Peak nasal inspiratory flowmetry for selection of patients for radiofrequency ablation of turbinates.

Objectives: Our goals were to investigate (I) the effectiveness of the topical vasoconstrictor test (TVT) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) measurement for the selection of patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) who will benefit from radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the turbinates and (2) the efficacy of the TVT and PNIF in follow-up of treatment outcomes.

Methods: Patients with bilateral chronic nasal obstruction due to ITH underwent assessment with a visual analog scale (VAS) and PNIF before and after the TVT. Twenty patients with symptom improvement according to VAS and PNIF results were enrolled in the study. These patients underwent RFA, and PNIF and VAS scores were determined before and I and 6 months after the TVT. These results were compared to evaluate the preoperative prediction of RFA treatment success.

Results: Radiofrequency ablation of the turbinates resulted in significant changes in objective and subjective scores. Preoperative (baseline) subjective and objective responses to decongestant were positively correlated (P = .024 and P < .05, respectively). Preoperative (baseline) objective responses to decongestant were significantly correlated with the objective outcomes of surgery (P = .006 and P < .05, respectively).

Conclusion: The combined use of PNIF and the TVT allows for the preoperative prediction of the success of RFA and the selection of patients who will benefit most from RFA.