慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者嗅觉障碍严重程度的影响因素分析

目的　探讨慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,CRSwNP）患者嗅觉障碍严重程度的影响因素。方法　行鼻内镜手术的CRSwNP患者43例,根据术前T&T嗅觉识别阈值分为嗅觉丧失组（24例）与嗅觉减退组（19例）,对可能影响CRSwNP嗅觉障碍严重程度的相关因素进行分析。结果　单因素分析,Lund-Mackey评分、嗅裂前区评分（anterior olfactory cleft score, AOCS）、嗅裂后区评分、上鼻甲黏膜嗜酸性粒细胞数、上鼻甲黏膜嗅觉标记蛋白（olfactory marker protein,OMP）阳性细胞数在两组间比较有统计学差异（P均＜0.05）。Logistic回归分析,AOCS是CRSwNP患者嗅觉障碍严重程度的独立危险因素,上鼻甲黏膜OMP阳性细胞数越多,CRSwNP患者嗅觉障碍加重的风险越小。结论　AOCS、上鼻甲黏膜OMP阳性细胞数与CRSwNP患者嗅觉障碍的严重程度密切相关。     

中鼻甲部分切除术在鼻内镜手术中的作用评价

目的：评价中鼻甲部分切除术在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者鼻内镜手术后的疗效。方法对122例已行鼻内镜手术的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,采用视觉模拟量表（VAS）、鼻腔鼻窦结局测试-20中文版（SNOT-20 CV）量表、Lund-Mackay CT方法和Lund-Kennedy鼻内镜方法进行主客观评分,综合评价中鼻甲部分切除患者与中鼻甲保留患者治疗前后的临床疗效。结果①两组患者术前合并鼻息肉和/或鼻中隔偏曲发生率差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,而单纯合并变应性鼻炎和/或支气管哮喘的发生率差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;②两组患者术前CT及鼻内镜评分差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,而VAS及SNOT-20CV评分差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;③两组患者术后半年与术前鼻内镜评分的差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,而VAS及SNOT-20CV评分差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论行中鼻甲部分切除的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者多合并鼻息肉和/或鼻中隔偏曲,与中鼻甲保留患者术前及术后的生存质量无明显差异,而行中鼻甲部分切除患者术后的内镜评分明显提高。     

慢性鼻及鼻窦炎患者主客观嗅功能检查的相关性分析

目的 探讨慢性鼻及鼻窦炎(CRS)致嗅觉障碍患者主观嗅功能(T&T嗅觉检查法)和嗅觉诱发电位(olfactory event related potential,OERP)的相关性.方法 89例CRS患者按有无鼻息肉分成两组,记录年龄、性别、症状、鼻窦CT、鼻内镜检查、主观嗅觉功能和OERP.结果 非鼻息肉组T&T得分...     

鼻腔呼吸上皮腺瘤样错构瘤临床和病理特征分析

目的　分析发生于鼻腔的呼吸上皮腺瘤样错构瘤（respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma,REAH）临床和病理特征。方法　回顾性分析2014年9月～2021年11月首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院鼻过敏科收治的24例鼻腔REAH患者的临床资料,分析其视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分、鼻内镜检查Lund-Kennedy（L-K）评分、鼻窦CT影像Lund-Mackay（L-M）评分以及病理特征。结果　VAS评分以鼻塞和嗅觉得分最高,均为6分;L-K评分以鼻息肉和嗅裂（olfactory cleft,OC）阻塞为主;L-M评分总分8.75,筛窦、窦口鼻道复合体、OC得分较高。24例患者鼻窦CT冠状位OC宽度（10.5±1.5）mm,水平位（11.5±1.5）mm。病理结果显示发生于鼻腔REAH常与鼻息肉同时存在。结论　发生于鼻腔的REAH常与鼻息肉同时存在,症状、内镜以及影像学诊断缺乏特异性,确诊主要依靠病理学。REAH是否可以定义为错构瘤、炎症反应过程或肿瘤性病变仍有待确定。     

