Research Article, J Otol Rhinol Vol: 3 Issue: 6
A Pilot Study of Quantitative Measurements of Nasal Function in Rhinitis and the Therapeutic Effects of Botulinum Toxin
Andrew Blitzer1*, Dan Novakovic2, Scott M Rickert3 and Lesley F Childs4 | |
1Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NYC, USA; Adjunct Professor of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine, Mt. Sinai, USA ; Director, NY Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, NYC, USA | |
2Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Sydney,New South Wales, Australia | |
3Asst. Professor of Otolaryngology and Pediatrics, NYU Langone Medical Center,NYC, USA | |
4Asst Professor of Otolaryngology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA | |
*Corresponding author : Andrew Blitzer MD, DDS, 425 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019 Tel: 212-262-9500 E-mail: srickert@gmail.com |
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Received: May 06, 2014 Accepted: September 10, 2014 Published: December 05, 2014 | |
Citation: Blitzer A, Novakovic D, Rickert SM and Childs LF (2014) A Pilot Study of Quantitative Measurements of Nasal Function in Rhinitis and the Therapeutic Effects of Botulinum Toxin. J Otol Rhinol 3:6. doi:10.4172/2324-8785.1000195 |
Abstract
A Pilot Study of Quantitative Measurements of Nasal Function in Rhinitis and the Therapeutic Effects of Botulinum Toxin
Objective: Symptoms of rhinitis can be attributed to the stimulation of cholinergic nerve endings, which leads to mucosal hypersecretion and an increase in nasal blood flow. As botulinum toxin is a powerful cholinergic blocker, the application of this toxin intranasally may help to decrease the symptom complex associated with rhinitis. A pilot study was designed to evaluate the use of hot wire airflow, measurement of stimulated secretions, and the effect of botulinum toxin on both. A quantitative assessment of this use in humans has never been performed.
Study Design: Double-blind, placebo controlled randomized control trial.
Methods: Botulinum toxin was injected into the inferior turbinates of 8 human subjects. Patients were their own controls, with each side randomized to receive onabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) (four 2.5 unit aliquots) or equivalent volume of normal saline.. Airflow was measured at baseline and each visit using hot-wire airflow device. Baseline and stimulated nasal secretions were collected on filter paper then weighed. The patients were followed monthly for a total of 4 months.
Results: There was a statistically significantly greater airflow on the BTX-A treated sides compared with control sides at 4 months. There was also a statistically significant decrease in stimulated secretions at 3 months. There was a notable trend toward reduction of resting secretions and stimulated secretions in the BTX-A treated sides during the treatment period. There was also a trend toward greater airflow in the BTX-A treated sides during the treatment period.