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The paranasal sinuses play a role in producing and storing nitric oxide (NO). NO is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial gas which may be involved in the non-specific immune defenses of the respiratory tract. Conducted by the inspiratory current at the alveolar-capillary membrane, it increases pulmonary venous blood oxygenation. NO is actively released in the form of independent boluses in the respiratory tract, thanks to a sphincter function that can be identified during ethmoidectomy under general anesthesia. Safeguarding paranasal sinus physiology necessarily involves conserving this ostial sphincter function, which is essential to the respiratory role of the paranasal sinuses. Although it has not yet been demonstrated that the destruction of this ostial function has measurable consequences for respiratory function, it makes sense to avoid systematic antrostomy and to preserve this ostial function whenever possible, depending on the clinical conditions. This technical note describes step-by-step how to conserve the maxillary ostium, in the example of radical ethmoidectomy with mucosal ablation for nasal polyposis (nasalization). It is illustrated by two videos. The discussion focuses on the respective indications for ostial preservation and middle meatotomy (antrostomy).

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Nasal polyposis was initially considered a tumor, but came to be seen as a chronic inflammatory mucosal disease during the second half of the 20th century. Although pathogenesis remains unclear, this has not prevented progress in diagnosis and treatment, both surgical and medical, based on the hypotheses of chronic rhinosinusitis with type-2 inflammation and autoimmune inflammation maintained by the vestigial olfactory mucosa of the ethmoid.

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BACKGROUND: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNAs) are rare, benign, and locally invasive nasopharyngeal tumors. Endoscopic endonasal resection is effective, non-invasive, with low complication rates. Until recently, endoscopic resection was not suitable for intracranially invasive tumors. PURPOSE/METHOD: We describe resection steps of an intracranially extending JNA with a combined endoscopic endonasal and endoscopic-assisted sublabial transmaxillary approaches. Indications, advantages, and approach-specific complications are also discussed. The main surgical steps are shown in an operative video. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision of JNAs by a combined endoscopic endonasal and sublabial transmaxillary approaches represents a safe and effective treatment for selected intracranially invasive JNA.

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BACKGROUND: Multilayer closures and the use of vascularized flaps have been showed to be very effective in the reconstruction of the anterior skull base (ASB) after extended endonasal approaches resulting in large bone and dural defects. In the case of unavailability of a local flap, regional ones like the temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF), used until now via a transpterygoïd route (Bolzoni Villaret et al. in Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 270(4):1473-1479, 2023; Fortes et al. in Laryngoscope 117(6):970-976, 2017; Veyrat et al. in Acta Neurochir (Wien) 158(12):2291-2294, 2016), can be an effective alternative. METHOD: We describe a step-by-step technique of TPFF transposition via an epidural supraorbital corridor for the reconstruction of a large midline ASB defect. CONCLUSION: TPFF is a promising alternative for the reconstruction of the ASB defects.

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Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has become one of the most common surgical techniques performed by otolaryngologists with significant data demonstrating its efficacy in managing patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, despite this initial success, patients may continue to present with recurrent symptoms and approximately 10-15% of them will require revision surgery. Failure of FESS may have many different causes which include inappropriate patient selection and preparation, comorbidities like cystic fibrosis and Samter's triad, insufficient surgical skills or anatomical variations that have not been addressed adequately. Two inverse European techniques were introduced in the 1980s. The one promoted by Messer-klinger, who practiced the anterior-to-posterior approach, another one, developed by Wigand who performed posterior-to-anterior dissection, opens the sphenoid ostium or removes the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus and ends with a total ethmoidectomy. Hereby in RESS we start dissection in posterior-to-anterior fashion by following a structured approach in the identification of the fixed landmarks to allow quick and easy orientation to the skull base and medial orbital wall to avoid the complications.

