title: Effects of radiofrequency and intranasal steroid treatments on respiratory and olfactory functions in nasal obstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and intranasal steroid (INS) treatments on respiratory and olfactory functions in patients with inferior concha hypertrophy and chronic nasal obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective clinical trial performed at a tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed patients with nasal obstruction between July 2011 and February 2012. The severity of the nasal obstruction in both groups was determined before treatment and 3 months after using a visual analog scale. For the purpose of an objective test, assessment was performed by the acoustic rhinometry. Using Sniffin' Sticks for test odor identification, the discrimination and thresholds were assessed in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The visual analog scale score after treatment was significantly lower in each group. Radiofrequency ablation treatment significantly improved the right minimal cross-sectional area 1 (MCA1), mean MCA1, and volume 1, as well as the right MCA2, mean MCA2, volume 2, and total volume. In the INS group, improvement was detected for the left MCA1, mean MCA1, and volume 1. Minimal cross-sectional area 2, volume 2, and total volume improved significantly after RFA treatment, but not after INS treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although RFA may be more effective in the posterior region of the nasal cavity, INS and RFA used in the treatment of inferior concha hypertrophy both had favorable effects on respiratory function. Intranasal steroid treatment provided improved discrimination and total score values, whereas RFA treatment improved only odor identification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye. esrasoz@gmail.com
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sözen
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tansuker
authors.forename: Ömürsen
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Yldrm
authors.forename: Yusuf Orhan
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Uçal
authors.forename: Berna Uslu
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Coşkun
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008297:Male; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D009812:Odorants; D011244:Pregnadienediols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011244:Pregnadienediols; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate