title: Atomized nasal douche vs nasal lavage in acute viral rhinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of the atomized nasal douche in the restoration of physiological nasal functions in patients affected by acute viral rhinosinusitis, when compared with nasal lavages with isotonic sodium chloride solution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ENT Department at the University of Siena Medical School.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred patients affected by acute viral rhinosinusitis were included in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: group 1 patients received an atomized nasal douche, and group 2 patients received nasal lavages with isotonic sodium chloride solution. Patients underwent treatments 4 times per day for 15 days in our institution under our direct control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Atomized nasal douches significantly improved inspiratory and expiratory rhinomanometric resistance (P<.01) and nasal volumes measured by acoustic rhinometry (P<.001). Nasal lavages were unable to modify these variables significantly (P<.3). Only atomized nasal douches were able to normalize mucociliary transport time to a physiological level (P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The atomized nasal douche demonstrated a better efficacy than traditional nasal lavages with isotonic sodium chloride solution in restoring all the physiological nasal functions. For this reason, and considering ease of use, painlessness, cheapness, and manageability of the instrument, we suggest the use of the compressor-micronizer chamber system (Rinoflow Nasal Wash & Sinus System) as a routine adjuvant to every treatment of acute rhinopathies.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, University of Siena Medical School, Siena, Italy. passali@unisi.it
authors.forename: Desiderio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Passàli
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.forename: Francesco Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Passàli
authors.forename: Giulio Cesare
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Passàli
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bellussi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000336:Aerosols; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008297:Male; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride