Histopathological verification of clinical indications to partial inferior turbinectomy.

Surgical treatment in cases where disturbances of the nasal patency causes changes in the nasal inferior turbinates is controversial. The authors performed light- and electron microscopy and morphometric examinations of the mucous membrane of the nasal inferior turbinates obtained after partial inferior turbinectomy in patients with vasomotor and perennial allergic rhinitis and compensation hypertrophy of the nasal inferior turbinate accompanied by nasal deviation of the septum. In specimens obtained from patients with vasomotor rhinitis, a small number of glands and fibrosis of the lamina propria was observed. In specimens obtained from perennial allergic rhinitis patients, plenty of glands and large oedema was observed. In the group with compensatory hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate, normal glands and fibred areas around the vessels were observed. The largest histopathological changes of degeneration and hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa were observed in vasomotor rhinitis patients. Histopathological examination of nasal mucosa slides confirmed the usefulness of a partial inferior turbinectomy, but only in vasomotor rhinitis patients.     

Ho:YAG and diode laser treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates

BACKGROUND: Since the early 80's, chronic nasal obstruction due to hyperplastic turbinates is treated by laser light. Comparative clinical studies were performed to assess the clinical outcome of laser assisted endonasal turbinate surgery in longterm. METHODS: By means of a pulsed Ho:YAG laser emitting light at lambda = 2100 nm (0.8 - 1.2 J/pulse, 4 - 8 Hz), 69 patients suffering from nasal obstruction due to allergic rhinitis (46 %) and vasomotor rhinitis (54 %) were treated under local anesthesia. Furthermore, 50 patients (52 % with allergic rhinitis and 48 % with vasomotor rhinitis) were treated by means of a GaAlAs-diode laser (c. w., lambda = 940 nm, 8 - 10 W). The treatment time took 3 - 10 min/turbinate and nasal packing was not necessary after the laser procedure. The study was conducted by a standardized questionnaire, photo documentation, allergy test, mucociliar function test, rhinomanometry, and acoustic rhinometry. RESULTS: Within 4 weeks after laser treatment, an improvement of nasal airflow correlating to the extent of the ablated turbinate tissue could be determined in more than 80 % of the patients. Rhinomanometry revealed a significant improvement of the nasal airflow 6 months and 1 year after the laser treatment compared to the preoperative data. Side effects like nasal dryness and pain were rare (< 5 %). Diode laser treatment revealed more effective results than Ho:YAG laser treatment, however there was no significant difference between the two investigated groups. Patients suffering from vasomotor rhinitis showed far better results in long term in comparison to allergic rhinitis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ho:YAG and diode laser treatment can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia in a short treatment time with promising results. It could become a time and cost effective treatment modality in endonasal laser surgery.     

Histopathological verifications clinical indications in the inferior turbinoplasty

Surgical treatment in cases of disturbances of nasal patency caused changes in the nasal inferior turbinates are controversial. The authors performed the microscopic (light microscope) and morphometric examinations of mucous membrane of the nasal inferior turbinates obtained after inferior turbinoplasty in patients with vasomotor and perennial allergic rhinitis and compensation hypertrophy of nasal inferior turbinate accompanied of nasal deviation septum. Analysing of morphologic changes in mucous membrane of the nasal inferior turbinates verified of clinic indications to inferior turbinoplasty.     

Intranasal ipratropium in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis

Ipratropium administered in the form of a nasal spray was compared with placebo in 30 patients with vasomotor rhinitis in a double-blind cross-over trial. There was a significant reduction in nasal hypersecretion during ipratropium treatment, but no effect on nasal blockage, sneezing or tickling. On the whole, 20 patients (66.7%) considered ipratropium worth using. 11 patients had mild side- effects, mainly nasal irritation, during ipratropium treatment and 7 with placebo. A therapeutical trial with ipratropium is appropriate in the management of severe rhinorrhoea in patients with vasomotor rhinitis.     

