アレルギー性鼻炎に対するアルゴンプラズマ凝固療法

Abstract

We performed argon plasma coagulation (APC) in 64 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and 115 patients with cedar pollinosis, and investigated the treatment response and degree of satisfaction. With respect to various symptoms and topical findings, 87 to 89% patients with perennial allergic rhinitis responded to APC for 6 months after this therapy. One year after APC, the response rates for nasal discharge and sneezing ranged from 67% to 69%; the treatment response differed among the symptoms. The response rate for each symptom was approximately 50% 2 years after APC. An increasing number of patients required additional irradiation or other treatments between 1 year and 2 years after APC. Furthermore, 65% of the patients with cedar pollinosis responded to APC, and 77% of the patients were satisfied with this therapy.In years with higher pollen dispersion, the response rate was 52%. In years with lower pollen dispersion, the response rate was 92%. The effects on pollinosis depended on pollen dispersion. In one-third of patients who underwent APC the year before lower pollen dispersion was noted, the effects of APC were maintained over the year. When average pollen dispersion is expected, APC should be performed annually. In 18 of 21 patients with cedar pollinosis complicated by Dactylis glomerata pollinosis, the effects of APC persisted until the end of Dactylis glomerata pollen dispersion. In patients with cedar pollinosis complicated by perennial allergic rhinitis, the response rate was similar to that in patients with cedar pollinosis alone; however, satisfaction was lower. The response rate for APC during pollen dispersion was lower than that for APC prior to pollen dispersion. However, there was no difference in satisfaction. APC was useful for perennial allergic rhinitis and pollinosis.