MRI quantification:a novel objective method for evaluating inflammatory response after allergen challenge and assessing therapeutic efficacy in allergic rhinitis
LI Zhenhong
WEN Yanhui
YAN Yajie
Abstract：Objective To explore the clinical value of MRI quantitative technology in evaluating the inflammatory response of patients with allergic rhinitis after allergen challenge.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 21 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis admitted to Dongguan Songshan Lake Central Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University from June 2023 to June 2024.The patients were intervened with cetirizine hydrochloride,cetirizine hydrochloride combined with pseudoephedrine(Cet+PE),and placebo,respectively.After intranasal allergen challenge,the Total Nasal Symptom Score(TNSS),Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow(PNIF),nasal nitric oxide(nNO),acoustic rhinometry parameters,and MRI detection indicators were measured.Results After allergen challenge,all indicators except nNO changed significantly,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).MRI detection indicators were more consistent and stable than PNIF and acoustic rhinometry in reflecting the changes.As the most sensitive and repeatable MRI measurement indicator,the total nasal cavity volume decreased by an average of 5.37 cm³(P<0.05),reaching the maximum variation at 60 min after challenge.Each 1-point change in TNSS corresponded to a 0.57 cm³ change in MRI volume.Compared with the placebo group,there were no statistically significant differences in all indicators except nNO in the Cet+PE group(P>0.05).Conclusion MRI technology provides a new perspective for revealing the anatomical and inflammatory changes of the nasal cavity after allergen challenge,and it is an effective new method for evaluating nasal patency and objectively measuring inflammatory responses.
Keywords：MRI quantificationallergic rhinitisallergen challengeinflammatory response
Publication Date：2026-02-20
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-25(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 184-189 )