Publications by authors named "Detlef Brehmer"

Objective: To assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve (PNN), a minimally invasive treatment for chronic rhinitis.

Methods: A prospective, single-arm study of 129 patients at 16 centers (United States, Germany) was conducted. Patient-reported outcome measures were the 24-h reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) and mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (MiniRQLQ).

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With the introduction of the Therapy Allergens Ordinance (TAV) the previously unapproved therapeutic allergens on the existing market need to be checked for their risk-benefit ratio as a basic prerequisite for approval under pharmaceutical law. This process is criticized because it can lead to long transition periods so that patients will probably be treated for two decades with preparations whose effectiveness has not yet been proven and may never be proven. The aim of this work is to list the critical preparations for which no publicly accessible study activity has been recorded since the beginning of the TAV in 2008.

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Background: Weak or inward-bent cartilage of the nasal sidewall at the level of the internal nasal valve (INV) can produce narrowness or collapse of the nasal valve. This is a common cause of impaired nasal breathing during daily activities and there is also an established connection between nasal obstruction and snoring. The condition is often difficult to treat, although even a small enlargement of the lumen at the nasal valve can lead to a significant improvement in the ease of nasal breathing.

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Despite the fact that many people suffer from it, an unequivocal definition of dry nose (DN) is not available. Symptoms range from the purely subjective sensation of a rather dry nose to visible crusting of the (inner) nose (nasal mucosa), and a wide range of combinations are met with. Relevant diseases are termed rhinitis sicca anterior, primary and secondary rhinitis atrophicans, rhinitis atrophicans with foetor (ozena), and empty nose syndrome.

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Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one of the most common disorders of the vestibular system. It is characterized by episodes of recurrent vertigo triggered by head movements or position changes associated with nystagmus. There is scientific evidence that in the majority of cases this condition responds well to the particle repositioning maneuver (PRM) correctly performed by the physician.

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The literature documents the fact that UV irradiation of cutaneous Langerhans cells (LC) in vivo prevents the development of contact allergy and produces long-lasting immunosuppression. However, not much is known about the effect of UV irradiation on the LC of the nasal mucosa and their connection with clinical scores. Local antigen presentation may be necessary for both primary and recall T cell responses to birch pollen in patients with hay fever.

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Rhinoliths are mineralised foreign bodies in the nasal cavity that are a chance finding at anterior rhinoscopy. Undiscovered, they grow appreciably in size and can cause a foul-smelling nasal discharge and breathing problems. Giant nasal stones are now a very rare occurrence, since improved diagnostic techniques, such as endoscopic/microscopic rhinoscopy, now make it possible to identify foreign bodies at an early stage of development.

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Allergic rhinitis, although not life threatening, significantly affects the quality of the patient's daily life. The three major steps in the treatment of the condition are avoidance of allergens, treatment of symptoms (in particular, antihistaminics and topical nasal corticosteroids) and specific immunotherapy. Avoidance of the allergen is usually not possible and symptom relief is often limited, despite the availability of a number of pharmacological options.

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Hearing-aid use in the elderly population is problematic since not all people who would benefit from hearing aids actually obtain one. In this study, the relationship between pre-fitting expectations and willingness to use hearing aids is addressed. One hundred adult hearing aid candidates (mean age 68.

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