A comparative study between ciliary count and the degree of opacity of paranasal sinus CT scans in chronic sinusitis pre and post FESS

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the extent of sinus disease in chronic sinusitis as detected radiologically by computed tomography (CT) scan and the population of cilia (ciliary area) both before and after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). In a simple way this is a trial to statistically prove that the CT scan could be a valid indicator and a mirror of the histological status of the sinus mucosa. DESIGN: Twenty adult patients were enrolled in this study. Radiological extension of the sinus disease was quantitated using the classification proposed by Kennedy in 1992 and the ciliary population was studied using scanning electron microscopy and image analysis softwares. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The more advanced the sinusitis, as evidenced by CT scans, the more the expected reduction in the ciliary area (CA) and in the ciliary count. But after FESS the degree of ciliary regeneration does not depend statistically on the radiological condition of the sinuses and the degree of opacity prior to intervention, i.e. a statistically valid inverse relationship exists between the radiological stage of sinusitis and the ciliary population pre-operatively but the same relation does not extend to the ciliary population post-operatively.     

Rehabilitation of surgically traumatized paranasal sinus mucosa using retinoic acid

BACKGROUND: Paranasal sinus mucosa that regenerates after surgical stripping is characterized by sparse, dysmorphic cilia. Although such dysfunctional mucosal changes are thought to be irreversible, the potential rehabilitation of deciliated mucosa by topical therapies has not been explored. This study evaluated the effect of topical retinoic acid (RA) in rehabilitating deciliated sinus mucosa that has regenerated after surgical stripping. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand rabbits underwent bilateral maxillary sinus mucosal stripping and were allowed to remucosalize for 10 days. In the first treatment arm (n = 6), 0.01% RA was applied to the regenerated mucosa of the left maxillary sinus and an aqueous control was placed contralaterally. In the second treatment arm, the regenerated mucosa was surgically restripped bilaterally before applying RA and control. After 14 additional days, mucosa was harvested and examined by scanning electron microscopy for ciliary density, orientation, and morphology. RESULTS: In the first treatment arm, no significant differences in ciliary density, orientation, or morphology were noted between RA-treated sinuses and controls. In the second arm, RA-treated sinuses showed improved ciliary density, morphology, and orientation compared with controls. CONCLUSION: RA does not appear to significantly enhance ciliogenesis when applied after mucosal regeneration has occurred. However, if deciliated mucosa is restripped and allowed to regenerate in the presence of RA, ciliary ultrastructural features may be enhanced. RA may have therapeutic value in rehabilitating deciliated sinus mucosa when applied before mucociliary differentiation of regenerating mucosa.     

Clinical impact of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features, aetiologic factors, challenging properties (such as radio opacity in Water's view in a patient with no sinusitis), signs and symptoms of the ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical symptoms and radiographic findings of 14 patients with ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus were evaluated. Computed tomography (CT) and conventional radiographic images of maxillary sinus and clinical findings were compared with each other with regard to the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Water's view is inadequate to diagnose ectopic tooth in the maxillary sinus in some cases. Panoramic radiographs may be preferred before CT to evaluate the ectopic tooth in the maxillary sinus as structure of a tooth can be clearly detected on panoramic radiographs. Crowding was the most common aetiologic factor among the 14 cases. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: The patients with ectopic tooth in the maxillary sinus should be evaluated thoroughly by complete otorhinolaryngologic, intraoral examinations and proper diagnostic imaging procedures in order to avoid misdiagnosis of maxillary sinusitis. As the opacity of the maxillary sinus in Water's view due to ectopic tooth can be misinterpreted as maxillary sinusitis, patients who have sinusitis-like complaints and opacity of maxillary sinus in Water's view who are resistant to medical treatment should be evaluated with respect to the presence of ectopic tooth.     

