Temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of chronic rhinitis: Two-year outcomes from a prospective multicenter trial.

Background: Minimally invasive temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) ablation of the posterior nasal nerve (PNN) demonstrated a significant larger treatment effect on the symptom burden of chronic rhinitis patients than a sham control (no energy delivery) at the 3-month primary endpoint of this trial.

Methods: Two-year posttreatment outcomes for patients treated in a prospective, multicenter, patient-blinded randomized controlled trial were determined by combining the index active treatment-arm and index control-arm crossover patients into a single group (after the primary endpoint) to evaluate the treatment effect durability and long-term effects on concomitant chronic rhinitis medication usage.

Results: The mean baseline reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) was 8.

Outcomes 12 Months After Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Device Treatment of the Nasal Valve for Patients With Nasal Airway Obstruction.

Importance: Nasal valve collapse is a primary cause of nasal airway obstruction (NAO). Patients with NAO and nasal valve collapse experience a variety of symptoms that lower their quality of life, such as nasal congestion, headache, sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness, and snoring.

Objective: To determine if active treatment of the nasal valve with a temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) device, previously demonstrated superior to a sham procedure at 3 months, was safe and associated with sustained improvements in symptoms of NAO through 12 months.

Long-term Outcomes Following Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Neurolysis for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis.

Background: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve has been shown to reduce the symptom burden of patients with chronic rhinitis.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of temperature-controlled radiofrequency neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve for the treatment of chronic rhinitis.

Methods: A prospective extension of a 12-month single-arm study, where reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) and the responses to a study-specific quality of life questionnaire and patient satisfaction survey were collected at 24 months.

Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Neurolysis for the Treatment of Rhinitis.

Background: Chronic rhinitis is a prevalent condition with a significant impact on quality of life. Posterior nasal nerve and vidian neurectomy are surgical options for treating the symptoms of chronic rhinitis but are invasive procedures.

Objective: To determine the outcomes of patients diagnosed with refractory chronic rhinitis and treated with temperature-controlled radiofrequency neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve area in a minimally invasive procedure.

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency device treatment of the nasal valve for nasal airway obstruction: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Nasal valve collapse is one of several causes of nasal obstruction. The safety and efficacy of a temperature-controlled radiofrequency (RF) device for the treatment of the nasal valve for nasal airway obstruction (NAO) has been established in single-arm studies. The objective of this trial was to compare active device treatment against a sham procedure (control).

In-office balloon sinus dilation versus medical therapy for recurrent acute rhinosinusitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Background: A limited number of studies have demonstrated symptomatic improvement for recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) patients after endoscopic sinus surgery. In this randomized, controlled study we evaluated 24-week outcomes for balloon sinus dilation (BSD) performed in-office (IO) with medical management (MM) as compared with MM only for RARS patients.

Methods: Adults diagnosed with RARS were randomized to groups with BSD plus MM (n = 29) or MM alone (n = 30).

Electrical stimulation of post-irradiated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to improve xerostomia.

Objective: We observed a significant improvement in the complaints of dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer who had received noninvasive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (E-stim) of their pharyngeal muscles. We wanted to determine if the improvement in dysphagia was a result of decreased complaints of xerostomia and increased saliva production, since one of our first patients being treated with E-stim noticed a significant improvement in xerostomia.

Study Design: Prospective trial to determine the effects of E-stim by evaluating saliva production and dysphagia questionnaires instituted by our speech pathologists on head and neck cancer patients that had received radiotherapy (XRT) and were to undergo E-stim for dysphagia.

Predictive factors for posterior triangle metastasis in HNSCC.

Objective: Surgical modifications sparing uninvolved structures such as the spinal accessory nerve have been implemented since the advent of the radical neck dissection in 1906. The increased morbidity to the spinal accessory nerve involved with the dissection of level V lymph nodes has led to much controversy. In this study, we examine the incidence of nodal metastasis to all nodal levels involved with upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma and attempt to determine when level V dissection is indicated.

Tracheostomy in preterm infants: current trends.

Objective: To study the indications for and outcomes of tracheostomy in a population of preterm infants.

Design: Retrospective analysis of case records.

Setting: Two university-affiliated tertiary care children's hospitals.