[The efficacy of combined medical treatment (antihistaminics, steroids, and macrolide antibiotics) in patients with nasal polyposis: preliminary results].
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the efficacy of combined medical treatment in cases with bilateral nasal polyposis without a history of any surgical or medical treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients (19 males, 6 females; mean age 45 years; range 30 to 60 years) who had not received any treatment for bilateral nasal polyposis were included. Treatment was comprised of an oral anti-histaminic agent (single dose daily for 3 weeks), and a topical steroid (as a nasal spray, twice daily for 6 months) and a single dose of intramuscular systemic steroid. Patients who did not respond to this therapy at the end of three weeks were administered a macrolide antibiotic (clarithromycin). The results were evaluated before treatment, and three weeks and six months after treatment with the use of a patient questionnaire, computed tomography and endoscopic examination findings.


RESULTS
The patients' complaints improved by 85.5% and 79% at the end of three weeks and six months, respectively (p<0.005). Radiologic improvement was found to be 64% at the end of six months (p<0.005). The overall decrease in the size of the polyps was significant (p<0.005). No treatment-associated complications were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant improvement achieved favors the use of combined medical treatment before surgery in selected patients with nasal polyposis.
Kuran
Gökhan
G
2nd Department of Otolaryngology, SSK Training Hospital, Ankara - Turkey.
Kocatürk
Sinan
S
Kurukahvecioğlu
Selma
S
Erkam
Unsal
U
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013256:Steroids; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D013256:Steroids; D017291:Clarithromycin