Intranasal irradiation with the xenon chloride ultraviolet B laser improves allergic rhinitis

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 2004-09, Vol.75 (3), p.137-144
• Main Authors: Csoma, Zsanett, Ignacz, Ferenc, Bor, Zsolt, Szabo, Gabor, Bodai, Laszlo, Dobozy, Attila, Kemeny, Lajos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Allergic rhinitis; Chlorides - therapeutic use; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Humans; Immunosuppression; Laser; Low-Level Light Therapy - methods; Middle Aged; Nasal Cavity - pathology; Nasal Cavity - radiation effects; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial - pathology; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial - radiotherapy; Statistics, Nonparametric; Ultraviolet B; Ultraviolet Rays; Xenon - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2004.05.001

We earlier reported that the 308 nm xenon chloride (XeCl) ultraviolet B (UVB) laser is highly effective for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Since UVB irradiation has been shown to exert both local and systemic immunosuppression, we investigated the clinical efficacy of UVB irradiation in allergic rhinitis. In an open study, groups of patients with severe allergic rhinitis received intranasal irradiation with a 308 nm XeCl UVB excimer laser for two weeks. In the low-dose group ( n=10), treatment was given twice weekly, starting with 0.25 × the individual minimal erythema dose (MED), whereas patients in the medium-dose group ( n=8) were treated four times weekly, starting with 0.4 × MED. In each group, the dosage was gradually increased. Evaluation was based on the symptom scores. The effect of the XeCl laser on the skin prick test reaction was also studied. In the low-dose group, seven patients completed the study, and there was no improvement in the nasal symptoms. In the medium-dose group, the XeCl UVB irradiation significantly inhibited the rhinorrhoea, the sneezing, the nasal obstruction and the total nasal score ( p