改良中鼻甲部分切除术在功能性鼻内镜手术中的应用

目的探讨改良中鼻甲部分切除术在功能性鼻内镜手术中的应用及其对慢性鼻窦炎症状改善和疗效的影响。方法选择中鼻甲垂直部长度≥25mm的慢性鼻窦炎患者60例,随机分为试验组和对照组,各30例。两组患者术前各项观察指标（鼻塞、流涕、头痛、嗅觉VAS评分,鼻内镜检查Lund Kennedy评分、CT Lund Mackey评分）差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。试验组实施经鼻内镜鼻窦、鼻息肉手术并清除中鼻甲本身病变（泡甲、肥厚、息肉样变等）后,根据CT测量结果,以保留中鼻甲垂直部长度约21mm为参考值,切除多余的中鼻甲垂直部游离缘（即切除长度＝CT测量长度-21 mm）;对照组完成鼻窦、鼻息肉手术,按传统理念处理中鼻甲病变和变异,需要时切除中鼻甲前下部1/2~2/3。术后随访10~12个月,观察主观症状（鼻塞、流涕、头面痛及嗅觉障碍）、内镜检查Lund Kennedy评分、病情控制及疗效。结果两组术后各种症状VAS评分和内镜Lund Kennedy评分均明显优于术前（P均<0.05）;术后试验组的各项观察指标及总疗效均优于对照组,两组鼻塞及头痛的改善、鼻内镜Lund Kennedy评分及疗效差异具有统计学意义（P均<0.05）;而流涕、嗅觉改善方面,两组差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉、鼻窦炎伴中鼻甲病变者,试验组的疗效优于对照组（P<0.05）。结论“改良部分切除”主要针对过长的中鼻甲垂直部,必须是在处理中鼻甲病变（泡甲、肥厚、息肉样变等）、保证中鼻道一定宽度后才予切除,有助于术后鼻部症状的改善和减少术腔粘连,提高鼻内镜手术疗效。     

伴有嗅觉障碍的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者鼻内镜术后嗅觉及生活质量转归的研究

目的 探讨伴有嗅觉障碍的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎(CRS)(伴有/不伴有鼻息肉)患者经鼻内镜手术后嗅觉的转归及其生活质量(QOL)的改善情况。 方法 伴有嗅觉障碍的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者44例,其中伴有鼻息肉的患者33例,不伴有鼻息肉的患者11例,于术前行鼻部CT检查(冠状位+矢状位),Lund-Mackay CT评分,并分别于术前、术后4周及12周行T& T嗅觉测试、嗅觉VSA评分及鼻腔鼻窦结局测试(SNOT-20)。 结果 术后4周嗅觉T& T测试59.5%的患者嗅觉有改善,术后12周73.0%的患者嗅觉有改善。术后4周嗅觉vas评分有77.3%的患者嗅觉有改善,术后12周86.4%的患者嗅觉有改善。统计学显示嗅觉T& T测试及嗅觉VAS评分术后4周及12周的得分较术前明显改善(P<0.000 1),术后4周及12周差异无统计学意义(P=0.720,0.147)。SNOT-20评分术前与术后4周及12周均有统计学差异(P<0.000 1),术后4周与12周差异无统计学意义(P=0.055)。术前Lund-Mackay CT评分与T& T嗅觉测试、嗅觉VAS评分呈正相关(r=0.569,P<0.000 1;r=0.782,P<0.000 1)。 结论 鼻内镜术后患者嗅觉及QOL均明显改善,术后4周与12周改善程度差异无统计学意义。患者术前病变范围与嗅觉障碍程度呈正比。     

慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者继发嗅觉障碍预测模型构建研究

目的　探讨慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,CRSwNP）患者继发嗅觉障碍影响因素并构建预测模型。方法　回顾性分析河南省中医院2016年1月~2020年6月收治行鼻内镜手术治疗CRSwNP患者共176例临床资料,根据是否继发嗅觉障碍分组,比较两组一般资料、改良鼻窦CT双侧嗅区评分及实验室检查指标,采用Logistic回归模型分析CRSwNP患者继发嗅觉障 碍独立影响因素,描绘受试者工作特征（receiver operating characteristic,ROC）曲线评价预测模型临床效能。结果  两组左侧/右侧/双侧改良鼻窦CT双侧嗅区评分总分、双侧总吸气、组织嗜酸性粒细胞计数、血嗜酸性粒细胞比例及血尿素氮（BUN）水平比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;多因素Logistic回归模型分析结果显示,改良鼻窦CT双侧嗅区评分总分和BUN水平是CRSwNP患者继发嗅觉障碍独立影响因素（P <0.05）;描绘ROC曲线计算预测模型AUC=0.88（95%CI : 0.81~0.97）,敏感度和特异度分别为 87.26%和91.60%。结论　CRSwNP患者继发嗅觉障碍发生与改良鼻窦CT双侧嗅区评分总分和BUN水平密切相关;同时基于可能影响因素构建预测模型具有良好临床效能。     

慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉患者嗅觉障碍的影响因素分析

目的分析慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉(chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,CRSwNP)患者嗅觉障碍的影响因素。方法回顾性分析2014—2018年就诊于北京安贞医院行内镜鼻窦手术治疗的CRSwNP患者88例,男性22例,女性66例,年龄(48.1±11.3)岁(±s,下同)。所有入选患者均于术前行Sniffin′Sticks嗅觉测试、Lund-Mackay评分及改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分、鼻阻力及声反射检查、血常规及血生化等实验室检测、血清特异性IgE检测;术中取鼻息肉组织进行嗜酸粒细胞计数。根据Sniffin′Sticks嗅觉测试结果将患者分成嗅觉功能正常组和嗅觉功能障碍组,两组之间进行临床基线资料比较,根据单因素分析结果,结合临床有意义的指标进一步行多因素Logistic回归模型分析,并初步建立CRSwNP嗅觉障碍的预测模型。设P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果88例CRSwNP患者中,嗅觉正常32例(36.4%),嗅觉障碍56例(63.6%),其中嗅觉下降40例(45.5%)、失嗅16例(18.2%)。单因素分析发现,两组间组织嗜酸粒细胞数、血嗜酸粒细胞百分比、血尿素的差异存在统计学意义[12.7[2.0,52.3]个/高倍视野(M[P25,P75],下同)比38.6[16.2,87.0]个/高倍视野、2.75[1.60,4.80]%比4.35[2.50,6.60]%、(5.56±1.15)mmol/L比(4.98±1.33)mmol/L,P值均<0.05];改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分、除窦口鼻道复合体评分外的Lund-Mackay评分的差异均存在统计学意义(P值均<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归模型分析发现,改良鼻窦CT双侧嗅区总分和血尿素的差异具有统计学意义,其中双侧嗅区总分是嗅觉功能的危险因素(OR=2.108,95%CI:1.407~3.159,P<0.001);一定浓度的血尿素是嗅觉功能的保护因素(OR=0.461,95%CI:0.240~0.884,P=0.020)。进一步研究发现,由组织嗜酸粒细胞计数、血嗜酸粒细胞百分比、改良鼻窦CT双侧嗅区总分、总吸气、血尿素组成的预测模型受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积(AUC)的值为0.888(P<0.01),对CRSwNP嗅觉障碍预测效果较好。结论改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分与CRSwNP患者的嗅觉障碍密切相关,一定程度的血尿素升高可能对CRSwNP患者的嗅觉功能有保护作用。     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者功能性内镜鼻窦手术前后的主客观评估及相关性分析

目的:探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎(CRS)患者功能性内镜鼻窦手术(FESS)前后的主客观评估及相关性。方法:对70例术前CRS患者进行主观症状调查[视觉模拟量表(VAS)],并进行客观检查及评分(Lund-Kennedy内镜评分系统及Lund-Mackay CT评分系统)。所有患者FESS术后随访1年,进行术后6个月和12个月的VAS评分及Lund-Kennedy内镜评分。分析各评价方法的相关性及比较手术前后的评价得分。结果:术前鼻塞、鼻分泌物和鼻后滴漏、头面部胀痛感较为突出,经FESS后6、12个月症状改善明显;嗅觉减退和全身不适感术后改善不明显。术前VAS评分与Lund-Mackay CT评分之间呈正相关(r=0.866,P<0.01);术前Lund-Kennedy内镜评分与Lund-Mackay CT评分之间呈正相关(r=0.803,P<0.01);术前VAS评分与Lund-Kennedy内镜评分之间呈正相关(r=0.912,P<0.01)。术后6、12个月VAS总分与术后内镜总分呈正相关(6个月r=0.798,12个月r=0.882);术后12个月的VAS评分中鼻塞、鼻分泌物和鼻后滴漏、头面部胀痛感与Lund...     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者症状学特点及内镜鼻窦手术后主要症状的转归

