Relationship between tissue and serum eosinophilia in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with allergic rhinitis

Özgür Külahci,Nur Yücel Ekici

doi:10.3906/sag-1904-105

Abstract

Background/aim Previous reports suggested that allergic/eosinophilic inflammation affects the adenoid and tonsillar tissue. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the tissue and serum eosinophilia in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with allergic rhinitis.Materials and methods The clinical registers of 125 children undergoing adenoidectomy/tonsillectomy due to adenoid/tonsil hypertrophy were examined and reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-seven children with positive skin prick test and symptoms of allergic rhinitis were included in the study as the atopic group, whereas 68 children with no allergic symptoms and negative skin prick test were included as the nonatopic group. Consequently, the total immunoglobulin E level and the serum and tissue eosinophilia of the atopic and nonatopic groups were compared. Results Serum eosinophilia in the atopic group was found to be significantly higher than in the nonatopic group (P = 0.045). A significantly higher eosinophil count was found in adenoid/tonsil tissue of the atopic group (P < 0.001, P = 0.023, respectively). However, no significant correlation between tissue and serum eosinophilia was found.Conclusion The inconsistency between tissue and serum eosinophilia in atopic children would particularly indicate a role of local atopy in adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Further studies are needed to better understand the effect and usefulness of serum and tissue eosinophilia in children with allergic rhinitis.

Highlights

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is the most common cause of upper respiratory tract obstruction in childhood
The inconsistency between tissue and serum eosinophilia in atopic children would indicate a role of local atopy in adenotonsillar hypertrophy
Despite the fact that the prevalence of adenotonsillar disease is reported as 21.2% and 22.9% in some studies [2,3] in children with allergic rhinitis (AR), Griffin et al [4] reported that the prevalence of AR is similar to age-matched controls

Summary

Introduction

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is the most common cause of upper respiratory tract obstruction in childhood. Allergy is one of the most common inflammatory processes for the upper respiratory tract [1]. Despite the fact that the prevalence of adenotonsillar disease is reported as 21.2% and 22.9% in some studies [2,3] in children with allergic rhinitis (AR), Griffin et al [4] reported that the prevalence of AR is similar to age-matched controls. Allergic rhinitis is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)mediated type-1 hypersensitivity reaction of the nasal mucosa which causes eosinophilic inflammation following allergen exposure of the mucous membranes. AR is a clinically defined disease with four main symptoms of rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching, and sneezing

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