Cryotherapy as Treatment for Chronic Rhinitis: Long-Term Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Registry
In brief
Cryotherapy reduced nasal symptoms in more than 73% of chronic rhinitis patients
In a prospective, nonrandomized registry of 354 adults, more than 73% had at least a 1-point reduction in nasal symptom scores at every follow-up through 24 months; more than 74% also reported improved quality of life. No serious treatment-related events were reported, but without a comparison group, the registry cannot establish how much improvement was due to cryotherapy.
- Journal
- Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 7 October 2026
- Study design
- Prospective / inception cohort
- Evidence level
- Level 2, Moderate (CEBM 2b)
- Authors
- Amber U Luong, Neelesh H Mehendale, Emily Szabo, Farhad Sigari, Anthony G Del Signore, David M Yen
- PMID
- 42841538
- DOI
- 10.1002/ohn.70470
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Otorhinolaryngology (paper of the day, 10 October 2026): Long‑term cryotherapy efficacy for chronic rhinitis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this registry was to capture observational data on a large and diverse cohort treated with the ClariFix Cryotherapy device for chronic rhinitis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, observational registry. SETTING: Twenty-two tertiary care and private otolaryngology practices. METHODS: ClariFix treatment was administered to adult patients with allergic or nonallergic chronic rhinitis. Outcome measures included the reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score, mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Patient Global Impression of Change, Clinician Global Impression-Improvement, and adverse events related to the device or procedure through 24-month follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 354 participants received 932 treatments. The mean change in total reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score from baseline to all follow-ups was significant (P < .001); greater than 73% of participants were responders, achieving ≥1 point reduction at all follow-ups. Participants with baseline reflective Total Nasal Symptom scores ≥ 7 had greater improvement than those with baseline scores < 7 (P < .001). Greater than 74% of participants were quality of life responders (≥0.4 points) at all follow-ups with the mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. More than 73% of participants reported PGIC improvement at all follow-ups. Clinicians noted improvement in 87.1% of participants at 3-month follow-up. No device- or treatment-related serious adverse events were reported. Device- and treatment-related adverse events were transient, nonserious, and typically resolved by over-the-counter medication and warm beverages. CONCLUSION: This registry provides additional long-term evidence of the safety and efficacy of cryotherapy for the treatment of chronic rhinitis in a diverse population through 24 months.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.