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Biomedical subjects

James N Palmer

Publications and source records attributed to James N Palmer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Familial aggregation of sinonasal polyps correlates with severity of disease.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate familial aggregation of sinonasal polyps (NP) and correlate the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with a family history of NP. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A questionnaire documenting NP, asthma, or aspirin intolerance was completed by 174 CRS patients. Severity of sinus disease was stratified as isolated NP, NP with concomitant asthma, and Samter's triad (polyps, asthma, and aspirin intolerance). RESULTS: Compared to controls, CRS patients had a higher incidence of a family history of NP. Additionally, patients stratified with severe CRS had a higher incidence of relatives with NPs. CONCLUSIONS: Familial aggregation of NP is demonstrated in CRS patients and correlates with disease severity. EBM RATING: B-2b.

Bias↗
PubMed2006

Radiographic and histologic analysis of the bone underlying inverted papillomas.

INTRODUCTION: Inverted papilloma (IP) is a benign but locally aggressive sinonasal tumor. Those localized to the maxillary sinus or medial maxillary wall have classically been removed through an external approach. In recent years, endoscopic removal has been advocated as an effective, minimally invasive approach. Successful endoscopic management is based on accurate intraoperative identification and complete resection of the tumor. The surgical management of the bone underlying the surface of an IP is less clearcut. Controversy exists as to whether the bony undersurface of an IP should be removed. In this article, histopathologic specimens and preoperative radiologic studies are prospectively examined to better understand the involvement of the bone underlying an inverted papilloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of patients with maxillary sinus IP treated with endoscopic or endoscopic-assisted resection over a 12-month period was conducted. Intraoperatively, the site of tumor attachment was identified, and a 1- to 2-cm wedge of bone with overlying tumor was removed en bloc and analyzed under light microscopy. Preoperative radiographic studies were analyzed with respect to bony changes in the area of the tumor pedicle. RESULTS: On histopathologic analysis, the bony surface underlying the IP was irregular with multiple bony crevices in all nine cases. In two cases (22% of specimens), an isolated rest of normal-appearingsalivary gland and/or mucosal tissue was seen embedded in the underlying bone. Radiographic osteitic bony changes were seen at site of tumor attachment in 100% of cases. CONCLUSION: The irregularity of the bony surface may hinder complete tumor removal because microscopic rests of mucosa can be hidden within the bony crevices. Intraoperative removal of the bony surface at the site of tumor attachment may ensure a more complete removal.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Endoscopic-assisted reduction of anterior table frontal sinus fractures.

In this study, we examined salvage operations after reexploration in head and neck reconstruction and analyzed ways to solve problems. Free flap reconstruction of the head and neck lesion was carried out for 513 cases in our hospital over the past 12 years. Twenty-one cases of reexploration were caused by postoperative thrombosis (4.1%). We could only salvage seven cases (33.3%) of 21 cases from flap thrombosis. All seven cases were included in the category of venous thrombosis, and they were undertaken within 3 days postoperatively. Our results have shown that once thrombosis occurs, there is little possibility of flap salvage, particularly 3 days after operation and in infectious cases. When no flow phenomena are observed and no flap salvage is deemed possible, aggressive treatment such as a second free flap or next pedicle flap should be chosen as soon as possible to avoid any delay in postoperative treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Transseptal suture to secure middle meatal spacers.

Middle meatal spacers are used by many sinus surgeons to aid postoperative care. Aspiration of a spacer is a concern. We demonstrate a novel method of securing spacers with a transseptal suture to prevent aspiration. We fashion each spacer from a powder-free, nonlatex glove finger that is packed with a Merocel sponge. The open end of the finger is closed with 2-0 Prolene sutures. For a bilateral procedure, the needle is left attached to one of the spacers. A spacer is placed in each ethmoid cavity, the attached needle is passed through the anterior cartilaginous septum, and the suture is tied to the suture on the opposite spacer. For unilateral procedures, the suture on the single spacer is passed to the contralateral side and tied on itself. One week later, the transseptal suture is cut and the spacers are removed. We performed this procedure on 78 patients who had undergone total ethmoidectomy. None of the spacers migrated during the 1 week they were in place. One patient complained of pain during removal of a spacer. During follow-up of 2 to 10 months, we found no evidence of injury to the septum at the site of the transseptal suture. We conclude that the transseptal suture is a safe and cosmetically superior method of securing middle meatal spacers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Historical perspective on image-guided sinus surgery.

