Quantitative measurement of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction by multidetector CT in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy.
OBJECTIVE
To objectively assess the efficacy of radiofrequency thermal ablation of inferior turbinate hypertrophy.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were prospectively enrolled. Radiofrequency energy was delivered to four sites in each inferior turbinate. Patients were evaluated before and 8 weeks after intervention. Subjective evaluation of nasal obstruction was performed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and objective evaluation of the turbinate volume reduction was calculated using multidetector CT. Volumetric measurements of the preoperative inferior turbinate were compared with postoperative values on both sides.


RESULTS
The great majority of patients (91.4%) exhibited subjective postoperative improvement. Mean obstruction (VAS) improved significantly from 7.45±1.48 to 3.54±1.96. Significant turbinate volume reduction was achieved by the surgery on both right and left sides [(preoperative vs. postoperative, right: 6.55±1.62cm(3) vs. 5.10±1.47cm(3), (P<0.01); left: 6.72±1.53cm(3) vs. 5.00±1.37cm(3), (P<0.01)] respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency is a safe and effective surgical procedure in reducing turbinate volume in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Multidetector CT is an objective method of assessment in detecting radiofrequency turbinate volume reduction.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey. osman_bahadir@yahoo.com
Osman
O
Bahadir
Polat
P
Kosucu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*