变应性鼻炎的药物治疗策略

变应性鼻炎(allergic rhinitis,AR)是耳鼻咽喉科常见的疾病,也是重要的变态反应性疾病之一.全球AR患者超过5亿,我国大陆地区AR的患病率为4％～38％[1].AR在给患者生活质量造成严重影响的同时,亦给社会带来沉重的经济负担[2].     

以患者为中心的变应性鼻炎治疗模式

全球变应性(又称过敏性)鼻炎(AR)患者至少有4亿～5亿[1-2].美国成人AR的患病率为10％～30％,儿童高达40％[3],我国中心城市的患病率约为11.3％ [4].AR的合并症包括:哮喘、鼻窦炎、鼻息肉、结膜炎、中耳炎、非特异性支气管高反应和呼吸道感染等,多数患者(85％)的工作效率、学习成绩、活动能力、认知功能、睡眠状况和生活质量等受到影响[3,5],该病是影响人类健康的常见慢性病.以往AR分为季节性AR和持续性AR,2001年变应性鼻炎及其对哮喘的影响(allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma,ARIA)的分型标准将AR分为4型[6].临床就诊患者中,中-重度AR患者占多数(93％),超过一半(51％)的患者是中-重度持续性AR,表明ARIA的分型标准欠均衡,仍需进一步改进[7].目前,两个分型标准在文献中同时应用.     

变应性鼻炎的临床特点与诊断

变应性鼻炎(allergic rhinitis,AR)是一种由于特应性人群接触环境中变应原引发的由IgE介导的Ⅰ型变态反应性疾病.2008年ARIA指南根据其症状持续的时间将AR分为间歇性(＜4d/周或＜4周/年)和持续性(＞4d/周且4周/年),并依据对生活质量的影响分为轻度和中-重度[1].AR在全世界范围内发病率高居不下,2015年美国变应性鼻炎诊疗指南(AGAR)公布数据显示,美国AR患者数量约占人口总数1/6[2],在我国AR患病率为4％～38％,不同地区及城乡之间存在较大差别[3].AR对患者的生活质量造成显著影响,因此了解AR临床特点和规范化诊断方法对确定治疗方案具有重要意义.     

变应性鼻炎特异性免疫治疗专家共识

一、前言变应性鼻炎(过敏性鼻炎)在我国的患病率近30年显著增加,由最初局部地区报告的0 5％左右到现在多地区报告的8 0％～21.4％[1].儿童变应性鼻炎患病率也在增加,如北京由2001年的9.1％到2010年的15.4％[2-3],武汉地区2009年为10.8％[4].儿童患病率的快速增加更令人担忧,因为其中有相当一部分患儿可发展为哮喘[5].     

重视儿童变应性鼻炎研究

变应性鼻炎(AR)是影响儿童身心健康、学习成绩和生活质量的主要鼻部疾病,患病率高,具有较大的社会影响.10年来,国际儿童哮喘和变应性疾病研究项目(International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood,ISAAC)报告了全球变应性鼻炎、哮喘和特应性湿疹的患病情况在近7年间呈总体上升趋势,其中不同国家和地区6～7岁儿童变应性鼻炎的患病率波动于2.2%～24.2%,13～14岁儿童的患病率波动于4.5%～45.1%[1].国际上有关中国儿童变应性鼻炎流行状况的报告近年增多,不同年龄、地区和生活方式的儿童,变应性鼻炎的患病率存在较大差别.     

变应性鼻炎发病机制及影响因素的研究进展

变应性鼻炎(allergic rhinitis,AR),为机体接触变应原后主要由IgE介导的鼻黏膜非感染性炎性疾病[1],其临床症状表现为喷嚏、清水样涕、鼻塞和鼻痒等,严重影响患者的工作、学习和生活质量.AR不仅是个医疗问题,还加重了个人、家庭和整个社会的经济负担,并可伴发支气管哮喘、鼻-鼻窦炎、鼻息肉、中耳炎、变应性结膜炎等病症,已成为全球性公众健康问题.随着工业化进展、现代生活方式和人类生态环境的急剧变化,世界范围的AR的患病率在10％～25％[2],并且呈逐年增长的趋势[3].我国中心城市的AR自报患病率为8.7％ ～24％,不同地区间差异很大[4].AR是一种多因素疾病,其影响因素和发病机制十分复杂,既有一定的遗传基础,同时又受到吸入、食入和接触等多种外在致敏原的影响,并与环境因素、精神因素、生活习惯、地域和年龄等有一定的关系.本文对该领域的相关研究进展作一综述.     