Vasomotor rhinitis: clinical efficacy of azelastine nasal spray in comparison with placebo

The H(1) antagonist azelastine is used in nasal sprays for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, but its therapeutic efficacy in vasomotor rhinitis is unknown. We performed a multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and tolerance of azelastine nasal spray in 89 adult patients with vasomotor rhinitis (confirmed by negative Phadiatop). Following a washout period, patients were treated for 15 days with one puff three times daily per nostril of azelastine (n = 44) or placebo (n = 45) nasal spray. Efficacy was evaluated by the reduction in symptomatology and by rhinoscopy. Intent-to-treat analysis revealed better results in the azelastine group for all assessed symptoms; the significance level was reached for nasal obstruction on day 15 (p = 0.042). Using per protocol analysis (in 85 patients complying with the protocol), the significance level was reached for nasal obstruction on day 15 (p = 0.017) and for the percentage of success in rhinorrhea (p = 0.023). In the azelastine group, rhinoscopy examination showed a significantly higher reduction in the inflammatory level and edema of the nasal mucosa (p = 0.03 and 0.02 for VAS on day 15 respectively, per protocol analysis). General efficacy assessment by the physician and the patient was in favor of azelastine (with significance levels <0.01). No drowsiness or serious adverse event was reported, and the frequency of mouth dryness and headaches was similar in the two treatment groups. The present study demonstrates the efficacy of azelastine nasal spray in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis. The best achieved results were a decrease in nasal obstruction and mucosal edema. Further studies are required to investigate if this therapeutic benefit results from H(1) antagonism or from another, not well-characterized pharmacological action of azelastine.     

Laser treatment of rhinitis—1 year follow-up

Laser cautery of the inferior turbinates for the treatment of rhinitis has been shown to be as effective as sub-mucosal diathermy in the short-term and to produce less morbidity. However, the long-term effects are unknown. A cohort of patients who were treated by either of these methods were reviewed 1 year after treatment. Subjective and objective measurements of airway obstruction were performed using a linear analogue scale and a nasal peak inspiratory flowmeter. The results obtained were compared with those recorded pre-operatively, 3 days post-operatively and 6 days post-operatively. In contrast to the results of sub-mucous diathermy of the inferior turbinates for the treatment of rhinitis, the reduction in subjective nasal airway obstruction obtained by laser cautery to the inferior turbinates is maintained 1 year after surgery. Neither method of turbinate reduction was associated with a sustained objective improvement in nasal airway patency as measured by peak nasal inspiratory flow rate determinations.     

局部糖皮质激素对慢性鼻炎患者鼻腔菌群及pH值的影响

目的观察糖皮质激素鼻喷剂对慢性单纯性和慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者鼻腔菌群(需氧菌及真菌)及酸碱度的影响。同时评价其临床疗效。方法对42例慢性单纯性和慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者单纯接受局部糖皮质激素鼻喷剂(布地奈德,BUDESONIDE,商品名:雷诺考特)治疗8周(256ΜG/D),检测其治疗前后鼻腔菌群(需氧菌及真菌)分布情况、PH值及症状体征分级记分。结果①鼻炎组42例标本中,治疗前细菌检出率为88%,共检出需氧菌53株,分别归7属9种;治疗后检出率为90·47%,检出需氧菌46株,分别归8属10种;需氧菌群总体分布结果和同种细菌配对样本的统计结果显示,治疗前后差异无统计学意义(Χ2=0·416,P>0·05);②治疗前后的真菌培养均为阴性;③鼻炎组治疗后鼻腔黏液PH值(X-±S)为7·70±0·23,与治疗前的7·90±0·39相比,明显下降(T=2·72,P<0·05);④症状评分中治疗后与治疗前相比较差异均有统计学意义,而体征评分治疗前后对比则无明显变化。结论糖皮质激素鼻喷剂局部应用8周是比较安全的,一般不会引起鼻腔需氧菌群的改变和真菌生长,可以部分纠正慢性单纯性和慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者鼻腔黏液PH值,改善患者的临床症状。     

8 years' laser surgery of the inferior turbinates in vasomotor rhinopathy in the form of laser strip carbonization

Between 1976 and 1984 more than 2000 patients with nasal obstruction due to vasomotor rhinitis were treated with the argon laser. The inferior turbinate was treated by laser-strip carbonisation over an area 3 to 5 cm long, 2 mm wide and 1 to 3 mm deep, surrounded by a 2 mm broad coagulation zone. 700 patients were invited to attend follow up and 411 turned up. The observation period was up to 5 years. 80% of the patients obtained a significantly improved or completely free nasal breathing. This result could be improved by 6% by further surgery. Advantages of the laser-strip carbonisation of the inferior turbinate are that it is a bloodless procedure which can be carried out accurately under vision, without nasal packing and it can be performed under local anesthesia without pain. Disadvantages are a longer healing period and temporary crust formation as in conchotomy, the high technical effort and cost of the laser. The end result after laser-strip carbonisation on the inferior turbinates was achieved after 1 1/2 to 2 years.     

