Pheno-Endotyping Antrochoanal Nasal Polyposis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Antrochoanal polyps (ACPs) are benign polypoid lesions arising from the inner wall of the maxillary sinus and extending into the choana. Although the diagnosis and treatment strategies of ACP have changed since this entity was first described, the underlying pathogenic mechanism of APC is poorly understood. This article reviews the current knowledge of the etiology, inflammatory parameters, and microscopic findings of ACP. RECENT FINDINGS: The inflammatory pattern of ACP appears to center around a neutrophilic inflammation T1-dominant endotype. Apart from the inflammatory component of ACP, at the microscopic level, the presence of tissue remodeling, mostly fibrin deposition and edema, and cysts in the epithelium and lamina propria has been described. Although the origin of this T1-dominant endotype immune response of ACPs is not entirely clear, it could be related to a lymphatic obstruction mechanism. This review serves to define a phenotype of ACP with potential endotypes based on the characteristics of the inflammatory parameters, microscopic findings, and hypotheses about the pathogenesis of ACP.

Endotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis: Relationships to disease phenotypes, pathogenesis, clinical findings, and treatment approaches.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common clinical syndrome that produces significant morbidity and costs to our health system. The study of CRS has progressed from an era focused on phenotype to include endotype-based information. Phenotypic classification has identified clinical heterogeneity in CRS based on endoscopically observed features such as presence of nasal polyps, presence of comorbid or systemic diseases, and timing of disease onset. More recently, laboratory-based findings have established CRS endotype based upon specific mechanisms or molecular biomarkers. Understanding the basis of widespread heterogeneity in the manifestations of CRS is advanced by findings that the three main endotypes, Type 1, 2, and 3, orchestrate the expression of three distinct large sets of genes. The development and use of improved methods of endotyping disease in the clinic are ushering in an expansion of the use of biological therapies targeting Type 2 inflammation now and perhaps other inflammatory endotypes in the near future. The purpose of this review is to discuss the phenotypic and endotypic heterogeneity of CRS from the perspective of advancing the understanding of the pathogenesis and improvement of treatment approaches and outcomes.

What is the contribution of IgE to nasal polyposis?

Taking a novel approach, this narrative review collates knowledge about nasal polyposis and the biological functions of IgE in several diseases (allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-exacerbated respiratory disease, and chronic spontaneous urticaria) to consider which IgE-mediated mechanisms are relevant to nasal polyposis pathology. A type 2 eosinophil-dominated inflammatory signature is typical in nasal polyp tissue of European patients with nasal polyposis, with a shift toward this endotype observed in Asian populations in recent years. Elevated polyclonal IgE is present in the nasal tissue of patients with and without allergy. It is derived from many different B-cell clones and, importantly, is functional (proinflammatory). Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins are thought to act as superantigens, inducing production of polyclonal IgE via B-cell and T-cell activation, and triggering release of inflammatory mediators. In some patients, exposure to antigens/triggers leads to production of high levels of antigen-specific IgE, which mediates cross-linking of the high-affinity IgE receptor on various cells, causing release of inflammatory mediators. The efficacy of omalizumab confirms IgE as an important inflammatory mediator in nasal polyposis. By blocking IgE, omalizumab targets the T2 inflammation in nasal polyposis, reduces nasal polyp score and improves symptoms.

Changes in Clinical and Histological Characteristics of Nasal Polyps in Northern China over the Past 2-3 Decades.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have shown that inflammatory patterns of nasal polyps from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in East Asia have changed over time. However, to date there is a marked lack of similar data for CRSwNP in Northern China. This study thus aimed to assess the changes in the clinical and histological characteristics of CRSwNP patients from Northern China over the past 2-3 decades. METHODS: This was a retrospective study, which examined data from 2 groups of 150 CRSwNP patients each, who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery in Beijing Tongren Hospital from 1993 to 1995 (group A) and from 2015 to 2019 (group B). All relevant data for demographic, clinical, and histological parameters were collected for each patient from the 2 groups and compared for overall changes between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The comorbidity of CRSwNP and asthma increased over time and the cellular phenotype of CRSwNPchanged significantly; in particular, the proportion of eosinophil-dominant CRSwNP increased, lymphocyte-dominant and plasma-dominant CRSwNP decreased significantly, and the proportions of neutrophil-dominant and mixed CRSwNP were not altered. The rate of polyp recurrence increased in CRSwNP but did not in eosinophilic CRSwNP. Smoking and age did not significantly impact the inflammatory patterns of CRSwNP. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory patterns of CRSwNP patients have changed and comorbidity of asthma significantly increased in CRSwNP patients in Northern China over the past 2-3 decades.

