title: Olfactory dysfunction in acute rhinosinusitis: intranasal sodium hyaluronate as adjuvant treatment.
abstract: Acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) is defined as an inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and paranasal sinuses and affects 1-5 % of general population in Europe. Sinonasal diseases represent the main cause of smell alterations in adult patients and lead to mucosal congestion, increased quantity and density of secretions and altered mucociliary transport. For this reason the odorous molecules contained in the inspired air, cannot interact with the olfactory epithelium. Medical therapy of ARS has to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms and prevent complications. Recent studies have shown that Sodium hyaluronate modulate inflammation and has a reparative effect on the nasal mucosa. 48 patients affected by acute rhinosinusitis proven by CT scan, were enrolled. They were submitted to nasal endoscopy, olfactometric and mucociliary transport evaluation (MCTt), Visual Analogue Scale Questionnaire (VAS) at T0, after 14-18 days (T1) and after 30-35 days (T2). The patients were randomized into two treatment groups, A and B, and were treated for 30 days; each group was composed of 24 subjects. All patients received Levofloxacin (500 mg for 10 days) and Prednisone (50 mg for 8 days, 25 mg for 4 days and 12, 5 mg for 4 days). Moreover, Group A received twice a day for 30 days high molecular weight Sodium Hyaluronate (3 %) plus saline solution (3 mL sodium chloride-NaCl-0.9 %) using a nebulizer ampoule for nasal douche. Group B received twice a day for 30 days saline solution (6 mL sodium chloride-NaCl-0.9 %) using a nebulizer ampoule for nasal douche. At T1 Group A shown lower values in MCTt and threshold score was significantly higher than in Group B. VAS showed statistically significant differences between the two groups, in particular for smell, nasal obstruction and for nasal discharge. At T2 Group A MCTt was significantly lower than in Group B; odour threshold improved in both groups but in Group A was still significantly higher than in Group B. No statistical differences between two groups regarding odour discrimination and odour identification were confirmed at T1 and T2. VASy score showed statistically significant differences between the two groups only for nasal discharge.
authors: Organi di Senso Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, via Gregorio VII 80, 00165, Rome, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Ciofalo
authors: Organi di Senso Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, via Gregorio VII 80, 00165, Rome, Italy.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: de Vincentiis
authors: Organi di Senso Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, via Gregorio VII 80, 00165, Rome, Italy.
authors: Giampietro
authors: G
authors: Zambetti
authors: Organi di Senso Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, via Gregorio VII 80, 00165, Rome, Italy.
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Altissimi
authors: Organi di Senso Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, via Gregorio VII 80, 00165, Rome, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Fusconi
authors: Organi di Senso Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, via Gregorio VII 80, 00165, Rome, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Greco
authors: ENT Section, Department of Neurosciences DNS, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Ottaviano
authors: Organi di Senso Department, "Sapienza" University of Rome, via Gregorio VII 80, 00165, Rome, Italy. giuseppemagliuloorl@yahoo.com.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Magliulo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D009297:Nasal Mucosa; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: Acute rhinosinusitis; Hialuronic acid; Mucociliary transport; Olfaction; Sniffin’ sticks