Sulphurous thermal water inhalations in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of sulphurous thermal water in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).


METHODS
Eighty patients with CRS were included and randomly assigned into two groups. Patients underwent a 12-day course of warm vapour inhalations and nasal irrigations with sulphurous thermal water in group A, and a physiological solution in group B.


RESULTS
Compared with group B, in group A the results were as follows: serum concentration of IgE was significantly lower (p<0.05) 12 days (76.27+26.3 mg/dl vs. 97.44±45.4) and 3 months after the beginning of the treatment (75.48+26.1 mg/dl vs. 98.37±41.4); IgA titers were not significantly higher 12 days (231.09±120.3 mg/dl vs. 220.44+114.4 mg/dl) and 3 months after the beginning of the treatment (235.44±118.5 mg/dl vs. 214.51±111.8 mg/dl); VAS scores were significantly (p<0.05) improved at 12 days (1.7+0.18 vs. 6.9±0.51) and 3 months after the start (1.8+0.22 vs. 7.1±0.59); NMIT was normal at 12 days (11.54±1.59 min vs. 17.38+1.83 min) and 3 months after the beginning of the treatment (11.46+2.07 min vs. 17.43±2.01 min); total nasal resistances were significantly (p<0.05) decreased at 12 days and 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate the efficiency and applicability of sulphurous thermal water in the treatment of CRS.
Salami
Angelo
A
ENT Department, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Dellepiane
Massimo
M
Strinati
Flavio
F
Guastini
Luca
L
Mora
Renzo
R
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008900:Mineral Waters / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000628:therapy*; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000628:therapy*; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014835:Volatilization; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D008900:Mineral Waters; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D014867:Water