BACKGROUND: Involvement of paranasal sinuses has been suggested in allergic rhinitis but not clearly demonstrated. AIMS: To investigate the relationship between intermittent allergic rhinitis and computerized tomography (CT). METHODS: Twenty patients with intermittent rhinitis and sensitized to cypress pollens underwent unilateral nasal provocation tests (NPTs) using increasing concentrations of cypress pollens out of the pollen season. Sinus CT-scans were carried out just before a NPT and 24 h later. Nasal lavage was carried out just before a NPT, 30 min after a positive challenge and again 24 h later. Leucotriene C4/D4, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and eosinophil cationic protein were measured in nasal secretions. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (65%) showed an alteration in their CT-scans after allergen challenge. Ten of them showed sinus changes controlateral to their allergenic provocation. Radiological changes mainly affected the osteomeatal complex and the ethmoid sinuses. Pre-existing abnormalities (13 of 20 cases) mainly concerned the maxillary sinuses. There was no correlation between CT-scan abnormalities and levels of mediators released in nasal secretions. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that nasal allergen challenge can produce radiological changes in the paranasal sinuses. This mainly concerned the ethmoid sinuses.
BACKGROUND: Involvement of paranasal sinuses has been suggested in allergic rhinitis but not clearly demonstrated. AIMS: To investigate the relationship between intermittent allergic rhinitis and computerized tomography (CT). METHODS: Twenty patients with intermittent rhinitis and sensitized to cypress pollens underwent unilateral nasal provocation tests (NPTs) using increasing concentrations of cypress pollens out of the pollen season. Sinus CT-scans were carried out just before a NPT and 24 h later. Nasal lavage was carried out just before a NPT, 30 min after a positive challenge and again 24 h later. Leucotriene C4/D4, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and eosinophil cationic protein were measured in nasal secretions. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (65%) showed an alteration in their CT-scans after allergen challenge. Ten of them showed sinus changes controlateral to their allergenic provocation. Radiological changes mainly affected the osteomeatal complex and the ethmoid sinuses. Pre-existing abnormalities (13 of 20 cases) mainly concerned the maxillary sinuses. There was no correlation between CT-scan abnormalities and levels of mediators released in nasal secretions. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that nasal allergen challenge can produce radiological changes in the paranasal sinuses. This mainly concerned the ethmoid sinuses.
Authors: Samuel N Helman; Emily Barrow; Thomas Edwards; John M DelGaudio; Joshua M Levy; Sarah K Wise Journal: Immunol Allergy Clin North Am Date: 2020-01-14 Impact factor: 3.479
Authors: Cezmi A Akdis; Claus Bachert; Cemal Cingi; Mark S Dykewicz; Peter W Hellings; Robert M Naclerio; Robert P Schleimer; Dennis Ledford Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2013-04-12 Impact factor: 10.793