Altered Immune Regulation of Dendritic Cells and Enhanced Cytokine Production of T Cells in the Pathogenesis of Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

INTRODUCTION: Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is a refractory chronic disease defined by recurrent nasal polyps with severe eosinophilic infiltration. This is mainly due to enhanced type 2-dominant immune responses, but the underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In the present study, we aimed to determine the characteristics of dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine profiles of T cells in the peripheral blood of individuals with ECRS and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The ratios of myeloid (m)DC1s to DCs and PD-L1+ mDC1s to mDC1s were higher in ECRS patients than in HC. The proportions of plasmacytoid (p)DCs in DCs, and human leukocyte antigen-DR+ pDCs and ILT3+ pDCs in pDCs were lower in ECRS patients than in HC. In a characterization of T cells, IL-4+CD4+, IFN-γ+CD4+, IL-4+IFN-γ+CD4+, IL-4+Foxp3+CD4+, IFN-γ+Foxp3+CD4+, IFN-γ+IL-4-Foxp3-CD4+, IL-4+CD8+, IL-4+IFN-γ+CD8+, and IL-4+Foxp3+CD8+ T-cell populations were significantly higher in ECRS patients than in HC. These results suggest that the enhanced immune regulation of mDC1, diminished capacity of pDCs, and increased proportion of the T-cell phenotypes in peripheral blood might be factors in ECRS pathogenesis.

Predictive Significance of Charcot-Leyden Crystal Protein in Nasal Secretions in Recurrent Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

INTRODUCTION: The recurrence occurs frequently among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and predictors that could be conveniently detected during practice in outpatient service are needed. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to illustrate that the concentration of Charcot-Leyden crystal (CLC) in nasal secretions can effectively and noninvasively predict polyp recurrence. METHODS: 108 patients with CRSwNP were divided into recurrence (n = 68) and recurrence-free (n = 40) groups. Preoperative CLC concentrations in nasal secretions were collected and detected by ELISA. Polyp tissues were harvested during biopsy or endoscopic sinus surgery and were evaluated for inflammatory cells by histopathological staining. Demographic information and the clinical characteristics of each patient were reviewed for associations with recurrence. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictive factors for polyp recurrence. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the Youden index were performed to determine their predictive values. Survival analysis was performed to compare recurrence risk of patients with different CLC concentrations. RESULTS: Sixty-eight (62.96%) patients developed recurrence during a 12- to 33-month postoperative follow-up. CLC concentrations in nasal secretions were positively correlated with eosinophil percent in polyp tissue and peripheral blood and were significantly higher in patients of the recurrence group than in the patients of the recurrence-free group (p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression and ROC curve demonstrated that CLC protein in nasal secretions is predictive of polyp recurrence. According to the Youden index, a CLC concentration of 34.24 ng/mL can predict postoperative polyp recurrence with 92.6% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity. Patients with CLC concentrations higher than the cutoff value yielded a higher risk of recurrence (p < 0.001, HR = 11.31, 95% CI: 6.41-19.98). CONCLUSIONS: CLC protein in nasal secretions may serve as a promising noninvasive biomarker to predict CRSwNP recurrence.

Real-Life Experience of Monoclonal Antibody Treatments in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies assess biologicals such as, omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab in patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). The reported success rate in these studies differ, and it remains uncertain if there are any biomarkers to predict successful therapy. Our aim was to analyze the therapeutic outcome in a real life setting and to identify predictive biomarkers for successful treatment. METHODS: Data from patients with CRSwNP treated with a monoclonal antibody between November 2014 and January 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Improvement in the polyp score and clinical symptoms like nasal obstruction, sense of smell, nasal discharge, and facial pain were evaluated. Other characteristics, including use of nasal or systemic steroids, comorbidities, previous history of sinus surgery, eosinophilia tissue, blood values (eosinophils, total immunoglobulin E, eosinophilic cationic protein, and interleukin 5), and allergic sensitization in serum were also investigated to identify possible predictive biomarkers. RESULTS: Forty-eight treatments in 29 patients (m/f = 15/14) aged 27-70 years were reviewed. Treatments with mepolizumab showed the best success rates (78.9%), followed by omalizumab (50%) and benralizumab treatments (50%). However, a correlation between biomarkers and treatment success could not be found. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Treatment of CRSwNP with biologicals is a promising option for severe cases not responding to conventional therapy, including difficult-to-treat patients. Predictive biomarkers for a successful treatment could not be identified, but the reduction of eosinophilic cationic protein was linked with the response.

Predictors of sinonasal disease onset, progression, and severity in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients.

