OBJECTIVES:

Aim of the research was the demonstration of the efficacy of thermal water vs saline in the recurrent and chronic nasosinusal pathologies treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

120 patients randomized into 2 groups of 60 subjects each, all affected by recurrent or chronic rhinosinusitis with/without I degree nasal polyposis. At the beginning and at the end of the study, in all the subjects the clinical history, objective examination and the instrumental analysis of nasal functions by active anterior rhinometry, acustic rhinometry, nasal mucociliary transport time determination and nasal mucosa scraping were performed. Patients of the study group underwent crenotherapy treatment (vapour inhalation, aerosol and nasal douching) with thermal water for 14 days at Salsomaggiore Thermal baths. Other patients underwent nasal douching and aerosol with saline twice a day for 14 days at the Rhinologic Centre of the ENT Clinic of Siena University.

RESULTS:

At the end of the study, only the patients undergone to crenothrapic treatment with salt-bromine-iodic water showed a significant improvement of nasal obstruction, rinorrea and number of nocturnal arousals. The improvement, even if present, was not significant in the control group. Same positive variations were observed concerning nasal mucosa congestion, nasal secretion and mucociliary transport time reaching the significance in the study group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Crenotherapy with salt-bromine-iodic water should be considered as efficacious therapeutic tool in the management of chronic and recurrent rhinosinusitis.