Differentiation between allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis. Light and electron microscopic studies

The pathological changes of nasal mucosa from allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis were observed. The results showed that the general characteristic was vascular dilatation with increased permeability and glandular proliferation with increased secretory activity. The pathological difference between mucous membranes of allergic and vasomotor rhinitis were mainly cellular infiltration and degree of damage on vascular wall. In allergic rhinitis there were more eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils and some mast cells and plasma cells in nasal mucosa. Gap formation in capillary wall was found in allergic nasal mucosa, there were less cellular infiltration and no gap formation in vasomotor rhinitis.