Effects of Radiofrequency and Intranasal Steroid Treatments on Respiratory and Olfactory Functions in Nasal Obstruction

WOS: 000330078200047PubMed: 23715004Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of radio-frequency ablation (RFA) and intranasal steroid (INS) treatments on respiratory and olfactory functions in patients with inferior concha hypertrophy and chronic nasal obstruction. Study Design and Setting: This was a prospective clinical trial performed at a tertiary referral center. Methods: We assessed patients with nasal obstruction between July 2011 and February 2012. The severity of the nasal obstruction in both groups was determined before treatment and 3 months after using a visual analog scale. For the purpose of an objective test, assessment was performed by the acoustic rhinometry. Using Sniffin' Sticks for test odor identification, the discrimination and thresholds were assessed in both groups. Results: The visual analog scale score after treatment was significantly lower in each group. Radiofrequency ablation treatment significantly improved the right minimal cross-sectional area 1 (MCA1), mean MCA1, and volume 1, as well as the right MCA2, mean MCA2, volume 2, and total volume. In the INS group, improvement was detected for the left MCA1, mean MCA1, and volume 1. Minimal cross-sectional area 2, volume 2, and total volume improved significantly after RFA treatment, but not after INS treatment. Conclusions: Although RFA may be more effective in the posterior region of the nasal cavity, INS and RFA used in the treatment of inferior concha hypertrophy both had favorable effects on respiratory function. Intranasal steroid treatment provided improved discrimination and total score values, whereas RFA treatment improved only odor identification

Effects of Systemic Immunotherapy on Olfactory Function in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

WOS: 000340257800017PubMed: 25006938Objective: Allergic rhinitis (AR), a chronic inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa, affects approximately 20% of the world's population and often causes olfactory dysfunction. Conventional treatments cannot cure it, but only alleviate and control the symptoms. Systemic immunotherapy (SIT) is the only curative treatment for AR, but its positive effect on olfactory function has not been quantitatively demonstrated. We measured the olfactory function in patients using a "Sniffin' Sticks'' test and analyzed the effects of subcutaneous SIT. Methods: The study included 12 patients (aged 13-44 years) who were eligible to receive subcutaneous SIT to treat AR between 2010 and 2012 in the Department of Otolaryngology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital. A 3-step Sniffin' Sticks test was performed before and 18 months after subcutaneous SIT. The data collected before and after treatment were compared for each patient. Results: The average scores for smell test parameters increased after treatment. Although improvements in the mean threshold, mean discrimination, and mean total scores were not significant, the mean identification score was significantly improved after treatment (P < 0.05). Age, sex, and smoking were not significantly related to the changes in the parameters. Conclusions: Subcutaneous SIT improved the olfactory performance in AR patients. Additional studies with larger patient populations and longer follow-up periods are needed to establish subcutaneous SIT as an effective treatment for olfactory disorders in these patients