In this week’s episode of Backtable ENT, Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah talk with Dr. John Craig, chief of Rhinology and co-director of the Skull Base Center at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, about odontogenic sinusitis (ODS).

---

SHOW NOTES

The episode begins by hearing about John’s path to rhinology and his work and research interests in ODS. First, John defines ODS and contrasts it with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). He notes that the cardinal symptoms of CRS are the same as ODS but for ODS, these symptoms are unilateral, such as unilateral nasal obstruction, unilateral nasal drainage and unilateral facial pressure. Also, a foul smell is a very common symptom of ODS.

The conversation then transitions to discussing the role of dental history in ruling in ODS. John explains his oral exam process and questions he asks related to a patient’s dental history such as upper dental pain, root canals, extractions, dental implants and dental bridges. Interestingly, current research has shown only 20-40% of patients have dental symptoms such as dental pain. The group discusses how insurance coverage plays a role in the treatment management patients with ODS may undergo, and John notes the importance of collaborating with dental providers for endodontic testing and imaging that includes dental roots.

John further delves into what he is looking for on an endoscopy exam including unilateral purulent drainage from the middle meatus, edema and polyps. CT sinus usually shows unilateral maxillary sinus opacification.

Then, John explains how he groups patients in two groups, treatable and untreatable dental pathologies, to help in deciding management of patients with ODS. Treating the sinus and the treatable dental pathology (i.e.-closure of oroantral fistula) will help the condition resolve in the majority of cases. Timing of treating the dental pathology and sinus surgery is complicated, but taking into account the patient’s symptom burden can help decide timing of these procedures. When there is no treatable dental pathology, management options include antibiotics (to temporize symptoms) and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with 98% success. The episode concludes with the group discussing the role of ESS for ODS.

---

RESOURCES

PubMed (Link to John’s list of Publications):

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Craig%20JR&cauthor_id=32656998