Ragweed allergic rhinitis and the paranasal sinuses. A computed tomographic study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the potential association of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
Academic tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Ten subjects with symptomatic ragweed allergy during the peak of the ragweed season.


METHODS
We obtained a paranasal sinus computed tomographic scan on all volunteers and had them complete a modified Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. All subjects were then treated with intranasal aqueous beclomethasone dipropionate (168 micrograms twice a day) and completed the Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire weekly until the end of the study.


RESULTS
Six of 10 of the subjects had sinus mucosal thickening on computed tomographic scan. All subjects improved symptomatically. A second computed tomographic scan was obtained after the pollen season in 5 patients with mucosal abnormalities, while the patients continued treatment with intranasal steroids and symptomatically improved. The sinus mucosal abnormalities persisted in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the 60% incidence of abnormalities on the computed tomographic scans of the subjects with ragweed allergy during the season, these abnormalities appear, at most, to contribute minimally to the patient's symptoms, since resolution of symptoms was not accompanied by a reduction in sinus mucosal abnormalities.
Naclerio
R M
RM
Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Chicago, Ill, USA.
deTineo
M L
ML
Baroody
F M
FM
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001507:Beclomethasone