Medical Treatment of Nasal Airway Obstruction

The Prevalence of the Nasal Vestibular Body in Patients With Nasal Obstruction

Background and aim Nasal obstruction is one of the most common reasons for consultation addressed by otolaryngologists. There are anatomical, physiological, and pathological etiologies. Sometimes the treatment can become a challenge for the specialist, so a detailed evaluation of the etiologies must be carried out. The involvement of the nasal vestibular body (NVB) in obstructive symptoms has been described. Therefore, we must be familiar with its anatomy, presentation, and contribution to this symptomatology. This study aimed to highlight the importance of NVB in the role of nasal obstruction and know the impact that it adds to the symptoms of patients through a validated instrument on their quality of life. Material and methods A retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted on 113 patients with nasal obstruction who attended the outpatient clinic of the Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Service in a tertiary-level hospital in Monterrey, Mexico from January 2021 to January 2023. The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale was applied to assess the impact of this symptom on the quality of life of the subjects. The causes involved in the obstructive symptoms were identified by physical examination, including NVB. Two groups were made as follows: with the presence of the NVB and with the absence of the NVB, and the means of the NOSE scale were compared. Results A total of 113 patients were included, 59 male patients (52.20%) and 54 female patients (47.80%). The presence of NBV was found in 72 patients (63.70%). Other causes of nasal obstruction were found in 35 patients (31%), with chronic rhinitis being the most frequent in 27 subjects (23.90%). The mean NOSE scale score was higher in the group with the presence of the NVB than in the group with the absence of the NVB (p<0.05). The primary outcome of this study was to know the prevalence of NVB in the Hispanic population with nasal obstruction who attends the otolaryngology clinic. The secondary outcome was to know the relationship between the presence of NVB and the NOSE scores. Conclusion In this study, we observed that NVB is frequently present in patients with nasal obstruction in northeastern Mexico. There is an association between the presence of NVB and higher scores on the NOSE scale. New research will be needed to assess the effectiveness of NVB surgery in improving nasal obstruction and to determine the impact of NVB on nasal obstruction in isolation.

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency device treatment of septal swell bodies for nasal airway obstruction: An open-label, single arm multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is a highly prevalent disorder. Septal swell body (SSB) hypertrophy is an often overlooked contributor to NAO. SSB treatment may relieve symptoms of NAO. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical use of a temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) device to treat SSBs to improve symptoms in adults with NAO.

METHODS

In this prospective, multicenter, open-label, single arm study, patients with severe or extreme NAO related to SSB hypertrophy received bilateral TCRF treatment in the SSB area. The primary endpoint was improvement in Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale scores from baseline to 3 months postprocedure. A subset of study patients underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging to evaluate posttreatment changes in SSB size.

RESULTS

Mean NOSE Scale scores significantly improved from 73.5 (SD 14.2) at baseline to 27.9 (SD 17.2) at 3 months postprocedure, a reduction of -45.3 (SD 21.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -50.4 to -40.1; p < 0.0001); the responder rate was 95.7% (95% CI: 0.88 to 0.99; p < 0.0001). CT evaluation at 3 months showed statistically significant reductions in the SSB with the greatest reduction in the middle thickness (mean change -3.4 [SD 1.8] mL, 95% CI: -4.0 to -2.8; p < 0.0001). Minimal adverse events with any relationship to the device or procedure were reported; none were serious in nature and no septal perforations occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that TCRF treatment of SSB hypertrophy is well tolerated and effective at reducing both SSB size and symptoms of NAO at 3 months posttreatment.

International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Allergic rhinitis - 2023

BACKGROUND

In the 5 years that have passed since the publication of the 2018 International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2018), the literature has expanded substantially. The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update presents 144 individual topics on allergic rhinitis (AR), expanded by over 40 topics from the 2018 document. Originally presented topics from 2018 have also been reviewed and updated. The executive summary highlights key evidence-based findings and recommendation from the full document.

METHODS

ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 employed established evidence-based review with recommendation (EBRR) methodology to individually evaluate each topic. Stepwise iterative peer review and consensus was performed for each topic. The final document was then collated and includes the results of this work.

RESULTS

ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 includes 10 major content areas and 144 individual topics related to AR. For a substantial proportion of topics included, an aggregate grade of evidence is presented, which is determined by collating the levels of evidence for each available study identified in the literature. For topics in which a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention is considered, a recommendation summary is presented, which considers the aggregate grade of evidence, benefit, harm, and cost.

CONCLUSION

The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update provides a comprehensive evaluation of AR and the currently available evidence. It is this evidence that contributes to our current knowledge base and recommendations for patient evaluation and treatment.

The Impact of Adhesions on Nasal Airflow: A Quantitative Analysis Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Background

Nasal adhesions (NAs) are a known complication of nasal airway surgery. Even minor NAs can lead to significant postoperative nasal airway obstruction (NAO). Division of such NAs often provides much greater relief than anticipated.

Objective

We examine the impact of NAs at various anatomical sites on nasal airflow and mucosal cooling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multiple test subjects.

Methods

CT scans of healthy adult subjects were used to construct three-dimensional nasal airway computational models. A single virtual 2.5 mm diameter NA was placed at one of five sites commonly seen following NAO surgery within each nasal cavity bilaterally, resulting in 10 NA models and 1 NA-free control for each subject. CFD analysis was performed on each NA model and compared with the subject's NA-free control model.

