[Goblet cells in nasal allergy (author's transl)].

After staining of the whole nasal mucosa from a patient with nasal allergy by the PAS-alcian-blue whole mount method, the density of goblet cells was determined quantitatively. In most sections of the nasal septum and of the inferior and middle nasal concha, the density of goblet cells was found to be considerably lower than in normal subjects. While in some sections, in particular posteriorly, the density was the same as in normal subjects, it was nowhere higher. The low density may be due to metaplastic changes of the epithelium which had thickened and lost ciliary cells. Previous statements that the density of goblet cells is increased in nasal allergy could not be confirmed quantitatively, but investigation of larger materials is called for before any conclusions may be drawn.