蛋白质组学在变应性鼻炎中的应用研究进展

变应性鼻炎(AR)是指以IgE介导为主的Ⅰ型变态反应,它主要由肥大细胞、嗜酸粒细胞等炎症细胞及IL-4、IL-5等细胞因子共同参与,以Th2细胞占优势的鼻黏膜炎性疾病[1].全球平均发病率高达40％左右,且呈逐年增高趋势[2],我国的患病率从2005年的11.1％上升至 2011年的17.6％[3-4].目前,AR的诊...     

儿童变应性鼻炎

变应性鼻炎(AR)即过敏性鼻炎,是儿童最常见的慢性疾病之一,在儿童和青少年中的患病率可高达40%[1].AR与哮喘、鼻窦炎、呼吸道感染和中耳炎等相邻解剖部位的炎性疾病关系密切,例如:AR可使哮喘的患病率增加3倍,即从2.5‰上升至10.1‰[2].掌握疾病的流行状况,在正确及时诊断的前提下防控得当,不仅有助于AR的治疗,还可能影响相关疾病的预后,对患儿及其家庭产生深远的影响.     

儿童变应性鼻炎伴腺样体肥大的治疗经验

变应性鼻炎(allergic rhinitis,AR)是指特异性个体接触致敏原后由IgE介导的以炎性介质释放为开端,有免疫活性细胞以及细胞因子等参与的鼻黏膜慢性反应性疾病.AR在全球大多数地区呈持续流行增加趋势,已经成为儿童时期最常见的慢性病之一,对患儿的生活带来明显的负面影响[1].有学者认为,儿童AR与腺样体肥大、阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(obstructive sleep apneaSyndrome,OSAS)之间存在密切的关系[2].我们观察了AR合并腺样体肥大的患儿,经过规律口服抗组胺药及鼻用糖皮质激素不能良好控制症状,在切除腺样体后OSAS得到改善的同时,AR症状通过同样的药物治疗取得了满意的疗效.     

西替利嗪类药物在变应性鼻炎临床治疗中的应用

1变应性鼻炎及其治疗方法 变应性鼻炎（AR）是一种常见的变应性炎症疾病,以喷嚏、流涕、鼻痒和鼻塞为主要症状,全世界人口患病率为10％N25％,有些国家高达40％。根据2008年AR及其对哮喘的影响（AllergicRhinitisanditsImpactonAsthma,ARIA）公布的数据,估计全世界AR患者超过5亿。中国大陆地区11个中心城市的电话问卷调查显示,AR的患病率约为8．5％--24．1％,但有1／3以上的患者对疗效不满意,这表明AR已成为重要的健康问题。     

A Decrease in Maxillary Sinus Pressure,as Seen in Upper Airway Allergy or Infection,Results in an Increase in Upper Airway Nitric Oxide Levels

The paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity via small osties. Ostial occlusion, caused by mucosal swelling, will result in a slowly increasing negative pressure inside the sinus cavity. In parallel, the oxygen content in the sinus will decrease, resulting in the development of relative hypoxia. Hypoxia is a powerful inducer of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and inducible NO synthase has been shown to be present in considerable amounts in the upper airways, including the sinuses. The present study was designed to investigate whether a reduction in sinus pressure would affect upper airway NO production. Thirteen healthy volunteers were investigated. A pressure chamber was used to lower the ambient pressure to-4.9 kPa. NO was sampled from one nostril or via a drainage tube inserted into the maxillary sinus before, during and after the hypobaric exposure. When the pressure was decreased, NO levels increased from 256 &#45 15 to 316 &#45 19 ppb ( n =13, p <0.001). The NO levels remained elevated (282 &#45 21 ppb; p <0.05) when measurements were repeated 20 min after leaving the chamber. The nasal airway resistance (V2 tot ) also increased as a result of the chamber session (from 16 &#45 2° before to 21 &#45 3° after; p <0.05). An increase in NO levels was also found when the experiments were repeated with NO sampled directly from the maxillary sinus (225 &#45 6 before and 265 &#45 9 ppb after; n =6, p <0.001). For control purposes the nasal analyses were repeated again, this time under hyperbaric conditions (+4.9 kPa). This resulted in a slight decrease in the NO levels (from 273 &#45 22 to 241 &#45 17 ppb; n =10, p <0.001), but there was no change in the nasal airway resistance. We conclude that a reduction in sinus pressure, as seen in upper airway allergy or infection, may result in an increase in upper airway NO production.     

