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ERS&ISIAN 2010


The latest advances in rhinosinusitis and the most prestigious specialists are brought together in Geneva, in June 2010

What you asked about Rhinosinusistis and Nobody Answered

Monday 20th - 23rd of June 2010 - The most prestigious International Rhinology meeting of the year takes place in Switzerland this month. Leading figures from the scientific and medical communities come to join the most prestigious scientists and physicians involved in nasal/sinus disease research. Round table discussions, symposiums, free paper communications and poster presentations contribute to making the 23rd Congress of the European Rhinologic Society (ERS) and the 29th International Symposium of Infection and Allergy of the Nose (ISIAN) an outstanding event.

The approximate prevalence of acute rhinosinusitis in countries within the European Union is between 1-2% (affecting about 10-20 million people per year). As far as chronic rhinosinusitis is concerned, the prevalence ascends to 10% (more than 50 million people). The prevalence of rhinosinusitis is increasing on a global scale and is one of the most common reasons for a physician consultation in primary care. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, preventing disease progression/recurrence, and most importantly, improving the patient’s quality of life. Currently available therapies often fail to provide adequate symptom relief and new therapeutic options would be a step forward, particularly if they help to avoid the overuse of antibiotics for a disease that is usually viral in origin.

In the symposium “What you always asked about rhinosinusitis and nobody answered” different therapies were explained by internationally renowned specialists, such as Prof. Valerie Lund (UK,) Wytse Fokkens (Netherlands), Claus Bachert (Germany), Ludger Klimek (Germany) and Joaquim Mullol (Spain). Their lectures included expounding on the Pros & Cons of the different therapies in acute rhinosunuitis.

This covered the pros & cons of cyclamen extract (CE), which is a member of the primrose family and has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. Extracts from CE tubers contain saponins which following nasal instillation, concentrate in the mucous membranes of the lower nasal cavity, inducing a rapid discharge of mucous from the nasal and paranasal cavities, offering potential benefits in rhinosinusitis treatment according to Dr. Klimek from the Center for Rhinology and Allergology of Wiesbaden, Germany.

Clinical experiments developed in acute rhinosinusitis and post-operative care with the extract of cyclamen. On the basis of ample experience with this product, administered in an intranasal form, it has been verified that cyclamen extract stimulates the sensorial free completions of the trigeminal nerve, acting on the mucosa of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses, thereby inducing an intense reflex secretion that results in a fast, voluminous expulsion of the mucus. In this way, retained seromucous secretions are eliminated, while tissue congestion and edema are also reduced (direct osmotic effect, combined with cellular pore opening). Really, it secures an effective opening of the nasal spaces, facilitating the physiological drainage and cleansing of the nasal cavities.

In addition, the specialists show in their lectures The Pros & Cons of corticosteroids, antibiotics, the important facts regarding acute rhinosinitusitis and the diagnosis under debate. Also, important questions were raised and answered in a debate on acute rhinosinusitis.

The other topics covered at this important congress were the Update on acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, Specific and non-specific airways hyper reactivity, Fundamental research in airways physiology and pathophysiology, Olfactology: from fundamental research to clinical applications, Microbiology, Benign and malignant tumors, Pediatric rhinology, Rhinology in emerging countries, Robotics and new technologies, Imaging, Reconstructive and plastic surgery, and Post graduate education: Workshops and instructional courses.

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