Review Article - Otolaryngology Online Journal (2015) Volume 5, Issue 2

Comparing the Effects of Inferior Turbinate Radiofrequency and Intranasal Corticoster-oid on Symptoms Severity and Quality of Life in Patients with Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy

Background: Inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) is a common cause of nasal obstruction. Surgical approach is often needed if is refrac-tory to medical treatment. Radiofrequency (RF) of inferior turbinate is known as an effec-tive method to decrease obstruction as well as other symptoms and improving quality of life.

Objective: This study was designed to com-pare therapeutic effects of intranasal corti-costeroid and RF on symptoms severity and quality of life in patients with ITH due to aller-gic rhinitis.

Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, pa-tients with allergic rhinitis and ITH referred to BMSU Allergic Clinic were randomized to RF and intranasal corticosteroid spray (Fluticasone 125 mcg) groups. Patients were evaluated by symp-toms severity measured by visual analogue scale, and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaires (RQLQ) four times, before, first, third and sixth months after the intervention.

Results: Sixty patients with allergic rhinitis and ITH were evaluated (26 males and 34 females). The mean age was 35.5 years, and the mean BMI was 22.97 kg/m2.

Author(s): Abolfazl Taheri; Asghar Akhavan; Hamidreza Karimi-Sari; Hamidreza Zangeneh,; Mohammad Hossein Khosravi

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