Our Summary

This research paper looks at how microbial biofilms, or groups of microorganisms that can stick to surfaces, play a role in making chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a long-term sinus inflammation, worse. These biofilms can resist antibiotics and make the inflammation more severe, especially in stubborn cases of sinusitis.

The researchers wanted to see if spray cryotherapy, a treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue, could disrupt these biofilms. They tested this theory on sinus tissue samples from 23 patients with CRS. These patients were undergoing a type of sinus surgery, and the researchers used half of the harvested tissue samples as they were, and treated the other half with spray cryotherapy.

Biofilms were found in 17 of the 23 patients. The researchers noted that the cryotherapy removed biofilms from the surface of the tissue in about 71% of cases and caused significant changes in the remaining samples.

In simpler terms, this study suggests that spray cryotherapy might be a useful tool for treating stubborn cases of sinus inflammation caused by these biofilms.

FAQs

  1. What role do microbial biofilms play in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)?
  2. How does spray cryotherapy work in treating CRS, and how effective was it in the study?
  3. What potential benefits could spray cryotherapy have for patients with severe or stubborn cases of CRS?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about nasal polyp removal is to discuss the possibility of using spray cryotherapy to help disrupt biofilms and improve the outcome of the surgery. This innovative treatment method could potentially make the removal of nasal polyps more effective and reduce the chances of recurrence. It is always important to discuss all available treatment options with your doctor to determine the best course of action for your individual case.

Suitable For

Patients who have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps that are resistant to traditional treatments, such as antibiotics and steroids, may be recommended nasal polyp removal. The presence of microbial biofilms in the sinuses, as seen in the study mentioned above, can contribute to the severity of CRS and may make surgical intervention necessary.

Patients who experience severe symptoms of CRS, such as nasal congestion, facial pain, headaches, and loss of smell, despite trying multiple treatments, may also be candidates for nasal polyp removal. Additionally, patients who have recurrent sinus infections or who have polyps that are causing obstruction of the nasal passages and affecting their quality of life may benefit from nasal polyp removal.

Ultimately, the decision to recommend nasal polyp removal will be made by a healthcare provider after assessing the patient’s specific condition and determining the most appropriate course of treatment.

Timeline

Before nasal polyp removal:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis, such as nasal congestion, facial pain, headaches, and loss of smell.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests, such as a nasal endoscopy or CT scan, to confirm the presence of nasal polyps.
  3. Patient may try conservative treatments, such as nasal sprays or oral steroids, to manage symptoms.

After nasal polyp removal:

  1. Patient undergoes sinus surgery to remove the nasal polyps and improve sinus drainage.
  2. Patient may experience some temporary discomfort and swelling in the nasal passages post-surgery.
  3. Patient may need to use nasal saline rinses and follow-up with their healthcare provider for monitoring and potential further treatment.
  4. Patient experiences relief from symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis and improved quality of life.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Here are some questions a patient may want to ask their doctor about nasal polyp removal and potential treatments like spray cryotherapy:

  1. What are the benefits of removing nasal polyps?
  2. What are the risks associated with nasal polyp removal surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery time after nasal polyp removal surgery?
  4. Are there any alternative treatments to surgery for nasal polyps?
  5. How common are microbial biofilms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis?
  6. How does spray cryotherapy work to disrupt biofilms in the sinuses?
  7. What are the potential side effects or risks of using spray cryotherapy for nasal polyps?
  8. How effective is spray cryotherapy in treating nasal polyps compared to other treatments?
  9. Are there any specific criteria that make a patient a good candidate for spray cryotherapy for nasal polyps?
  10. What is the long-term outlook for patients who undergo spray cryotherapy for nasal polyps?

Reference

Authors: Vlad D, Dutu A, Apostol A, Trombitas V, Mihalca A, Albu S. Journal: Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2018 Aug 13;20(10):41. doi: 10.1007/s11908-018-0647-4. PMID: 30105583