Treatment of rhinosinusitis and histopathology of nasal mucosa: A controlled, randomized, clinical study.
To study the pathology of upper airway mucosa, as well as valuate and compare changes in pathology after the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients with balloon sinuplasty versus uncinectomy.



A prospective randomized controlled trial in patients with CRS of the maxillary sinuses without severe pathology of other sinuses. Patients were randomized into two groups: uncinectomy and balloon sinuplasty. The main variables in our study are histopathology of nasal mucosa and expression of metalloproteinase-9 protein. These parameters were analyzed preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively.



Thickened epithelium, absence of cilia, metaplasia of epithelium, hyperplasia of mucosal glands, angiogenesis, and increased inflammatory cells were observed in the majority of preoperative samples. History of allergy was associated with a higher number of goblet cells, and shedding of epithelium was associated with worse quality of life. A higher number of inflammatory cells were associated with an increased number of goblet cells preoperatively, as well as after treatment. Both treatments resulted in a decrease of inflammation in the mucosa and epithelium. Hypertrophy of the mucosal glands, hyperplasia of blood vessels, and mucosal edema decreased after treatment. These changes were more noticeable in uncinectomy group. Balloon sinuplasty was associated with a higher number of inflammatory cells at 6 months after treatment (P = 0.05).



1b. Laryngoscope, 126:2652-2658, 2016.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Oral Diseases, Tampere University and University Hospital of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
Argyro J
AJ
Bizaki
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Oral Diseases, Tampere University and University Hospital of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
Jura
J
Numminen
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Oral Diseases, Tampere University and University Hospital of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
Rami
R
Taulu
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Oral Diseases, Tampere University and University Hospital of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
Ivana
I
Kholova
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Oral Diseases, Tampere University and University Hospital of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
Markus
M
Rautiainen
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
Rhinosinusitis; balloon sinuplasty; inflammation; nasal mucosa; uncinectomy