Relationships between nasal polyps and nasal allergy
Fang, S.Y.; Hsu, C.J.; So, T.K.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 87(8): 802-807
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0371-7682 PMID: 3241159 Document Number: 311550
The etiology and pathogenesis of nasal polyps are still not well understood. Allergy has been considered to be an important factor. Allergic profiles, sinus X-rays and sonograms were assessed in 32 patients having chronic paranasal sinusitis with nasal polyps from March to September, 1987. All the patients were classified into three subgroups: (1) allergic group, 8 cases; (2) probable allergic groups, 8 cases; and (3) non-allergic group, 16 cases. Polyps were obtained during surgery and prepared with HE stain and Toluidine blue stain. Under light microscope, tissue infiltration of the eosinophil, plasma cell and mast cell were evaluated in detail. Only 25% of the patients with nasal polyps belonged to the allergic group. Compared with the non-allergic group, the polyps of the allergic group showed the following characteristics: (1) more prominent infiltration of the eosinophil, (2) less infiltration of the plasma cell, and (3) prominent degranulation of the mast cell. According to the results of this study, we conclude that only a subpopulation of nasal polyps may be of allergic origin. We suggest doing a detailed allergic assessment for those patients whose nasal polyps histopathologically show prominent infiltration of the eosinophil and degranulation of the mast cell. If nasal polyps are considered to be of allergic origin, topical steroid therapy or other anti-allergic therapy should be tried to prevent recurrence.