Morphologic Change of Nasal Epithelium in Animal Model with Nasal Hyperreactivity / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND: Nasal hyperreactivity is a cardinal pathophysiological feature in allergic or nonallergic rhinitis. However, the mechanisms underlying nasal hyperreactivity are largely unknown. One of the proposed mechanisms is that epithelial damage may contribute to the development of nasal hyperreactivity. However, it is hard to find studies on this topic. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to demonstrate whether the morphological change of nasal epithelium exists in animal model with nasal hyperreactivity or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Guinea pigs were sensitized in 10% TDI-ethyl acetate solution for 5 days, after which a recess of 3 weeks were allowed before exposing them in 5% TDI-ethyl acetate solution twice a week for 4 weeks. Thereafter, we observed the morphologic change of nasal mucosa with a light microscope and an electron microscope. RESULTS: Under the light microscopic observation, there were no morphological changes including epithelial damage in the TDI-provoked group. Under the electron microscopic, however, the widening of the intercellular space, the disruption of the basement membrane and the cytoplasmic vacuolization were observed. CONCLUSION: Morphological changes of the nasal epithelium were found in the animal model with nasal hyperreactivity under electron microscopic observation. Further studies to verify the relationship between the morphological changes and the nasal hyperreactivity will be needed.

A Case of Nasal Septal Perforation Due to Alkaline Disc Battery as a Nasal Foreign Body / 대한이비인후과학회지

Due to the common use of alkaline disc batteries(e.g. watches, electronic toys and games, calculators, cameras) physicians and the general public should be more aware of this battery foreign body and the peculiarities in their management. Alkaline disc batteries as foreign bodies in the nasal cavities are extremely rare but dangerous because they can cause liquefaction necrosis with subsequent severe local tissue destruction. Batteries found in the nasal cavities should be removed immediately to prevent sequelae such as septal perforations or nasal stenosis. We recently experienced a case of 4-year-old boy who revealed necrotic perforation of nasal septum which was exposed directly to a alkaline disc battery for 20 hours and the special aspects of these foreign body is discussed.