiveness predict posterior nasal nerve neurectomy/ablation outcomes in chronic rhinitis?
This study’s main objective was to assess whether topical ipratropium response is predictive of subsequent response to posterior nasal nerve (PNN) interventions, including surgical neurectomy or in-office ablation, in chronic rhinitis (CR). This is a retrospective study of adult patients...
A new tool to enhance smell recovery?
Vericiguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase activator which boosts intracellular cGMP and promotes smooth muscle relaxation. It is approved for use in heart failure, but the authors hypothesise that it may also enhance neuronal olfactory signalling via cGMP elevation. Eighty-eight...
Can PRP injections treat atrophic rhinitis?
As we all know, atrophic rhinitis is a thankfully rare but debilitating condition characterised by nasal obstruction, dryness, crusting and foul smell (ozaena). There are currently minimal treatment options available, none of which have proven particularly effective. The authors present...
Artificial intelligence and OSA
The future’s bright, the future’s Orange AI… If you Google ‘how much is AI worth?’, the AI overview tells you “The global artificial intelligence (AI) market size is estimated at approximately $244 billion to $391 billion in 2025 and is...
Is there any point giving postoperative oral steroids after a FESS?
It is well accepted that when medical treatment fails for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is more effective than continuing with medical therapy alone. A variety of postoperative care options are available, including saline irrigation, in office debridement,...
An otological cure for globus?
Globus pharyngeus is a common benign condition frequently encountered in ENT practice. Laryngopharyngeal reflux and psychological stressors are often considered to be contributory factors, but globus symptoms do not always respond to antacid medications. Such medications can also be limited...
A study defining septal areas and turbinates that are relevant in assessing patients with nasal obstruction
The symptom of nasal obstruction is subjective when patients present in clinics. The decision to intervene surgically is often made on clinical appearance of the nasal septum and turbinates which, unless extreme, cannot always be judged as different from patients...
Early recognition aiding better prognosis?
As we are all aware, acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is a life-threatening disease which typically affects immunocompromised patients. It is diagnosed via typical signs, symptoms and presentation but gold standard is by biopsy of tissues demonstrating infiltration fungal hyphae....