目的：探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者的症状学特点及内镜鼻窦手术前后患者主观症状的变化。方法：采用视觉模拟量表对119例慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者（52例不伴鼻息肉和67例伴鼻息肉）的鼻塞、头昏（头痛）、面部疼痛（胀满感）、嗅觉障碍和鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）5个主要症状进行评分,比较内镜鼻窦手术前和手术后12个月评分的变化。结果：伴和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者出现最多的症状均依次为鼻塞、鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）、头昏（头痛）、面部疼痛（胀满感）和嗅觉障碍。不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者较伴鼻息肉者鼻分泌物评分显著增高（P〈0．01）,但嗅觉障碍评分者显著降低（P〈0．01）。在最令人困扰的症状方面,不伴鼻息肉和伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者分别是鼻分泌物（后鼻漏）和嗅觉障碍。术后伴鼻息肉和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者各个症状出现的频率和评分均较术前显著降低（P〈0．01）。结论：伴鼻息肉和不伴鼻息肉的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者症状学具有不同的特点,内镜鼻窦手术可以显著改善患者的主观症状,视觉模拟量表评估患者的主观症状是一简便、易于开展的慢性鼻-鼻窦炎疗效主观评估方法。     

Postoperative Olfactory Results in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis According to Wound Healing Status

Objectives

Postoperative wound healing status has not been considered in earlier studies on olfactory changes after surgery. This may be a factor accounting for the equivocal postoperative olfactory results. The aim of this study was to investigate postoperative olfactory results according to wound healing status.

Methods

Fifty patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps with smelling disturbance were examined preoperatively, and at 6 months after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to postoperative Lund-Kennedy score: favorable and unfavorable wound healing. Preoperative ostiomeatal unit computed tomography (CT), such as Lund-Mackay score and olfactory cleft opacification score, clinical characteristics and olfactory function tests such as the butanol threshold test and cross-cultural smell identification test, and questionnaire responses were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were no differences in preoperative clinical characteristics between the favorable and unfavorable wound healing groups. The favorable wound healing group displayed greater improvement of olfactory results after surgery than the unfavorable wound healing group. Postoperative olfactory improvement patterns showed a hierarchy from subjective to objective improvement and from threshold to identification improvement. Patients who had postoperative favorable wound healing but showed no success of olfaction were characterized by more severe preoperative subjective symptoms and higher olfactory cleft opacification, especially in the upper part of olfactory cleft on preoperative CT scan.

Conclusion

Wound healing status is an apparent risk factor for postoperative olfactory improvement. Moreover, preoperative opacification in the olfactory cleft may predict bad olfactory results after surgery, even in patients with favorable wound healing.     

Comparative outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps

This study was carried out to compare the outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic sinusitis without nasal polyps (CRS) and those with nasal polyps (NP). We also sought to determine the correlation between preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings and postoperative endoscopy and symptom score improvement. Data were collected from two groups of patients diagnosed as CRS with and without nasal polyps that underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery with a 1-year postoperative follow up. Preoperative symptoms, CT scores, and endoscopic scores were recorded. Postoperative symptom and endoscopic scores were recorded at 1, 6, and 12 months. Assessment of symptoms was performed subjectively using visual analogue scoring (VAS). CT scan findings were scored using the Lund–Mackay system. Endoscopic examination findings were scored according to the staging system proposed by Lanza and Kennedy. The correlations between the CT score, endoscopic scores and VAS scores were calculated. There was a statistically significant correlation between the preoperative CT, symptom, and endoscopic scores. Postoperative symptom and endoscopic scores also showed a significant correlation. Total CT scores of the CRS group were significantly lower than the scores of the NP group. Also preoperative endoscopy and symptom scores were statistically lower in CRS group compared to NP group. Endoscopy total scores and symptom total scores of both groups were significantly decreased at postoperative 12th month. Statistically significant difference was observed between the preoperative and postoperative symptom and endoscopy scores. The patients with polyps had higher symptom scores and worse objective findings compared to the patients with CRS. In all patients groups, objective and subjective scores seemed to correlate well preoperatively and postoperatively. These data suggest that endoscopic sinus surgery provides significant symptomatic relief and endoscopic healing in patients with CRS and NP.     