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Purpose: To evaluate the value and limitation of functional endoscopic sinus surgery alone for the management of post-COVID mucormycosis and need for adjunctive invasive procedure. Materials and Methods: This is a clinical observational study that included a total of 17 patients who underwent FESS for post-COVID mucormycosis from April 2021 to May 2021. These patients reported to our institute with no improvement in their symptoms post-FESS from June 2021 to July 2021. Aggressive Surgical debridement of the involved sinuses, removal of surrounding necrotic bone and orbital exenteration (wherever necessary) was done in these patients. A regular follow-up till six months was done for every patient. Sixteen out of 17 patients did not report with any fresh complaint or recurrence. Results: The study included male and female in ratio of 12:5, with a mean age of 62.5 ± 7.7 years (range: 50-75 years). These patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery, one to two months before reporting to our institute. Post-FESS, there was no improvement in the symptoms. All these patients were given systemic antifungal treatment post-operatively. The specimen was sent for histopathological as well as microbiological examination. All the FESS operated patients required a secondary more aggressive surgical intervention. Conclusion: Post-COVID mucormycosis is an aggressive fungal infection, for which FESS proves inadequate. It requires an aggressive surgical debridement of the necrotic bone along with the debridement of the sinuses.

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BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment for posterior ethmoid diseases has historically been performed through a trans-ethmoid approach which usually required medialization of the middle turbinate, a middle meatal antrostomy and total ethmoidectomy. This can destabilize the basal lamella of the middle turbinate and also sacrifices the integrity of ostiomeatal complex and the healthy bulla if the patient has the disease only in the posterior ethmoid sinus. The aim of this study is to present of a novel minimally disruptive approach for the management of isolated posterior ethmoid diseases. METHODS: Retrospective case series analysis. RESULTS: 19 patients with isolated posterior ethmoid fungal balls were operated on via a trans-superior meatal approach. The most common signs and symptoms were headache (78.9%), and purulent/mucoid discharge from the superior meatus (89.5%). The technique is described in detail with the preservation of the ostiomeatal complex and bulla ethmoidalis. Complete removal of the disease was achieved in all cases through this access, with no intra-operative complications. The posterior ethmoid cavity remained patent postoperatively in all patients. No recurrence was noted during the follow-up period which ranged from 6 to 12 months. CONCLUSION: This is a minimally invasive approach, which is safe and effective for the surgical management of isolated posterior ethmoid diseases.

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The concept of ethmoidal sinuses composed of ethmoidal air cells does not appear to fit with the embryological origin of the ethmoid. Post-natal formation of the paranasal sinuses, as visualized by MRI, appears to be fundamentally different from the embryological development of the ethmoid sinus. These two organs also appear to have very distinct functions: paranasal sinuses play a role in respiration and sanitization of the respiratory tract, while the ethmoid sinus plays a role in olfaction. However, human acquisition of bipedalism resulted in ethmoidal compartmentalization into olfactory clefts lined by olfactory mucosa and the ethmoidal labyrinth formed by a meshwork of ethmoturbinals that have lost their olfactory mucosa. Ethmoturbinals are septa that increase the surface area of olfactory mucosa in mammalian olfactory chambers. Embryological development of the human ethmoid sinus can be seen as the result of curved stacking of ethmoturbinal septa forming passages. Surgically, these passages can be accessed via the middle, superior and supreme meati. An ethmoidectomy technique following the ethmoturbinal passages can therefore be described. This structure of the ethmoidal labyrinth is both useful and necessary for the teaching of ethmoidal surgery.

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OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to determine the rate of outpatient management in a population of patients undergoing bilateral ethmoidectomy. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the quality of outpatient management (rate of unscheduled overnight admission, readmission rate, complications) and to compare inpatient and outpatient groups to determine which elements of the phenotype and care pathway favored outpatient management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center observational study included 204 patients operated on for bilateral ethmoidectomy. Study variables comprised: type of care pathway (outpatient/inpatient), outpatient quality indicators (unscheduled admission, readmission, complications), care pathway, and population characteristics. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty (58.8%) outpatients were operated on. No deaths occurred. The unscheduled admission rate was 7.5%, and the readmission rate 4.1%; at the P<0.005 threshold, there were no significant differences between in- and out-patient groups. Outpatients had earlier surgery (P<0.005), and nasal packing rates and pain on VAS were lower (P<0.005). CONCLUSION: Ethmoidectomy could be carried out as an outpatient procedure in 58.8% of cases, with acceptable quality of care. Selection of patients and the organization of a dedicated care pathway seem to be elements favoring this management.

