Clinical value of bacteriological examinations of nasal and paranasal mucosa in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Introduction. In the literature, contradictory statements regarding the physiological flora of the nose and paranasal sinuses, the role of aerobic and anaerobic ‘pathogenic’ bacteria, and the influence of the sample technique and location can be found. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of bacteriological examinations of the nasal and paranasal mucosa in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods. Patients with and without chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing a functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) or a septoplasty were examined. Nasal brushes of the inferior turbinate and mucosal biopsies of the middle turbinate were taken in both groups. Mucosal biopsies of the ethmoidal bulla and maxillary sinus were taken in only the chronic rhinosinusitis group. Results. In both groups, coagulase‐negative Staphylococci were found in all samples. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 22% (middle turbinate) and 33% (inferior turbinate) of all samples in the control group and in 33% (maxillary sinus) and 50% (inferior turbinate) in the patient group. Other aerobic bacteria were found in low percentages in both groups. No strictly anaerobic bacteria and no significant differences between both groups and the different samples were found. Conclusions. A differentiation between patients with and without chronic sinusitis was not possible.     

Bacteriological findings and antimicrobial susceptibility in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyp

CONCLUSIONS: We recommend amoxacillin/clavulanate, cephalosporins and macrolides rather than penicillin as the first-line drug in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. In cases where there is no improvement of symptoms, cultures should be taken from the middle meatus, followed by appropriate selection of second-line antibiotics according to the sensitivity test results. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causative bacteria and the antimicrobial susceptibility in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bacteriology and antimicrobial susceptibility of maxillary sinus aspirates from 81 patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Aerobes were isolated from 58.0% of the cultures from the middle meatus and from 48.1% of those from the maxillary sinus. Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the most prevalent aerobic pathogens. Anaerobes were isolated from 8.6% of the cultures from the middle meatus and from 18.5% of the cultures from the maxillary sinus. The predominant anaerobic organisms were Prevotella and Peptostreptococcus in adults but none of them were cultured in children. A high rate of concordance of the middle meatus and maxillary sinus was noted. Monomicrobial infection was most commonly observed. Ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae isolates were cultured in 46% of the cases. Penicillin resistance rates were 93% for Staph. aureus; 25% of Strep. pneumoniae were intermediate and 25% were resistant.     

Correlation between bacteriology of the middle meatus and ethmoid sinus in chronic sinusitis

In this study we report on the correlation between the bacteriology of the middle meatus and ethmoid sinus in chronic sinusitis. When patients with chronic sinusitis underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), swab specimens were taken from the middle meati before surgery. After removing the ethmoid bullae, swab specimens were taken from the ethmoid sinuses. Between November 1998 and February 2001, 186 pairs of middle meatal and ethmoid sinus specimens were collected from 186 patients. No bacteria were cultured from either specimen in 32 patients. The same bacteria were cultured from both specimens in another 60 patients. The culture results differed between the middle meatal and ethmoid sinus specimens in the remaining 94 patients. There was a significant difference between culture rates of 63.4 per cent for middle meatal specimens and 76.3 per cent for the ethmoid sinus specimens. In analysing bacterial species, significantly more aerobic gram negative bacteria were cultured from the ethmoid sinus specimens than from the middle meatal specimens. This study shows that the bacteriology of the middle meatus was different from that of the ethmoid sinus. Therefore, the bacteriological findings in the middle meati may not reflect the real bacteriology in chronic sinusitis.     

Bacteriological findings and antimicrobial susceptibility in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyp

