Open, prospective, multicenter study on postoperative intranasal phototherapy in nasal polyposis

The therapeutic effect of ultraviolet (UV) light is generally attributed to its immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory effects. Since chronic inflammation is the major factor in the development of nasal polyposis, we have previously used mixed ultraviolet-visible light (mUV-VIS, Rhinolight®) phototherapy for the treatment of nasal polyps.

In the present open, multicenter study, our aim was to delineate whether mUV-VIS applied postoperatively in vivo together with intranasal steroid treatment could reduce the recurrence of nasal polyps.

After functional endoscopic sinus surgery, one group of patients received mUV-VIS light together with standard intranasal steroid (mometason furoate 2 × 200 μg) application for a 12-week treatment period, whereas the other patient group obtained only intranasal steroid for the same duration. We recorded nasal endoscopy images and obtained demographical and clinical data, total nasal score (TNS), and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE). We performed acoustic rhinometry and measured nasal inspiratory peak flow. Follow-up was 12 months.

We found that the recurrence of nasal polyps was significantly diminished, and based on video-endoscopic measurements, the size and grade of recurrent polyps were significantly smaller in the phototherapy-receiving group. Nasal obstruction values and NOSE were significantly better throughout the follow-up period in the mUV-VIS light-treated group than in the intranasal steroid monotreatment group.

Rhinophototherapy together with standard nasal steroid application may have a supportive role in the treatment of recurrent bilateral nasal polyps.