Histopathology of ethmoid mucosa versus polyp tissue in diagnosing eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND

This study aims to compare histopathology of nasal polyp and ethmoid mucosa for diagnosing eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis (EMRS).

METHODOLOGY

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP) were enrolled. Using eosinophilic mucin as a reference, histopathology of polyp apex, polyp pedicle and ethmoid mucosa was compared for density of tissue eosinophil and sensitivity for diagnosing EMRS. Associations with asthma were assessed for each site.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with CRSwNP were enrolled. When polyp apex, polyp pedicle and ethmoid mucosa were assessed for tissue eosinophilia, consistent results were reported in 16 patients (53%). Median tissue eosinophil was greater in polyp apex (58, IQR: 7-100) than ethmoid mucosa (10, IQR: 2-21), but not different from polyp pedicle (22, IQR: 1-96). Sensitivity for diagnosing EMRS were 100% (95%CI: 47.8 - 100) for polyp apex, 60% (95%CI: 14.7 - 94.7) for polyp pedicle, 80% (95%CI: 28.4 â€" 99.5) for ethmoid mucosa. Associations with asthma were significant for polyp pedicle, and ethmoid mucosa but not polyp apex.

CONCLUSION

Density of tissue eosinophil was greater in nasal polyp than in ethmoid mucosa. Histopathology of polyp apex had good sensitivity for diagnosing EMRS. Polyp pedicle and ethmoid mucosal eosinophilia associated with asthma.