Long-term outcome of once daily nasal irrigation for the treatment of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis

Objectives/hypothesis: Chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS) results in significant morbidity and health care expenditure. Safety and efficacy of nasal irrigation use in the treatment of pediatric CRS have been demonstrated, but long-term outcomes are unknown. We reviewed characteristics and treatment outcomes after 6 weeks of once daily nasal irrigation in pediatric CRS based on computed tomography (CT) scans, and summarized parental reports of subsequent use of nasal irrigation for recurring symptoms

Study design: Retrospective cohort study and cross-sectional survey.

Methods: Review and survey of 144 pediatric CRS patients diagnosed between July 2003 and January 2012.

Results: One hundred four patients were reviewed. Mean age was 8.0 years, and 65.4% were male. Presenting symptoms included congestion (95.2%), cough (79.8%), rhinorrhea (60.6%), headache (48.1%), and fatigue (40.4%). Comorbidities included positive allergy test (50%), asthma (57.3%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (28.2%). After 6 weeks, 57.7% of patients reported complete resolution of symptoms. Reductions in Lund-Mackay CT scores were 4.14 and 4.38 on the left and right sides, respectively (P < .001). Of the 54 parents who completed the prospective surveys, 53.7% reported using irrigation again in the past 12 months (median = 1, interquartile range = 3). Only nine patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) after the initial 6 weeks. Patients requiring FESS were, on average, 3.6 years older than those who did not receive FESS (P = 0.0005). Median length of follow-up was 48 months (range = 20-113). There were no significant differences in age, Lund-MacKay score changes, and symptom resolution proportions between those who completed the survey and those who did not.

Conclusions: Nasal irrigation is effective as a first-line treatment for pediatric CRS and subsequent nasal symptoms, and reduces the need for FESS and CT imaging.

Level of evidence: 2b.