Rhinogenic contact point headache in pediatric age group: a review

Headache is a common clinical entity of pediatric patients in routine clinical practice. Anatomical variation in the nasal cavity may result in headaches due to contact of the opposing mucosal surfaces, called rhinogenic contact point headache (RCPH). RCPH has recently begun to be of interest among clinicians and is accepted as a cause of headache by international headache society classification. The pressure of the two opposing mucosal surfaces in the nasal cavity without any evidence of inflammation can be an etiology for headache or facial pain. Anatomical variations in the nasal cavity like deviated nasal septum (DNS), spur, concha bullosa, hypertrophied inferior turbinate, medialized middle turbinate, and septal bullosa are important causes for contact point headache. RCPH is often misdiagnosed by clinicians during the assessment of headaches in pediatric patients and is sometimes considered a headache of unknown etiology. Endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity and computed tomography (CT) scans are important tools for the diagnosis of anatomical variations in the nasal cavity causing RCPH. Endoscopic resection of the contact point in the nasal cavity is the treatment of choice. There is not much literature for RCPH in pediatric patients, indicating that these clinical entities are neglected. This review article discusses the details of the epidemiology, etiopathology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment of the RCPH in pediatric patients.

Anatomical step-by-step dissection of complex skull base approaches for trainees: Endoscopic endonasal approach to the orbit

Introduction: Although endonasal endoscopic approaches (EEA) to the orbit have been previously reported, a didactic resource for educating neurosurgery and otolaryngology trainees regarding the pertinent anatomy, techniques, and decision-making pearls is lacking. Methods: Six sides of three formalin-fixed, color latex-injected cadaveric specimens were dissected using 4-mm 0º and 30º rigid endoscopes, as well as standard endoscopic equipment, and a high-speed surgical drill. The anatomical dissection was documented in stepwise 3-D endoscopic images. Following dissection, representative case applications were reviewed. Results: EEA to the orbit provides excellent access to the medial and inferior orbital regions. Key steps include positioning and preoperative considerations, middle turbinate medialization, uncinate process and ethmoid bulla removal, complete ethmoidectomy, sphenoidotomy, maxillary antrostomy, lamina papyracea resection, orbital apex and optic canal decompression, orbital floor resection, periorbita opening, dissection of the extraconal fat, and final exposure of the orbit contents via the medial-inferior recti corridor. Conclusion: EEA to the orbit is challenging, in particular for trainees unfamiliar with nasal and paranasal sinus anatomy. Operatively oriented neuroanatomy dissections are crucial didactic resources in preparation for practical endonasal applications in the OR. This approach provides optimal exposure to the inferior and medial orbit to treat a wide variety of pathologies. We describe a comprehensive step-by-step curriculum directed to any audience willing to master this endoscopic skull base approach.

Radiological study of the nasal septal body

Objectives The nasal septal body (NSB) is the thickened area of the septum located superior to the inferior turbinates and anterior to the middle turbinates. NSB contributes to nasal breathing via functionally and anatomically. The aim of the present study was to analyze NSB size and its association with such variables as age, septal deviation, and nasal turbinate size Material and Methods This retrospective study included 381 randomly selected patients that underwent paranasal sinus CT between 2014 and 2019. NSB size, septal deviation angle, and middle and inferior turbinate size were analyzed. Results NSB, inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and inferior turbinate-P were significantly smaller on the deviated side. NSB, inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and inferior turbinate-P size according to nasal septal angle was also significantly smaller on the deviated side. NSB and inferior turbinate size was positively correlated. Conclusion The NSB is an important structure for the regulation of air flow in the nose and should be evaluated in routine examination of the nose especially before the nasal surgery.

Anatomical Variations of Uncinate Process in a Tertiary Care Hospital of a Coastal city in Karnataka

Introduction: Superior attachment of uncinate process is the most important anatomical landmark in frontal recess surgery. The uncinate process is an integral struc­ture of osteomeatal complex and prevents the direct contact of the inspired air with the maxillary sinus. It acts as a shield and also plays a role in muco-ciliary activity. Anatomic variations of the uncinate process have surgical implications. Aim: This study was done to know the different variations of superior attachment of uncinate process. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective observational descriptive study, Computed Tomography (CT) scans of Para Nasal Sinuses (PNS) of 256 patients from Sept 2018 to May 2020 were studied. The results were expressed in percentages and proportions. Results: Among 256 CT images, 139 belonged to males and 117 females. In the CT films examined, on the right side, the most common attachment of uncinate was to lamina papyracea which was (64.8%) followed by skull base (19.5%) and to the middle turbinate(15.6%). Similar findings were seen on left side. Conclusion: Uncinate process shows different variations in its superior attachment. Superior attachment to lamina papyracea was the most common attachment of uncinate in our study.

miRNA-205-5p can be related to T2-polarity in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are directly associated with inflammatory response, but their direct role in CRSwNP (chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps) remains evasive. This study aimed to compare the expression of several miRNAs in tissue samples obtained from patients with CRSwNP and controls and to evaluate if miRNAs correlate to a specific inflammatory pattern (T1, T2, T17, and Treg) or intensity of symptoms in CRSwNP. Methods: nasal polyps (from patients with CRSwNP – n=36) and middle turbinate mucosa (from control patients – n=41) were collected. Microarray determined human mature miRNA expression, and the results obtained were validated by qPCR. miRNAs that were differentially expressed were then correlated to cytokine proteins (by Luminex), tissue eosinophilia, and SNOT-22. Results: After microarray and qPCR analyses, six microRNAs were up-regulated in CRSwNP samples when compared with controls: miR-205-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-222-3p, miR-378a-3p, miR-449a and miR-449b-5p. All these miRNAs are directly implicated with cell cycle regulation and apoptosis, and to a minor extent, with inflammation. Importantly, miR-205-5p showed a significantly positive correlation with IL-5 concentration and eosinophil count at the tissue and with the worst SNOT-22 score. Conclusions: miRNA 205-5p was increased in CRSwNP compared to controls, and it was especially expressed in CRSwNP patients with higher T2 inflammation (measured by both IL-5 levels and local eosinophilia) and worst clinical presentation. This miRNA may be an interesting target to be explored in patients with CRSwNP.