Immunologic Defects in Patients with Chronic Recurrent Sinusitis: Diagnosis and Management

The impact of primary immunodeficiency on the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

Primary immunodeficiency has been associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, limited evidence exists on how primary immunodeficiencies affect the severity of CRS.

OBJECTIVE

To assess how primary IgA and/or IgG immunodeficiency affects the severity of CRS.

METHODS

Adult patients at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston with IgA and/or IgG deficiency (group A) or normal IgA and IgG (group B) were queried between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022. Other immunodeficiencies were excluded. The groups were analyzed for prevalence of CRS based on ICD-10 codes. The groups were matched based on demographics and comorbidities. Patients with CRS were analyzed for ≥3 acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) episodes, mean lifetime ARS episodes, and mean ARS episodes per year (all with or without antibiotic treatment). Additional analyses included need for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and mean lifetime FESS procedures based on CPT codes. A logistic regression analysis was then performed over the same parameters.

RESULTS

A total of 346 patients had IgA and/or IgG deficiency (group A), and 11,438 patients had normal IgA and IgG (group B). CRS prevalence was higher in group A than group B (12 % vs. 5 %; p < 0.001). Group A had more patients with ≥3 ARS episodes, higher mean lifetime ARS episodes, and ARS episodes per year, though none of these findings were statistically significant. There was no difference in need for FESS or mean lifetime FESS procedures.

CONCLUSION

CRS prevalence is higher in patients with IgA and/or IgG deficiency, but IgA and/or IgG immunodeficiency does not predispose patients to ARS episodes or predict need for FESS.

Evaluation and treatment of rhinosinusitis with primary antibody deficiency in children: Evidence-based review with recommendations

BACKGROUND

There is clear evidence that prevalence of primary antibody deficiency (PAD) is higher in children with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) than in the general population. The purpose of this multi-institutional and multidisciplinary evidence-based review with recommendations (EBRR) is to thoroughly review the literature on rhinosinusitis with PAD, summarize the existing evidence, and provide recommendations on the evaluation and management of rhinosinusitis in children with PAD.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically reviewed from inception through December 2023. Studies on the evaluation and management of rhinosinusitis in PAD patients were included. An iterative review process was utilized in accordance with EBRR guidelines. Levels of evidence and recommendations on the evaluation and management principles for PAD were generated.

RESULTS

A total of 50 studies were included in this evidence-based review. These studies were evaluated on the incidence of PAD in rhinosinusitis patients, the incidence of rhinosinusitis in PAD patients, and on the different treatment modalities used and their outcome. The aggregate quality of evidence varied across the reviewed domains.

CONCLUSION

Based on the currently available evidence, the incidence of PAD in children with recalcitrant CRS can be significantly elevated. Despite the presence of multiple studies addressing rhinosinusitis and PAD, the level of evidence supporting different treatment options continues to be lacking. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach through collaboration with clinical immunology. There is need for higher level studies that compare different treatments in children with PAD and rhinosinusitis.

Chronic Panrhinosinusitis Without Nasal Polyps: Long-Term Outcome after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for chronic panrhinosinusitis without nasal polyps by using symptom scoring and an endoscopic outcome evaluation.

STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-seven patients with chronic panrhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (Kennedy computed tomography (CT) scan stages I to III) were followed up for at least 3 years after FESS. Preoperative evaluation included a CT scan and an immunoallergologic evaluation. Three years after FESS, all patients were interviewed and scored endoscopically.

RESULTS: Ninety-two percent of the patients showed a marked global improvement after FESS. The endoscopic control showed normal findings in 54% of all ethmoidal cavities. The postoperative endoscopic score correlated significantly with the subjective satisfaction ratings ( P < 0.001). The preoperative CT staging proposed by Kennedy was predictive for necessity of revision surgery in 15% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that FESS for chronic panrhinosinusitis without nasal polyps has a good long-term outcome on subjective symptoms and endoscopic findings.

SIGNIFICANCE: According to this study, subjective improvement correlates significantly with the post-operative endoscopic findings in the ethmoidal cavities of patients with chronic panrhinosinusitis without polyps at a long-term follow-up.

Outcomes of sinus surgery in ambulatory patients with immune dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Previous outcomes studies of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have mostly excluded subjects with immunodeficiency or autoimmune disease. Although expert opinion suggests these patients are often refractory to therapy, outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) are not well delineated. We evaluated improvement in objective and quality of life (QoL) measures after ESS in adult patients treated in the ambulatory setting with immune dysfunction including immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases.

METHODS

Patients with CRS associated with immune dysfunction (n = 22) were evaluated and matched 1:1 with control subjects from a prospective cohort in a nested case-control design. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) and pre-/postoperative endoscopic findings were recorded. Disease-specific QoL instruments (the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index [RSDI] and Chronic Sinusitis Survey [CSS]) were administered pre- and postoperatively.

RESULTS

Mean postoperative follow-up was similar for both cases (18.6 +/- 6.6 months) and controls (18.4 +/- 8.7 months). Preoperative CT and endoscopy scores (i.e., disease severity) were similar in both cases and controls. Postoperative endoscopy scores were significantly improved for both cases (p < 0.001) and controls (p = 0.012). Both groups had similar preoperative and postoperative scores on the CSS; however, control subjects reported significantly worse RSDI baseline scores. Immunodeficiency and autoimmune cases and CRS controls experienced significant improvement in QoL after surgery (p < or = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

Immunodeficiency and autoimmune cases, in the ambulatory setting, present with similar severity of disease when compared with controls with CRS. We found similar improvements in both objective and QoL outcomes for case subjects and control subjects, suggesting that patients with immune dysfunction may experience similar benefit from ESS.

Serum immunoglobulins and IgG subclass levels in sinus mycetoma

OBJECTIVE

To study the immunity of patients with sinus mycetoma by measuring serum immunoglobulins and IgG subclass levels.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Thirty patients with sinus mycetoma, 71 ordinary chronic rhinosinusitis patients without nasal polyps, and 77 ordinary chronic rhinosinusitis patients with nasal polyps were collected. In all subjects, the levels of total serum immunoglobulins and IgG subclasses were measured during surgical treatment.

RESULTS

Among 30 patients with sinus mycetoma, decreased IgA level was found in 1 patient, and decreased IgM level was found in another 2 patients. There were no significant differences in the levels of total serum immunoglobulins or IgG subclasses between patients with sinus mycetoma and ordinary chronic rhinosinusitis patients with or without nasal polyps.

CONCLUSION

Immunologic defects cannot be detected in patients with sinus mycetoma by measuring levels of total serum immunoglobulins or IgG subclasses.

SIGNIFICANCE

Immunoglobulin deficiency may not play an important role in the pathogenesis of sinus mycetoma.