Paranasal sinus mucosal regeneration: the effect of topical retinoic acid

BACKGROUND: Paranasal sinus mucosa may suffer morphological and functional alterations as a result of surgical trauma. Mucosal stripping typically yields regenerated mucosa characterized by fibrosis, inflammatory infiltrate, and dysmorphic or absent cilia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of topical retinoic acid (vitamin A) on regeneration of paranasal sinus mucosa. METHODS: Both maxillary sinuses of 12 New Zealand white rabbits were surgically opened and stripped of mucosa. Six rabbits received 0.01% topical retinoic acid gel treatment to the stripped left maxillary sinus (low concentration group). The remaining six rabbits received 0.025% topical retinoic acid gel to the stripped left maxillary sinus (high concentration group). The stripped right maxillary sinus of all 12 rabbits served as the operated, untreated control to reflect the normal healing process. Six other animals served as unoperated controls. The sinus mucosa was examined by light microscopy after 14 days. RESULTS: Untreated regenerated mucosa showed expected changes of submucosal gland loss, basal lamina and lamina propria fibrosis, cellular atypia, and loss of cilia. Topical retinoic acid treatment appeared to result in better mucosal regeneration marked by less cellular atypia and fibrosis. Although the regenerated mucosa was still grossly abnormal, the degree of ciliary loss and cellular derangement was reduced. The lower-concentration retinoic acid group had more favorable morphology than the higher-concentration retinoic acid group, and both were improved when compared with no treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In a rabbit model, topical vitamin A in the form of retinoic acid gel appears to enhance regeneration of ciliated paranasal sinus mucosa. This preliminary study suggests that topical retinoids may have applicability in promoting sinus wound healing.     

The effects of retinoic acid on ciliary function of regenerated sinus mucosa

BACKGROUND: Retinoic acid (RA) has been shown to enhance ciliary ultrastructure in regenerated sinus mucosa compared with controls. However, the functional status of the regenerated cilia has not been studied. Our objective was to evaluate the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of regenerated sinus mucosa treated with topical RA in a rabbit model. METHODS: Twelve rabbits underwent bilateral surgical stripping of the maxillary sinuses, followed by treatment with RA gel in the right side and an inert gel control in the left side. The rabbits were then killed at either 2 or 4 weeks, and CBF analysis of the regenerated mucosa was performed. Three unoperated rabbits were used to establish normative CBF data. RESULTS: Functional cilia were recovered from 11/12 RA-treated sinuses and 12/12 gel control sinuses. At 2 weeks postoperatively, the RA-treated sinuses showed an average CBF of 19.78 Hz, which was statistically comparable with the normal unoperated controls (p < 0.26). The inert gel-treated mucosa showed a CBF of 29.24 Hz, which was significantly elevated compared with normals (p < 0.05). At 4 weeks, ciliary activity persisted, but both RA-treated sinuses and gel controls showed elevated CBF compared with normals (p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: Topical RA placed in a demucosalized maxillary sinus yields functional cilia. RA appears to have a normalizing effect on CBF early in the mucosal wound healing process compared with control. This effect appears to be mitigated in later stages of wound healing. RA may be beneficial in enhancing morphological and functional aspects of regenerating cilia.     

Retinoic acid improves ciliogenesis after surgery of the maxillary sinus in rabbits

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Retinoids have been shown to be important cofactors in regulating the differentiation and proliferation of ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. In particular, retinoic acid has been shown to enhance the regeneration of paranasal sinus mucosa. The objective of this study is to use scanning electron microscopy techniques to evaluate the effect of topical retinoic acid on mucosal wound healing in a rabbit model of maxillary sinus surgery. It is hypothesized that the application of topical retinoic acid will enhance ciliogenesis and improve the morphology of regenerated cilia compared with controls. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective multi-arm controlled animal trial. METHODS: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits underwent surgical opening of the maxillary sinuses through a midline incision. The rabbits were divided among four experimental groups: 1) mucosal stripping alone (stripped control), 2) stripping followed by topical application of an inert aqueous gel, 3) stripping followed by application of 0.01% retinoic acid in aqueous gel, and 4) no mucosal stripping and no topical treatment (nonstripped control). After 14 days, the medial wall of the maxillary sinus was harvested and examined by scanning electron microscopy at x2,000 and x5,000 magnification. The micrographs were then rated by a blinded review panel for ciliary density, orientation, and morphology. RESULTS: Mean scores for ciliary density, orientation, and morphology were all significantly higher for the retinoic acid treatment group compared with both the inert aqueous gel treatment group and the stripped control group (P=.004-.03 for all comparisons, Student's t test). Mean scores for the retinoic acid treatment group were numerically lower than the nonstripped control group but did not approach statistical significance for any parameter (P=.23-.31). CONCLUSIONS: In a rabbit model of maxillary sinus surgery, topically delivered retinoic acid enhances ciliogenesis. Qualitative assessment of ciliary density, orientation, and morphology shows improved healing in retinoic acid treated sinuses compared with both untreated control sinuses and aqueous gel treated sinuses.     

