Which lab value is monitored to assess the interval progression of AFRS post-FESS?

To assess the interval progression of Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AFRS) following Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), monitoring increases in Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, particularly a rise greater than 10%, is important. This is because IgE is a key mediator in allergic responses and is often elevated in various conditions related to asthma and allergic rhinitis, including AFRS.

As AFRS involves a hypersensitivity reaction, tracking IgE can offer insights into the inflammatory status and the effectiveness of treatments post-surgery. An increase of IgE exceeding 10% could indicate heightened allergic activity or progression of the underlying condition. This tracking helps in adjusting management strategies and understanding how the patient is responding to the intervention of FESS.

In contrast, simply measuring total serum IgE may not provide sufficient information about disease progression specific to AFRS after surgery, as total IgE levels can fluctuate for various reasons not directly linked to the progression of the disease. Monitoring serum-specific IgE provides insights into particular allergens but does not assess overall disease activity as comprehensively as the percentage increase in total IgE does. Lastly, while circulating eosinophil levels can be significant in evaluating allergic responses, they do