Randomised trial of nasal surgery for fixed nasal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnoea. (65/214)

Although nasal surgery has limited efficacy in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) treatment, some patients experience improvement. The present study tested the hypothesis that post-surgery improvement is associated with increased nasal breathing epochs. A total of 49 OSA patients (mean apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) 30.1+/-16.3 events x h(-1)) with symptomatic fixed nasal obstruction due to deviated septum were randomly assigned to either septoplasty (surgery group; 27 patients) or sham surgery (placebo group; 22 patients). The breathing route was examined during overnight polysomnography. All patients in the placebo group were nonresponders, whereas in the surgery group four (14.8%) patients were responders and exhibited considerable increase in nasal breathing epochs (epochs containing more than three consecutive phasic nasal signals), and 23 patients were nonresponders, presenting a modest increase in nasal breathing epochs. The change in AHI was inversely related to the change in nasal breathing epochs, with responders exhibiting among the greatest increases in nasal breathing epochs. Baseline nasal breathing epochs were positively related to per cent change in AHI. Responders had among the lowest baseline nasal breathing epochs; a cut-off value of 62.4% of total sleep epochs best separated (100% sensitivity, 82.6% specificity) responders/nonresponders. In conclusion, nasal surgery rarely treats obstructive sleep apnoea effectively. Baseline nasal breathing epochs can predict the surgery outcome.  (+info)

Nasal blockage induced by oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in a guinea-pig model of allergic rhinitis. (66/214)

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying nasal symptoms in patients with aspirin hypersensitivity, we evaluated the effects of orally administered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the nasal patency of guinea pigs with cedar pollen-induced chronic allergic rhinitis. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) administered 1 h before a pollen challenge amplified the antigen-induced nasal blockage. More interestingly, even in the absence of the pollen challenge, indomethacin induced nasal blockage at 30 min at 4 h after administration. However, indomethacin-induced nasal blockage was not provoked in non-sensitized animals. Another NSAID, diclofenac (30 mg/kg), also evoked nasal blockage, but unexpectedly, aspirin (500 mg/kg) did not affect nasal patency. Indomethacin-induced nasal blockage was unaffected by a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (CysLT(1) receptor) antagonist, pranlukast (30 mg/kg, p.o.), or by prostaglandin E2 (10(-3) M, intranasal), suggesting that the nasal blockage may not be due to hyperproduction of cysteinyl leukotrienes or inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production. These results indicate that the indomethacin-induced nasal blockage may not be an identical phenomena to airway symptoms in aspirin hypersensitivity patients. However, because chronic nasal inflammation is indispensable for the development of nasal blockage, indomethacin-induced nasal blockage may become a clue to elucidate new mechanisms underlying hypersensitivity to NSAIDs.  (+info)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons aggravate antigen-induced nasal blockage in experimental allergic rhinitis. (67/214)

It has been hypothesized that air pollution has played a role in the increase in allergy prevalence. However, it remains unclear what exact roles are played by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are encountered in the environment in the form of air pollution, in allergic rhinitis. Thus, we examined whether benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), representative PAHs, aggravate allergic rhinitis symptoms, using a guinea-pig model. Sensitized animals were repeatedly challenged by inhalation of Japanese cedar pollen once a week. BaP or 1-NP was daily and intranasally administered for 2 weeks (short-term treatment) or for 22 weeks from the time before the sensitization period (long-term treatment). The short-term treatment affected neither nasal blockage nor sneezing induced by antigen. In contrast, the long-term treatment aggravated the antigen-induced nasal blockage that was induced 7 weeks after the start of the treatment with BaP or 1-NP. This aggravation continued during the intranasal treatment with PAH. However, neither sneezing nor Cry j 1-specific IgE antibody production was affected even by the long-term treatment. In conclusion, the long-term treatment with BaP and 1-NP can aggravate allergic rhinitis. The mechanisms underlying this aggravation are not associated with production of Cry j 1-specific IgE.  (+info)

Is pulmonary arterial pressure affected by allergic rhinitis with nasal obstruction? (68/214)

Obstructive pathologies of the pulmonary tract may cause various levels of hypoxia. To compensate for the hypoxia, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary arterial flow may increase. We investigated 35 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) whether hypoxia caused by AR with a high level of obstruction in the airways may lead to an increased pulmonary arterial pressure. An echocardiographical evaluation was made following the determination of the symptomatic and non-symptomatic symptom scores. We found a positive correlation between the symptom scores both in the symptomatic and non-symptomatic periods, nasal obstruction scores and the mean pulmonary arterial pressures during these periods. Further studies with more cases are needed in order to determine the cardiac effects of hypoxia in AR, mainly pulmonary arterial hypertension.  (+info)

Allergic rhinitis-induced nasal congestion: its impact on sleep quality. (69/214)

 (+info)

Effects of nasal pathologies on obstructive sleep apnea. (70/214)

Increased airway resistance can induce snoring and sleep apnea, and nasal obstruction is a common problem in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Many snoring and OSA patients breathe via the mouth during sleep. Mouth breathing may contribute to increased collapsibility of the upper airways due to decreased contractile efficiency of the upper airway muscles as a result of mouth opening. Increased nasal airway resistance produces turbulent flow in the nasal cavity, induces oral breathing, promotes oscillation of the pharyngeal airway and can cause snoring.  (+info)

Cystic fibrosis-associated bilateral pseudomucocele: case Report. (71/214)

Cystic fibrosis, also known as mucoviscidosis, is a monogenetic disorder that is presented as a multisystemic disease. The incidence is approximately 1: 2500 live births. The pathophysiologic mechanism is a qualitative change in all exocrine secretions of the body. An increased viscosity of those secretions leads to stasis and mechanical obstruction, resulting in an impaired function of secretory and target organs. Nose and sinuses are involved due to abnormal mucociliary clearance, responsible for chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps and sinus pseudomucocele. OBJECTIVE: show a rare case of bilateral pseudomucocele in a child with cystic fibrosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: M.F.B.R., 2 years old, male, with nasal obstruction and recurrent pulmonary infections. Clinical findings were copious nasal secretion and posterior nasal drip. The CT scan of the paranasal sinuses showed an image that was suggestive of pseudomucocele, with opacification of maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. The sweat test presented meaningful results. We preferred surgical treatment, after patient hospitalization, to control the pulmonary manifestations. The child presented improvement of nasal obstructive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudomucocele is a disease that has been increasingly included in the routine of the differential diagnoses since CT scans became part of sinus disease semiology. Patients with pseudomucoceles have enjoyed relevant increases in their survival, thanks to current treatment modalities.  (+info)

Outcome assessment in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis CO2 laser treated. (72/214)

Surgical lasers have been used to restore nasal flow in chronic obstructive rhinitis, with a significant improvement in symptoms having been reported in almost all cases. However, evidence supporting the efficacy at long-term, and studies on the assessment of quality of life remain limited. In the present study, efficacy at long term and improvement in the quality of life were assessed in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis, treated with CO2 laser. A total of 308 patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis were enrolled. The primary outcome measure assessed was the change in score regarding specific and general symptoms, between baseline to 2-4.5 and 7.8 mean years follow-up. Laser turbinotomy restored nasal flow and induced a change in total score which was statistically significant, for specific and general symptoms at the first, second and third follow-up, p < 0.01. CO2 laser turbinate surgery improved symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis as observed at 2-4.5 and 7.8 mean years follow-up.  (+info)