Background: Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) for the resection of pituitary adenoma has become more common throughout the past decade. Although most patients have a short postoperative hospitalization, others require a more prolonged stay. We aimed to identify predictors for prolonged hospitalization in the se ing of ETS for pituitary adenomas. Methods: A retrospective chart review as performed on 658 patients undergoing ETS for pituitary adenoma at a single tertiary care academic center from 2005 to 2019. Length of stay (LoS) was defined as date of surgery to date of discharge. Patients with LoS in the top 10th percentile (prolonged LoS [PLS] >4 days, N = 72) were compared with the remainder (standard LoS [SLS], N = 586). Results:The average age was 54 years and 52.5% were male. The mean LoS was 2.1 days vs 7.5 days (SLS vs PLS). On univariate analysis, atrial fibrillation (p = 0.002), hypertension (p = 0.033), partial tumor resection (p < 0.001), apoplexy (p = 0.020), intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (ioCSF) leak (p = 0.001), nasoseptal flap (p = 0.049), postoperative diabetes insipidus (DI) (p = 0.010), and readmis-sion within 30 days (p = 0.025) were significantly associated with PLS. Preoperative continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (odds ratio, 15.144; 95% confidence interval, 2.596-88.346; p = 0.003) and presence of an ioCSF leak (OR, 10.362; 95% CI,; p = 0.004) remained significant on multivariable analysis. Conclusion:For patients undergoing ETS for pituitary adenomas, an ioCSF leak or preoperative use of CPAP predicted PLS. Additional common reasons for PLS included postoperative CSF leak (10 of 72), management of DI or hypopituitarism (15 of 72), or reoperation due to surgical or medical complications (14 of 72). C 2020 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Objectives This study aimed to identify escape of small-particle aerosols from a variety of masks using simulated breathing conditions. This study also aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a negative-pressure environment around the face in preventing the escape of small aerosolized particles. Study Design This study is an evaluation study with specific methodology described below. Setting This study was performed in our institution’s fresh tissue laboratory. Subjects and Methods A fixed cadaver head was placed in a controlled environment with a black background, and small-particle aerosols were created using joss incense sticks (mass-median aerosol diameter of 0.28 µ). Smoke was passed through the cadaver head, and images were taken with a high-resolution camera in a standardized manner. Digital image processing was used to calculate relative amounts of small-particle escape from a variety of masks, including a standard surgical mask, a modified Ambu mask, and our negative airway pressure respirator (NAPR). Results Significant amounts of aerosolized particles escaped during the trials with no mask, a standard surgical mask, and the NAPR without suction. When suction was applied to the NAPR, creating a negative-pressure system, no particle escape was noted. Conclusion We present a new and effective method for the study of small-particle aerosols as a step toward better understanding the spread of these particles and the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019. We also present the concept of an NAPR to better protect health care workers from aerosols generated from the upper and lower airways.

Background: Although recent guidelines for obstructive sleep apnea recommend early postoperative use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) a er endonasal skull base surgery, the time of initiation of CPAP is unclear. In this study we used a novel, previously validated cadaveric model to analyze the pressures delivered to the cranial base and evaluate the effectiveness of various repair techniques to withstand positive pressure. Methods:Skull base defects were surgically created in 3 fresh human cadaver heads and repaired using 3 commonly used repair techniques: (1) Surgicel TM onlay; (2) dural substitute underlay with dural sealant onlay; and (3) dural substitute underlay with nasoseptal flap onlay with dural sealant. Pressure microsensors were placed in the sphenoid sinus and sella, both proximal and distal to the repair, respectively. The effectiveness of each repair technique against various CPAP pressure se ings (5-20 cm H 2 O) was analyzed.Results: Approximately 79%-95% of positive pressure administered reached the sphenoid sinus. Sellar pressure levels varied significantly across the 3 repair techniques and were lowest a er the third technique. "Breach" points (CPAP se ings at which sellar repair was violated) were lowest for the first group. All 3 specimens showed a breach a er the first repair technique. For the second repair technique, only a single breach was created in 1 specimen at 20 cm H 2 O. No breaches were created in the third group. Conclusion: Different skull base repair techniques have varying ability to withstand CPAP. Both second and third repair techniques performed in a nearly similar fashion with regard to their ability to withstand positive pressure ventilation. C 2019 ARS-AAOA, LLC. How to Cite this Article: Chitguppi C, Rimmer RA, Garcia HG, et al. Evaluation of cranial base repair techniques utilizing a novel cadaveric CPAP model. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9:795-803.

Objective To analyze the effect of benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma (SA) and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwP). Methods Retrospective review of patients with both SA and CRSwP that were treated with benralizumab. Asthma controlled test (ACT), pulmonary function metrics (FEV1), Meltzer endoscopic polyp scores, SNOT-22 scores, were collected before and after at least 4 months of benralizumab therapy. Results 23 patients were included. The mean age at the time of enrollment into benralizumab therapy was 50.47 ± 17.3 years and majority (65.2%, n = 15) were males. Pulmonary Effects: In comparison to baseline ACT, scores at four months showed significant improvement (p = 0.03). In those with pre and post spirometry measurements, mean FEV1 showed significant increase following benralizumab therapy (p = 0.04) with a mean increase of 547 mL ± 597 mL following therapy. Sinonasal Effects: 78.5% of subjects on benralizumab had a significant improvement in sinonasal symptoms (p = 0.009) based on their SNOT-22 scores. Additionally, there was an improvement in endoscopic polyp scores, although not statistically significant, following benralizumab therapy (p = 0.2) with 54.5% patients showing improvement. Conclusion Usage of benralizumab in patients with SA and CRSwNP can lead to significantly improved asthma control, lung function, and sinonasal quality of life. Additionally, in this patient population, there was a subset of patients that showed a significant reduction in polyp burden.

Background Biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma is a recently described malignancy showing dual differentiation with both myogenic and neural elements. Due to its histologic similarities to other sinonasal malignancies, it is a diagnostic challenge. Objective The main purpose of this article is to report a case of biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma and to consolidate data and provide a comprehensive review regarding pathological differences between biphenotypic sarcoma and other sinonasal malignancies and diagnostic modalities used for biphenotypic sarcoma. Material and Methods A systematic review of all cases of biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma was performed using electronic databases (PubMed and Medline). Data collected included age, gender, symptoms, sub-site of origin, immunophenotyping, metastasis, recurrence, treatment, duration of follow-up, and survival outcomes. Results Ninety-five cases of biphenotypic sarcoma were found with mean age at diagnosis of 52.36 years (range, 24–87 years). Female to male ratio was 2.27:1. Extra-sinonasal extension was present in 28%. Immunophenotyping revealed that S-100 and SMA (smooth muscle actin) were consistently positive, while SOX-10 was consistently negative. PAX3-MAML3 fusion [t (2; 4) (q35; q31.1)] was the most common genetic rearrangement. Surgical excision with or without adjuvant radiotherapy was the most frequent treatment modality used. Recurrence was observed in 32% of cases with follow-up. None of the cases reported metastasis. Three patients had died at the time of publication that included one case with intracranial extension. Conclusion Biphenotypic sarcoma is distinct sinonasal malignancy with unique clinicopathological features. Testing involving a battery of myogenic and neural immunomarkers is essential for diagnostic confirmation and is a clinically useful endeavor when clinical suspicion is high.