Three-Year Outcomes After Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Ablation of the Posterior Nasal Nerve for Chronic Rhinitis

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jivianne T Lee - , University of California Los Angeles Medical Center (Author)
  • Gregory M Abbas - , Advanced ENT and Allergy (Author)
  • Daniel D Charous - , Arizona Desert Ear (Author)
  • Mandy Cuevas - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Önder Göktas - , ENT Center on Kudamm (Author)
  • Patricia A Loftus - , University of California at San Francisco (Author)
  • Nathan E Nachlas - , ENT and Allergy Associates of Florida (Author)
  • Elina M Toskala - , Thomas Jefferson University (Author)
  • Jeremy P Watkins - , Fort Worth ENT Group (Author)
  • Detlef Brehmer - , Witten/Herdecke University, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences (Author)

Abstract

BackgroundChronic rhinitis (CR) is characterized by refractory symptoms such as rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion, postnasal drip (PND), and cough. Most patients do not achieve lasting symptom relief with medical management.ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment targeting posterior nasal nerves (PNNs) for CR.MethodsThis prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study included patients aged 18-85 years across 19 centers in the United States and Germany. Outcome measures included reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (rTNSS), PND and cough scores, and the Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniRQLQ). Outcomes, including adverse events, were reported through 3 years post-procedure.SettingAll procedures were performed in an outpatient office-based setting.ResultsOne hundred twenty-nine patients received treatment; 101 completed 3-year follow-up. The adjusted mean rTNSS Score improved from 7.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.5-8.1) at baseline to 3.2 (95% CI: 2.8-3.7) at 3 years (mean change: -4.5 [95% CI: -5.1 to -4.0]; P  < .001). Rhinorrhea symptom scores improved from 2.6 to 1.2 (55.8% reduction). Compared to baseline, at 3 years, adjusted mean cough and PND scores declined from 1.3 to 0.4 (mean change: -0.9; P  < .001, 69% reduction) and from 2.4 to 1.2 (mean change: -1.2; P  < .001, 50% reduction), respectively. MiniRQLQ scores were significantly reduced from an adjusted mean of 3.0 (95% CI: 2.8-3.2) at baseline to 1.2 (95% CI: 1.0-1. 4) at 3-year follow-up; P  < .001. No serious device- or procedure-related adverse events were reported.ConclusionA single temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment of the PNN safely and effectively reduced CR symptoms, including cough and PND, improved quality of life, and decreased medication burden through a period of 3 years with no serious adverse events.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)398-409
Number of pages12
JournalAmerican journal of rhinology & allergy
Volume39
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC12480620
Scopus 105012762235
ORCID /0009-0007-1117-2210/work/200631838

Keywords

Keywords

  • Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Chronic Disease, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nose/innervation, Prospective Studies, Quality of Life, Radiofrequency Ablation/methods, Rhinitis/surgery, Surveys and Questionnaires, Treatment Outcome, United States, Young Adult, temperature-controlled radiofrequency, chronic rhinitis, rTNSS, ablation, neurolysis, vasomotor rhinitis, postnasal drip, posterior nasal nerve, allergic rhinitis, congestion