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The currently available nebulization devices have a slow aerosol flow and produce vapor with large microdrops. Improved devices that achieve higher airflow and produce smaller microdrops are needed to improve the clinical care of patients. To address this critical need, we developed a novel system for the molecular vaporization of liquids. This device vaporizes an active pharmacological substance dissolved in water, alcohol, or a mixture of water and alcohol using two energy sources at the same time: high-frequency ultrasound and thermal induction. Application of energy to a solution contained in the device's tank allows, within tens of seconds, for the vaporization of the solution itself, with the generation of a vapor consisting of microdrops of very small diameter (0.2-0.3 µm). In this article, we illustrate the technology used, the main verification tests performed, and the primary fields of application for this device. In particular, the advantages of both the aerosol delivery system and the administration system are highlighted.
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We have evaluated the capacity of virtual laryngoscopy and conventional laryngoscopy conducted with a rigid or flexible instrument to visualize laryngeal structures in 64 patients with normal endoluminal anatomy. Virtual laryngoscopy allowed total visualization of laryngeal structures, including those that could not be reached by a flexible instrument. There was good correlation between virtual laryngoscopy and "real" images, indicating satisfactory diagnostic accuracy (p < .05). Although virtual laryngoscopy does not provide histologic data, it is a fast and noninvasive technique that can be added to and integrated with conventional laryngoscopy, and it can be an alternative in cases in which conventional laryngoscopy is difficult, contraindicated, or impossible. It is particularly useful for the study of laryngeal narrow spaces and in the visualization of subglottic regions and of other more restricted areas (inferior tonsil region, posterior surface of the epiglottis, glossoepiglottic vallecula, Morgagni's ventricle, anterior commissure).
Assuntos
Doenças da Laringe/diagnóstico , Laringoscopia/métodos , Interface Usuário-Computador , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Tecnologia de Fibra Óptica , Humanos , Laringe/anatomia & histologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) presents as the main and most invasive symptom in the blocking of the nose. This condition is almost always related to hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates. When the medical treatments are found to be insufficient to solve the obstructive symptom of the patient, the quality of life is considerably impaired and it is often necessary to submit the patient to a surgical approach. In the present study we aimed to establish the efficacy and safety of a new technique recently introduced for the shrinkage of hypertrophic turbinates using a specific device, based on a new radiofrequency energy that does not produce thermal mucosal damage, viz., quantic molecular resonance (QMR) in a group of patients with persistent moderate-severe allergic rhinitis, in addition to standard medical treatment (nasal steroid and oral antihistamine). METHODS: All patients were randomly assigned to two homogeneous groups (group A, control subjects; group B, treated patients); each group included 145 individuals. During the study, both groups received standard medications (ebastine, 10-mg tablet, and budesonide nasal spray at 100 micrograms/nostril per day) for 90 days. Before the medical treatment, patients in group B underwent inferior endoscopic turbinoplasty using QMR. All of the patients enrolled in this study were submitted to a complete otorhinolaryngologic evaluation with objective clinical examination (basal rhinomanometry, nasal provocation test rhinomanometry, and mucociliary transport time), endoscopy, and questionnaires (22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test and visual analog scale for nasal symptoms). RESULTS: Greater efficacy has been achieved using a combined approach with the association of medical and QMR treatment, compared with medical treatment alone, in the control of AR associated with hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates, in particular in the reduction of turbinate volume at rhinoendoscopy. CONCLUSION: QMR inferior turbinoplasty, in conjunction with medical therapy, improves the nasal flow, without any thermal mucosal damage, more effectively when compared with medical treatment alone in persistent moderate-to-severe AR. In particular, local reactivity, as measured with nasal provocation test, was noticeably reduced.
Assuntos
Endoscopia , Tratamento por Radiofrequência Pulsada , Rinite Alérgica/radioterapia , Conchas Nasais/cirurgia , Adulto , Budesonida/administração & dosagem , Butirofenonas/administração & dosagem , Terapia Combinada , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Antagonistas dos Receptores Histamínicos/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Hipertrofia , Masculino , Testes de Provocação Nasal , Piperidinas/administração & dosagem , Radioterapia Adjuvante , Recidiva , Rinite Alérgica/tratamento farmacológico , Esteroides/uso terapêutico , Inquéritos e Questionários , Resultado do Tratamento , Conchas Nasais/patologiaRESUMO
Background. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) represent a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins, that represent a fundamental link between innate and adaptive immune responses. Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of TLR4 and TLR9 in the normal nasal mucosa and in the mucosa of subjects with different phenotypes of rhinitis. Methodology. A confocal analysis of TLR4 and TLR9 (co)expression was carried out on biopsies from the inferior turbinate obtained from 4 patients affected by persistent allergic rhinitis, 8 patients with chronic rhino-sinusitis, and 6 patients with vasomotor rhinitis The results were compared with those of specimens obtained from 4 subjects undergoing nasal surgery, but with signs of nasal inflammation. Results. TLR4 and TLR9 were expressed in the healthy nasal mucosa; TLR4 and TLR9 expression was significantly decreased in allergic rhinitis. TLR4 was over expressed in the epithelium of chronic rhino-sinusitis. Both TLRs were co-expressed in the sub-epithelial infiltrate of chronic and vasomotor rhinitis, even though this expression was higher in the former compared with the latter. Conclusions. This study indicates that TLR4 and TLR9 show a different pattern of expression in different phenotypes of rhinitis, possibly related to the type and severity of the disease.