Conclusions. We recommend amoxacillin/clavulanate, cephalosporins and macrolides rather than penicillin as the first-line drug in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. In cases where there is no improvement of symptoms, cultures should be taken from the middle meatus, followed by appropriate selection of second-line antibiotics according to the sensitivity test results. Objective. To investigate the causative bacteria and the antimicrobial susceptibility in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps in Korea. Materials and methods. The bacteriology and antimicrobial susceptibility of maxillary sinus aspirates from 81 patients were evaluated. Results. Aerobes were isolated from 58.0% of the cultures from the middle meatus and from 48.1% of those from the maxillary sinus. Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the most prevalent aerobic pathogens. Anaerobes were isolated from 8.6% of the cultures from the middle meatus and from 18.5% of the cultures from the maxillary sinus. The predominant anaerobic organisms were Prevotella and Peptostreptococcus in adults but none of them were cultured in children. A high rate of concordance of the middle meatus and maxillary sinus was noted. Monomicrobial infection was most commonly observed. Ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae isolates were cultured in 46% of the cases. Penicillin resistance rates were 93% for Staph. aureus; 25% of Strep. pneumoniae were intermediate and 25% were resistant.     

鼻内镜鼻窦手术中鼻腔鼻窦解剖变异与慢性鼻窦炎的关系

目的 探讨鼻内镜鼻窦手术中鼻腔鼻窦解剖变异与慢性鼻窦炎的关系。 方法 选取慢性鼻窦炎患者206例,根据是否患有慢性鼻窦炎分为观察组85例与对照组121例。记录两组患者是否存在鼻中隔偏曲、泡状中鼻甲、下鼻甲及鼻丘气房肥大、中鼻甲反向偏曲及钩突气化等鼻腔鼻窦解剖变异现象。 结果 观察组鼻中隔偏曲、下鼻甲及鼻丘气房肥大、泡状中鼻甲发生率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而中鼻甲反向偏曲及钩突气化发生率比较无显著差异(P>0.05)。两组鼻中隔偏曲均以高位偏曲为主,但观察组鼻中隔高位偏曲发生率显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。 结论 鼻中隔偏曲、泡状中鼻甲、鼻丘气房及下鼻甲肥大均为慢性鼻窦炎发展中的重要结构变异,与慢性鼻窦炎的发生密切相关。     

Microbial flora of nose and paranasal sinuses in chronic maxillary sinusitis

Nasal secretions, maxillary sinus aspirates and specimens of the maxillary sinus mucosa were collected in 44 patients aged between 25 and 60 affected by mono- or bilateral chronic maxillary sinusitis, in order to establish the best sampling technique for microbiological purposes, the most frequently involved bacteria and the physiopathological mechanism underlying chronic maxillary disease. The sinusal mucosa resulted to be the most reliable sample as it reduces contamination and microbial variability. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated in nasal swab (15.6%), in maxillary sinus aspirates (30.4%) and in maxillary sinus mucosa (36.4%) of maxillary sinusitis patients. In controls anaerobic bacteria were isolated only in one nasal swab (2.3%), while they could not be isolated in maxillary sinus aspirates and in maxillary sinus mucosa. The presence of anaerobic bacteria in chronic maxillary sinusitis patients and their absence in controls seem to confirm that anaerobic microorganisms represent the main pathogenetic agents of chronic maxillary sinusitis. The possible physiopathological mechanisms underlying chronic maxillary sinus disease are finally discussed.     

A proposal for endonasal middle meatal antrostomy

With increase of cases with mild chronic sinusitis, especially the cases combined with nasal allergy, endonasal sinus surgery has been substituted for Caldwell-Luc or some other modified sinus surgery in recent years. The classical inferior meatal antrostomy for maxillary sinusitis is one of the treatments of choice, though this opening is easily closed and is somewhat different from normal sinus physiology. In the middle meatal antrostomy, the opening was made via the inferior turbinate or the middle meatal wall perforated with nasal forceps. Reported here is a new technique for middle meatal antrostomy which can be easily and safely performed. At the beginning, mucosal incision is made from the agger nasi to the anterior of the inferior turbinate, dividing the mucous membrane inferomedially. Then the mucous membrane of the inferior turbinate is cut along the upper margin of it and reflected downwards. With this procedure, the frontal process of the maxilla, lacrimal bone and inferior turbinate are well exposed and well oriented in the surgical field. The pars membranacea is then cut from anterior to inferior, and removed with the uncinate process, thus entering the maxillary antrum. The antrostomy opening is made at least 1 by 1.5 cm wide. Then, the intranasal ethmoidectomy is usually done and the reflected mucous membrane of the inferior turbinate returned to its normal position. This surgery was applied to 34 patients (7 children, 27 adults), (2 antrochoanal polyps, 5 optic neuritis, 3 maxillary sinusitis, 17 pansinusitis, and 7 pansinusitis associated with nasal allergy). We have not experienced surgical complications and none of them also had closure of the antrostomy opening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

