Radiofrequency inferior turbinate reduction: an evaluation of olfactory and respiratory function.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes after radiofrequency inferior turbinate reduction (RITR) on objective and subjective nasal function in patients with nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy and to evaluate the possible effect on olfactory function.


METHODS
Case series with planned data collection.


METHODS
ENT division, university hospital.


METHODS
Forty consecutive patients who underwent RITR for allergic or nonallergic chronic rhinitis with inferior turbinate hypertrophy were tested before and two months after the surgical procedure, using the Sniffin' Sticks test battery, anterior rhinomanometry, and the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale.


RESULTS
The total basal nasal resistance at 150 Pa diminished significantly two months after surgery. Preoperative olfactory tests showed anosmia in five percent (n = 2) of the patients, hyposmia in 82 percent (n = 33), and normosmia in 12 percent (n = 5). At two months from the intervention, two percent (n = 1) were diagnosed as anosmic, 12 percent (n = 5) as hyposmic, and 85 percent (n = 34) as normosmic. The means of preoperative odor threshold (T), discrimination (D), identification (I), and the overall TDI score improved significantly postoperatively (P < 0.001). The NOSE score in the two-month follow-up improved in 97.5 percent (n = 39) of patients, with a mean difference in pre- vs. postintervention score of 40.12 (95% confidence interval 35.75-44.25; P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
RITR may provide excellent outcomes in terms of improvement in olfactory function and nasal flow in patients affected by turbinate hypertrophy refractory to medical therapy.
Garzaro
Massimiliano
M
I ENT Division, Head and Neck Department, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Pezzoli
Matteo
M
Pecorari
Giancarlo
G
Landolfo
Vincenzo
V
Defilippi
Simona
S
Giordano
Carlo
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult