Management of radiation-induced early nasal adhesion after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the conservative management of radiation-induced early nasal adhesion after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: From June 2008 to June 2010, patients with bilateral or unilateral early nasal adhesion after radiotherapy for NPC were selected. All patients received endoscopic management and then nasal irrigation daily and nasal steroids spray for at least 3 months. All of the clinical data and follow-up endoscopy were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 40 patients enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 19.6 months (range, 12-24 months) after procedure. Thirty-eight patients (95%) had patent nasal cavity during follow-up. Two patients (5%) had not received endoscopy regularly and developed severe fibrosis. For the whole group, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, hyposmia, and xerostomia all were improved from before management according to visual analog score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic endoscopy in combination with nasal steroid sprays and nasal irrigation provides a convenient, simple, effective, and minimally invasive therapy to treat early radiation-induced nasal adhesion patients.