慢性鼻窦炎的需氧菌分析

目的分析慢性鼻窦炎的需氧菌分布及对常用抗生素敏感情况,为临床药物治疗慢性鼻窦炎提供依据。方法在鼻内镜手术中以无菌方式取215个慢性鼻窦炎的鼻窦内容物(实验组),进行需氧菌培养和常用抗生素的药敏试验,并与正常人群60例中鼻道分泌物(对照组)的细菌培养结果对比。结果实验组中检出单一细菌者占92%,2种细菌混合感染者占8%;对照组均检为单一细菌。实验组单菌感染的G 菌占54.7%,G-菌占45.3%;对照组G 菌占73.3%,G-菌占26.7%。蝶窦、筛窦以G 菌感染为主;额窦、上颌窦以G-菌感染为主。实验组需氧菌耐药情况严重。结论慢性鼻窦炎需氧菌感染以单一细菌为主,G 菌占大多数,但G-菌的肠道菌群感染比例较高。不同的鼻窦中需氧菌种类不同。慢性鼻窦炎需氧菌耐药性严重。临床围手术期应用抗生素治疗宜先进行细菌培养与药物敏感试验。     

Penetration behavior of mezlocillin in chronic polypous inflamed mucosa of the paranasal sinuses

Recent investigations have shown that conservative treatment of chronic sinusitis, especially with polypi in the nasal cavity and in the paranasal sinuses, is not as successful as in acute inflammation. Surgical intervention to remove the diseased mucosa is necessary. The newly developed more conservative endonasal techniques may nevertheless allow spread of the pathogenic bacteria during surgery. Mezlocillin has a broad spectrum against both aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms: its penetration into the hyperplastic mucosa of the chronically diseased maxillary sinus was therefore investigated. In 15 patients with chronic sinusitis a 5 g bolus injection of mezlocillin was given half an hour before the operation. Two more doses of the antibiotic were given 6 and 12 h afterwards. The specimens investigated were blood taken before the injection of mezlocillin, and blood and tissue taken by the endoscopic endonasal techniques innovated by Wigand (1977) between 30 and 120 min after the start of the operation. The concentration of mezlocillin was determined by bioassay using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 as indicator organisms. The results were compared with the minimal inhibitory concentration of bacteria usually found in chronic maxillary sinusitis. The results showed that mezlocillin may be of value in chronic paranasal infections in the conservative treatment of complications of sinus infections, especially if surgery is contraindicated because the patient is a high anaesthetic risk.     

鼻内窥镜术上颌窦自然开口的处理

目的探讨内窥镜鼻窦手术治疗慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的上颌窦中鼻道开口的重要性及处理方法。方法配对研究５６例双侧鼻窦炎、鼻息肉患者，比较同一患者术中扩大或不扩大上颌窦自然开口的术后情况。结果窦口的开放率在不扩大和扩大上颌窦自然开口的术侧中分别为９２．９％和８０．４％（随访６个月时）。回顾性观察５１例施ＣａｌｄｗｅｌＬｕｃ术的患者，下鼻道造口的术后开放率仅为４０．６％。分析３８张单侧鼻窦炎或鼻息肉的鼻窦ＣＴ片，测量对照侧与病变侧的上颌窦口膜样部的上下径和前后径，差异无显著性。病变侧上颌窦口周围的中鼻甲气化、增生及钩突偏曲、筛泡骨性增生等解剖结构异常的发生率明显高于对照侧（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论鼻内窥镜下处理上颌窦自然开口的关键是窦口周围的解剖异常因素。     