Nasal polyps in the olfactory cleft

Objectives: Nasal polyps frequently arise from the middle meatus in patients with nasal polyposis, but caution is required when polyps are seen protruding from the olfactory cleft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a method to achieve effective and safe access to the olfactory cleft, and to determine the actual incidence of polyps arising from the olfactory cleft in patients with nasal polyposis. Patients: Eighty-four patients with bilateral or unilateral nasal polyps (n = 143) ranging in age from 16 to 72 years underwent endoscopic sinus surgery in the period from January 1994 to December 1996. Methods: To observe and gain access to the olfactory cleft, septoplasty combined with endoscopic sinus surgery was needed in patients with nasal polyposis. Results: The endoscopy during the combined septoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery revealed that 36.4% (n = 52) of bilateral or unilateral nasal polyps (n = 143) arose from the olfactory cleft. Of 52 polyps of olfactory cleft origin, 45 (86.5%) arose from the superior turbinate and/or superior meatus, 32 (67.3%) from the medial side of the middle turbinate, 24 (46.2%) from the anterior face of the sphenoid sinus, and 17 (32.7%) from the mucosa of the nasal septum. Conclusions: These findings suggest that for surgeries of nasal polyposis an approach to the olfactory cleft as well as to the middle meatus is required.     

鼻腔结构重塑在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎治疗前后的主客观评估及相关性研究

目的探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎(chronic rhinosinusitis,CRS)患者行鼻腔结构重塑前后的主客观评估及相关性研究。方法对70例CRS患者鼻内镜下行下鼻甲射频消融外移术、中鼻甲成形术及窦口鼻道复合体功能性切除术,同期行鼻中隔黏膜下矫正术。术前对所有患者作主观症状视觉模拟量表(visual analog scale,VAS)调查、客观检查及评分、Lund-Kennedy内镜评分和Lund-Mackay CT评分。术后随访1年,分别行以上3种评分,并作相关性分析。结果术前VAS评分总分与CT评分呈显著正相关(r=0.39,P<0.01),内镜评分与CT评分呈正相关(r=2.11,P<0.05),但嗅觉障碍的VAS评分与内镜、CT评分无相关性,差异无统计学意义。术前VAS与术后VAS评分差异具有统计学意义(t=39.51,P<0.01),术后VAS与术后内镜评分差异具有统计学意义(r=0.59,P<0.01),术前与术后Lund-Kennedy内镜评分比较差异具有统计学意义(t=39.30,P<0.01)。结论术前VAS评分、CT评分、内镜评分呈正相关,术后随访1年,手术后主观症状VAS总分与术前差异具有统计学意义,与术后Lund-Kennedy内镜评分呈正相关。术前及术后的鼻塞、头晕、面部疼痛、鼻漏症状与客观评估有相关性。手术需多方面评价,有利于个体化的手术。     

Olfactory dysfunction in nasal polyposis: correlation with computed tomography findings

AIMS: This study evaluates if a computed tomography (CT) scan is useful to assess the olfactory loss in sinonasal disease, and if a preoperative CT scan has a predictive value for the long-term outcome regarding olfaction. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with nasal polyposis were included. Olfactory function was assessed with the 'Sniffin' Sticks' test and subjective perception recorded with a visual analogue scale. CT scans were assessed with the Lund-Mackay system and the Damm nasal segmentation. Patients were retested after endoscopic sinus surgery in a follow-up appointment at least 1 year later. RESULTS: Disease in the upper meatus and the posterior portion of the middle meatus strongly affects olfactory function. Lund-Mackay scores were significantly correlated with preoperative olfactory test results. Preoperative subjective ratings had a significant correlation only with present disease in the anterior upper meatus. Postoperative results were significantly decreased. Their relative percentage change was correlated only with the preoperative presence of disease in the anterior upper meatus. No correlation was found between the Lund-Mackay score and the postoperative olfactory results. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory dysfunction in nasal polyposis is strongly related to specific obstructed nasal areas. A CT scan has no predictive value for the long-term surgical outcome regarding olfaction.     

