EFFICACY OF INTRANASAL TRIAMCINOLONE-SOAKED GEL FOAM IN EARLY NASAL POLYPOSIS OF CRS PATIENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a persistent inflammatory condition of the nasal and paranasal sinuses (>12 weeks), presenting with nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, facial pain, and olfactory loss. It is highly prevalent and significantly impairs quality of life. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is characterized by benign inflammatory polyps. Diagnosis is supported by nasal endoscopy or CT scan. Intranasal corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment, with triamcinolone offering effective local action and minimal systemic effects. Aim:To evaluate the efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide–soaked gelfoam as a targeted, minimally invasive therapy in early nasal polyposis. METHOD- Total of 100 CRS patients were selected as per inclusion criteria and divided into two groups (50 each); one group was treated with Triamcinolone-soaked nasal packing while the other with normal saline-soaked. SNAQ-11 scores and L-K endoscopic scores were recorded at baseline and compared with scores of 6ths and 12th week follow-ups. RESULTS—Pre-intervention SNAQ-11 and L-K endoscopic scores (mean score) in both groups were comparable. At 6 and 12 weeks, the mean SNAQ-11 and L-K endoscopic scores of the triamcinolone group showed significantly lower scores compared to the control group (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION- Significant improvement in symptom and endoscopic score was noted in both the groups, but improvement was more pronounced in Group A. Thus, targeted topical therapy offers an alternative to oral steroids by avoiding their systemic side effects and decreasing morbidity in patients.