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Radiofrequency thermotherapy a viable treatment option for nasal wall insufficiency

In a prospective, randomized trial, researchers found radiofrequency thermotherapy was a sufficient option in treating nasal wall insufficiency, with similar efficacy to a bone-anchored suspension technique.

Thirteen patients with lateral nasal wall collapse were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either radiofrequency thermotherapy (RF) thermotherapy or bone-anchored suspension technique (BAST). Outcomes were assessed at 1, 3 and 12 months postoperatively using the Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), a visual analog scale (VAS) and a physician-created assessment of lateral wall collapse.

The researchers observed significant improvements in symptom scores for all patients, regardless of their treatment group assignment; however, improvements were more consistent in the RF group.

Decrease in NOSE scores between the two treatment groups was similar at each time point, with no statistically significant changes in NOSE scores between the two groups at 1, 6 or 12 months postoperatively, according to the researchers.

Similarly, the decrease in VAS scores observed was similar between two groups at each time point.

The physician-derived grading demonstrated significant improvement in the RF thermotherapy group at all time periods, whereas the BAST group showed significant improvement at 1 month only, according to the researchers. – by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: Weissman has no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.