Evaluation of efficacy of radiofrequency thermal ablation technique by computed tomography and visual analog scale in treatment of isolated inferior turbinate hypertrophy

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) technique by computed tomography (CT) and visual analog scale (VAS) in patients with isolated inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Between May 2009 and December 2009, 30 patients (10 females, 20 males; mean age 31.0±12.0 years; range 18 to 61 years) who were diagnosed with an isolated inferior turbinate hypertrophy were included in this study. As a treatment, RFTA was applied to the inferior turbinate on three separate points. Evaluation of turbinate dimensions was performed by CT in pre- and postoperative period. Also, the evaluation of turbinate dimension by another otorhinolaryngologist and of the nasal obstruction by the patients in pre- and postoperative period through VAS were asked. The mean dimensions of the left and right inferior turbinate on CT in pre- and postoperative period were 112.42±28.41 / 81.53±22.57 and 117.72±27.85 / 86.53±23.66 mm2, respectively. The mean VAS values of the left and right turbinate dimensions were determined by another otorhinolaryngologist in pre- and postoperative period as 6.60±2.48 / 4.30±1.47 and 7.60±1.67 / 4.63±1.40, respectively. The mean VAS values of nasal obstruction in pre- and postoperative period were 6.77±1.19 and 3.57±1.46, respectively. Radiofrequency thermal ablation technique used for the treatment of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy is an effective procedure in the light of the CT and VAS evaluation results.