The effect of topical xylometazoline on the mucosal temperature of the nasal septum.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term influence of the alpha2-adrenoreceptor agonist xylometazoline on the nasal mucosal temperature.


METHODS
Thirty healthy subjects were enrolled into the study. Fifteen of these subjects got xylometazoline and 15 subjects, matched to age, got saline solution as control. A miniaturized thermocouple was used for continuous detection of the septal mucosal temperature without interruption of nasal breathing before and after application of nose spray.


RESULTS
In the anterior nasal segment, the mucosal temperatures before decongestion were significantly higher than after decongestion (p < 0.05). These changes could not be found in the control group after saline solution. The mean end-expiratory mucosal temperatures were significantly higher than the end-inspiratory ones in both study groups (p < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction of the nasal mucosal bloodflow because of vasoconstriction and the increase of the nasal cavity volume after decongestion with xylometazoline seem to cause a significant decrease of the septal mucosal temperature in the anterior nasal segment. This might be one possible causative factor of the common symptom of the "dry nose" in patients with nasal decongestant abuse.
Lindemann
Jörg
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Germany.
Leiacker
Richard
R
Rettinger
Gerhard
G
Keck
Tilman
T
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology
D007093:Imidazoles; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; C009695:xylometazoline