Introduction
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease with a high prevalence that
has been increased over last decades (1). Depending on pathogenesis of
AR and patients complaints such as nasal hypersecretions, sneezing and
nasal congestion, several treatment strategies had been conducted (2).
Conventional medications are not able to completely control symptoms in
most of patients with severe AR, other than the possible side effects
and the financial burdens (3).
Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) inhibits release of acetylcholine in
presynaptic area of neuromuscular junction and consequently blocks
cholinergic pathway. Therefore, intranasal administration of BTX-A
through different ways and doses had been reported as a safe and
effective therapeutic option for controlling AR symptoms (4). BTX-A is
expected to suppress nasal hypersecretions by blocking the cholinergic
pathway in the nasal mucosa. However, the effects of BTX-A on sneezing
and nasal congestion remain controversial. Some previous
reports described the beneficial effects of BTX-A on all nasal allergic
symptoms (5),(6),(7),(8), although other reports failed to observe an
effect of BTX-A on sneezing and nasal congestion (3),(9).
The aim of this study was to assess the possible therapeutic effects of
the combined nasal septum, inferior and middle turbinates injection of
BTX-A on AR symptoms over a
period of 12 weeks, and to report any possible side effects.