Nasal provocation testing: a review.
OBJECTIVE
This review focuses on the uses of nasal provocation testing (NPT) for scientific investigations of the mechanisms of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. It also describes the use of NPT as a diagnostic tool in clinical practice. The indications, contraindications, advantages, and limitations of different techniques for evaluation of nasal responses are reviewed. The paper familiarizes investigators with particulars of different nasal delivery systems, provocation agents, nasal patency measurements, secretion collection, and nasal lavage techniques.


METHODS
Relevant publications obtained from a literature review.


METHODS
Relevant publications on the topics of NPT, allergic, and nonallergic rhinitis were critically evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
To date, NPT has been used primarily as a research tool for the investigation of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis with a wide variety of techniques depending on the specific scientific purposes. NPT will continue to provide useful information about the pathogenesis of airway diseases. Standardized nasal provocation testing has the potential to become a more frequently used clinical test in the diagnosis of allergic and occupational rhinitis and for determination of the appropriate and focused therapy.
Litvyakova
L I
LI
International Center of Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
Baraniuk
J N
JN
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000209:etiology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D015508:Nasal Obstruction; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D009666:Nose / Q000166:cytology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens