Cytohistological Findings in Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Introduction: About 1/5 of the world population is affected by allergic rhinitis,affecting to quality of life,require a systemic approach of history, examination,investigation and sometimes special allergic testing.Objective of this study is to evaluate the nasal cytohistological findings in the patients of allergic rhinitis. Material and Method: This study consists of 58 patients of Allergic Rhinitis in whom cytohistological examination was done.All the patients had nasal symptoms; rhinorrhoea(100%) ,nasal obstruction(87.96%), sneezing(81.03%),itching of the palate(41.38%),fullness of the ears(37.93%), headache(29.31%).In all patients nasal cytohistogical examinations were done under local anesthesia except in children. Result: Nasal smear findings were as follows:Nasal Smear eosinophilia was found to be present in 67.24% of the cases.In32.76% of the patients,nasal eosinophilia was not demonstrable.Cytohistological findings were as Epithelium was found normal in 67.24% of cases, hypertrophied epithelium was observed in 12.07%, squamous metaplasia was noticed in 20.69%, inflammation was reported in 90.09%,Tissue eosinophilia was found to be associated in 68.97% of cases. In all patients nasal cytohistological examinations were done under local anesthesia except in children. Conclusion: Nasal smear & histological work up is an effective diagnostic tool for allergic rhinitis but nasal smear eosinophilia and tissue eosinophilia were not found in all cases of allergic rhinitis.