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.

In vitro characterization of physico-chemical properties, cytotoxicity, bioactivity of urea-crosslinked hyaluronic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate nasal powder formulation

“…Hence, this study showed for the first time that the novel HA-CL polymer could be safely used for nasal formulations. In fact, HA-CL maintained the excellent safety profile of high molecular weight native HA, which was previously found to be non-toxic even at high concentration -1% on RPMI 2650 cells (Horváth et al, 2016), 3% on adult volunteers affected by rhinosinusitis (Ciofalo et al, 2017a).…”

Glycyrrhizin and Mannitol Nasal Therapy: Cytological and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Rhinitis

“…20 Ciofalo et al observed a reduction of neutrophils in the rhinocytogram in acute rhinosinusitis after intranasal sodium hyaluronate therapy. 21 Gelardi et al suggested the use of topical corticosteroids in acute forms, while high molecular weight hyaluronic acid may also be employed in CR considering its anti-inflammatory and lubricating qualities. 22 A combination of glycyrrhetinic acid and mannitol nasal spray has similar proprieties and could be suitable for prolonged use in patients with chronic rhinitis, particularly when corticosteroids should be avoided.…”

Olfactory evaluation in obstructive sleep apnoea patients

“…Clearly, nasal obstruction is frequently associated with OD because it results in a reduction of the number of odourants that enter the nose during breathing 17 38 . Only Fu et al 25 reported a relationship between nasal structure and olfactory function in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.…”