[Local therapy of rhinopathies with topically active glucocorticosteroid aerosols. Review].

The topical application of recently developed steroid aerosols is of great advantage in the treatment of rhinopathies. The modern steroid aerosols are inactivated after the first passage in the liver, following resorption by the respiratory or gastrointestinal mucosa. The desired therapeutic effect is therefore, restricted to the mucous membrane, and the well-known undesirable general side effects of the steroid hormone are avoided. The main indications for nasal application of steroid aerosols are allergic and non-allergic vasomotor rhinopathies and polyposis nasi. The basic requirement for a good therapeutic effect is tue proper application; therefore, satisfactory nasal ventilation and precise instruction and handling of the applicator are mandatory. The basic biochemical mechanisms of the glucocorticosteroid effects in relation to rhinopathies are given in a survey.