Relationship between postoperative recurrence rate and eosinophil density of nasal polyps.
OBJECTIVE
Nasal polyps develop as a result of chronic inflammation, mostly accompanied by pronounced eosinophil leukocyte infiltration. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between eosinophil density in nasal polyps and the postoperative recurrence rate of this disease.


METHODS
Forty-two patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for massive nasal polyposis by one surgeon were included in the study. The eosinophil leukocyte densities in nasal polyps were determined retrospectively on histologic slides by use of computer-assisted image analysis software. The patients were assigned to group 1, in whom nasal polyps contained up to 3 eosinophils per 1,000 microm2, and group 2, in whom nasal polyps contained 4 or more eosinophils per 1,000 microm2. The postoperative recurrence rates of nasal polyps were compared in the two groups.


RESULTS
There were 20 patients in group 1 and 22 patients in group 2. Postoperative polyp recurrence was detected in 5 of 20 patients (25.0%) in group 1 and in 18 of 22 patients (81.8%) in group 2 during the 30-month postoperative followup period (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The eosinophil density of nasal polyps can be used to get an estimate of the postoperative recurrence risk. Eosinophil-rich nasal polyps have a higher postoperative recurrence rate.
Tosun
Fuat
F
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gülhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
Arslan
Hasan Huseyin
HH
Karslioglu
Yildirim
Y
Deveci
M Salih
MS
Durmaz
Abdullah
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood; D012008:Recurrence; D055815:Young Adult