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing?

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing? Regular monitoring and audit of a service are integral to ensuring maintenance of efficiency and standards. This is particularly important where the quality of the service is operator dependent, as is the case in the clinical diagnosis of neck lumps and fine needle aspiration cytology. The one‐stop neck lump clinic has now been running in the department for more than 20 months. A previous article described the results of the first phase audit carried out at 6 months and had identified a waiting time to be seen that was longer than that recommended by the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons. Measures were implemented to reduce this waiting time and a second audit was carried out after another 10 months with the aims of assessing if modification of the means of referral reduces waiting time and if the outcomes of clinical performance in phase 1 could be maintained or improved. We discuss the results of phase 2 in the audit spiral.     

Physiologische Grundlagen einer Hörprothese

Zusammenfassung Im Bemühen, eine Hörprothese zu entwickeln, die ein Sprachverständnis erlaubt, erscheint es zumindest fürs erste am zweckmäßigsten, durch künstliche elektrische Reizung des Hörnerven die natürlichen Verhältnissen so gut als möglich zu imitieren. Der normale Hörnerv enthält etwa 30000 Nervenfasern, die sich qualitativ gleich, quantitativ jedoch unterschiedlich verhalten, wobei über die Eigenschaften der von den ÄHZ kommenden Spiralfasern im Augenblick sichere Aussagen nicht möglich sind (siehe 2.3). Die quantitativen Unterschiede zwischen den einzelnen Hörnervenfasern beziehen sich auf deren Frequenzabstimmung, Frequenzselektivität, Schwellen, Intensitätsfunktionen und — wichtig insbesondere für das Vorhaben einer künstlichen elektrischen Reizung — in Zeitunterschieden in den Aktivitätsmustern, die durch Laufzeitunterschiede auf der Basilarmembran bedingt sind (2.3). Diese Zeitunterschiede in der Aktivität einzelner Fasern liegen im Bereich mehrerer ms (2.3.6; 2.3.7). Die durch Schallreize im normalen Hörnerven ausgelösten Aktionspotentiale haben überdies einen probabilistischen Charakter, d. h. ihr Auftreten ist keineswegs streng determiniert. Es versteht sich von selbst, daß man bei künstlicher, elektrischer Reizung nicht alle verbliebenen Nervenfasern selektiv reizen kann. Somit wird eine Reizelektrode immer eine Gruppe von Nervenfasern erregen müssen. Bei jeder denkbaren elektrischen Reizung wären alle Fasern im Reizbereich einer Elektrode synchron und streng deterministisch aktiviert, was einen außerordentlich ernstzunehmenden Unterschied zu natürlichen Verhältnissen darstellt (3.2).Um die Zahl der zum Sprachverständnis mindestens notwendigen Reizkanäle abzuschätzen, wird man, in Ermangelung anderer experimenteller Daten, von psychoakustischen Untersuchungen an Normalhörenden auszugehen haben. Diese haben gezeigt, daß das Gehör neben einer außerordentlichen Fähigkeit verschiedene Tonhöhen zu unterscheiden, andererseits die Fähigkeit besitzt, bestimmte Frequenzgebiete zu sogenannten Frequenzgruppen zu integrieren. Die in eine solche Frequenzgruppe fallende Schallenergie wird zu einem einheitlichen Höreindruck verarbeitet. Es scheint also sinnvoll, die für einen Prothesenbau notwendige Zusammenfassung von Gruppen von Fasern des Hörnerven in verschiedene Reizkanäle entsprechend diesen Frequenzgruppen vorzunehmen (3.1). Demnach müßte der Sprachbereich in 15 Reizkanäle aufgeteilt werden, was wiederum, wenn man in der Cochlea reizen will, 1,2 mm