Radiofrequency Reduction of Inferior Turbinates in Allergic and Non Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

To evaluate the treatment of hypertrophy of inferior turbinates in patients diagnosed with allergic/non allergic rhinitis with the use of radiofrequency ablation technique. Ablation with radiofrequency was used in this study on the inferior turbinates of 200 patients diagnosed as allergic/non allergic rhinitis at our institution between January 2006 and December 2009. The results were evaluated subjectively by changes in pre and post operative symptoms, size of inferior turbinate, postoperative pain and assessment of ciliary function. Four patients (2%) at the end of 6 months and 4 patients (2%) at the end of 12 months reported persistent symptom of nasal obstruction. No patient reported nasal discharge, 28 patients (14%) at 6 months, 20 patients (10%) at 24 months reported persistence of sneezing. 8 patients (4%) at 6 months, 4 patients (2%) at 24 months reported persistence of snoring, no patient complained of persistence of hyposmia. 4 patients (2%) at 6 months, no patient at 24 months complained of crusting, no patient complained of bleeding at 6, 24 months. No alteration of ciliary function and anatomy of the inferior turbinate mucosa was noticed. These results suggests that ablation with radiofrequency is an easily applied, efficient and reliable technique in the treatment of hypertrophied inferior turbinate in allergic/non allergic rhinitis patients with no changes in the ciliary function and necrosis/atrophy of inferior turbinate.

Therapeutic Effects of Radiofrequency and Intranasal Corticosteroid on Rhinomanometry in Patients With Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy

“…In the survey by Incandela et al long-term effects of turbinoplasty by radiofrequency was investigated and although in the second year of follow-up only slight increase in symptoms was reported, there were significant reductions compared with the first year (25). Deenadayal et al investigated 200 cases with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis during a two-year period and found a significantly downward trend in symptoms in comparison to the past, with no recurrent episodes in two years (26). In Garzaro et al study, not only there was no evidence of recurrence after two years following radiofrequency, they also reported better nasal airflow, symptoms, and olfactory in the second year, compared with the second month (27).…”

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

“…Bony outfracture, the most atraumatic and conservative IT surgery, 2301 can reduce the distance between IT and lateral nasal wall and enlarge the dimensions of the nasal airway when performed alone 2302,2303 or in conjunction with other techniques 2304,2305 . IT surgery via energy‐related techniques 2304–2363 and via direct tissue removal 1093,2296,2299,2303,2307,2310,2331,2332,2335,2336,2338,2344,2364–2376 have both been extensively studied, with reported high efficacy in reducing symptoms and increasing nasal volume and airflow with minimal complications. Of note, botulinum toxin injection 2377–2379 and high‐intensity focused ultrasound may also provide symptomatic relief, 2380,2381 though there remains limited evidence for their utility.…”

Nicht-allergische Rhinitis: Epidemiologie, Diagnostik und Therapie

“…in Kombination mit einer Lateralisation der unteren Nasenmuscheln eine für einen Zeitraum von z.T. mehr als 6 Monaten eine wirksame Behandlungsalternative [83][84][85]. Nebenwirkungen stellen Schmerzen während und nach dem Eingriff dar.…”