Nasal and paranasal sinus anomalies in children with chronic sinusitis

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is being advocated to treat children with chronic sinusitis. The surgeon performing FESS needs an intimate understanding of the anatomy to adequately treat disease and avoid complications. One hundred thirty-six patients who had endoscopic sinus surgery were reviewed. Preoperative direct coronal computed tomography scans were available for review in 114 patients. Several nasal and paranasal sinus anomalies were uncovered during this evaluation. The most common was hypoplasia of the maxillary sinuses. All hypoplastic maxillary sinuses had diseased mucosa. Eleven patients were found to have a laterally deviated uncinate process and abnormal anatomy of the maxillary ostia. Other anomalies such as concha bullosa, Haller's cells, and paradoxic curvature of the middle turbinate were found, and their respective frequencies in this population were determined.     

The correlation between bacteriological findings in the nose and maxillary sinus in acute maxillary sinusitis

Nasal and sinus bacteriology have been investigated in healthy controls and in patients with acute maxillary sinusitis. Comparatively few healthy noses were sterile, and in controls the nasal bacterial flora commonly consisted mainly of staphylococci and diphtheroid rods. Nasal specimens from patients with sinusitis showed most common findings to be “no growth,” pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae and staphylococci in that order. In aspirated sinus secretions there was a predominance of pneumococci, “no growth” and Haemophilus influenzae. Other bacteria were uncommon. Staphylococci were shown conclusively to be nasal contaminants. The same organisms were found in the nasal and sinus secretions of patients with sinusitis in only 64 percent, thus indicating that nasal samples are of low predictive value in reflecting sinus flora. It can be argued that in the individual patient with sinusitis it is more reliable to base therapy on the results of previous bacteriological investigations than on the individual bacteral findings in the nose.     

鼻内窥镜术上颌窦自然开口的处理

探讨内窥镜鼻窦手术治疗慢性鼻窦炎，鼻息肉的上颌窦中鼻道开口的重要性及处理方法。方法 配对研究５６例双侧鼻窦炎，鼻息肉患者，比较同一患者术中扩大或不扩大上颌窦自然开口的术后情况。结果 窦口的开放率在不扩大和扩大上颌窦自然开口的术侧中分分别为９２．９％和８０．４％。     

Bacteriology of infectious disease in otorhinolaryngology (1). Bacteriological study of paranasal cyst]

The bacteriology of chronic sinusitis has been reported in several studies, but there have been few bacteriological studies on paranasal cyst. Also, details of the techniques of transportation and processing of clinical specimens have only rarely been described. Therefore, this study was undertaken with attention to the above, and to obtain information on appropriate antimicrobial therapy, we conducted a dilution antimicrobial susceptibility test of isolates. Fifteen patients with paranasal cyst participated in this study. Their lesions were frontal sinus (3), ethmoid sinus (2), sphenoid sinus (2) and maxillary sinus (8). We punctured the cyst using an 18-gauge needle attached to a syringe at the time of operation, and paranasal cyst effusions were promptly transported to the laboratory. The specimen was immediately inoculated under a set of aerobic and prereduced anaerobic plates, which were incubated in appropriate conditions. Most specimens were completely processed within one hour. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolates was done with MIC panel by the Sceptor system. Positive results of bacterial cultures were found in 60% of all cases (all of the frontal sinus specimens and half of those with other lesions). A total of 38 bacteria, including 24 anaerobic and 14 aerobic species, were isolated from 9 paranasal cysts, yielding an average of 4.2 species per positive case (2.9 anaerobes and 1.3 aerobes). Monomicrobial flora were found, anaerobes only in 2 cases and aerobes only in 2 others. Mixed flora were found in 5 cases in which both anaerobes and aerobes were isolated. The bacterial concentration in the maximal case was 4.9 x 10(4) CFU/ml. The organisms most frequently isolated were Propionibacterium spp. (7), Peptostreptococcus spp. (7), Staphylococcus spp. (7), Prevotella spp. (5) and Streptococcus spp. (4). On the basis of the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolates in vitro, the use of Cephems, Clavulanic acid/Amoxicillin, Norfloxacin and Chloramphenicol proved to be clinically effective.     