Efficacy and safety of levocabastine nasal spray for seasonal allergic rhinitis

This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of levocabastine nasal spray, a potent and selective H1-receptor antagonist, in the control of histamine-mediated symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Adults with > or = 2 year history of allergic rhinitis due to Mountain Cedar were randomized to treatment with levocabastine nasal spray (0.2 mg twice daily) or placebo for 28 days during the 1994-1995 Mountain Cedar allergy season. Patients assessed the severity of their rhinitis symptoms on a four-point scale twice daily. At the end of the trial, patients also performed a global evaluation of treatment efficacy on a five-point scale. Overall for the 4-week treatment period, levocabastine nasal spray significantly reduced major nasal (runny nose and sneezing) and primary rhinitis (runny nose, sneezing, and itchy/gritty eyes) symptoms compared with placebo on both repeated measures (p = 0.023; p = 0.01) and ANOVA (p = 0.003; p < 0.001) analyses. Global evaluations of treatment efficacy at the end of the trial significantly favored levocabastine over placebo (p = 0.002). Overall, the incidence of adverse events was similar for both treatment groups. In general, most adverse events were mild in intensity, with sinusitis (17% each group), headache (17% placebo, 14% levocabastine), and rhinitis (8% placebo, 2% levocabastine) most commonly reported. Levocabastine nasal spray 0.2 mg twice daily was significantly more effective than placebo in the relief of histamine-mediated symptoms in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and was well tolerated over the 28-day treatment period.     

Long-term self-reported treatment effects and experience of radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy of the inferior turbinates performed under local anesthesia: a retrospective analysis

Nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy is a common complaint. Radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy of the inferior turbinates (RFITT) under local anesthesia is now a widely used treatment, however reports of assessment of the long-term self-reported benefits and patient satisfaction of the treatment are scarce. This study focuses on the self-reported long-term effects of treatment and experience of RFITT. A questionnaire was sent to 441 patients who underwent RFITT in our clinic to treat symptoms of impaired nasal passage due to enlarged inferior turbinates. All patients had enlarged inferior turbinates on nasal examination. Patients were included if RFITT was done under local anaesthesia, was performed more than a year before the questionnaire was forwarded and on the indication-significant nasal obstruction because of enlarged inferior turbinates. Improvement of nasal breathing (by means of a Visual Analog Scale, VAS), changes in use of nasal spray (VAS), usage of pain medication, patient friendliness of the treatment, complaints reported after treatment, permanent effect of treatment during day and night time and willingness to recommend treatment to others were analyzed. No significant post-operative complications were observed. There was a significant reduction in use of nasal spray and the majority of patients interviewed reported long-term positive effects of RFITT during the daytime. This study shows that RFITT performed under local anesthesia is a valuable, minimally invasive, patient-friendly and well-tolerated treatment in patients with impaired nasal passage due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy.     

Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and perennial rhinitis

Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are implicated in conditions of both the upper and lower airways. In the former they are deranged in nasal polyposis, intrinsic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis while in the latter they are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of the present study was to measure mucosal eicosanoid levels in the three types of rhinitis and compare with controls. In addition, the effect of topical steroids on eicosanoid levels in rhinitis was examined. The levels of prostaglandins E(2) (PGE(2)) and D(2) (PGD(2)) and of leukotrienes E(4) (LTE(4)) and B(4) (LTB(4)) were measured in nasal biopsies from the inferior turbinates of patients suffering from perennial rhinitis and a control group. Rhinitis patients were classified into three categories: perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia (NARES) and noneosinophilic non-allergic rhinitis (NENAR) on the basis of symptoms, secretion eosinophilia, nasal resistance and allergy testing. Patients with rhinitis were randomized into two groups. One received fluticasone propionate nasal spray (FPANS) and the other a placebo (PNS) over a period of six weeks prior to the biopsies. One hundred and one patients with PAR, NARES or NENAR were recruited sequentially and the control group consisted of 21 patients with no evidence of rhinitis but with nasal obstruction due to septal deviation. Untreated rhinitics had significantly lower levels of PGE(2), PGD(2) and LTE(4) than non-rhinitic controls. Six-weeks' treatment with FPANS significantly increased the levels of those eicosanoids in patients with PAR and NARES but they were still significantly below normal. Levels of LTB(4) in all three rhinitis groups were not significantly different from controls and treatment with topical steroids had no effect. Their findings are contrary to current thinking that increased levels of eicosanoids, in particular cysteinyl-leukotrienes, play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic, non-infective upper airway inflammation.     