症状、CT和鼻声反射在慢性鼻窦炎组织重构诊断中的意义

目的探讨鼻塞症状、CT扫描Lund-Mackay评分和鼻声反射测量鼻黏膜充血指数与慢性鼻及鼻窦炎(chronic rhinosinusitis,CRS)组织重构程度之间的相关性,探讨三者在CRS组织重构诊断中的意义。方法选取CRS患者43例,应用视觉模拟评分(visual analogous scale,VAS)系统评价鼻塞症状;Lund- Mackay平分系统评价鼻窦CT扫描结果;鼻声反射测量获取鼻黏膜充血指数;钩突黏膜组织标本行鼻黏膜纤维化程度评分。应用统计学方法对其相关性进行分析。结果鼻塞症状严重程度与鼻黏膜纤维化程度之间无明显相关性(r=-0.046,P=0.77);CT评分与黏膜组织纤维化评分之间无相关性(r=0.132,P=0.40);鼻黏膜纤维化程度与鼻黏膜充血指数之间呈负相关(r=-0.348, P=0.022)。结论鼻黏膜充血指数能够反映病变黏膜的组织重构程度,辅助症状与CT检查指导CRS治疗策略。     

Molecular and cellular staging for the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVES: To correlate objective and subjective clinical parameters with molecular, cellular, and histologic markers and to acknowledge the importance of these basic science parameters in a severity classification system for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS in an academic institution. METHODS: The preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of all patients with CRS scheduled for surgery were graded according to Lund and Mackay. The patients completed a Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-20 questionnaire and had a preoperative nasal endoscopy performed, which was graded by assigning an endoscopy score according to Lanza and Kennedy. Subjects had a medical questionnaire regarding presence of aspirin sensitivity, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and medication usage. Subjects also underwent pulmonary function testing and had skin tests for allergies. At the time of surgery, blood was drawn to determine the level of peripheral eosinophilia and the degree of polymorphisms of the leukotriene C4 synthase gene. Sinus mucosal and polyp tissue was examined pathologically for the number of eosinophils per high-powered filed (HPF) and was stained for EG2 to determine the portion of activated eosinophils. Leukotriene C4 levels (pg/g of tissue) were determined using a sensitive competitive enzyme immunoassay. Endoscopy and SNOT-20 scores were reevaluated 1 year after surgery. Data were analyzed for disease-severity correlation to recommend a severity classification system for CRS that incorporates the contribution of clinical, molecular, cellular, and histologic parameters. RESULTS: The presence of polyps resulted in higher preoperative CT scores and higher preoperative and postoperative symptom scores. Average preoperative CT scores were significantly higher in asthmatics and allergy patients and correlated with endoscopy scores. Patients with more than five eosinophils/HPF of sinus tissue had higher frequency of polyps and asthma and higher CT and endoscopy scores than patients without sinus tissue eosinophilia (less than or equal to 5 cells/HPF sinus tissue). The subgroup of patients with eosinophilic nasal polyps (eosinophilic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis) had more severe disease by CT and endoscopy than the subgroup of patients with nasal polyps (hyperplastic rhinosinusitis) but without eosinophilia. Similarly, patients without polyps but with tissue eosinophilia had more severe disease than patients without polyps and without eosinophilia. Leukotriene C4 levels were elevated in all patient groups. Symptom scores did not correlate with any of the parameters. CONCLUSION: We suggest the following severity classification system for CRS: 1) eosinophilic chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis (ECHRS): patients with polyps and sinus tissue eosinophilia; 2) noneosinophilic chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis (NECHRS): patients with polyps but without sinus tissue eosinophilia; 3) eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS): patients without polyps but with sinus tissue eosinophilia; 4) noneosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (NECRS): patients without polyps and without sinus tissue eosinophilia.