A Comparison of Histopathologic Findings in the Nasal Polyp, Maxillary Sinus Mucosa, and Inferior Turbinate Mucosa

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The nasal polyp is the most common form of mass lesion in the nose with an unclear etiology and pathogenesis among patients in Asia. Also, the pathological characteristic of nasal polyps in these patients is eosinophil infiltration. These findings, as reported in Asia, are distinct from those of the West. Moreover, the role of eosinophil is recently found to be on the increase even in Asia. So, we investigated the proportion of eosinophil infiltration in the nasal polyp among patients in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 35 patients with a mean age of 43 years (ranging from 6 to 72 years). Tissue samples were taken via endoscopic sinus surgeries from the nasal polyp, inflammatory sinus mucosa, and the inferior turbinate. We compared 5 parameters of mucosal histopathology. RESULT: The incidence of a severe eosinophilic infiltration in the nasal polyp was 70%. Nasal polyp and inflammatory sinus mucosa had a larger eosinophil, lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration than a normal nasal mucosa. Also, the nasal polyp and sinus mucosa had a more severe basement membrane thickening and goblet cell hyperplasia. Distinctively, the nasal polyp had a severe eosinophilic infiltration and a more thickened basement membrane. CONCLUSION: The present histopathologic feature of the nasal polyp among Koreans indicates that cases of eosinophilic nasal polyp seems to be on the increase.