Comparison of Sinus Distribution between Nasal irrigation and Nasal
spray Using Fluorescein-labeled in patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis:
A Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract
Objective : This study aims to compare the potential sinus distribution
between high-volume nasal irrigation and nasal spray in chronic
rhinosinusitis patients who have not undergone sinus surgery. Design and
Setting : A randomized clinical study was conducted at the
Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Department, Ramathibodi Hospital,
Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University. Participants : 40 patients
undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis.
Thirty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria and were randomly
assigned to receive nasal irrigation or nasal spray mixed with
fluorescein sodium preoperatively. Main outcome measures : The primary
outcome was the mean difference in the staining score of fluorescein in
all sinuses between the two groups. Results : The total staining score
of fluorescein in all sinuses via nasal irrigation was statistically
more significant than the score via nasal spray, with a mean difference
score of 2.90, 95%CI: 1.22-4.58, p-value 0.001. The most significantly
affected sinuses were specific to the maxillary and anterior ethmoid
sinuses, whereas the frontal and sphenoid sinuses had the slightest
solution distribution from both techniques. Conclusion : Nasal
irrigation is a potential route to deliver drugs into the sinus in
unoperated CRS patients. However, it is not considered a superior method
to nasal spray at the most challenging anatomical areas, i.e., the
frontal and sphenoid sinuses. Keywords : Corticosteroid use, Endoscopic
sinus surgery, Irrigations, Topical therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis,
Medical therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis, Nasal polyp, Nasal spray,
Chronic rhinosinusitis