Abstand von Kanal zu Kanal erlauben würde. Dabei müßte der Reizerfolg sauber auf die einzelnen Kanäle beschränkt bleiben, d.h. eine optimale Kanaltrennung erreicht werden. In Anbetracht der groben Abweichungen der neuronalen Aktivität vom normalen Verhalten, die bei künstlicher, elektrischer Reizung unvermeidlich sind, ist freilich unsicher, ob die angegebene Zahl ausreichen würde. Andererseits ist es in Anbetracht der zu erwartenden Stromverteilung im Sprachbereich kaum vorstellbar, mehr als die angegebene Zahl von Kanälen realisieren zu können.Was die Kodierung der Schallparameter innerhalb eines Elektrodenkanals betrifft, wird vorgeschlagen, die Frequenzkodierung nach dem Ortsprinzip optimal auszunutzen, und im Hinblick auf die Periodizitätsanalyse und die Lautheitskodierung sich soweit als möglich den natürlichen Verhältnissen anzunähern (3.3). Dabei wären Laufzeitunterschiede zwischen den Kanälen und der probabilistische Charakter der neuronalen Entladungen soweit als möglich einzuführen, um die Dominanz eines periodicity pitch zu vermeiden.Eine für Sprachverständnis ausreichende Prothese ist auch nur denkbar, wenn eine Prothese die zur Sprachübertragung notwendige Übertragungskapazität besitzt. Ergebnisse der Kanal-Vocoder-Technik zeigen, daß Sprache noch mit 1500 bit/s befriedigend übertragen werden kann. Eine Abschätzung der möglichen Leistungsfähigkeit einer 15-kanaligen Prothese (3.4), basierend auf der Zahl der möglichen unterscheidbaren Unterschiedsstufen der Hörempfindung, ergibt, daß diese Übertragungskapazität knapp erreicht werden könnte. Allerdings ist damit noch nicht gesagt, daß das Zentralnervensystem die angebotene Information auch im Sinne einer Phonemanalyse auswertet und damit für ein Sprachverständnis maximal ausschöpft. Nur für diesen Fall wäre ein Sprachverständnis zu erwarten.Als Reizort erscheint in erster Linie die Cochlea (5.1) geeignet. Für den Fall einer Degeneration der primären afferenten Fasern des Hörnerven ist aufgrund physiologischer Überlegungen auch der Nucleus cochlearis ventralis (5.5) interessant, allerdings würde so nur der ventrale Anteil der Hörbahn stimuliert. Doch besitzen auch andere Reizorte spezifische Vorteile (5.2–5.4).Theoretische Überlegungen (6.1) und experimentelle Messungen an implantierten Elektrodensätzen (6.3) zeigen, daß die Forderung der Kanaltrennung nur schwer zu erreichen sein wird. Deswegen wird der dynamische Bereich (im Hinblick auf Veränderung des Reizstromes) eines nach den obigen Kriterien konstruierten Reizkanals auf maximal 3 dB zu beschränken sein, so daß Erregungsausbreitung auf weitere Bereiche der Cochlea durch Ansteuerung von mehreren Reizkanälen zu imitieren wäre.Die Chancen, eine Prothese zu verwirklichen, die befriedigendes Sprachverständnis auf der Basis einer quasinatürlichen Reizung des Hörnerven erlaubt, wird von uns in Anbetracht der geschilderten mannigfaltigen Schwierigkeiten als sehr niedrig angesehen. In Anbetracht des großen Nutzens, der andererseits eventuell resultieren könnte, halten wir die Erforschung des Problems jedoch für angebracht.Es wird von uns vorgeschlagen, auch zu untersuchen, ob sich für eine prothetische Versorgung vorverarbeitete Sprache besser eignet (7.). Für Prothesen, die ein Sprachverständnis nicht anstreben, halten wir eine Implantation in die Cochlea für überflüssig. Hier erscheint uns die Implantation von Reizelektroden am runden Fenster (Douek et al., 1977; Fourcin et al., 1978; s. a. 1. und 7.) wegen des geringeren Risikos der überlegenere Weg.Die zitierten eigenen Arbeiten der Autoren wurden mit Unterstützung der DFG durchgeführt (DFG-K1 219).     

