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Pathophysiological Link Between Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Ear Disease

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

In the clinical practice, patients affected by chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) commonly complain of otologic symptoms. This review aims to describe the available literature evidence assessing the relationship between CRS and ear illnesses published in the last 5 years.

Recent Findings

Available evidence suggests a higher prevalence of otologic symptoms in patients suffering from CRS, affecting up to 87% of patients. These symptoms may be related to Eustachian tube dysfunction, which improves after treatment for CRS. A few studies suggested a potential but not confirmed role of CRS in cholesteatoma, chronic otitis media, and sensorineural hypoacusis. A special type of otitis media with effusion (OME) may occur in patients with CRS, which seems to respond well to new biologic therapy.

Summary

Ear symptoms appear to be highly prevalent in patients with CRS. So far, the available evidence is robust only for Eustachian tube dysfunction, which has been shown to be particularly impaired in CRS patients. Additionally, the Eustachian tube function appears to improve after treatment for CRS. Finally, interesting preliminary data were described for eosinophilic otitis media, as it appears to respond well to the treatment with biologics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rhinology Study Group of the Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (YO-IFOS), Paris, France

    Christian Calvo-Henriquez

  2. Service of Otolaryngology, Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    Christian Calvo-Henriquez

  3. Unit of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, “A. Gemelli” Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy

    Eugenio Di Corso & Tiziana Di Cesare

  4. Rhinology Unit & Smell Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Isam Alobid & Joaquim Mullol

  5. Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University Hospital, Naples, Italy

    Elena Cantone

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  1. Christian Calvo-Henriquez
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Correspondence to Christian Calvo-Henriquez.

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Calvo-Henriquez, C., Di Corso, E., Alobid, I. et al. Pathophysiological Link Between Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Ear Disease. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 23, 389–397 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-023-01072-3

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