The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of surgery on the histology of nasal mucosa in patients with nasal polyposis and the comparison/also to compare it with normal population. This case-control study was conducted on 20 patients at the Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Qaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during October 2007 to June 2008. Patients with polyposis and patients with septal deviation who were candidate for septoplasty were considered as case and control groups, respectively, including 10 subjects in each. Specimens of polyp tissue and the inferior conchae (mucosa) were taken during sinus endoscopy from the case group. One month later, another specimen was taken from the inferior conchae (mucosa). Moreover, specimens of the inferior conchae (mucosa) were taken of the control group. Percentage of goblet cells among the epithelial cells was determined for each group. Goblet cell percentage found to be 15.7% in polyps, consistent with significant difference with that of in postoperative (13.3%) and in preoperative nasal mucosa specimens (39.86%), (P = 0.043 and P = 0.03, respectively). Goblet cell percentage was 39.86% and 4.9% in the case and control groups, in that order, which were significantly high (P < 0.001). Percentage of goblet cells showed to be lower in polyps than mucosa. Also percentage of goblet cells in postoperative nasal mucosa specimens was significantly lower than preoperative specimens. Therefore, surgery has additional benefit of histological improvement rather than opening nasal airway.
Keywords: Endoscopy; Goblet cell; Nasal polyposis; Surgery.