ENT 2 - nose Flashcards
Breathing
Through nose is primary way to breathe
Air-conditioning
Nasal mucosa adjusts temperature and humidity air before entering the lungs
Filtration & purification
Hairs filter + trap larger particles and mucus captures smaller particles (to nasopharynx to swallow)
Secretions also make enzymes kill microorganisms and antibodies (e.g. IgA) are present
Sinus ventilation
Sinuses make mucus to moisturise and protect the nose
Nasal resistance
Vocal resonance
A chamber for producing certain sounds (e.g. M, N NG)
Olfaction (smell)
Olfactory neuroepithelium in ST, olfactory nerves and bulbs control olfaction, signal to brain (e.g. olfactory cortex)
Blood vessels/flow and nasal sections
Controlled by ANS
what is olfaction?
Olfaction: works by detection of odor by olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the olfactory epithelium (OE)
Transmits signal through cribiform plate to the Mitral Cells (MC) in the olfactory bulb in the brain
ORNs are supported by Sustentacular Cells (SuC) also in OE
Stem cells (SCs) in OE can replace SuC and ORN cells
Thus, sense of smell could be affected if damage/loss of SuC, ORN or MC
Only SuC have receptors that allow binding and infection by SARS-CoV-2. Evidence suggests that loss of SuC cells leads to anosmia (mechanism not yet fully understood)
what are conditions effecting the nose?
- Rhinitis (allergic** and non-allergic) and rhinorrhea
- Polyps
- Bacterial sinusitis
- Nasal staphylococci
what causes nasal congestion?
Nasal Congestion: Many causes including rhinitis, polyps, infections (cold & flu), sinusitis
what causes rhinorrhea?
(runny nose): Many causes including infections (e.g. cold & flu), cold temperature, rhinitis
drugs acting on the nose
examples
Decongestants – sympathomimetic amines
Ephedrine: intranasal, direct and indirect α- and β-adrenergic agonist (via NA)
Pseudoephedrine: oral/by mouth, direct and indirect α-adrenergic agonist (via NA)
Phenylephrine: oral/by mouth, direct α1-adrenergic agonist
Xylometazoline: intranasal, direct α1 and 2-adrenergic agonist
Decongestants – other
Sodium chloride solution (0.9%) drops or spray: liquefy secretions
Anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids
Fluticasone: intranasal, agonist GR
Beclometasone: intranasal
Mometasone: intranasal, agonist GR
Suppressors of inflammatory mediator release (eyes!)
Sodium cromoglicate (cromolyn): stabilises mast cells
Anti-histamines
Cetirizine: Oral, H1 Receptor antagonist (allergy)
Loratidine: Oral, H1 Receptor inverse agonist (allergy)
Acrivastine: Oral, H1 Receptor antagonist (allergy)
Azelastine: Topical (intranasal), H1 Receptor antagonist (allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis) – also eyes
Anti-cholinergic (parasympatholytic)
Ipratropium bromide: intranasal, mAChR antagonist, blocks secretions
what is the treatment options for allergic conjunctivitis?
Allergic conjunctivitis: Anti-histamine (antazoline only w/xylometazoline, 2-3x/day); mast-cell stabilisers (cromoglicate, lodoxamide, 4x/day); both - azelastine, epinastine, ketotifen, olopatadine (all 2x daily). Diclofenac (NSAID) eye drops can be adjunctive
what is the treatment for non-allergic rhinitis?
congestion
rhinorrhea
Non-allergic Rhinitis Treatment (including infective)
Congestion: sympathomimetic decongestants topically (e.g. ephedrine, safest, intranasal up to 4x daily) or pseudoephedrine can be taken orally (3-4x daily)
Rhinorrhea: ipratropium bromide spray (topical, 2-3x daily)
allergic rhinitis
1st line drugs
Intranasal antihistamine - Within 15 min - 2x daily
Oral non-sedating antihistamine - Within 1 hr - Once-daily options (some 3x)
Intranasal corticosteroids - Within 12 hrs+ - Once-daily options (some 2x)
what is sympathomimetic agents - examples, target and mechanism
Target: Nasal blood flow
example: (e.g. Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine)
moa: vasoconstriction (to limit histamine effects)
what is corticosteroids - examples, target and mechanism
target : 2. Anti-inflammatory
(e.g. fluticasone, mometasone)
moa :anti-inflammatory steroid (suppress inflammation)
what is cromolyn sodium - examples, target and mechanism
Suppression of mediator release
[Omalizumab – allergic asthma]
inhibit histamine release
monoclonal antibody (mAB) prevents IgE interaction
what is h1 receptor antagonist - examples, target and mechanism
- Mediator receptor blockade
(e.g. azelastine)
Leukotriene antagonists (inhibits leukotriene Receptor - )
(e.g. montelukast)
block vasodilation
block inflammation
what is the mode of action of Nasal congestion
Intranasal ephedrine or systemic pseudoephedrine used as nasal decongestants
Indirect and direct sympathomimetics as substrates for uptake system
Indirect - taken up via NET into neuron then into vesicle via VMAT leading to NA release to act on adrenergic receptors of postsynaptic neuron
+
Direct – act directly on adrenergic receptors
Vasoconstriction to reduce mucosal blood flow and oedema
what is polyps
cause
symptom
treatment
Non-cancerous, soft growths inside the nose (or sinuses)
Cause
Linked with chronic inflammation (e.g. asthma, infections, disorders but sometimes unknown cause)
Symptoms
Nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nasal drip, loss of smell/taste, nosebleeds, snoring – symptoms will be persistent
Treatment
Corticosteroid nasal drops/spray to shrink
(e.g. fluticasone, mometasone,
budesonide)
May use Sodium chloride wash
Oral steroids short-term if necessary
Surgery possible to remove
what is acute sinusitis?
