Endoscopically guided aerobic cultures in postsurgical patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: There is considerable amount of debate in the literature regarding the microbial flora of normal, acutely infected, and chronically infected paranasal sinuses. Few studies have specifically looked at the microbial flora of healthy and infected sinus cavities after functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Methods: One hundred thirty-four cultures were studied.

Concordance of middle meatal swab and maxillary sinus aspirate in acute and chronic sinusitis: a meta-analysis.

Background: The medical management of acute and chronic sinusitis is a therapeutic challenge. The use of endoscopic middle meatal cultures as a noninvasive method to determine the bacteriology of the maxillary sinus has not accurately been established. The aim of this study was to review the literature that compares cultures obtained by endoscopic middle meatal swabs with those obtained from maxillary sinus aspirates (MSAs).

Staged endoscopic and combined open/endoscopic approach in the management of inverted papilloma of the frontal sinus.

Background: The endoscopic management of inverted papilloma has gained increasing popularity over the last 10 years. Although early concerns over an increased risk of recurrence seem to have been allayed, the appropriate management of lesions involving the frontal sinus and frontal recess still has to be determined.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the results of all patients with inverted papilloma from 2000 to 2004.

Increased role of the otolaryngologist in endoscopic pituitary surgery: endoscopic hydroscopy of the sella.

Background: The aim of this study was to discuss the use of nasal irrigation and suction systems in endoscopic pituitary surgery to examine the sella and facilitate tumor removal. We describe a new technique of sellar exploration.

Methods: Following the endoscopic approach to the pituitary by the otolaryngology team, pituitary masses are resected.

Safety of minimally invasive pituitary surgery (MIPS) compared with a traditional approach.

Introduction: Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is becoming progressively less invasive. Recent endoscopic techniques avoid nasal or intraoral incisions, use of nasal speculums, and nasal packing. Several case series of endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery have been reported, but relatively little data exists comparing complication rates to more traditional approaches.

The learning curve in minimally invasive pituitary surgery.

Background: Minimally invasive pituitary surgery (MIPS) is performed via an endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach. This provides excellent illumination, visualization, and magnification of the operative field, in addition to avoiding complications associated with other approaches. In this study we examined the first 45 cases of MIPS to determine if a learning curve exists for this technique.

Sellar reconstruction: is it necessary?

Background: Sellar reconstruction is practiced routinely during the transsphenoidal approach to pituitary tumor resection. This practice exposes the patient to risks of donor site complications and may interfere with measuring postoperative tumor reduction. We propose that it is not a necessary component of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery in the absence of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Revision endoscopic frontal sinus surgery.

Purpose Of Review: Recurrent or persistent frontal sinus disease after endoscopic sinus surgery poses formidable challenges owing to the frontal sinus outflow tract's complex variable anatomy, close proximity to vital structures, and predilection for scarring and stenosis. Frontal sinus obliteration used to be the preferred technique of most sinus surgeons for addressing difficult frontal sinus disease; however, several effective endoscopic techniques exist as excellent alternative procedures for addressing this difficult clinical problem.

Recent Findings: Several endoscopic techniques have been described for addressing these problems including endoscopic frontal sinusotomy, the frontal sinus rescue procedure, endoscopic transseptal frontal sinusotomy, and the modified Lothrop procedure.

Biophysics of cochlear implant/MRI interactions emphasizing bone biomechanical properties.

Objective/hypothesis: The forces exerted during a 1.5-Tesla MRI evaluation on the internal magnet of a cochlear implant (CI) raise concern about the safety for CI recipients. This study determines the magnitude of force required to fracture the floor of a CI receiver bed.