Results

4 subjects were recruited to create 44 computational models. The NAs caused the airflow streamlines to separate, leading to a statistically significant increase in mucosal temperature immediately downstream to the NAs (wake region). Changes in the mucosal temperature in the wake region of the NAs were most prominent in anteriorly located NAs with a mean increase of 1.62 °C for the anterior inferior turbinate NAs ( P < .001) and 0.63 °C for the internal valve NAs ( P < .001).

Conclusion

NAs result in marked disruption to airflow patterns and reduced mucosal cooling on critical surfaces, particularly in the wake region. Reduced wake region mucosal cooling may be a contributing factor to the exaggerated perception of nasal obstruction experienced by patients with NAs.

Immunomodulatory agents for COVID-19 treatment: possible mechanism of action and immunopathology features

The novel coronavirus pandemic has emerged as one of the significant medical-health challenges of the current century. The World Health Organization has named this new virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the first detection of SARS-CoV-2 in November 2019 in Wuhan, China, physicians, researchers, and others have made it their top priority to find drugs and cures that can effectively treat patients and reduce mortality rates. The symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) include fever, dry cough, body aches, and anosmia. Various therapeutic compounds have been investigated and applied to mitigate the symptoms in COVID-19 patients and cure the disease. Degenerative virus analyses of the infection incidence and COVID-19 have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 penetrates the pulmonary alveoli's endothelial cells through Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on the membrane, stimulates various signaling pathways and causes excessive secretion of cytokines. The continuous triggering of the innate and acquired immune system, as well as the overproduction of pro-inflammatory factors, cause a severe condition in the COVID-19 patients, which is called "cytokine storm". It can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in critical patients. Severe and critical COVID-19 cases demand oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilator support. Various drugs, including immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive agents (e.g., monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and interleukin antagonists) have been utilized in clinical trials. However, the studies and clinical trials have documented diverging findings, which seem to be due to the differences in these drugs' possible mechanisms of action. These drugs' mechanism of action generally includes suppressing or modulating the immune system, preventing the development of cytokine storm via various signaling pathways, and enhancing the blood vessels' diameter in the lungs. In this review article, multiple medications from different drug families are discussed, and their possible mechanisms of action are also described.

The Association Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Allergic Rhinitis: Current Literature Review

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Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is now a significant health problem in today's culture. It ranges from a spectrum of abnormal conditions during sleep from the primary snorer to mild, moderate, or severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). SDB also comprises other conditions, such as sleep-related hypoventilation, sleep-related hypoxemia, and central sleep apnea syndromes.

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One of the components of the pathophysiology of OSA that remain unclear is the association of allergic rhinitis (AR) in the evolution of OSA. Several studies relate the co-existence of OSA and AR in the common clinical practice, but its correlation was not clear. This review article aimed to review the pathophysiological relationship between OSA and AR in terms of the role of chemical mediators and the effect of AR treatment in support of OSA.

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The symptoms of AR further accelerate the clinical progression to OSA development. Inflammatory mediators such as histamine, cysteinyl leukotrienes, and interleukins are found at a high level in AR, which can aggravate AR symptoms such as nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and itchiness, which can then lead to sleep disruption in OSA patients. In addition, OSA patients also have increased chemical mediators such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6, and 1, which would activate the T helper 2 phenotypes that can aggravate AR symptoms. This vicious cycle can potentiate each other and worsen the condition. Few studies have shown that treatment of AR can improve OSA, especially the use of intranasal steroid and leukotriene receptor antagonists.

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A detailed evaluation of rhinitis symptoms should be made for OSA patients so that they can benefit not only from the improvement of AR but also the good sleep quality.

Topical nasal treatment efficacy on adult obstructive sleep apnea severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nasal obstruction is a common complaint in patients with sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although topical nasal treatments (TNTs) have been shown to reduce nasal resistance and improve nasal obstruction, there is conflicting evidence regarding the role of TNTs in adult OSA. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we aim to evaluate the role of TNTs in adults with OSA. Data sources used included PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central, from January 2001 to July 2019.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria were English-language studies containing original data on TNTs in adults (≥18 years) with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥5). Exclusion criteria were case reports, studies without outcome measures, and concurrent non-TNT treatment for OSA. Two investigators independently reviewed all articles and performed quality assessment using validated tools. Meta-analysis and quality assessment were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 2180 abstracts identified, 8 studies met inclusion criteria. TNTs included decongestants (4 of 8 studies), corticosteroids (3 of 8), and antihistamines (1 of 8). Outcome measures included AHI (8 of 8), respiratory distress index (RDI; 1 of 8), oxygen-desaturation index (ODI; 3 of 8), minimum SaO2 (MinSaO₂ ; 4 of 8), nasal resistance (4 of 8), endoscopic sinus surgery (4 of 8 studies) and standardized rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire scores (1 of 8 studies). Qualitatively, all studies showed trends toward improving objective and subjective measures of OSA, although the significance of these improvements varied across studies. A meta-analysis was performed in 5 studies, but TNTs did not reveal a significant change in AHI (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

TNTs may improve minimum oxygen saturation, ODI, RDI, and subjective/quality-of-life measures. Allergic patients may have more improvement in OSA measures compared with nonallergic patients. Future studies are indicated to accurately determine the efficacy of TNTs.