The effect of submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinates on nasal resistance to airflow in allergic and vasomotor rhinitis

Twenty-one patients with nasal obstruction due to allergic or vasomotor rhinitis were assessed rhinomanometrically before and after the operation of submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinates. It was found that the operation significantly improved the nasal airway. Most patients with an objective improvement reported a corresponding reduction in nasal obstruction. There was no tendency for patients with allergic rhinitis to be dissatisfied with the operation.     

血管运动性鼻炎的发病机制及治疗

目的 探讨血管运性鼻炎的治疗方法及发病机理。 方法 选择血管运动性鼻炎 患者１７６例,随机分成调节植物神经组（62例）、单侧下鼻甲激光治疗组（50例）、常规药物组（64例）。结果 激光治疗组的疗效优于调节植物神经组,但是组间差异无统计学意义,而单侧下鼻甲激光组与调节植物神经组的治疗效果均优于常规药物治疗组（P=0.004＜0.01,P=0.041＜0.05)。结论 下鼻甲激光与调节植物神经都是治疗血管运动性鼻炎的有效手段, 血管运动性鼻炎的发病机理可能由鼻黏膜局部植物性神经障碍引发。     

MUC5AC在人类鼻息肉及下鼻甲黏膜上皮的表达

目的 :探讨MUC5AC与鼻息肉及慢性肥厚性鼻炎黏液过量分泌的关系。方法 :免疫组织化学ABC法检测 2 7例鼻息肉、19例慢性肥厚性鼻炎下鼻甲及 9例正常下鼻甲黏膜上皮MUC5AC的表达。结果 :鼻息肉黏膜上皮及慢性肥厚性鼻炎下鼻甲黏膜上皮MUC5AC阳性细胞表达率明显高于正常下鼻甲黏膜上皮 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,且MUC5AC阳性表达细胞主要为杯状细胞。结论 :MUC5AC在鼻息肉及慢性肥厚性鼻炎下鼻甲黏膜上皮呈高表达 ,且阳性细胞为杯状细胞 ,表明MUC5AC确实对鼻息肉及慢性肥厚性鼻炎的黏液过量分泌起了一定作用。     

Ten days' use of oxymetazoline nasal spray with or without benzalkonium chloride in patients with vasomotor rhinitis.

CONTEXT: In most countries, the use of topical nasal decongestants is limited to a maximum of 10 days because of the risk of developing rebound mucosal swelling and rhinitis medicamentosa. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether topical nasal decongestants can be safely used for 10 days in patients with chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel study. PATIENTS: Thirty-five patients with vasomotor rhinitis selected from our outpatient department. INTERVENTION: Eighteen patients received oxymetazoline hydrochloride (0.5 mg/mL) nasal spray containing the preservative benzalkonium chloride (0.1 mg/mL), and the other 17 were treated with oxymetazoline nasal spray without benzalkonium chloride. Before and after the treatment, recordings of the nasal mucosa and minimal cross-sectional area were made with rhinostereometry and acoustic rhinometry, followed by histamine hydrochloride challenge tests. Symptoms of nasal stuffiness were estimated on visual analog scales (0-100) in the morning and the evening, just before the nasal spray was used. RESULTS: No rebound swelling was found after the 10-day treatment in the 2 groups with either of the methods or as estimated by symptom scores. In the group receiving oxymetazoline containing benzalkonium chloride, but not in the other group, the histamine sensitivity was significantly reduced after treatment (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: It is safe to use topical nasal oxymetazoline with or without benzalkonium chloride for 10 days in patients with vasomotor rhinitis. However, this study indicates that benzalkonium chloride in nasal decongestant sprays affects the nasal mucosa also after short-term use.     

Effect on the Nasal Mucosa of Long-Term Treatment With Oxymetazoline,Benzalkonium Chloride,and Placebo Nasal Sprays

