Objectives To evaluate hearing outcome of salvage treatment with intratympanic steroids (ITS) in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) refractory to initial systemic steroid (SS) therapy. Material and methods A retrospective medical chart review was conducted on 54 consecutive patients with ISSNHL refractory to SS. Salvage treatment with a low dose intratympanic dexamethasone (4 mg/ml) was offered after one week of primary treatment. Patients were divided into two groups: 25 patients accepted ITS (treatment group) and 29 patients did not undergo additional treatment (control group). A pure tone average (PTA) gain of at least 10 dB was considered hearing improvement. Results Hearing improvement rate was higher in ITS group compared to control group (40% vs. 13.8%, p = 0.035). A mean PTA improvement of 8.6 ± 9.8 dB was observed in the ITS group and, whereas the control group had an average hearing gain of 0.7 ± 2 dB (p < 0.001). Audiometric analysis revealed a significant hearing gain in ITS group at all tested frequencies compared to control group (p < 0.05). Analysis of the selected variables, identified intratympanic steroid treatment as the only independent prognostic factor for hearing improvement (OR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.1–15.7; p = 0.04). Conclusion Intratympanic low dose dexamethasone is effective in patients with incomplete hearing recovery after primary systemic steroid treatment.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is an inflammatory condition which may have a significant impact on quality of life. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is indicated for patients refractory to maximal medical treatment and presents high recurrence and revision surgery rates. Aim of the study was to evaluate ESS outcome in CRSwNP management and to assess independent predictive factors for recurrence and revision surgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Retrospective medical chart review of patients who underwent ESS for recalcitrant CRSwNP, from January 2013 to December 2017, with a minimum follow-up time of 12 months.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> This study enrolled 132 patients, 62.1% of whom were males, with a mean age of 43.4±11.5 years. Asthma was the most common comorbidity (39.4%, n=52) and aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) was present in 9.8% (n=12) of the study population. We found a recurrence rate of 34.1% (n=45) and 9% (n=12) of patients required revision surgery. Multivariate analysis identified as independent variables of recurrence (95% CI): a history of asthma (OR=8.81, CI 3.87-20.03; p&lt;0.001) and a severe Lund-Mackay score (17-24) (OR=5.85, CI 2.73-12.51; p=0.001). Revision surgery was related to a severe endoscopic Lund-Kennedy score at presentation (OR=4.05, CI 1.91-8.01, p=0.001).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> CRSwNP presents a high tendency to recur after ESS. Asthma, severe sinus opacification and severe endoscopic score are poor prognostic factors that hallmark a more aggressive disease. A more extensive surgical procedure and/or middle turbinate resection with a rigorous postoperative compliance should be considered to improve long term results.</p>

Woakes’ syndrome (WS) is a rare entity, defined as severe recalcitrant nasal polyposis with consecutive deformity of the nasal pyramid. WS occurs mainly in childhood and its aetiology remains unclear. We report a case of a 68-year old woman, with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, who presented with recurrent nasal polyposis and progressive broadening of the nasal dorsum. CT scan revealed extensive bilateral nasal polyposis and diffuse osteitis, with anterior ethmoidal calcified lesions. The patient underwent revision endoscopic sinus surgery and nasal pyramid deformity was successfully managed without osteotomies.

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