The anti-inflammatory effect of fusafungine during experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in the rabbit

The short-term effects of local intranasal administration of fusafungine were studied for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties against experimentally induced bacterial rhinosinusitis. The maxillary sinuses of 20 rabbits were infected with encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae after mechanical occlusion of each animal’s anatomic ostium. Either fusafungine solution or placebo was administered as a nasal spray through the nostrils twice daily for 10 days. Histopathological grading of inflammation, biochemical assay of inflammatory mediators, and the number of bacterial species isolated from the nasal cavities all showed significant recovery from inflammation after fusafungine treatment. The beneficial effects of fusafungine on inflamed sinus mucosa may possibly also be attributable to an initial alleviation of inflammation in the nasal cavity, which permitted entry of the drug to the sinus cavity through a partially reopened ostium. A reciprocal relationship between nasal and sinus reactivity involving generalization of inflammation and recovery was also thought to be of importance. The present findings indicate that local applications of fusafungine may effectively improve clinical conditions producing rhinitis and sinusitis. Received: 4 March 1997 / Accepted: 11 June 1997     

Saccharin test of maxillary sinus mucociliary function after endoscopic sinus surgery

OBJECTIVES: To determine the usefulness of the saccharin time (ST) test for evaluating the mucociliary function of the maxillary sinus after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic sinusitis. STUDY DESIGN: METHODS: This study was conducted on 88 maxillary sinuses of 74 patients after ESS. The maxillary sinus fontanel was broadly opened via the middle meatus using an endoscope, and a saccharin granule was adhered to the bottom of the maxillary sinus mucosa The time until the patient recognized the sweet taste was recorded. Before the ST test, the bilateral maxillary sinuses were classified into the following four groups on the basis of the post-ESS severity of mucosal edema and swelling as revealed by endoscopic observation: normal (45 sinuses), mild mucosal edema and swelling (24), moderate mucosal finding (14), and severe mucosal finding or filling of the sinus with a polyp(s) (5). RESULTS: The mean ST values in the normal group and the groups with mild, moderate, and severe mucosal edema and swelling were 35.7, 38.1, 63.6, and 88.0 minutes, respectively. Thus the ST increased with the post-ESS severity of the mucosal lesion. However, for the group with mild mucosal edema and swelling, scanning electron microscopic observation of three maxillary sinuses in which the ST exceeded 120 minutes and four sinuses in which the ST was 40 minutes revealed extensive cilia loss in the former sinuses, but not in the latter. A second post-ESS endoscopic observation was performed in 17 patients, revealing improvement in 11 sinuses, no change in 5 sinuses, and aggravation in 1 sinus (compared with the initial test). The ST test was also repeated, revealing that the ST became shorter in most of the endoscopically improved sinus group. However, a few sinuses showed a discrepancy between the change in the endoscopic findings and the ciliary function (ST). CONCLUSION: Measurement of the maxillary sinus ST is a simple, accurate, and useful technique for assessing the post-ESS mucociliary function in conjunction with endoscopy, and the information gained can help in deciding subsequent therapy.     

葡萄球菌肠毒素B对兔上颌窦黏膜上皮电生理和通透性的影响

目的 研究葡萄球菌肠素素B（staphylococcal enterotoxin,B,SEB) 对兔上颌窦黏膜屏障功能的影响。方法 30只兔上颌窦黏膜在手术显微镜下活体取出后装于亚森室，测定上皮的短路电流、电导和通透性以及黏膜中肿瘤坏死因子－α（tumor necrosis factor α，TNF-α）。结果 葡萄球菌肠毒素B刺激引起上颌窦黏膜上皮的短路电流、电导和对辣根过氧化物酶（horseradish peroxidase,HRP)的通透性增高。用TNF－α在体外刺激窦黏膜可引起上述同样的变化。SEB刺激窦黏膜可引起其中TNF－α含量升高。经抗TNF－α抗体预处理可以阻断SEB引起的窦黏膜上皮的上述病理改变。结论 SEB可影响上颌窦上皮层的屏幕功能，可能是通过引起其中免疫细胞的功能变化，在上颌窦炎症的发生、发展中有一定的病理学意义。     

