Consensus guidance of nebulizer therapy for acute rhinosinusitis

Abstract

The guidance deals with the recommended applications, procedures, and safety management of nebulizer therapy for acute rhinosinusitis. In Japan, nebulizer therapy for sinusitis has been covered by public health insurance since 1958 and has been commonly carried out nationwide. The Japan Society for Infection and Aerosol in Otorhinolaryngology and the Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan set up a working group to draw up a consensus guidance on nebulizer therapy for acute rhinosinusitis. The device for nebulizer therapy are classified into jet, ultrasound, and mesh types. In Japan, cefmenoxime hydrochloride (CMX) was approved for use in nebulizer therapy since 1996. The widening of the obstructed lesions such as large polyps prior to nebulizer therapy were recommended. The numbers of times of nebulizer therapy is recommended for three times in a week for at least for 2 weeks (cure rate: 68%, eradication ratio: 48%). Concerns should be pay for the changes of activity of medicine due to the mixing and bacterial contamination. Pseudomonas cepacia growing in a short even in both saline and distilled water leads to contamination at high concentrations by 2 days. Nebulizer therapy is an effective treatment based on a drug delivery system (DDS) to the nasal and paranasal cavities. The therapy effectively increases the local drug concentration by promptly and uniformly delivering drugs to a targeted local site. The therapy is safe with less systemic absorption and with few adverse reactions.

Keywords: Acute rhinosinusitis; Guidance; Nebulizer therapy.