Hyaluronic acid gel in the treatment of empty nose syndrome

Background: Empty nose syndrome (ENS) along with atrophic rhinitis are disease entities that are bothersome for patients and difficult for their doctors to treat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of intranasal injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) gel in patients with symptoms of ENS. Methods: Three patients suffering from ENS and atrophic rhinitis underwent trial treatment consisting of submucosal injections of HA preparations into the inferior nasal concha and under the mucous membrane of the septum. Result: As a result of treatment, the patients' symptoms improved for several months and no complications were recorded. Conclusion: Because of its simplicity, safety, and fairly good, but impermanent clinical effects, HA injections appear to be worth considering in less severe forms of ENS. (Am J Rhinol Allergy 25, 103-106, 2011; doi: 10.2500/ajra.2011.25.3577)