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BACKGROUND: Teratocarcinosarcoma traversing the anterior skull base is rarely reported in literature. The heterogenous and invasive features of the tumor pose challenges for surgical planning. With technological advancements, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been emerging as a workhorse of anterior skull base lesions. To date, no case has been reported of EEA totally removing teratocarcinosarcomas with intracranial extensions. OBSERVATIONS: The authors provided an illustrative case of a 50-year-old otherwise healthy man who presented with left-sided epistaxis for a year. Imaging studies revealed a 31 × 60-mm communicating lesion of the anterior skull base. Gross total resection via EEA was achieved, and multilayered skull base reconstruction was performed. LESSONS: The endoscopic approach may be safe and effective for resection of extensive teratocarcinosarcoma of the anterior skull base. To minimize the risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks, multilayered skull base reconstruction and placement of lumbar drainage are vitally important.

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OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the safety and quality of the management of sinonasal surgery (all procedures) between day-case and traditional admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 2-year retrospective study included all patients undergoing functional septonasal surgery, ethmoidectomy, middle antrostomy, frontal sinusotomy or endoscopic sphenoidotomy, as day-surgery on inpatient admission. Demographic, operative, pre- and post-operative anesthetic data, complications, and rates of emergency consultation and readmission within 30 days were collected and compared between out- and in-patients. RESULTS: Nine hundred and nine patients were included: 569 functional septonasal surgeries, 180 ethmoidectomies, 101 middle meatotomies, 40 Draf procedures and 19 sphenoidotomies; respectively 60%, 21%, 54%, 20% and 37% were performed in the day-surgery unit. There were no significant differences in number of emergency consultations or readmissions between the out- and in-patient groups. There were more complications in in-patients (P<0.0001) (4.9% anticoagulant and 12% antiplatelet treatments, 18% obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndromes). The conversion rate to conventional admission was 4.6%. Antiplatelet treatment or postoperative nasal packing were not significant risk factors for complications or readmission. CONCLUSION: Outpatient sinonasal surgery does not seem to incur extra risk for the patient or surgeon when eligibility criteria are met.

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BACKGROUND: Several techniques for performing ethmoidectomy have been reported. We describe a safe, effective and efficient technique during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). We present text, images and videos to illustrate our preferred technique during an antero-posterior ethmoidectomy and to provide a multimedia tool for educational purpose. METHODS: A description of the technique without prospective or retrospective data is reported. A complete ethmoidectomy with an L-shape approach is described step-by-step, using the backbiting circular and miniature cutting forceps, with safe exposure of the lamina papyracea (LP) and skull base. RESULTS: In our hands, the L-shape approach for chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyposis, performed with punch circular cutting and miniature cutting forceps, allowed for a reliably safe and efficient ethmoidectomy. CONCLUSION: The technique described can be added to the armamentarium of the endoscopic sinus surgeon.

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INTRODUCTION: Ethmoid sinus anatomy is so variable it has been referred to as a "labyrinth." Accordingly, this provides a challenge for surgeons performing ethmoidectomy. Identifying consistent anatomic features or landmarks within the ethmoid sinus can aid surgeons performing sinus surgery. The goal of this investigation was to determine if subtle anatomic features are consistently present within the retrobullar recess and could potentially serve as a reliable landmark for surgeons performing ethmoid surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethmoid sinus anatomy was studied in 60 sinonasal complexes through several methods including gross anatomic dissection, endoscopic dissection and 3-D CT stereoscopic imaging. RESULTS: Review of gross sagittal sinonasal specimens revealed that the retrobullar recess was present in all specimens and a tissue bridge was noted emanating from the basal lamella deep within the retrobullar recess in 23/24 gross sagittal specimens; in 1/24 specimens it was quite small or difficult to appreciate. In the radiographic analysis, the tissue bridge was noted in 17/18, in 1/18 it was not appreciated. In the endoscopic dissections it was noted in 17/18, in 1/18 it was small or not appreciated. CONCLUSION: The small tissue bridge, or ponticulus within the retrobulbar recess was seen in nearly all ethmoid sinuses studied leading us to venture that could be used in surgery to orient surgical dissection through the basal lamella into the posterior ethmoid region.

