Our Summary

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a health issue that affects up to 12% of people. The best treatment for it is usually endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), but it can come with side effects like nasal blockage and the disease returning. However, there might be a new treatment option called spray cryotherapy (SCT), which is showing promising results.

In this study, the researchers reviewed previous clinical trials to see how effective SCT was for people who had ESS for CRS. They found three trials with 85 patients, and the results suggested that SCT could significantly improve the patients’ symptoms after 36 weeks, compared to a placebo. Plus, SCT didn’t seem to have any major side effects, and it didn’t cause any pain or vision problems.

In conclusion, SCT could be a great new option for treating people after they’ve had sinus surgery. It seems to help with symptoms and doesn’t have many side effects. However, more research is needed to be sure of these results and to check for any possible long-term side effects.

FAQs

  1. What is spray cryotherapy (SCT) and how is it used in treating chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)?
  2. How effective was SCT in improving symptoms of patients who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for CRS?
  3. Are there any known side effects or risks associated with spray cryotherapy (SCT)?

Doctor’s Tip

It is important to follow your doctor’s post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a successful recovery after sinus surgery. This may include taking prescribed medications, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments. Be sure to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your doctor promptly.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended sinus surgery are those who have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) that has not responded well to other treatments such as medications or nasal sprays. They may have symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, headaches, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Sinus surgery may also be recommended for patients with nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or other structural issues in the sinuses that are causing symptoms. Overall, sinus surgery is usually considered when other treatment options have not been successful in managing the patient’s symptoms.

Timeline

Timeline before sinus surgery:

  1. Patient experiences chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pain, and post-nasal drip.
  2. Patient undergoes various treatments such as antibiotics, steroids, and nasal sprays to manage symptoms.
  3. Symptoms persist and worsen, leading to a consultation with an ENT specialist.
  4. ENT specialist recommends endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) as the best treatment option.

Timeline after sinus surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes ESS to remove blockages and improve sinus drainage.
  2. Patient may experience side effects such as nasal blockage and temporary discomfort post-surgery.
  3. Symptoms gradually improve over time as the sinuses heal and inflammation decreases.
  4. Patient follows up with their ENT specialist for post-operative care and monitoring.
  5. If symptoms persist or recur, patient may explore additional treatment options such as spray cryotherapy (SCT) as a complementary therapy to ESS.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about sinus surgery and potential SCT treatment include:

  1. Can you explain the benefits of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)?
  2. What are the potential risks and side effects of ESS?
  3. Are there any alternative treatments to ESS that I should consider?
  4. Can you explain how spray cryotherapy (SCT) works and how it differs from traditional treatments?
  5. What are the potential benefits of SCT compared to ESS for CRS?
  6. Are there any potential side effects or risks associated with SCT?
  7. How long does it typically take to see results from SCT treatment?
  8. Are there any long-term effects or considerations I should be aware of with SCT?
  9. What is the success rate of SCT compared to ESS for CRS?
  10. Are there any additional studies or research on SCT that I should be aware of?

Reference

Authors: Taha MJJ, Falah O, Abuawwad MT, Sara AR, Aljariri AA, Nashwan AJ, Abuawwad IT, Taha AJ, Elhakim AA, Akili M. Journal: F1000Res. 2024 Jun 5;13:4. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.143321.2. eCollection 2024. PMID: 39440069