Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Intranasal Administration of CNS Therapeutics to Awake Mice
Published on: April 8, 2013
The efficacy of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation for chronic sinonasal symptoms
David Rabago1, Thomas Pasic, Aleksandra Zgierska
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School-Madison, 53715, USA. david.rabago@fammed.wisc.edu
Objective:
To assess quality of life (QOL) in patients with sinonasal symptoms in response to hypertonic saline nasal irrigation (HSNI), and to assess HSNI use patterns.
Study Design And Setting:
The study was an uncontrolled 12-month follow-up to a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and used HSNI in a community setting. We included 54 participants with recurrent or chronic sinonasal symptoms. Forty participants had been in the intervention group of a previous study; 14 had been control participants. Primary outcome measures were the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI), a sinus-symptom severity assessment (SIA), and the Sino-Nasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-20). Secondary outcome measures were frequency and pattern of HSNI use, side effects and satisfaction.
Results:
Among participants using HSNI in the prior RCT, RSDI scores continued to improve, from 73.2 +/- 2.6 points to 80.6 +/- 2.4 points (P < 0.001). SIA and SNOT-20 scores remained stable. Former control participants reported QOL improvement similar to that of HSNI users in the prior RCT. RSDI scores improved from 62.0 +/- 3.9 points to 79.7 +/- 3.7 points (P < 0.05), SNOT-20 scores improved from 43.5 +/- 5.7 points to 28.4 +/- 4.8 points, and SIA scores improved from 4.2 +/- 0.3 points to 2.6 +/- 0.3 points (P < 0.01). Mean HSNI use for all participants was 2.4 irrigations per week; 33% of participants used HSNI regularly, 55% when symptomatic. Side effects were minor; satisfaction was high.
Conclusions:
Participants with chronic sinonasal symptoms reported improved QOL and frequent, satisfying use of HSNI.
Significance:
HSNI is an effective adjunctive treatment of chronic sinonasal symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
01:30Epistaxis
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
01:23Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...