Role of nasal cytology

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2010 Jan-Mar;23(1 Suppl):45-9.

Abstract

Nasal cytology represents a valid method in the differential diagnosis of allergic and non-allergic nasal diseases, as it is simple, safe, non-invasive, cost-effective, and easy to perform both in the medical and paediatric office. In particular, through cytological investigation it is possible to diagnose a group of non-allergic infective rhinitis that still today constitutes a vague aspect of the clinical-diagnostic-therapeutic approach to eosinophilic non-allergic rhinitis (NARES), non-allergic rhinitis mast cell (NARMA), neutrophilic non-allergic rhinitis (NARNA), and eosinophil-mast cell non-allergic rhinitis (NARESMA). Preventive treatment of nasal diseases, when guided by rhinocytograms, leads to a favorable clinical and time-dependent outcome. These advantages are reflected in a better quality of life and in a reduction in National Health Service costs, without chronic evolution of the disease to complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cytological Techniques*
  • Humans
  • Nasal Mucosa / pathology*
  • Nose Diseases / diagnosis
  • Nose Diseases / pathology*
  • Nose Diseases / therapy