Image-guided surgery has undergone rapid evolution, to the point where it is now a technology that is surgeon-friendly, relatively easy to set up, and reliable, making it a realistic and worthwhile option for endoscopic sinus surgery. Technologies will continue to advance as the market forces push companies to produce systems that are more accurate, faster, and more convenient. Head-tracking methodologies will likely progress away from headsets toward more reliable and safer modalities. Further integrations of surgical instrumentation, the ability to update images intraoperatively, and advancements in real-time imaging and robotics are likely to continue ata rapid rate.

History, 20th Century↗
PubMed2005

Bacterial biofilms: do they play a role in chronic sinusitis?

Although medical and surgical strategies for chronic sinusitis have been greatly refined during the last 2 decades, many patients continue to suffer. Bacterial biofilms are three-dimensional aggregates of bacteria that recently have been shown to play a major role in many chronic infections. There is growing evidence that bacterial biofilms may play a role in some forms of recalcitrant chronic sinusitis that persists despite surgically opened sinus cavities and what seems to be appropriate, culture-directed antibiotic therapy. New directions in therapy aimed at biofilms may provide some success in treatment for patients with chronic sinusitis.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2005

Informed consent in sinus surgery: link between demographics and patient desires.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and understand differences in expectations according to patient demographics during the informed consent process for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional, cross-sectional survey design. METHODS: Anonymous surveys were administered to patients in two tertiary academic centers with a chief complaints relating to "allergy and sinus" problems. Patients completed and eight-item questionnaire that assessed demographics and the nature and level of risks that patients wished to be informed of before FESS. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess for differences in patient desires related to FESS risks according to demographics. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-nine completed surveys were analyzed. Younger patients (P = .049), white patients (P = .0026), and more educated patients (P = .0033) wished to know about complications at the lowest risks levels (lowest incidence), regardless of severity. With regards to specific complications, black patients and patients with less formal education were less interested in being informed about the potential risks of orbital complications, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or possible need for revision surgery. Multivariate analysis confirmed that race, education, age were independently significant factors in determining response. CONCLUSION: Demographic-related differences exist in patient's desires and expectations in the informed consent process for a sinus procedure. Physicians should be aware of these differences when counseling patients about sinus surgery. More research is needed to elucidate the factors that underlie the observed differences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Informed consent in endoscopic sinus surgery: the patient perspective.

OBJECTIVES: To understand patient expectations during the informed consent process for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional, cross-sectional survey design. METHODS: Anonymous surveys were administered to patients in two tertiary academic centers with a chief complaint relating to "allergy and sinus" problems. Patients completed an eight-item questionnaire that assessed both the nature and the level of risks that they wished to be informed of prior to FESS. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-nine surveys were returned. Sixty-nine percent of patients wished to be informed of complications that occur as infrequently as 1 in 100 cases, regardless of severity. Ninety percent of patients wanted to know of a risk that occurred as frequently as 1 in 10 cases. Patients also reported whether or not they wished to be told in detail about specific complications during the informed consent process, regardless of their infrequency. Affirmative responses were as follows: 83% for cerebrospinal fluid leak and orbital injury, 81% for infection, 76% for revision surgery, 74% for impairment of smell, 73% for bleeding and myocardial infarction, 72% for cerebrovascular accident, and 58% for scarring. CONCLUSIONS: Patients wanted to be informed about severe FESS complications at a higher rate than physicians previously surveyed, even if the incidence is low. This study, combined with our previous examination of the physicians' perspective, highlights that there may be a discrepancy between what the physician and the patient believe are priority topics during the informed consent process.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2004