Effects of staphylococcal enterotoxin on ciliary activity and histology of the sinus mucosa

CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A (SEA) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of rhinosinusitis by ciliostatic effects at high concentrations, and by a different mechanism at low concentrations. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the in vitro effects of SEA on ciliary activity and its in vivo effects on histology of the sinus mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro effects of SEA on ciliary activity at different concentrations and exposure time were investigated using maxillary sinus mucosa harvested from experimental rabbits. After in vivo instillation of different concentrations (high and low dose) of SEA into the maxillary sinus, ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and histologic findings of the maxillary sinus mucosa were examined. RESULTS: After exposure to low doses of SEA (0.03 and 0.3 ng/ml), CBF did not decrease, but after exposure to high doses of SEA (1.5, 3, and 30 ng/ml), CBF decreased significantly as a function of time. At 24 h after instillation of high-dose SEA (30 ng/ml) into the sinus, CBF decreased significantly and rhinosinusitis was induced after 7 days. Although no alteration was observed in the CBF of the sinus mucosa after instillation of low-dose SEA (0.3 ng/ml), histological findings of rhinosinusitis including subepithelial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed.     

CT-based manual segmentation and evaluation of paranasal sinuses

Manual segmentation of computed tomography (CT) datasets was performed for robot-assisted endoscope movement during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Segmented 3D models are needed for the robots’ workspace definition. A total of 50 preselected CT datasets were each segmented in 150–200 coronal slices with 24 landmarks being set. Three different colors for segmentation represent diverse risk areas. Extension and volumetric measurements were performed. Three-dimensional reconstruction was generated after segmentation. Manual segmentation took 8–10 h for each CT dataset. The mean volumes were: right maxillary sinus 17.4 cm3, left side 17.9 cm3, right frontal sinus 4.2 cm3, left side 4.0 cm3, total frontal sinuses 7.9 cm3, sphenoid sinus right side 5.3 cm3, left side 5.5 cm3, total sphenoid sinus volume 11.2 cm3. Our manually segmented 3D-models present the patient’s individual anatomy with a special focus on structures in danger according to the diverse colored risk areas. For safe robot assistance, the high-accuracy models represent an average of the population for anatomical variations, extension and volumetric measurements. They can be used as a database for automatic model-based segmentation. None of the segmentation methods so far described provide risk segmentation. The robot’s maximum distance to the segmented border can be adjusted according to the differently colored areas.     

Role of transepithelial ion transport as a determinant of mucus viscoelasticity in chronic inflammation of the maxillary sinus.

Chronic sinusitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with fluid retention, most frequently in maxillary sinus. We measured both viscoelasticity of maxillary sinus fluid and bioelectric properties of maxillary mucosa in an attempt to correlate the mucus viscoelasticity with bioelectric properties. During sinus surgery, maxillary sinus fluid and maxillary mucosa were obtained from 15 patients with chronic sinusitis. Viscoelasticity was measured with an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer within 24 h after sampling. Potential difference and short circuit current of maxillary mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers were measured before and after exposure of mucosal surface to amiloride. Both elasticity and viscosity showed significant positive correlation with percent inhibition of short-circuit current by amiloride. Our results indicate that the ion transport process plays a role in the determination of viscoelasticity of maxillary sinus fluid in chronic sinusitis.     

慢性鼻窦炎内窥镜手术上颌窦粘膜扫描电镜观察

为了对行内窥镜鼻窦手术的慢性鼻窦炎患者上颌窦粘膜的术后超微结构变化进行评价，利用扫描电镜及图像分析技术对１６例（２０侧）术中和术后上颌窦粘膜及自然孔粘膜的纤毛面积进行定量测定。发现术前上颌窦及其自然孔粘膜纤毛细胞明显减少，杯状细胞、微绒毛细胞增多，部分病例有鳞状上皮化生。术后６个月～１年，大部分病例受损的纤毛细胞明显恢复，纤毛细胞覆盖面积增加，有统计学意义。通过内窥镜手术，改善上颌窦的通气、引流，可以逐渐恢复粘膜的正常生理功能。     

