Topical decongestants are available over the counter and provide rapid relief of nasal obstruction for conditions of short duration, for example the common cold. Manufacturers' recommendations are that topical decongestants should not... more
Topical decongestants are available over the counter and provide rapid relief of nasal obstruction for conditions of short duration, for example the common cold. Manufacturers' recommendations are that topical decongestants should not be used regularly for more than 1 week in view of the risk of rebound mucosal hyperaemia with persistent nasal obstruction and refractoriness to further effects of decongestants. For this reason we performed a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 30 normal adult subjects with 0.05% oxymetazoline nasal spray 2 sprays (0.1 ml/spray) to each nostril 3 times daily over an extended period of 4 weeks. Degree of nasal blockage was assessed before and after 4 weeks treatment and for 2 weeks following discontinuation of treatment. Outcome measures included diary symptom scores and measurements of nasal peak inspiratory flow, airway resistance (using posterior active rhinomanometry) and volume (using acoustic rhinometry). Nasal patency was ass...
Nasal compliance is a measure related to the blood volume in the nasal mucosa. The objective of this study was to better understand the vascular response in vasomotor rhinitis by measuring nasal cross-sectional area and nasal compliance... more
Nasal compliance is a measure related to the blood volume in the nasal mucosa. The objective of this study was to better understand the vascular response in vasomotor rhinitis by measuring nasal cross-sectional area and nasal compliance before and after mucosal decongestion in 10 patients with vasomotor rhinitis compared with 10 healthy subjects. Nasal compliance was inferred by measuring nasal area by acoustic rhinometry at pressures ranging from atmospheric pressure to a negative pressure of −10 cmH2O. Mucosal decongestion was obtained with one puff per nostril of 0.05% oxymetazoline. At atmospheric pressure, nasal cross-sectional areas were similar in the vasomotor rhinitis group and the healthy subject group. Mucosal decongestion did not induce any decrease of nasal compliance in patients with vasomotor rhinitis in contrast with healthy subjects. Our results support the hypothesis, already proposed, of an autonomic dysfunction based on a paradoxical response of the nasal mucosa ...
Background: Oxymetazoline can be used as one of the methods to stop epistaxis. However, it can cause unexpected profuse intraoperative nasal bleeding. The fast-acting mechanism and usually effective decongestion effect of the medication... more
Background: Oxymetazoline can be used as one of the methods to stop epistaxis. However, it can cause unexpected profuse intraoperative nasal bleeding. The fast-acting mechanism and usually effective decongestion effect of the medication cause patient with rhinitis misuse it. Long duration of usage of the nasal vasoconstrictors can lead to rhinitis medicamentosa. Case Report: We would like to discuss a case of a 28-year-old lady with rhinitis medicamentosa due to prolonged misuse of oxymetazoline nasal spray who underwent nasal surgery and had unexpected profuse intraoperative bleeding. Conclusion: It is important to stop the topical decongestant and maximize medical treatment for rhinitis medicamentosa before any nasal surgery.