Cerebrospinal fluid pressure monitoring after repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

OBJECTIVE: To measure intracranial pressures (ICPs) via lumbar drains after surgical repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of ICP measurements through lumbar drains during the immediate postoperative period after CSF leak repair. RESULTS: Eight patients with spontaneous CSF leaks underwent surgery and postoperative CSF pressures were measured via lumbar drains. ICP was elevated in 7/8 patients (mean, 32.5 cm H(2)O). Diuretics reduced ICP (mean, 10 cm H(2)O). Three traumatic CSF leaks patients served as controls (mean, ICP 14 cm H(2)O). CONCLUSION: Measurement of ICP through lumbar drains provides important information regarding the pathophysiology of CSF leaks that has an impact on subsequent medical and surgical treatment. Although the precise cause and mechanism of spontaneous CSF leaks are not fully understood, this study indicates that elevated ICP plays a role and that further medical or surgical treatment to correct the intracranial hypertension may be warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Factors associated with failure of frontal sinusotomy in the early follow-up period.

OBJECTIVES: To understand factors associated with failure of endoscopic frontal sinusotomy. METHODS: Retrospective review of 130 consecutive frontal sinusotomies. The preoperative extent of disease was graded radiologically in each frontal sinus as total opacification, partial opacification, or mucosal thickening. Records were also reviewed to determine the incidence of comorbid conditions. RESULTS: Patency at most recent follow-up was observed in 117/130 (90%). Patency was achieved after our first procedure in 107 sinusotomies. These were considered successes. Ten required revision surgery, and an additional 13 were not patent at last follow-up. These 23 sinusotomies were considered failures. Among those failing our initial surgery, 19/23 (83%) were partially or totally opacified preoperatively. In contrast, only 47/107 (44%) in the success group contained partial or total opacification preoperatively (P = 0.003), with the majority exhibiting mucosal thickening only. Mean follow-up was 8.3 months for the successes and 10.7 months for the failures (P = NS). No significant differences were observed between the success and failure groups with respect to the prevalence of asthma, aspirin sensitivity, or allergic fungal disease. Patients in the failure group, however, had a higher mean number of prior surgeries before undergoing frontal sinusotomy at our institution (1.8 vs 0.9, P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: During the early follow-up period, failure of endoscopic frontal sinusotomy is associated with advanced degrees of preoperative disease within the sinus and is also more likely in patients who have failed prior surgical management.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed2004

Frontal sinus complications after frontal craniotomy.

OBJECTIVES: To review frontal sinus complications following frontal craniotomy and to describe management strategies. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Retrospective review was made of six patients who had undergone frontal craniotomy and subsequently developed frontal sinus complications. Demographic data, indication for craniotomy, type of reconstruction, average time to development of complications, presenting symptoms, diagnosis, surgical management, follow-up, and outcomes were reported. RESULTS: Complications included unilateral frontal sinus mucoceles in four patients, bilateral frontal sinus mucoceles in one patient, and bilateral frontal sinus mucopyoceles with upper-eyelid abscess in one patient. The average time to presentation of symptoms and development of complications following frontal craniotomy was 14.8 years (range, 1-39 y). Headaches were the most common presenting complaint. All patients underwent endoscopic mucocele marsupialization as part of their management. After an average follow-up period of 9 months, no recurrences were found and no complications occurred. CONCLUSION: A small number of patients develop otolaryngological complications, most commonly, frontal mucoceles, following frontal craniotomy. A high level of suspicion and long-term surveillance are needed to monitor for their occurrence. Endoscopic marsupialization may provide an effective, safe means for management.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Evidence of bacterial biofilms in human chronic sinusitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether bacterial biofilms exist on the sinus mucosa surfaces of human subjects with recalcitrant chronic sinusitis. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate patients with continued symptoms of chronic sinusitis despite prior appropriate medical and surgical management. Morphologic structures that confirm the presence of bacterial biofilms were identified on the sinus mucosa of patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a known biofilm former. The presence of bacterial biofilms may explain the recalcitrant nature of some forms of chronic sinusitis.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2003

