Dysfunction of mucociliary clearance system develops the pooling of nasal secretion in the nasal cavity and is a common cause of vicious cycle of symptoms in chronic paranasal sinusitis. So, we investigated the morphological changes of nasal
mucosa
in
chronic paranasal sinusitis using light and transmission electron microscopy TEM).
The nasal mucosa was taken at bulla ethmoidalis during endoscopic surgery sized in 5x 5mm. The light and electron-microscopic examination of specimens showed increased number of goblet cells, non-ciliated cells, submucosal glands and inflammatory
cells,
decreased number of ciliated cells, deformation of cilia, and metaplasia in nasal epithelial lining and so on.
Therefore, decreased numbers of ciliated cells and increased thickness of mucous layer might cause the mucociliary dysfunction in chronic paranasal sinusitis. (Korean J Otolaryngol 38:11, 1995)
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