慢性鼻窦炎内窥镜手术上颌窦粘膜扫描电镜观察

为了对行内窥镜鼻窦手术的慢性鼻窦炎患者上颌窦粘膜的术后超微结构变化进行评价，利用扫描电镜及图像分析技术对１６例（２０侧）术中和术后上颌窦粘膜及自然孔粘膜的纤毛面积进行定量测定。发现术前上颌窦及其自然孔粘膜纤毛细胞明显减少，杯状细胞，微绒毛细胞增多，部分病例有鳞状上皮化生。术后６个月￣１年，大部分病例受损的纤毛细胞明显恢复，纤毛细胞覆盖面积增加，有统计学意义，通过内窥镜手术，改善上颌窦的通气、引流、     

Effects of staphylococcal enterotoxin on ciliary activity and histology of the sinus mucosa

Conclusion. The results of our study suggest that Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A (SEA) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of rhinosinusitis by ciliostatic effects at high concentrations, and by a different mechanism at low concentrations. Objectives. To investigate the in vitro effects of SEA on ciliary activity and its in vivo effects on histology of the sinus mucosa. Materials and methods. The in vitro effects of SEA on ciliary activity at different concentrations and exposure time were investigated using maxillary sinus mucosa harvested from experimental rabbits. After in vivo instillation of different concentrations (high and low dose) of SEA into the maxillary sinus, ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and histologic findings of the maxillary sinus mucosa were examined. Results. After exposure to low doses of SEA (0.03 and 0.3 ng/ml), CBF did not decrease, but after exposure to high doses of SEA (1.5, 3, and 30 ng/ml), CBF decreased significantly as a function of time. At 24 h after instillation of high-dose SEA (30 ng/ml) into the sinus, CBF decreased significantly and rhinosinusitis was induced after 7 days. Although no alteration was observed in the CBF of the sinus mucosa after instillation of low-dose SEA (0.3 ng/ml), histological findings of rhinosinusitis including subepithelial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed.     

Hematoma-like mass of the maxillary sinus

CONCLUSIONS: We have reported a non-neoplastic, heterogeneous, hemorrhagic lesion of the maxillary sinus characterized by a mixture of dilated vessels, hemorrhage and fibrin exudation. This lesion should be distinguished from hemangioma and hematoma. We propose the name "hematoma-like mass of the maxillary sinus" for this disease, based on its histological characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathological characteristics of a non-neoplastic, heterogeneous, hemorrhagic lesion of the maxillary sinus associated with mucosal swelling and bone destruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of six patients who were treated surgically for masses and met the following criteria: (i) CT demonstrated an expanding unilateral maxillary lesion, with thinning or destruction of the surrounding bony tissue; (ii) MRI demonstrated a heterogeneous mass; (iii) macroscopically, a mass with a hemorrhagic and heterogeneous appearance was observed; and (iv) histologically, a non-neoplastic tissue with mucosal hemorrhage was observed. RESULTS: The clinical features of this disease, such as a mass expanding from the maxillary sinus with bone destruction, resembled those of maxillary carcinoma. However, CT and MRI provided sufficient information to differentiate this condition from malignancy. Resection was straightforward due to a firm capsule. Characteristic histological findings were a mixture of dilated vessels, hemorrhage and fibrin exudation.     

Ciliary beat frequency of human sphenoid sinus mucosa after cryopreservation

In vitro studies of human ciliary activity require relatively large quantities of specimens of healthy ciliated epithelium. For this reason we investigated whether cryopreserved healthy mucosa taken from the sphenoid sinus during pituitary surgery would meet the demands of this type of study. The sinus mucosa from ten patients was immersed in two different cryopreservatives. One solution contained 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotector. The other contained glycerol as a part of human sperm preservation medium (HSPM). The ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured sequentially by a photoelectrical method: when specimens were fresh and then at intervals of 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen and thawing. Mean CBF values recorded after thawing did not differ significantly from the values measured before cryopreservation. Prior to cryopreservation and after thawing, CBF did not change during a period of 4 h. Epithelia preserved in DMSO demonstrated that the low mean CBF (5.4 Hz) found was caused by a reversible ciliostatic effect of the medium. After thawing and rinsing with a neutral medium, CBF showed normal values. We conclude that sphenoid sinus mucosa is an appropriate source of ciliated mucosa for in vitro experiments. Since non-pathological ciliated epithelium can be maintained in a “mucosa bank,” our finding makes further studies of CBF of normal human respiratory epithelium in vitro a realistic goal. Received: 23 May 1997 / Accepted: 15 August 1997     

