Routine procedure for determining goblet cell density in the mucosa of the respiratory tract.

In two normal nasal septa, fine-dissected and stained by PAS-alcian blue whole-mount methods, counts of goblet cells were done in eight different localities in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100 fields measuring 0.01768 mm2. The median density and range of goblet cells by each mode of counting were compared and the mean deviation determined. Even as little as 2-5 blindly placed counts, which do not take much time, afford in a 4 mm2 area a fairly reliable orientation regarding density, considerably more reliable than an estimate of the density in sections, so often reported in the literature. Determination of the goblet cell density can be included as a routine method in the histopathological diagnosis of mucosal diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.