Sulphurous thermal water inhalations in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of sulphurous thermal water in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Methods: Eighty patients with CRS were included and randomly assigned into two groups. Patients underwent a 12-day course of warm vapour inhalations and nasal irrigations with sulphurous thermal water in group A, and a physiological solution in group B. Results: Compared with group B, in group A the results were as follows: serum concentration of IgE was significantly lower (p < 0.05) 12 days (76.27 +/- 26.3 mg/dl vs. 97.44 +/- 45.4) and 3 months after the beginning of the treatment (75.48 +/- 26.1 mg/dl vs. 98.37 +/- 41.4); IgA titers were not significantly higher 12 days (231.09 +/- 120.3 mg/dl vs. 220.44 +/- 114.4 mg/dl) and 3 months after the beginning of the treatment (235.44 +/- 118.5 mg/dl vs. 214.51 +/- 111.8 mg/dl); VAS scores were significantly (p < 0.05) improved at 12 days (1.7 +/- 0.18 vs. 6.9 +/- 0.51) and 3 months after the start (1.8 +/- 0.22 vs. 7.1 +/- 0.59); MUTT was normal at 12 days (11.54 +/- 1.59 min vs. 17.38 +/- 1.83 min) and 3 months after the beginning of the treatment (11.46 +/- 2.07 min vs. 17.43 +/- 2.01 min); total nasal resistances were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased at 12 days and 3 months. Conclusion: Our results indicate the efficiency and applicability of sulphurous thermal water in the treatment of CRS.