RHINOLOGY/SINUS

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a syndrome of high intracranial pressure of unclear cause.  There is increasing evidence associating the presence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension with the incidence of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Objective: Evaluate the association of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks using a novel institutional diagnostic protocol [...]

Background: There is a need to prospectively collect outcomes data on patients with sinonasal pathology.  Such a database is extremely useful as it provides a continuously expanding resource for research projects and data mining. Objective: To develop a REDCap sinonasal outcomes database to prospectively collect standardized clinical outcomes information on patients presenting to UIC [...]

Background: It is important from a surgical planning standpoint to continue identifying anatomic variants on imaging that have relevance to surgical planning.  In our experience, certain variants are commonly seen but underreported in the literature, and this is the focus of these research efforts. Objective: To evaluate specific anatomic characteristics on imaging important for [...]

Background: In the US, African Americans and Latinos are overrepresented among cases of and deaths from COVID-19.  Minority communities may be more susceptible to severe forms of COVID-19 because of existing disparities in underlying conditions. Sinopulmonary conditions (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis), which are exacerbated by [...]

Background: There are social disparities in morbidity and mortality for sinonasal conditions.  Identifying the contributing factors to these disparities is critical so they can be addressed. Objective: To identify if certain social determinants of health are associated with specific healthcare utilization patterns for sinonasal conditions.

Background: Viral upper respiratory infections can progress to sinusitis and contribute to sinonasal symptom exacerbations, resulting in significant morbidity. Objective: To characterize the immune response of various sinonasal cell types when exposed to viral upper respiratory pathogens.

Background: Infections in CRS may be related to a decrease in native and an increase in pathogenic bacteria.  Topical probiotics outcompete pathogenic bacteria via a variety of mechanisms, including creating suboptimal environmental conditions, competing for cell surface receptors and thus limiting pathogen adherence, and producing antibacterial metabolites.  In doing so, topical probiotics can restore [...]

Background: A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the nose is termed CSF rhinorrhea. Forty percent of cases are idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the best way to repair CSF rhinorrhea is to utilize multiple layers of closure. Nevertheless, even after an optimal repair, some patients have persistent CSF rhinorrhea. [...]

Background: Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, and asthma are poorly understood diseases that affect millions of people each year. These conditions co-exist in many patients and often, onset of one is associated with exacerbation of the other. The apparent relationship of the diseases has led to the consideration of the controversial 'one airway' theory. The [...]