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in early laryngeal cancer: relationship with radioresistance

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in early laryngeal cancer: relationship with radioresistance Angiogenesis is essential for tumour growth and invasion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a prime mediator of tumour angiogenesis. VEGF‐C is a closely related protein that effects lymphatic endothelial cells and may be important in the process of lymphatic metastasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of these cytokines in patients with T1 and T2a glottic, squamous cell carcinoma, in comparison with normal epithelial control tissue, to ascertain any association with radioresistance. Twenty‐two tumours treated by radiotherapy (13 radiosensitive, nine radioresistant) and seven normal control tissues were studied. The minimum follow‐up was 2 years after radiotherapy. Expression of VEGF and VEGF‐C was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded biopsy specimens. Analysis was carried out using a quantitative computer image analyser. Both VEGF and VEGF‐C were detectable in tumour and normal control specimens. There was increased expression in tumour specimens of both VEGF (P = 0.03) and VEGF‐C (P < 0.001). In addition, the expression of VEGF‐C was associated with tumours of higher histological grade (P = 0.021). There was, however, no difference in VEGF and VEGF‐C expression between radioresistant and radiosensitive tumours. The expression of VEGF and VEGF‐C is increased in early laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, measuring the expression of these proteins cannot predict radioresistance in this tumour group.     

Treatment of Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma: Clinical Results Using the Kitasato Modality

The conventional therapeutic regimen for maxillary sinus carcinoma consists of dissection of the maxilla, full-dose irradiation and extensive chemotherapy. However, the results obtained with this treatment are often poor. Even when patients recover, their quality of life is significantly reduced as a result of deformity of facial structures and swallowing and articulation dysfunctions. A retrospective analysis of 68 patients with maxillary sinus carcinoma treated with the Kitasato modality between 1975 and 1999 was conducted. All patients underwent pergingival maxillary sinus surgery combined with pre- and postoperative irradiation therapy with standardized total doses of 16 Gy; the postoperative irradiation was given in combination with regional intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy administered via the superficial temporal artery. All visible tumor lesions were removed where possible in order to preserve or facilitate cellular immunity after surgery. The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 85.7% for Stage II patients, 88.1% for Stage III, 76.6% for Stage IVA and 75.0% for Stage IVB.     

Limited Surgery for Cancer of the Larynx and Hypopharynx: Options and Consequences

We reviewed surgical options for laryngeal preservation (limited surgery) in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers and the consequences of the options. Of 44 patients with laryngeal cancer, 11 (25%) received limited surgery and 33 (75%) received total laryngectomy. The survival rates were 91% for the limited surgery group and 73% for the total (radical) surgery group. Of 31 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer, 7 (23%) received limited surgery and 24 (77%) received total laryngopharyngectomy. The survival rates were 53% for the limited surgery group and 40% for the total (radical) surgery group. The survival rates associated with limited surgery were thus better than those for total (radical) surgery for cancers of both the larynx and hypopharynx. This was attributed to the limited surgery group comprising well-selected patients with confined lesions. Organ preservation surgery should be technically simple, reliable in terms of its functional impact and, above all, should not jeopardize the patient's survival. Supracricoid subtotal laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy or cricohyoido-pexy has great potential for laryngeal preservation and will become the major limited surgery modality for treating cancer of the larynx. Limited surgery, however, needs to be performed with great care and is indicated only for very well-selected patients with cancer of the hypopharynx.     