A parallel, randomized, double-blind study was performed in 30 healthy subjects to investigate the effects on the nasal mucosa of a 1-month treatment with nasal sprays. Ten subjects received oxymetazoline nasal spray; 10 subjects used a nasal spray containing the preservative benzalkonium chloride, and the others were treated with a placebo nasal spray. The three variables that were studied-nasal mucosal swelling, symptom scores, and nasal reactivity-were estimated by histamine challenge before and after 28 days of treatment. Rhinostereometry was used to measure nasal mucosal swelling and nasal reactivity. After 28 days of use, benzalkonium chloride spray alone induced an increase in nasal mucosal swelling. At the end of the month, the score for nasal stuffiness was significantly higher for the group treated with oxymetazoline than for those treated with benzalkonium chloride. Oxymetazoline nasal spray induced a pronounced increase in nasal reactivity, which was significantly greater than that induced in the placebo group. Long-term use of placebo and benzalkonium chloride nasal sprays also caused an increase in nasal reactivity, but not to the same extent as with the nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline. The authors concluded that long-term use of oxymetazoline induces a sensation of nasal stuffiness, which may be due to unconscious exaggeration of the degree of nasal stuffiness, induced nasal hyperreactivity, or a combination of both. These factors are probably the main reasons for the prolonged use of nasal decongestive sprays and the development of rhinitis medicamentosa. Benzalkonium chloride induces mucosal swelling, which explains why the presence of this preservative in a decongestant spray aggravates rhinitis medicamentosa. Laryngoscope, 106:605-609, 1996     

Wedge turbinectomy: a new combined photocoagulative Nd:YAG laser technique

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation using a combination of interstitial and contact approaches in the surgical treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy yields improved results in terms of postoperative nasal patency, complications, and relapse. STUDY DESIGN: A group of 121 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophied inferior turbinates were treated between January 1994 and December 1997 at the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Unit of the Main Military Hospital of Rome using the wedge turbinectomy, a new endonasal laser technique. METHODS: This is a combined photocoagulative procedure performed under local anesthesia. In the first surgical step we perform interstitial photocoagulation using Nd:YAG laser and in the second step we use a contact approach, making two strips of photocoagulated mucosa running side by side from the tail to the head of turbinate. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, the complication rate in all our patients treated with this laser technique was very low and we achieved a steady improvement in nasal patency in 104 patients (85.9%). The relapse rate was approximately 14%, but we observed that 65% of the patients who experienced long-term failure were affected by allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: An accurate preoperative evaluation of the cause of the turbinate hypertrophy is fundamental to achieving better results after laser turbinectomy and reducing the risk of relapse.     

In vitro experiments with Nd:YAG laser surgery on the turbinates

BACKGROUND: Turbinate surgery is a therapeutic method for the treatment of the obstruction of nasal respiration. In this paper the dimensions of the laser lesions are described. In addition macro- and microscopical findings after laser surgery are given. METHODS: 10 human lower and 4 middle turbinates in vitro were treated with the Nd:YAG-laser in the non-contact mode (1064 nm, 2.5-25 W, cw). Stripe-like lesion with 3 cm length were produced. In addition the posterior end of the lower turbinates and the head of the middle turbinates were vaporized. RESULTS: Width, depth and volume of the lesions are given in dependence of laser power and irradiation time. The histological changes immediately after laser treatment are described. CONCLUSIONS: The energy doses for a clinical relevant stripe-like laser lesion of 3-4 cm in length of the lower turbinate is about 1500 Ws using Nd:YAG-laser. For evaporation of a posterior end of the lower turbinate 360 Ws are required using Nd:YAG-laser. For evaporation of the head of the middle turbinate a doses of about 1500 Ws are required using Nd:YAG-laser.     

Evaluation of nasal symptoms and mucociliary function in patients with allergic rhinitis treated with chemosurgery using trichloroacetic acid

PURPOSE: We treated allergic rhinitis with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) applied to the inferior turbinates. Further clinical evaluations were made to determine the effect of TCA application on symptoms of allergic rhinitis. We also report the results of measurement of the mucociliary transit time (saccharin time) and nasal airway resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 54 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis was treated with 80% TCA applied to the inferior turbinate. Further clinical evaluations were made to determine the effect of TCA application on symptom scores of allergic rhinitis. We also report the results of measurement of the mucociliary transit time (saccharin time) and nasal airway resistance in those cases. RESULTS: The most common complaint, nasal obstruction, improved effectively in 82% of cases, watery rhinorrhea in 86%, and sneezing in 86%, 1 year after treatment. A significant decrease in scoring was noted for subjective nasal obstruction, watery rhinorrhea, and sneezing. Nasal airway resistance was effectively reduced 1 year after treatment, and the difference was statically significant. In our study, saccharin time appeared to be shortened in the early and late periods after the TCA application. There was a statistical difference between the before- and after-treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that TCA treatment was quite effective for controlling nasal allergic symptoms and that it does not damage the mucociliary function.