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OBJECTIVES: Surgical navigation systems (SNS) are now widely used in endoscopic endonasal surgery. Benefit, however, has not been fully studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an SNS in terms of performance of the surgical procedure and of surgeon satisfaction, in a prospective multicenter study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter prospective study included patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal surgery using the electromagnetic DigiPointeur® (DGP) SNS in 16 French hospitals. An observation form, completed by the surgeon immediately at end of procedure, included type of procedure, and any changes in strategy or extent of surgery related to use of the SNS. Surgeon satisfaction was rated on an analog scale, with self-assessment of stress experienced during the procedure. RESULTS: The study included 311 patients operated on by 36 surgeons in 16 French hospitals. Ethmoidectomy was the most frequent procedure (90%); tumor resection was performed in 5.1% of cases. The SNS enabled more extensive surgery in 81% of cases, in particular by identifying and opening additional cells (57% of cases). Mean satisfaction was 8.6/10; surgeons reported decreased surgical stress thanks to the SNS in 95% of cases. CONCLUSION: In this observational study, the use of an SNS increased the extent of surgery in 81% of cases, and had a positive impact on the stress perceived by the surgeon in 95% of cases.

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Human sinonasal anatomy varies widely between patients, challenging surgeons operating in the sinuses. Ethmoid sinus anatomy is so variable it has been referred to as a labyrinth. Accordingly, reliable, consistent anatomic landmarks aid surgeons operating in this region. The goal of this investigation was to explore our observations and hypothesis that the ethmoidal bulla and the uncinate process are not entirely separate structures but rather attach, and the attachment could potentially provide a landmark for surgeons performing ethmoid and frontal recess surgery. Ethmoid sinus anatomy was studied in 57 sinonasal complexes through a variety of methods including gross anatomic dissection, endoscopic dissection and 3D CT stereoscopic imaging. The uncinate process and ethmoidal bulla were noted to fuse at the superior aspect of the hiatus semilunaris in 57/57 cases, forming a genu-like feature in the anterior ethmoid. This consistent anatomic feature related closely to the frontal sinus drainage pathway, which drained medial to it in 44/57 (77%) cases. The anterior ethmoidal "genu" appears to be an excellent anatomic feature that surgeons can use during ethmoid and frontal recess surgery. High resolution 3D stereoscopic CT scan is capable of demonstrating sinonasal anatomy in a detailed fashion previously only achieved by cadaveric dissection. This technology can potentially allow for a virtual dissection of a patient's anatomy prior to surgery and could improve minimally invasive procedures and reduce complications. Clin. Anat. 32:534-540, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of bilateral radical ethmoidectomy in ambulatory surgery by risk analysis, and to calculate possible medico-economic savings. METHODS: This study was performed retrospectively over a 2-year period and prospectively for 1 year. It included all patients undergoing bilateral ethmoidectomy, associated to sphenoidotomy and/or septoplasty or not, in a university hospital department. Data were collected on demographics, disease etiology, previous surgery, operative details, postoperative course, complications and satisfaction assessed by questionnaire at days 1 and 30. Ambulatory surgery eligibility criteria were applied to this population, and an economic analysis compared savings between inpatient and outpatient management. RESULTS: Hundred and sixty-five patients were included. Surgical indications comprised nasal polyposis (87%), chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps (6%) or cystic fibrosis (7%). Seventy-five septoplasties were associated (45.5%). Operating time depended on associated septoplasty (P=0.005), surgeon experience (P<0.0001) and previous sinus surgery (P=0.041). Only 37% of the patients wished for same-day discharge; reasons for refusal were home-to-hospital distance and bleeding risk. Considering anesthesia contraindications, immediate complications and operating time, 107 patients were eligible for outpatient treatment, although only 13 patients underwent ambulatory surgery. Medical-economic savings with outpatient management would have been about €20,000 per year. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral radical ethmoidectomy, associated to septoplasty or not, could be performed on an outpatient basis in more than 60% of cases, without increased risk, and with cost savings of 28.4%.