Bacteriology of nontraumatic maxillary sinus mucoceles versus chronic sinusitis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the bacteriology of maxillary sinus mucoceles to chronic sinusitis and understand the pathogenesis of nontraumatic maxillary sinus mucoceles (NTMSM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Review of intraoperative bacteriology culture results obtained in patients with NTMSM. Patients with history of facial trauma or previous paranasal sinus surgery were not included in the study. The results were compared to intraoperative cultures obtained from patients with chronic sinusitis (CS). RESULTS: The study groups consisted of 16 patients with NTMSM (9 male and 7 female patients) and 211 patients with CS (86 male and 125 female patients). Cultures in the NTMSM group were positive in 7 of 16 patients (44%) (four cultures had more than one isolate). There was no growth in cultures of 9 patients (56%). On the other hand, cultures in 176 patients with CS (83%) grew organisms (42 cultures had more than one isolate); there was no growth in 35 of 211 patients (17%) (P = .0007). The cultures grew aerobic bacteria in 7 of 16 (44%) and 160 of 211 (76%) patients of the NTMSM and CS groups, respectively. Anaerobic bacteria were detected in cultures of 2 of 16 patients (12.5%) with NTMSM compared with 13 of 211 patients (6.2%) in the CS group (P = .286). The most common pathogenic aerobe in the NTMSM group was alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus, while Staphylococcus aureus was the most common in the CS group. CONCLUSION: The bacteriology of maxillary sinus mucoceles is different from that of CS. The majority of patients with mucoceles have sterile intraoperative cultures. The data do not support infection as the main origin of NTMSM.     

Bacteriology of endoscopically normal maxillary sinuses

The bacteriology of maxillary sinuses with normal endoscopic findings is reported in this study. When transantral sinoscopy was used to examine the maxillary sinuses, the whole maxillary sinus was inspected with different-angle endoscopes. If no lesion was seen over the whole maxillary sinus mucosa, no secretion existed in the maxillary sinus cavity, and the maxillary sinus ostium was wide open, the maxillary sinus was considered endoscopically normal. The bacteriology of these endoscopically normal maxillary sinuses was studied by passing cotton-tipped sticks through the cannula to collect swab specimens. In some cases, a biopsy forceps was also passed to obtain mucosal specimens. The specimens were sent to the laboratory for aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Between July 1990 and May 1998, 83 swab and 31 mucosal specimens were collected from 69 patients who had not taken any antibiotic within 10 days before endoscopy. The culture rates were 62.3 per cent (35/53) from swab specimens and 57.1 per cent (eight out of 14) from mucosal specimens in patients with the diagnosis of chronic paranasal sinusitis, and were 46.7 per cent (14/30) from swab specimens and 41.2 per cent (seven out of 17) from mucosal specimens in patients without this diagnosis. This study shows that endoscopically normal maxillary sinuses are not sterile.     

慢性上颌窦炎鼻内镜下开窗方式的选择与疗效观察

目的观察鼻内镜下上颌窦开放术治疗慢性上颌窦炎,不同开窗方式的选择与疗效分析。方法 56例单侧慢性筛、上颌窦炎伴鼻息肉患者,术前Lund-Mackay CT评分,CT评分=2者纳入研究对象,术中随机分为A组28例、B组28例,分别行中鼻道开窗和中下鼻道联合开窗,以鼻腔鼻窦结局测试-20（sino-nasal outcome test-20,SNOT-20）量表中文版、Lund-Kennedy评分及糖精试验黏液纤毛传输时间（mucociliary transport time,MTT）对比术后疗效,另外,用亚甲蓝染色观察黏液纤毛传输途径。结果术后6个月时,A、B两组SNOT评分、Lund-Kennedy评分及MTT值差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;50例亚甲蓝从上颌窦口下缘流出,5例亚甲蓝从上颌窦口前缘流出。结论①对于慢性上颌窦炎Lund-Mackay CT评分=2的病例,行中、下鼻道联合开窗可取得更好的疗效;②上颌窦口下缘黏膜是黏液纤毛传输的重要途径,对上颌窦的引流起着极为重要的作用。     

