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ENT Research at the California Sinus Centers

 

Research at the California Sinus Centers

The California Sinus Centers and Sinus Care Foundation www.sinuscare.org are involved in research to improve the diagnosis and management of diseases related to the nose and sinuses. We are constantly updating protocols and studies. Our doctors, fellows and nursing staff may discuss these studies with you.

Current and Past studies include

Nebulized Medications In The Treatment Of Sinus Diseases

The doctors at CSc have pioneered the development, use and research into nebulized medications for the management Tof difficult chronic sinus cases since 2000. (See links below.) This work has led to an entirely new treatment option being available nationwide for these patients via compounding pharmacies based in California . Dr. Vaughan served as the director of the scientific advisory board of Sinus Pharmacy. CSC was designated as one of the national research centers into this newer therapy.

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Topical Furosemide For The Treatment Of Nasal Polyps

One of the main causes of recurrent disease after sinus surgery is the regrowth of nasal polyps with subsequent obstruction and infections. Lasix TM (furosemide) has been shown to decrease the fluid volume of nasal polyps in studies from Italy .

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Effect Of Carbon Dioxide Levels On Blood Loss During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

The level of carbon dioxide in blood can be regulated during anesthesia. Regulation of this level may decrease blood loss. Joint studies with the Stanford Anesthesia Department have been published. Sinus surgical patients were offered enrollment in this study. Co-investigator: Vladimir Nekhendzy, MD, Department of Anesthesia.


Emergence Of Increasing Drug Resistance In Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis patients have frequent infections. There are several studies that demonstrate increased antibiotic resistance, and the emergence of gram negative and fungal species. We are studying whether there are approaches that can decrease the use of empiric antibiotics in chronic sinus patients. Several studies continue at CSC in this area. These include:
  • Use of culture-directed therapy for acute infections in chronic sinus patients.
  • Microbiology of acute infections in chronic sinus patients.

Use Of Anti-Fungals In The Management Of Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis can lead to extensive and recurrent sinus disease. The use of nebulized antifungals, antifungal nasal rinses, and oral antifungals are recommended.

Psychological Impact Of Chronic Sinusitis On Patients

All chronic diseases can lead to significant impact on the quality of life and psychological functioning of patients. Quality of life outcomes are conducted on all sinus patients at CSC. Retrospective studies (via outcome surveys) on the impact of several therapies include:
  • Impact of longer endoscopic and culture-directed therapy,
  • Impact of revision endoscopic sinus surgery with surgical navigation,
  • Impact of nebulized therapies on psychological outcome measures.

Instrumentation and Computer Navigation for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

CSC doctors have consulted with several companies to develop better software and hardware for the treatment of sinus disease. This has included several software changes used nationwide for surgical navigation via BrainLab and GE/VTI. We have also designed the first set of advanced endoscopic instruments for sphenoidotomy and surrounding procedures. (See: Medtronic/Xomed.com, and GEHealthcare.com for further information.)

Research continues in this area at CSC with outcome studies looking at the avoidance of external, revision, and destructive surgical approaches. We have published papers that have demonstrated excellent frontal sinus outcomes and avoidance of external surgeries.

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