title: Challenge exposure to isocyanates induces changes in nasal patency in patients reporting work-related respiratory symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the utility of specific inhalation challenge (SIC) in assessing the nasal congestive response to isocyanate exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients complaining of work-related respiratory symptoms underwent SIC with exposure to isocyanate for 4 and 120 minutes on different days. Nasal volume was monitored by acoustic rhinometry and nasal congestion by the visual analogue scale (VAS) for up to 6 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 4-minute isocyanate SIC induced a nonsignificant fall in nasal volume and no increase in the VAS score. The 120-minute isocyanate SIC induced a significant fall in nasal volume at 15, 30, and 60 minutes postchallenge that was associated with a significant increase in the VAS score at 15 and 30 minutes postchallenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SIC appears useful to assess changes in nasal patency after exposure to isocyanate. Exposure to isocyanates can induce nasal congestion that can be objectively monitored during SIC.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. roberto.castano@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castano
authors.forename: Victor J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cartier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D017953:Isocyanates