Staricha, Kelly L.

Introduction: Nasal analysis is a challenging skill that otolaryngology trainees must demonstrate competency in on-board examinations. Study objective: To compare where experts and trainees focus their gaze when completing nasal analysis of a patient, as measured by eye tracking software. Methods: Participants of various training levels ( n = 27) were shown photographs of six faces from all standard angles for photographic nasal analysis. Eye-tracking data were collected. Heat and gaze maps, the time to first fixation on areas of interest, duration, and number of fixations were extracted. These metrics were compared between experts and trainees using t -tests and one-way ANOVA. Results: Qualitative comparisons of gaze patterns reveal a more comprehensive and organized approach among experts than trainees. However, quantitative measures of eye-tracking metrics, including the time to first fixations, duration, and number of fixations made by experts and trainees, were similar. Conclusions: Gaze tracking reveals more thorough and efficient eye movements among experts than trainees during nasal analysis. Further study may be useful in the development of learning tools to guide effective nasal analyses.

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is an inflammatory disease with a treatment goal of controlling symptoms and limiting disease burden. While endoscopic sinus surgery is effective for removing polyps and aerating sinuses, proper medical management remains necessary for reducing inflammation and limiting polyp recurrence. Objective This article aims to summarize the literature regarding medical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, with a specific focus on developments in the past 5 years. Methodology We conducted a literature review using PubMed to identify studies assessing medical treatment strategies for patients with CRSwNP. Articles focusing on chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis were excluded unless specifically stated. Surgical treatment and biologic therapies for CRSwNP will be covered in subsequent chapters and are therefore not included. Results Intranasal saline irrigations and topical steroids are mainstays of CRSwNP treatment in the pre-surgical, post-surgical, and maintenance phases of the disease. Alternative steroid delivery methods and adjunctive treatments with antibiotics, anti-leukotrienes, and other topical therapies have been investigated and may benefit certain patient populations, but convincing evidence does not exist to warrant addition of these treatments to the standard of care for CRSwNP. Conclusions Topical steroid therapy is clearly effective for CRSwNP, and recent studies demonstrate the safety and efficacy of high-dose nasal steroid rinses. Alternate delivery methods for local steroids may be useful for patients who are not responding to or who are noncompliant with conventional intranasal corticosteroid sprays and rinses. Future studies are needed to clarify if oral or topical antibiotics, oral anti-leukotrienes, or other novel therapies are significantly effective in decreasing symptoms and improving the quality of life in patients with CRSwNP.