Background Ivacaftor is a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiator that improves pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with at least 1 copy of the G551D CFTR mutation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of ivacaftor on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms in this population. Methods The G551D Observational (GOAL) study was a multicenter prospective cohort study enrolling CF patients ≥6 years with at least 1 G551D mutation. Subjects were provided 20‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐20) questionnaires prior to ivacaftor therapy and at 1, 3, and 6 months afterward. The impact on rhinologic (R), psychological (P), sleep (S), and ear/facial (E) quality of life (QOL) domains was evaluated separately. Results Of 153 subjects, 129 (84%) completed all questionnaires. Typical baseline symptom burden was low (75% with scores <1) and degree of improvement (ie, reduced scores) was greater with higher baseline scores. SNOT‐20 decreased, reflecting improvement, at all follow‐up intervals (1 month: [mean change ± standard deviation] –0.25 ± 0.53, p < 0.01; 3 months; –0.29 ± 0.58, p < 0.01; 6 months: –0.21 ± 0.58, p = 0.02), but less than the prespecified minimal clinically important difference (0.8). Significant improvement was observed at 1, 3, and 6 months in the R domain (1 month: –0.24, p < 0.01; 3 months: –0.34, p < 0.01; 6 months: –0.25, p < 0.01) and P domain (1 month: –0.25, p < 0.01; 3 months: –0.32, p < 0.01; 6 months: –0.26, p < 0.01), and 1 and 3 months in the S domain (1 months: –0.35, p < 0.01; 3 months: –0.32, p < 0.01; 6 months: –0.18, p = 0.07). There was no improvement in the E domain at any time point. Conclusion Ivacaftor improves QOL in the R, P, and S domains in G551D CF patients, although QOL instruments validated for CRS may not translate well to CF CRS patients because symptom burden was surprisingly low.

Introduction: Enhancing chloride (Cl −) secretion in sinus epithelia represents a novel therapeutic approach to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Herbal dry extract BNO 1011 enhances mucociliary clearance (MCC) via upregulation of Cl − secretion in sinonasal cultures in vitro and murine epithelium in vivo. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the BNO 1011 improves MCC and clinical parameters in a rabbit model of CRS. Methods: After the development of CRS in 30 New Zealand white rabbits, animals were randomly assigned to receive oral placebo (n=10), BNO 1011 (low dose (LD), 25mg/kg/daily) (n=10), or BNO1011 (high dose (HD), 125mg/kg/daily) (n=10) for 4 weeks. Outcomes included sinus opacification (Kerschner's rabbit sinus CT grade), maxillary epithelial Clsecretion (sinus potential difference (PD) assay), airway surface liquid (ASL) depth using (micro optical coherence tomography (μOCT, and submucosal gland density (SMD) on histopathology. Outcome parameters were analyzed by 2 blinded investigators. Results: BNO 1011 significantly cleared sinus opacification (HD=1.21+/−0.63, LD=1.26+/ −0.37,) compared to placebo (4.02+/−0.92) (p=0.009). BNO 1011 resulted in markedly greater mean sinus PD polarization (HD=−12.23+/−1.4mV, LD=−12.0+/−3.0mV) when compared to rabbits treated with placebo (−4.1+/−1.1mV) (p=0.03). ASL depth was significantly improved when treated with HD (4.08+/−0.06μm) and LD (4.05+/− 0.06μm) compared to placebo (3.5+/

Objective Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks represent a unique subset of skull base pathology and require distinctive management. Perioperative evaluation and management of intracranial hypertension are essential in preventing further erosion of the skull base and development of recurrent leak. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and utility of an expedited protocol for recording and managing intracranial hypertension following endoscopic repair of spontaneous CSF leaks. Methods Prospectively collected data was reviewed in patients undergoing endoscopic repair of spontaneous CSF leaks between January 2017 and March 2020. A standard intracranial pressure monitoring protocol was compared to an expedited protocol (EP), and data regarding the two groups was compared for leak location, short‐term success of skull base repair, complications, hospital length of stay, and cost‐based analysis. Results Fifty‐five patients (standard protocol, n = 28 vs. EP, n = 27) were included in the study. Leak location was similar between cohorts, with the lateral recess being the most common locations in both groups (37.9% vs. 40.6%; P = .90). Postoperative complications (3.6% vs. 7.4%; P = .53) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt rate (32.1% vs. 22.2%; P = .41) were similar among cohorts. There was no difference in lumbar drain complications (0% vs. 7.4%; P = .14) or recurrent leak (7.1% vs. 0%; P = .16). Length of stay was shorter in the EP group [median(interquartile range): 3(1) vs. 2 (1); P < .01]. Total hospital charges were similar between groups (median (USD/$1,000): 83.57 ± 49.58 vs. 83.93 ± 46.11; P = .18). Conclusion An expedited monitoring protocol shortened hospital stay without increased risk of complications. Level of Evidence III Laryngoscope, 131:E408–E412, 2021