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Rhinology Research

Site: Royal Victoria Hospital

Supervisors: Dr. M. Tewfik and Dr. S. Frenkiel

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2016-2019: Endoscopic Polypectomy performed In Clinic for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps: The EPIC multicenter randomised controlled trial

Principal Investigator: Kilty, Shaun (Nominated); Fergusson, Dean

This randomized controlled trial seeks to compare endoscopic polypectomy performed in clinic (EPIC) to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), the current gold standard surgical treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps, is normally completed with patients under general anesthetic in a hospital operating room.

2016/10-present: Department of ENT, ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University, and UQTR Research Chair in Chemosensory Anatomy

The Role of Trigeminal Sensitivity in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Collaborators: Drs. Johannes Frasnelli, and Maria-Grazia Martinoli

Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common chronic disorders in North America; two very common symptoms described by patients who suffer from this disorder are nasal obstruction (airflow limitation) as well as hyposmia (decreased sense of smell). We hypothesize that the inflammation in the context of a CRS impairs activity and/or density of the TRPM8 receptor, responsible for airflow sensation. We are investigating the association between TRPM8 receptor density and trigeminal sensation in patients with CRS and normal controls.

2015/04-present: Departments of ENT and Materials Engineering, ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University

Tissue Characterization of Inverted Papillomas using Raman Spectroscopy

Collaborators: Drs. Marta Cerruti

Inverted papillomas (IP) are locally invasive tumors of the nasal cavity with a propensity to recur. More importantly, they have a potential for malignant transformation, with carcinoma found in 10% of cases; they therefore require close surveillance. Until now, this surveillance consisted of serial endoscopic examinations and/or imaging studies, with biopsies of suspicious tissue. The modernization of optical diagnostic tools, including Raman spectroscopy (RS), can potentially identify early tumor recurrence based on the biological fingerprint of normal and neoplastic tissue. If shown to be reliable, in-office or intraoperative probes able to read Raman spectra could be used to diagnose IP or help surgeons confirm negative resection margins in real time during surgery.

2014/09-present: Departments of ENT and Biomedical Engineering, ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University

Development and validation of 3D-printed rhinology surgical training models

Collaborators: Drs. Lily Nguyen, Luc Mongeau, Robert Funnel

With this research,Ìýwe attempt to answer whether surgical training can be standardized by creating a specific training curriculum that utilizes 3-D printed anatomical models produced at a low-cost allowing trainees to acquire skills at a rate that is comfortable for them. We are hoping to demonstrate that a low cost medium fidelity surgical task trainer designed by our group will allow trainees to practice the surgical skills deemed important in nasal and sinus surgery, and to improve their skills at a rate that is the same or better as traditional learning techniques.

2012/01-present: Department of ENT, ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University Health Centre

Differences in innate immunity gene expression and response between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients with gram-positive and gram-negative infection

Collaborator: Dr. Simon RousseauÌý

Oral and topical glucocorticoids are the current mainstay of therapy, however response to the medications is variable among CRS patients. This research seeks to identify biological markers that may contribute to CRS recalcitrance and resistance to glucocorticoids therapy, as well as to evaluate the effect of medical treatment on the sinonasal microbiome.

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