Isolated Topical Decongestion of the Nasal Septum and Swell Body Is Effective in Improving Nasal Airflow

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency device treatment of septal swell bodies for nasal airway obstruction: An open-label, single arm multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is a highly prevalent disorder. Septal swell body (SSB) hypertrophy is an often overlooked contributor to NAO. SSB treatment may relieve symptoms of NAO. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical use of a temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) device to treat SSBs to improve symptoms in adults with NAO.

METHODS

In this prospective, multicenter, open-label, single arm study, patients with severe or extreme NAO related to SSB hypertrophy received bilateral TCRF treatment in the SSB area. The primary endpoint was improvement in Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale scores from baseline to 3 months postprocedure. A subset of study patients underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging to evaluate posttreatment changes in SSB size.

RESULTS

Mean NOSE Scale scores significantly improved from 73.5 (SD 14.2) at baseline to 27.9 (SD 17.2) at 3 months postprocedure, a reduction of -45.3 (SD 21.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -50.4 to -40.1; p < 0.0001); the responder rate was 95.7% (95% CI: 0.88 to 0.99; p < 0.0001). CT evaluation at 3 months showed statistically significant reductions in the SSB with the greatest reduction in the middle thickness (mean change -3.4 [SD 1.8] mL, 95% CI: -4.0 to -2.8; p < 0.0001). Minimal adverse events with any relationship to the device or procedure were reported; none were serious in nature and no septal perforations occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that TCRF treatment of SSB hypertrophy is well tolerated and effective at reducing both SSB size and symptoms of NAO at 3 months posttreatment.

[The septal tubercle: the state of the problem]

The septal tubercle is considered to be a thickened area of the nasal septum, which is located above the lower nasal concha and in front of the middle nasal concha. Taking into account its histological structure and location in the distal segment of the internal nasal valve, it is located and structured for secretory function and vasoactive regulation of the respiratory air flow. These histologically rich tissues with glandular elements are well adapted to the possible dryness that occurs under the influence of intense air flow during breathing, and the existence of a certain number of venous sinusoids of the blood confirms the connection with part of the extensive vascular tissues in the nasal cavity. It is believed that the tubercle of the nasal septum is more pronounced in patients with chronic inflammation of the sinonasal region, for example, with chronic allergic rhinitis or chronic rhinosinusitis. There is currently no consensus on the issue of surgery of the nasal septum body. Due to the lack of consensus among practitioners, many surgeons do not routinely perform operations on this structure and consider the surgical intervention too aggressive, and the effect on nasal obstruction is insignificant. However, according to the presented studies, the results of surgical reduction of soft tissues of the enlarged septal tubercle in the treatment of nasal obstruction using radiofrequency ablation, coblation or microdebrider seem promising, which requires additional study of this issue during long-term follow-up.

Nasal Septal Swell Body: A Distinctive Structure in the Nasal Cavity

OBJECTIVES

The nasal septal swell body (NSB), also known as the nasal septal turbinate, is located in the anterior part of the nasal septum. This study is a narrative review of the existing knowledge on recent developments in NSB.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid, and Cochrane Library databases. Google Scholar was used to access more extensive literature. The inclusion criteria were human studies published in English. The exclusion criteria were non-English language and animal studies.

RESULTS

Of the 345 articles that were initially obtained from 5 databases and Google Scholar, 28 were included in this review. There have been many names for NSBs in the past, which still have no unified terminology recognized by professionals. Pathological investigations revealed that NSB contains a certain amount of sinusoidal blood components. Nasal septal swell body is closely related to the internal nasal valve. Imaging studies have found that the size of NSB is associated with nasal diseases, and NSB hypertrophy can cause anatomic obstruction. In recent years, several procedures for NSB have been reported, and preliminary effectiveness has been achieved. However, the long-term outcomes of volume reduction techniques remain unproven.

CONCLUSIONS

The NSB is a distinct anatomic structure that may contribute to nasal obstruction and may be reduced surgically with unclear long-term results. Although being investigated for over a century, the unique physiological roles of NSB are not yet fully understood. More evidence is needed to elucidate its physiological effects.