Relationship between pediatric sinusitis and middle turbinate pneumatization--ethmoidal sinus pyocele thought to be caused by middle turbinate pneumatization

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the presence of pediatric middle turbinate pneumatization causes narrowing of the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) and is associated with the development of paranasal sinusitis. METHODS: CT scans of 190 nasal sides of 95 children (1-15 years old) were analyzed for the presence of middle turbinate pneumatization and mucosal thickness in the paranasal sinus. RESULTS: Middle turbinate pneumatization was detected in nine (4.6%) of the nasal cavities. Only one of these sides was in a patient younger than 10 years of age, while the other eight sides were in patients at least 13 years old. In six of those nine sides with pneumatization, paranasal sinusitis was also found. However, the images showed that in five sides the middle turbinate pneumatization itself did not obstruct the OMC. In addition, the mean +/- standard deviation (S.D.) of the total score for the paranasal sinus opacification on the side which had the middle turbinate pneumatization was 5.67 +/- 2.95. The corresponding value for the 76 sides without pneumatization was 5.29 +/- 2.53, and the difference between these mean total scores was not statistically significant. However, in one side, the OMC was obstructed or narrowed due to the middle turbinate pneumatization, and an ethmoidal sinus pyocele formed on this side. CONCLUSION: A causal relationship was not found between middle turbinate pneumatization and the mechanism of development of paranasal sinusitis in children. However, in the event that the OMU becomes obstructed at some time, frequent cycles of improvement and aggravation of pediatric paranasal sinusitis may occur and lead to the development of a serious condition.     

Retention fluids of chronic sinusitis induce neutrophil adherence to microvascular endothelial cells.

The adherence of circulating leukocytes to the vascular endothelium is a critical step in the emigration of leukocytes through blood vessel walls to inflammatory lesions. The influence of nasal secretions on the adherence of neutrophils to the vascular endothelium was investigated using monolayers of human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells derived from the inferior turbinate. Preincubation of vascular endothelial cells with retention fluids from the maxillary sinus of the patients with chronic sinusitis showed increased neutrophil adherence. Recombinant IL-1 beta was also tested and found to induce adherence of neutrophils to human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells. However, no adhesive effect was observed with the nasal secretions of nasal allergy. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected considerable amounts of IL-1 beta in the chronic sinusitis retention fluids, while the amounts of IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha were very low. The increased adhesion of the neutrophils by the retention fluids of chronic sinusitis was also neutralized by the incubation with anti-IL-1 beta antibody in a dose dependent manner. These findings suggest that IL-1 beta in the paranasal secretion of chronic sinusitis induces the adherence of neutrophils to vascular endothelium and subsequent infiltration of neutrophils in the paranasal sinuses, thus contributing to the persistence of chronic sinusitis.     

A study of infiltrated cells in the maxillary mucosa in nasal allergy and chronic sinusitis

The cloudiness of the maxillary sinus in Waters-view is 37% in patients with nasal allergy. The pathogenesis of this cloudiness has not fully understood yet; is it due to the type- I allergic reaction, or secondary maxillary sinusitis? To clarify the pathology, we studied the infiltrated cells in 37 mucosae of the maxillary sinus in which X-ray revealed an abnormal shadow. Samples were also taken from 9 antrums with chronic sinusitis, and 18 and 4 nasal mucosae form the inferior turbinate with nasal allergy and sinusitis, respectively. Each specimen were fixed with Carnoy solution and formalin, and were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin, and with Alcian blue & Safranin. Numbers of formalin sensitive and resistant mast cells and eosinophils were determined in the epithelium, and superficial and deep layers of the lamina propria, respectively. The population of both mast cells in each compartment was not different between nasal allergy and maxillary sinusitis both in the nasal and maxillary mucosae. The number of eosinophils in the maxillary and nasal epithelial significantly increased in nasal allergy compared with sinusitis. These results suggested that type-I allergic reaction might occur in the maxillary mucosa as well as nasal mucosa in patients with nasal allergy.