Early postoperative endoscopic score can predict the long-term endoscopic outcomes in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) patients

OBJECTIVE: Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is refractory and recurrent, requiring long-term follow-up after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS). Endoscopic evaluation is common during postoperative assessment, but how the findings vary over time in postoperative ECRS patients who were treated by the recent standardized management is unclear. We assessed the long-term change in postoperative endoscopic score in ECRS patients using a novel endoscopic scoring system (Escore). METHODS: This retrospective study included 80 ECRS patients who underwent full-house ESS and were followed for longer than 1-year. Endoscopic procedures were repeated at every follow-up visit and postoperative Escores were assessed from 3-months up to 5-years (median follow-up period was 3-years). RESULTS: The Escore did not significantly change from that at 3-months (3m-Escore). The Escore at the final observation point (f-Escore) among 80 patients was 9.2 ± 5.6 and there was no significant difference from the 3m-Escore (8.5 ± 4.1, p = 0.363). Twenty-one patients (21/80, 26.3%) were considered to have endoscopically uncontrolled ECRS at their final observation points and the 3m-Escore was identified as an independent predictive factor by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The 3m-Escore cut-off value that was able to predict endoscopically uncontrolled ECRS after long-term follow-up was ≥12. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the long-term endoscopic outcomes after full-house ESS and continuous outpatient treatment. Early endoscopic findings (3m-Escore) were a potential predictive factor for the later endoscopic outcome, and a 3m-Escore of 12 or higher may be an indicator of the poor long-term prognosis of sinus mucosa. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.