牙源性上颌窦炎中窦腔黏膜增厚与牙根尖关联螺旋CT研究

目的：探讨牙根尖是否突入上颌窦与牙源性上颌窦炎患者窦腔黏膜厚度之间的CT影像学关联性。方法回顾性分析牙源性上颌窦炎患者52例（104侧）的螺旋CT影像学资料,评估上颌窦黏膜厚度与牙根尖是否突入上颌窦窦腔的关系。结果本组患者检出58侧（55.7%）有牙根尖突入窦腔,其中46侧（79.3%）存在上颌窦局部黏膜增厚大于2mm。牙根突入窦腔的上颌窦黏膜厚度（7.76＆#177;8.39mm）和无牙根突入窦腔的黏膜厚度（3.17＆#177;4.14mm）组间差异统计学意义显著（P=0.001）。结论螺旋CT影像提示,牙源性上颌窦炎患者上颌窦黏膜增厚的发生及其严重程度与牙根尖是否突入窦腔呈现明显的正相关。     

Effects of beta-toxin of Staphylococcus aureus on ciliary activity of nasal epithelial cells

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the in vitro effects of staphylococcal beta-toxin on ciliary activity and the in vivo effects on sinusitis induction. STUDY DESIGN: The in vitro effects of staphylococcal beta-toxin on ciliary activity were investigated at different concentrations and exposure times. Experimental sinusitis was induced in rabbits with application of beta-toxin and confirmed 7 days later. METHODS: Ciliated epithelial cells were taken from the maxillary sinus mucosa of 10 rabbits. Five culture dishes from each rabbit were used for the experimental group, and one culture dish from each rabbit was used for the control group. In the experimental group, ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 2, 5 and 10 U/mL of beta-toxin using a video-computerized analysis technique, while in the control group, culture medium containing no toxin was used. CBF was measured 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after administration of beta-toxin. To induce experimental sinusitis, 2 U/mL of beta-toxin was percutaneously applied to the maxillary sinus of 10 rabbits without occlusion of the natural ostium, while normal saline was percutaneously applied to the right-side maxillary sinus of 4 rabbits in the control group. At 7 days, mucosal membranes were taken from the inferomedial wall of the maxillary sinus for light microscopic study. RESULTS: CBF dropped significantly after an 8-hour incubation at 2, 5, and 10 U/mL of beta-toxin. No ciliary activity was observed after a 24-hour incubation at 2 and 5 U/mL and a 12-hour incubation at 10 U/mL of beta-toxin. Mucoid, purulent discharge was observed in the maxillary sinuses of the beta-toxin-applied group. Prominent epithelial disruption and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the epithelium and lamina propria were observed in the beta-toxin-applied group. CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcal beta-toxin may reduce ciliary activity and induce sinusitis without occlusion of the natural ostium of the maxillary sinus in rabbits This study provides another animal model of sinusitis for understanding the pathogenesis of sinusitis induced by bacterial exotoxins.     

Ultrastructural ciliary changes of maxillary sinus mucosa following functional endoscopic sinus surgery: an image analysis quantitative study

This was a study of the effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on the ciliary regeneration of maxillary sinus mucosa in patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis, using objective quantitative methods. Twenty specimens from the mucosa of both the superolateral wall and the ostium of the maxillary sinus were sampled during FESS and then six to 12 months later. They were light examined first by light microscopy and then by scanning electron microscopy in combination with image analysis software in order to study the cilia under higher magnification and to calculate proportion of the field that was ciliated. Samples were taken and studied at Cairo University hospital. This study showed that the maxillary sinus mucosa in chronic sinusitis is capable of regeneration and could return towards normal with the improvement of ventilation and drainage of the maxillary sinus following FESS. There were no significant changes in the degree of glandular hyperplasia, goblet cells or pathological glands after surgery.