Topical Intranasal Anesthesia and Its Effects
Background
Topical intranasal anesthesia may affect how we perceive airflow in our noses. This could explain chronic nasal obstruction (CNO) in patients who do not have visible issues like deformities or inflammation. Our goal is to understand how this anesthesia impacts sensitivity in the nose and the feeling of nasal blockage.
Methodology
We conducted a study with 16 healthy participants. They were randomly assigned to receive either topical intranasal anesthesia (10% Xylocaine) or a placebo (saline solution). We assessed trigeminal sensitivity using the Trigeminal Lateralization Task (TLT) with eucalyptol. We measured nasal airflow using:
- Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) for objective measurement
- Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- Empty Nose Syndrome 6-Item Questionnaire (ENS6Q)
- Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire
Results
The use of topical intranasal anesthesia significantly decreased sensitivity in the trigeminal system. This reduction in sensitivity was linked to a subjective feeling of decreased nasal airflow, as shown in the ENS6Q and NOSE scores.
Conclusions
Topical intranasal anesthesia lowers trigeminal function, leading to a perceived decrease in nasal airflow. Future research should explore the connection between reduced trigeminal function and feelings of nasal obstruction. This could lead to new treatment options for many ENT patients.
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