[Nebulization for basic treatment of asthma in adults]

Many different forms of nebulizer treatment for asthma have been developed over the last few years, including several which have reached international concensus. Nevertheless, there are no widely recognized recommendations concerning the role of nebulization in the treatment of asthma in adults. We present here the main elements on the pathophysiological basis of nebulization treatment of asthma, the physical and chemical parameters of nebulization, the different nebulizers and the substances which can be administered and their costs. The indications for home nebulizer treatment of asthma in adults include asthma with chronic sinusitis or nasosinus polyposis, asthma with hypersecretion with or without bronchial dilatation, severe poorly controlled asthma, corticodependent asthma. The aim of this discussion on nebulizer administration is to reduce the amount of systemic corticosteroid delivery and underline the need for quality research in this area.