Cervical Reflex Induced by Click Stimuli in Cats

We studied click-evoked potentials in the anterior horn of the spinal cord in 17 cats. A concentric needle electrode was inserted into the anterior horn of the spinal cord at levels C3-C6. Potentials evoked with 105 dB SPL clicks were recorded with a peak latency of 4.89-5.10 ms only at the C3 level. These responses were observed 45-60 dB SPL above the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, and no potentials were evoked by stimulation of the contralateral ear. Average was performed 100 times with changes in stimulation frequency of 1-20 Hz. The amplitude of the potentials decreased with increasing stimulus frequency, but there were no changes in ABRs. The responses disappeared after destruction of the medial vestibulospinal tract at the obex level, but ABRs were still recorded. The spinal nucleus of the accessory nerves was located in the anterior horn of the spinal cord at levels C1-C6, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle motoneurons were found at levels C1-C3. The click-evoked potentials recorded in this study reflect responses of the spinal nucleus of accessory nerves through the vestibulospinal tract to click stimulation. The responses have the same characteristics as vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials that can be recorded using surface electrodes over the sternocleidomastoid muscles of humans.     

A simple objective evaluation and grading for facial paralysis outcomes

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 degrade type IV collagen, which is one of the major components of the basement membrane in normal tissue and expressed in the surroundings of the cancer nest in squamous cell carinoma. The degeneration of type IV collagen is an essential step in the metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs. In this study, we examined MMP-2 and -9 levels of cancer tissue and serum obtained from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in order to evaluate the relationship between the clinicopathologic features and MMPs. We examined the production of MMP-2 and -9 in cancer tissue homogenates of 73 patients who had HNSCC and the serum MMP levels of 16 patients with HNSCC and 8 healthy volunteers. We also studied the localization of MMP-2 in the carcinoma using an immunohistochemical approach. The concentrations of MMP-2 and -9 in the tissue homogenates and serum were measured by means of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed with monoclonal antibody to MMP-2. The concentration of MMP-2 in the tumor tissue homogenates was unrelated to tumor size, but that in patients with lymph node metastases was significantly higher than in those without lymph node metastases. The concentration of MMP-9 was unrelated to lymph node metastasis and tumor size. The levels of both MMP-2 and -9 in serum were unrelated to lymph node metastasis. Immunohistochemistry indicated that MMP-2 was mainly expressed in cancer cells. Because MMP-2 degrades type IV collagen, the level of MMP-2 in carcinomas may be a useful indicator of the degree of invasion and metastasis.     

A case of cortical deafness and anarthria

The nasal epithelium protects the underlying tissue from damage. Epithelial cell growth is controlled by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and is possibly affected by toxic proteins, e.g. eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). The aims of this study were to examine nasal fluid epithelial cell counts and their relations to EGF, eosinophils and ECP in 23 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and 20 healthy controls. Nasal fluid epithelial cell counts were lower in patients than in controls. EGF levels did not differ between patients and controls, and correlated with epithelial cell counts in controls but not in patients. Eosinophils and ECP were higher in patients than in controls, but did not correlate with epithelial cell counts. The role of growth factors, such as EGF, in regulating epithelial cells merits further study.     

Tongue Base Reduction with Temperature-controlled Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

In recent years a considerable effort has been made to establish the use of different surgical techniques for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Nevertheless, treatment of hypopharyngeal obstruction due to tongue base hypertrophy remains in many ways an unsolved problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tongue base reduction with temperature-controlled radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction in the treatment of OSAS. Twenty patients with OSAS and tongue base hypertrophy were treated with radiofrequency tissue ablation. An intensified treatment protocol was used, delivering 2,800 J per treatment session under local anesthesia. Two nights of polysomnography testing were performed before and after treatment. Daytime sleepiness, snoring and postoperative morbidity were assessed using questionnaires. Mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was reduced from 32.1 to 24.9/h after a mean of 3.4 treatment sessions. Six patients (33%) were cured after the procedure (reduction in RDI of &#83 50% and a postoperative RDI of <15/h) and ten (55%) showed an improvement of >20% in their RDI. Daytime sleepiness and snoring improved significantly. Peri- and postoperative morbidity was low; one severe complication occurred (tongue base abscess). We were able to achieve similar cure and responder rates to those reported in a recently published pilot study but with a reduced number of treatment sessions. We believe that this technique may improve patient acceptance and have beneficial cost implications.