title: Magnetic resonance imaging reveals the complementary effects of decongestant and Breathe Right Nasal Strips on internal nasal anatomy.
abstract: This magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of 26 subjects with nasal congestion was performed to assess in the complete nasal passage both the anatomical effect of the marketed Breathe Right Nasal Strip (BRNS) relative to placebo and the potential adjunctive effect of using a decongestant in combination with the BRNS.
  
  
  
  Randomized, crossover study.
  
  
  
  The study consisted of two parts, the first involving application of either the BRNS or the placebo strip in a randomized, crossover design with evaluator blinding, and repeated MRI scanning; and the second a sequential process of decongestant administration, MRI scanning, application of the BRNS, and repeated MRI. The same anatomical MRI protocol was used throughout. Nasal patency was assessed in the whole nasal passage and eight subregions (by inferior-superior, anterior-posterior division). Numerical response scores representing subjective nasal congestion were also obtained.
  
  
  
  Results demonstrate significant anatomical enlargement with the BRNS relative to placebo (P < .001), as well as an additive effect of using a decongestant in combination with the BRNS; both supported by a strong and significant negative correlation with the subjective nasal response measures of nasal congestion (r = -0.98, P = .002). Furthermore, analysis of the nasal subregions indicates that this adjunctive effect arises from a partially localized action of the complementary products: the BRNS acting primarily anteriorly in the nose and the decongestant mainly posteriorly.
  
  
  
  The BRNS alone significantly increases nasal patency and alleviates perceived nasal congestion, and additional relief of symptoms can be obtained with simultaneous use of a decongestant.
  
  
  
  1b. Laryngoscope, 126:2205-2211, 2016.
authors: Imanova, London, United Kingdom. courtney.bishop@imanova.co.uk.|Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. courtney.bishop@imanova.co.uk.
authors: Courtney A
authors: CA
authors: Bishop
authors: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S.A.
authors: Steven M
authors: SM
authors: Johnson
authors: Imanova, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Matthew B
authors: MB
authors: Wall
authors: GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.
authors: Robert L
authors: RL
authors: Janiczek
authors: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S.A.
authors: Gilbert
authors: G
authors: Shanga
authors: Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors: Richard G
authors: RG
authors: Wise
authors: Imanova, London, United Kingdom.|Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Rexford D
authors: RD
authors: Newbould
authors: GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.
authors: Philip S
authors: PS
authors: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011934:Reagent Strips / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D011934:Reagent Strips
keywords: Nose and paranasal sinuses; airway and voice modeling; clinical; evidence-based medicine