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Updated: Mar 11, 2026
Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples
Published on: January 21, 2018
Paradoxical increase in nasal airway resistance after topical nasal decongestion - does it really exist? A retro- and
S Swoboda1, H L Thulesius1, M Jessen1
1ENT Department, Central Hospital Växjö, Växjö, Sweden.
Objective:
To explore the prevalence and reproducibility of paradoxically increased nasal airway resistance after decongestion of the nasal mucosa as well as to identify patient-related factors associated with it.
Design:
Retrospective analysis of all rhinomanometric measurements carried out at one ENT department in Sweden in the time between 1990 and 2010. In the baseline material, 207 of 4435 patients (4.7%) showed a paradoxically increased nasal airway resistance >20%. A follow-up rhinomanometry was performed in patients eligible for the study.
Setting:
Secondary care centre.
Participants:
Patients with paradoxically increased nasal airway resistance >20% who returned a complete questionnaire and had not undergone any nasal- or sinus surgery. Thirty-six patients (33-72 years) were eligible for the study.
Main Outcome Measures:
All patients answered a questionnaire and underwent rhinoscopy. Nasal airway resistance before and after decongestion with 0.1% xylometazoline hydrochloride was assessed by active anterior rhinomanometry.
Results:
Twelve of thirty-six patients (33%) showed a paradoxically increased nasal airway resistance in the follow-up rhinomanometry. No patient-related factors were identified.
Conclusion:
The results indicate the existence and reproducibility of paradoxically increased nasal airway resistance.
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