Medical management in functional endoscopic sinus surgery failures.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery has a high rate of success, ranging from 75 to 95% improvement in symptoms for patients who have medically refractory chronic rhinosinusitis. However, symptom improvement does not necessarily correlate with disease resolution, and even asymptomatic patients may require long-term medical management and endoscopic surveillance if late recurrence is to be avoided. The 5 to 25% percent of patients who continue to have symptoms create a challenge for the rhinologist. Correct diagnosis is the hallmark of successful treatment of this recidivistic population, carried out through history, nasal endoscopy, and radiologic (computed tomography) studies. Particularly in patients with a primary complaint of headache or facial pain, the initial preoperative diagnosis should also be revisited, particularly before further surgical intervention is considered. Once a proper diagnosis is made, management is multifaceted, including topical and systemic medications, and mechanical improvements in the sinus drainage pathways, either through treatments in the office or revision surgery. Therefore, we strongly recommend that chronic rhinosinusitis be viewed as a medical disease in which surgery plays a therapeutic role. Frequently, persistent inflammation slowly settles down over time with appropriate medical management.

Endoscopy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The incidence of concurrent osteitis in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: a clinicopathological study.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been found to be multifactorial, with environmental, general host, and local anatomic factors all contributing to its development. Recent studies have indicated that local osteitis of the underlying bone also may play a critical role in the elaboration of CRS by inducing persistent inflammatory changes in the surrounding mucosa. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical incidence rate of osteitis in patients with CRS undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: From January to July 2003, a prospective study was performed on 121 patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS. Age, number of previous surgeries, radiographic bony characteristics, and pathological findings were all documented. The presence of concurrent osteitis was assessed using both radiographic (neoosteogenesis) and pathological (bony remodeling) criteria. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 44.3 years. Fifty-eight percent of the cases were revision surgeries, with each patient having an average of 2.2 operative procedures in the past. Computed tomography (CT) showed neoosteogenesis in 36% of patients, and 53% showed pathological evidence of osteitis on histological analysis of surgical specimens. CONCLUSION: Concurrent osteitis can be found in 36-53% of patients with CRS, using both radiographic and pathological criteria, respectively. Although a causal relationship between osteitis and CRS can not be inferred from this data, these clinical findings correlate well with previous evidence of bone involvement in CRS found in animal models, further reaffirming the association between underlying osteitis and the pathogenesis of CRS.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Altered sinonasal ciliary dynamics in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Although multiple etiologies contribute to the development of rhinosinusitis, a common pathophysiological sequelae is ineffective sinonasal mucociliary clearance, resulting in stasis of sinonasal secretions, with subsequent infection, and persistent inflammation. The respiratory cilia beat continually at a basal rate, while during times of stress, such as exercise or infection, ciliary beat frequency (CBF) increases, accelerating mucus clearance. Previous investigations have led to conflicting results with some authors reporting decreased CBF while others have found normal values of CBF in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Additionally, these studies have only analyzed basal CBF. The goal of this study was to compare the basal as well as the stimulated sinonasal CBF in patients with CRS versus controls. METHODS: A dual temperature controlled perfusion chamber, differential interference contrast microscopy, and high-speed digital video were used to analyze both basal and adenosine triphosphate (100 microM)-stimulated CBF in human sinonasal mucosal explants. RESULTS: Although no difference in basal CBF was detected between control and CRS patients, a marked difference in stimulated CBF was noted. Exogenously applied adenosine triphosphate resulted in a 50-70% increase of CBF in control tissue with a minimally observed CBF increase in explants from CRS patients. CONCLUSION: Dynamic regulation of respiratory ciliary activity is critical for the respiratory epithelium to adapt to varying environmental situations. Thus, diminished or absent adaptation could predispose the sinonasal cavity to accumulation of inhaled infectious and noxious particulate matter resulting in infection/inflammation. Our findings suggest that CRS patients have decreased sinonasal ciliary adaptation to environmental stimuli.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