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Nasalisation is a surgical technique proposed for the treatment of nasal polyposis in 1995. The technique as initially described was based on large opening of the maxillary, sphenoidal and frontal ostia and resection of the middle turbinates, with the aim of resecting the mucosa of the lateral masses of the ethmoid as completely and safely as possible. Recent findings on the evolution and development of the nose and sinuses and sinus physiology allow both the concept and the technique of nasalisation to be updated. According to evo-devo theory, the ethmoid is not a paranasal sinus but the skull-base bone housing the olfactory mucosa. In humans, the olfactory mucosa can be distinguished as functional in the upper recess of both olfactory clefts and vestigial in the rest of the ethmoid bone. Nasal polyposis presents clinically as a specific disease of the vestigial olfactory mucosa of the human ethmoid (and not as a particular kind of chronic rhinosinusitis). The aim of surgery for nasal polyposis is thus maximal resection of the vestigial olfactory mucosa, conserving olfactory function as long as possible. By the production, storage and bolus release of nitric oxide thanks to the sphincter function of the paranasal (maxillary, sphenoidal and frontal) sinus ostia, the paranasal sinuses perform a respiratory function that should be conserved as much as possible. The nasalisation technique has been modified in order for the vestigial olfactory mucosa to be completely resected while sparing the sinus ostia. Middle turbinate surgery still needs to be evaluated: resection is a step toward maximal removal of vestigial olfactory mucosa, while conservation could ensure olfactory cleft integrity. Thus, updating the concept of nasalisation enables the nasalisation technique to be integrated in the evo-devo concept of rhinology.

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BACKGROUND: Canakinumab is a human monoclonal interleukin-1 antibody that has been studied in the Canakinumab Anti-Inflammatory Thrombosis Outcome Study (CANTOS) trial and shown to prevent recurrent cardiovascular events, while increasing the incidence of neutropenia and risk of severe infections. CASE SUMMARY: This is a case report of a locally invasive aspergillus infection in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who was receiving canakinumab for 3.5 years as part of the CANTOS trial. He presented with headaches and left eye pain and was found to have a large left ethmoid sinus mass extending into the orbit on computed tomography scan of the head. Cultures from an endoscopic biopsy of left ethmoid sinus grew Aspergillus fumigatus. Canakinumab was discontinued, and he was discharged on voriconazole with improvement in his headaches and left eye pain. DISCUSSION: The anti-inflammatory properties of canakinumab could have blunted the patient's immune response allowing the mycetoma to invade adjacent tissue. If canakinumab was approved for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events then it is important to be cognizant of its potential to delay the presentation of any infection.

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BACKGROUND: Traditional endoscopic anterior cranial base resection involves the total removal of the ethmoidal cells, including the middle and superior turbinates. This is associated with increased volume of the nasal cavity postoperatively, with increased crusting and permanent change of the nasal airflow. Here we provide a step-by-step description of the technique and evaluate the feasibility of the superior ethmoidal approach for anterior cranial base resection with maximum exposure of the anterior cranial base while keeping the middle turbinates, uncinate processes, and ostiomeatal complexes intact. METHODS: Three fresh cadaveric heads were used for dissections. This technique was successfully performed in 2 consecutive cases of large olfactory groove meningiomas. RESULTS: In all anatomic dissections, satisfactory exposure of the cranial base was achieved while keeping the middle turbinate, uncinate process, ethmoid bulla, and middle meatus intact bilaterally. Successful resection of 2 consecutive cases of olfactory groove meningioma was performed using this approach. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic superior ethmoidal approach for anterior cranial base resection is a feasible and safe approach that maximizes preservation of the nasal structures while providing optimal access to the anterior skull base. It can be used in pathologies that involve the anterior cranial base and do not involve the nasal structures.

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