Clinical and Quality of Life Outcomes Following Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Neurolysis of the Posterior Nasal Nerve (RhinAer) for Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis. Issue 6 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Jivianne T.; Abbas, Gregory M.; Charous, Daniel D.; Cuevas, PD Dr. med. Mandy; Göktas, Prof. Dr. med. Önder; Loftus, Patricia A.; Nachlas, Nathan E.; Toskala, Elina M.; Watkins, Jeremy P.; Brehmer, Prof. Dr. med. Detlef
• Is Part Of: American journal of rhinology & allergy. Volume 36:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 747
• Page End: 754
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: radiofrequency -- temperature-controlled -- neurolysis -- posterior nasal nerve -- rTNSS -- chronic rhinitis -- quality of life -- MiniRQLQ; Nose -- Periodicals; Allergy -- Periodicals; 616.21005
• DOI: 10.1177/19458924221109987
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1945-8924

Abstract

Background: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) neurolysis of the posterior nasal nerve (PNN; RhinAer) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with chronic rhinitis. Objective: To determine clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) following TCRF neurolysis of the PNN. Methods: A prospective single-arm study of 129 patients with chronic rhinitis at 16 medical centers in the United States and Germany. Results: The mean 24-h reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) improved from 7.8 (95% CI, 7.5-8.1) at baseline to 3.6 (95% CI, 3.2-4.0) at 3 months and continued to improve to 2.9 (95% CI, 2.5-3.3) at 6 months ( p < .001 comparing follow-up to baseline and p = .002 comparing 3 and 6 months). This represents 53.8% improvement over baseline at 3 months and 62.8% improvement at 6 months. Rhinorrhea, congestion, sneezing, and itching subscores and postnasal drip and cough scores were all significantly improved over baseline at both timepoints. At 3 months, 76.2% (95% CI, 68.1%-82.8%) of patients achieved a minimal clinically important difference of ≥30% improvement in rTNSS over baseline and the percentage was higher at 6 months (83.5% [95% CI, 75.8%-89.0%]). At 3 months, 80.3% (95% CI, 72.6%-86.3%) reported a minimal clinically important difference of ≥0.4-point improvement in the mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire score, and the percentage was higher at 6 months; 87.7% (95% CI, 80.7%-92.4%). There were no serious adverse events with a relationship to the device/procedure reported through 6 months. Conclusion: In this large, multicenter study, TCRF neurolysis of the PNN was safe and resulted in a significant reduction in rhinitis symptom burden at 3 months that was sustained/improved through 6 months. The majority of patients reported a clinically relevant improvement in QoL at 3 and 6 months postprocedure.