Budesonide has been used for a number of years as a topical nasal corticosteroid in the treatment of nasal allergy and nasal polyps. Recently, a new device for powder insufflation where no constituents or preservatives are included has been developed (Rhinocort Turbuhaler, Astra Draco AB, Sweden). The present investigation was designed in order to study the efficacy of topical budesonide powder as the only treatment of nasal polyps. A total of 126 patients entered the study. The medical history and clinical recordings included symptoms and signs, a semiquantitative test of smell and measurement of nasal expiratory peak flow index. Medication was either 200 or 400 micrograms of budesonide powder b.i.d. or placebo. After 1 month an overall assessment of treatment efficacy was made to determine whether the treatment had been a success or a failure. The results showed a statistically significant improvement of symptoms and signs in the actively treated groups. The increase in expiratory peak flow index was about 60% in the actively treated groups as opposed to 16% in the placebo group. The overall assessment of treatment efficacy showed success in about 82% of actively treated patients as opposed to about 43% in the placebo group. It is concluded that budesonide powder is useful in the treatment of nasal polyps.

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A randomized comparison of the usual surgical removal of nasal polyps versus systemic steroid treatment was performed in 53 patients. In all, continuous topical steroid treatment was given during the one year period of observation. In both groups the initial treatment resulted in a continuous increase in mean nasal expiratory peak flow as well as in the sense of smell; these two parameters showed a temporary statistically significant difference in favour of the medically treated group. In general though, the results in the two treatment groups were alike. Therefore medical treatment is recommended for routine use. Surgical removal should be reserved for those few cases in which the presence of residual or recurrent polyps justifies the inherent risks and discomfort for the patient.

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The significant effect of topical ciprofloxacin is probably related to a higher local concentration of antibiotics in the middle ear rather than the result of mechanical rinsing and dissolution of the bacterial load.