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.