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Long-term outcomes of temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation in chronic rhinitis

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Created On: 06/09/2025

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Key take away

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation offers lasting relief from chronic rhinitis symptoms and improves quality of life, with sustained benefits observed over 3 years.

Background

The posterior nasal nerve's temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) ablation has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option for chronic rhinitis, offering symptom relief and improved quality of life (QoL). This study sought to determine TCRF's long-term durability in terms of efficacy and safety over a 3-year period in patients with perennial allergic or nonallergic chronic rhinitis.

Method

In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, volunteers were randomized to get either active treatment or a sham procedure, with the control group later crossing over to active therapy. Data from both groups were combined for long-term analysis. The endpoints evaluated were postnasal drip, reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS), cough severity, and QoL using the Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (MiniRQLQ).

Result

Of the 104 patients treated with TCRF, 59 completed the 3-year follow-up. The mean baseline rTNSS was 8.2, which markedly dropped to 3.5 at 3 years—a 57.3% improvement (mean change: −4.7). A majority of patients (79.7%) met the responder criteria. The mean cough scores dropped from 1.5 to 0.7, with a mean change of −0.8. The postnasal drip scores dropped from 2.5 to 1.4, showing a mean change of −1.1. No deleterious adverse events were witnessed during the study, and no new adverse events occurred between 24 and 36 months.

Conclusion

TCRF ablation of the posterior nasal nerve offered durable, long-term symptom relief in chronic rhinitis, substantially improving nasal symptoms, cough, postnasal drip, and quality of life over a 3-year period. These findings reinforce TCRF's sustained efficacy and safety profile as a long-term option for both allergic and nonallergic chronic rhinitis.