causes
symptoms
diagnosis
treatment
Causes
Usually viral (acute – e.g. rhinovirus) and following URTI, some cases bacterial
Both usually self-limiting - usually lasts 2-3 weeks [Chronic >12 weeks]
Inflammation leads to build up of mucus, can lead to further infection
Symptoms
Blocked nose, nasal discharge, facial pain/pressure, sinus headache, loss/reduced sense smell, may have cough, symptoms >10 days, fever >38oC, purulent/discoloured discharge, severe pain, worsening of initial symptoms [more indicative of bacterial]
Diagnosis
Based on signs/symptoms, can examine for face pain and use otoscope or nasal speculum to examine nose (e.g. inflammation), discharge
Treatment
Depends on duration of symptoms and severity
Pain can be managed with analgesia (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
Nasal saline or nasal decongestants can be used but limited evidence to support
High-dose nasal corticosteroids an option if >10 days symptoms
Antibiotics may also be an option if >10 days symptoms
If systemically unwell, symptoms more serious or high-risk complications:
Immediate antibiotics, 1st line: phenoxymethylpenicillin, 5d, QDS (adult 500mg)*
Refer to hospital if required (e.g. severe systemic infection)
Systemic illness, severe, co-amoxiclav TDS, 5 days, adults 500/125mg – see NICE guidance for all doses (including children)
Doxycycline/clarithromycin alternatives to penicillin (or erythromycin in pregnancy)
If symptoms <10 days – no antibiotics, self-care
Self-care (pain management: paracetamol, ibuprofen)
If >10 days with no improvement: consider high-dose intranasal corticosteroid (14d – 12yrs+ only, off-label), typically no antibiotics or back-up prescription (depends risk of bacterial infection)
when is antibiotics used for in sinusitis?
symptoms not improved after more than 10 days
Consider no antibiotic or back-up antibiotic prescription (likelihood bacterial)
Consider high-dose nasal corticosteroid for 14 days
what is the treatment of staphylocci ?
If required (e.g. admission to hospital, HCPs – would swab to test):
Chlorhexidine and neomycin (broad-spectrum antiseptic + aminoglycoside antibiotic) cream 4x daily, 10 days
Mupirocin (agent that inhibits bacterial protein and RNA synthesis) nasal ointment used for the eradication of nasal carriage, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) . Used as 2% ointment, 2-3 times per day, 5 days
what are the components in nose anatomy
- frontal sinus
-sphenoid sinus
-upper lip
-nasal vestibule
Throat anatomy & physiology
Throat: Pharynx & Larynx
Pharynx (see diagram)
Larynx (including epiglottis)
Vocal chords
Epiglottis prevents food from entering trachea
Trachea (windpipe, connects larynx to lungs)
Oesophagus (connects pharynx to stomach)
what are the common throat condition?
and mouth conditions
Main throat condition is sore throat: pharyngitis and tonsilitis
In mouth have:
Oral ulceration and inflammation
Fungal and viral infection such as thrush or herpes
Dry mouth
what are drugs which act on the throat?
Anti-inflammatory: Topical corticosteroids: hydrocortisone and betamethasone;
Topical NSAIDs: benzydamine, flurbiprofen (lozenges)
Anaesthetics: Topical lidocaine, benzocaine
Antibiotics: Phenoxymethylpenicillin, clarithromycin, erythromycin
Analgesia: Paracetamol, ibuprofen, choline salicylate
Anti-fungals: Topical nystatin, miconazole; Systemic fluconazole, amphotericin
Anti-virals: Topical acyclovir, systemic valaciclovir
Anti-septics: Chlorhexidine
what is acute sore throat?
causes
symptoms
diagnosis
treatment
Pharyngitis or tonsilitis are inflammation of the pharynx or tonsils
Cause: Often viral, can be bacterial or other causes
Strep throat by airborne drops or contact
Other signs and symptoms:
Sore throat, fever (common), may have headache,
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Diagnosis:
Examination and signs/symptoms. FeverPAIN and
CENTOR criteria scores can be used as guide (next slide)
Treatment:
IF needed and bacterial infection,
for GAS – phenoxymethylpenicillin, 500mg QDS 5-10 days
If penicillin allergy: clarithromycin (erythromycin if allergy/pregnancy)
Can relieve symptoms: painkillers (paracetamol), fluids, medicated lozenges*
what is the Clinical scoring tools forStrep. throat
FeverPAIN Scoring:
1 point for each of: Fever, Purulence, Attend within 3 days or less of symptom onset, Severely Inflamed tonsils, No cough or coryza,. Maximum score: 5
CENTOR Scoring:
1 point for each of: Tonsiliar exudate, tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy or lymphadenitis, history fever (>38oC), no cough. Maximum score: 4
The higher the score, the greater the likelihood of isolating Streptococcus
FeverPAIN 4-5 or Centor 3-4, person more likely to benefit from antibiotic – this helps guide treatment choice and offer of antibiotics
If systematically unwell, at high risk of complications or signs of more serious condition, offered immediate antibiotics (referral to hospital for severe cases)
