Nasal Cytology in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sinusitis in Atopic and Nonatopic Children

摘要

Objectives: To investigate the value of nasal cytology in the diagnosis of sinusitis and follow-up of atopic and nonatopic children before and after treatment and to compare the nasal cytologic findings with the radiologic findings.Design: Open randomized investigation.Setting: Ministry of Health, Ankara Diskapi Children's Hospital.Method: Fifty-five children with bronchial asthma and/or allergic rhinitis followed by the Allergy Department of the Ministry of Health, Ankara Diskapi Children's Education and Research Hospital and .35 control children were evaluated for the following parameters: symptoms and signs of sinusitis, total serum immunoglobulin E level and eosinophil count, skinprick tests to common allergens, paranasal sinus radiographs, and nasal cytology (by the Rhinoprobe [Synbiotics Inc. London] method and wax paper blow).Main Outcome Measures: Nasal cytology, radiologic findings, and treatment.Results: There were no significant correlations between radiologic and cytologic findings in any of the groups (p > .05). In both atopic and nonatopic chronic sinusitis patients, the Rhinoprobe method had results similar to the radiologic findings, and there was a significant relationship (p < .05).Conclusions: Nasal cytology is still a diagnostic tool in the follow-up and evaluation of chronic sinusitis in atopic children but should not be considered an adequate alternative to sinus radiography.