Allergy testing and immunotherapy in an academic otolaryngology practice: A 20-year review

OBJECTIVE: Allergic disease plays a central role in the clinical practice o f otolaryngology. The purpose of this study was to review the 20-year exper ience of an allergy clinic integrated within an otolaryngology practice at a major academic institution. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective database review of over 3300 oto laryngology patients referred for allergy skin testing between 1979 and 199 9, RESULTS: Approximately 80% of patients referred for allergy testing in our clinic had positive test results, of which 75,7% went on to undergo desensi tization. The most common allergen was house dust, with allergies to mites, ragweed, and grass also prevalent. Among current allergy immunotherapy pat ients, 30.8% have undergone nasal septal, turbinate, and/or endoscopic sinu s procedures in addition to allergy management, Nasal obstruction was the s ymptom most frequently persistent despite immunotherapy and the one most fr equently reported to be improved by surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon is uniquely qualifi ed to perform comprehensive medical and surgical management for patients wi th complex disease processes involving a component of allergy We believe th at an integrated approach to allergy within an otolaryngology practice opti mizes the treatment of such patients.