[Electron microscopy of human nasal mucosa in disturbances of the autonomic nervous system. I. Sympathetic denervation (author's transl)].

The fine structure of the human nasal mucosa is described shortly after unilateral stellate gang-lion blockage as well as in a case of sympathetic denervation of four weeks duration. For the clinical picture, corresponding to vasomotor rhinitis, there is a characteristic fine structural correlation consisting of dilatation and increased permeability of the vessels as well as stimulation of the nasal glands. In the glands, both increased activity and degenerative changes suggesting "secretory exhaustion" are observed. The findings differ from those seen in acute and chornic allergic rhinitis, but correspond to those in experimental animals following the administration of parasympathicomimetic drugs.