Rhinology
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This paper describes the effects that nasal dilators have on olfactory ability. Experimental results demonstrate that nasal dilators increase odorant identification, lower odorant threshold, and increase perceptual odorant intensity. ⋯ Additionally, pneumotachograph data demonstrates that during a sniff, the peak flow, maximum flow rate, volume, and duration are all increased when nasal dilators are worn. Taken together, the increase in olfactory ability can most easily be explained by an increase in both the amount and the proportion of inspired odorant molecules that are directed to the olfactory mucosa and are, therefore, available for odorant perception.
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The presence of a rapidly growing intranasal mass in a child is an alarming clinical sign that requires adequate clinical and radiological assessment and prompt histological diagnosis. We present two cases of children with unilateral intranasal pyogenic granulomas. ⋯ Pyogenic granuloma of the nasal cavity is rare. Pyogenic granuloma should be included in the differential diagnosis of an intranasal mass in the paediatric age group.
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Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in the nasal mucosa and in the paranasal sinuses. Increased nasal NO concentrations have been found in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis, and nasal NO has been suggested to be a marker of nasal inflammation. Measuring the stable end products of NO, nitrate and nitrite in nasal lavage fluid have been proposed as an indirect method for measuring NO concentration. ⋯ Nasal NO was significantly lower among smokers. Further controlled studies on subjects with rhinitis are needed, to evaluate the relation between nasal NO and nasal inflammation. In addition, there is also a need to develop methods for measuring nasal NO that minimise contamination from sinuses.
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Local anaesthesia is increasingly being used for nasal manipulation. Doubt remains over the discomfort associated with this procedure. We studied in a prospective manner, the acceptability and effectiveness of nasal manipulation with intravenous sedation and local anaesthesia, in a case series of thirty-five patients. ⋯ More than half of the patients (60%) returned pain scores of only 1 out of 10. Thirty-two patients (90%) found the procedure less painful than receiving a tooth filling from the dentist, while thirty-four patients (97%) said they would undergo the same procedure again if they re-fractured their nose. The effectiveness of the treatment as assessed by an independent observer revealed that 90% of patients had achieved a significant reduction in their deformity (P = 1.27 x 10(-9).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Astemizole in combination with pseudoephedrine in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
The efficacy and side effects of once-daily astemizole-D, a combination of 10 mg astemizole and 240 mg pseudoephedrine, were compared with those of twice-daily brompheniramine-D, a combination of 12 mg brompheniramine and 50 mg phenylpropanolamine (Lunerin), in 64 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by birch pollen. Efficacy was monitored by patient's diary scores, investigator assessments of nasal and eye symptoms and need of rescue medication during the 4-week study period. ⋯ On the other hand, the patients in the brompheniramine-D group reported dry mouth, tiredness and drowsiness more often than those in the astemizole-D group. The results indicate that the two drugs are effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, but astemizole-D is better tolerated than brompheniramine-D.