Determinants of exhaled nitric oxide in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been reported to be associated with increased values of exhaled nitric oxide (ENO), which could not be entirely explained by the association between CRS and asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the variables associated with increased ENO in patients with CRS.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study of 93 consecutive patients with CRS.

Nasal nitric oxide concentration in suspected chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: The role that nasal nitric oxide (nNO) plays in sinonasal diseases is increasingly appreciated.

Objective: To test the diagnostic value of measuring nNO levels in a symptomatic population undergoing evaluation for potential chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods: Of the patients referred to an outpatient allergy clinic for persistent nasal symptoms, those reporting nasal blockage plus 1 or more additional symptoms (discolored discharge, anterior or postnasal drip, facial pain or pressure, and reduction or loss of smell) were categorized as having CRS according to sinus computed tomography scores, with (CRSwNP) and without (CRSsNP) nasal polyps on the basis of endoscopic signs.

Diagnostic classification of persistent rhinitis and its relationship to exhaled nitric oxide and asthma: a clinical study of a consecutive series of patients.

Background: Rhinitis and asthma represent the manifestation of one syndrome. Our hypothesis is that in patients with symptoms of persistent rhinitis, lower airway inflammation, lower respiratory symptoms, and lung function abnormalities compatible with asthma are more frequently associated with the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) than with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR).

Methods: One hundred eight of 590 consecutive patients referred in 1 year for rhinitis were enrolled on the basis of nasal symptoms lasting > 4 weeks.

Exhaled nitric oxide as a diagnostic test for asthma in rhinitic patients with asthmatic symptoms.

Background: Rhinitis is a major risk factor for asthma, so that evaluation of the lower airways is recommended in patients with rhinitis. Exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) is considered a marker of airway inflammation and it has been found to be useful for the screening of patients with suspected diagnosis of asthma. Our aim was to assess the validity and accuracy of FE(NO) to identify patients with asthma in 48 non-smoking patients with persistent rhinitis and asthma-like symptoms.

Improved survival with perilymphatic interleukin 2 in patients with resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Background: The current randomized, multicenter, Phase III trial was conducted to determine whether the disease free interval and overall survival of patients with T2-T4,N0-N3,M0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity or oropharynx could be extended through the combination of surgery (and radiotherapy, if required) with perilymphatic recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2).

Methods: Patients with a resectable T2-T4,N0-N3,M0 SCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx were assigned randomly to receive surgery and radiotherapy or to receive IL-2, surgery, and radiotherapy. Five thousand units of rIL-2 were injected around the ipsilateral cervical lymph node chain daily for 10 days before surgery.