PURPOSE: Pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have a variable onset, severity, and progression of sinonasal disease. The objective of this study was to identify genotypic and phenotypic factors associated with CF that are predictive of sinonasal disease, recurrent nasal polyposis, and failure to respond to standard treatment. METHODS: A retrospective case series was conducted of 30 pediatric patients with CF chronic rhinosinusitis with and without polyps. Patient specific mutations were divided by class and categorized into high risk (Class I-III) and low risk (Class IV-V). Severity of pulmonary and pancreatic manifestations of CF, number of sinus surgeries, nasal polyposis and recurrence, age at presentation to Otolaryngology, and Pediatric Sinonasal Symptom Survey (SN-5)/Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores were examined. RESULTS: 27/30 patients (90%) had high risk mutations (Class I-III). 21/30 (70.0%) patients had nasal polyposis and 10/30 (33.3%) had recurrent nasal polyposis. Dependence on pancreatic enzymes (23/27, 85.2% vs 0/3, 0.0%, p = 0.009) and worse forced expiratory volumes (FEV1%) (mean 79, SD 15 vs mean 105, SD 12, p = 0.009) were more common in patients with high risk mutations. Insulin-dependence was more common in those with recurrent polyposis (5/10, 50% vs 2/20, 10%, p = 0.026). There was no statistical difference in ages at presentation, first polyps, or sinus surgery, or in polyposis presence, recurrence, or extent of sinus surgery based on high risk vs. low risk classification. CONCLUSION: CF-related diabetes was associated with nasal polyposis recurrence. Patients with more severe extra-pulmonary manifestations of CF may also be at increased risk of sinonasal disease.

IL13 May Play an Important Role in Developing Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Eosinophilic Otitis Media with Severe Asthma.

A woman in her 50s was a super responder to benralizumab administered for the treatment of severe bronchial asthma (BA) with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (ECRS) and eosinophilic otitis media (EOM). She exhibited the gradual exacerbation of ECRS/EOM despite good control of BA approximately 1 year after benralizumab initiation. Therefore, the treatment was switched to dupilumab, and the condition of the paranasal sinuses and middle ear greatly improved with the best control of her asthma. The patient reported that her physical condition was the best of her life. However, she developed a pulmonary opacity on chest computed tomography after 6 months. Histological examination of the lung parenchyma and cell differentiation of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicated atypical chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, and treatment was switched to mepolizumab. Similarly to the period of benralizumab treatment, exacerbation of ECRS/EOM reduced her quality of life approximately 10 months after the administration of mepolizumab. Dupilumab was again introduced as a replacement for mepolizumab. The clinical course and consideration of the interaction between inflammatory cells led us to speculate that interleukin-13 could play a key role in the development of ECRS/EOM with severe BA.

Exosomes Represent an Immune Suppressive T Cell Checkpoint in Human Chronic Inflammatory Microenvironments.

Background: T cells present in chronic inflammatory tissues such as nasal polyps (from chronic rhinosinusitis patients) have been demonstrated to be hypo-responsive to activation via the TCR, similar to tumor-specific T cells in multiple different human tumor microenvironments. While immunosuppressive exosomes have been known to contribute to the failure of the tumor-associated T cells to respond optimally to activation stimuli, it is not known whether they play a similar role in chronic inflammatory microenvironments. In the current study, we investigate whether exosomes derived from chronic inflammatory microenvironments contribute to the immune suppression of T cells. Methods: Exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized by size and composition using nanoparticle tracking analysis, scanning electron microscopy, antibody arrays and flow exometry. Immunosuppressive ability of the exosomes was measured by quantifying its effect on activation of T cells, using nuclear translocation of NFκB as an activation endpoint. Results: Exosomes were isolated and characterized from two different types of chronic inflammatory tissues - nasal polyps from chronic rhinosinusitis patients and synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients. These exosomes arrest the activation of T cells stimulated via the TCR. This immune suppression, like that which is seen in tumor microenvironments, is dependent in part upon a lipid, ganglioside GD3, which is expressed on the exosomal surface. Conclusion: Immunosuppressive exosomes present in non-malignant chronic inflammatory tissues represent a new T cell checkpoint, and potentially represent a novel therapeutic target to enhance the response to current therapies and prevent disease recurrences.

Chondroma in the Area of the Spheno-Ethmoid Junction.

Chondroma in the area of the spheno-ethmoidal junction is very rare. A 29-year-old male patient with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps was arranged for a preoperative computed tomography scan, and a lesion was accidentally found in his spheno-ethmoidal junction and involved the skull base. Combined with MRI, the lesion was misdiagnosed as fungal sinusitis. However, no fungal lesions were found during the operation, and cartilage tissue was confirmed only after some bone was ground away under the guidance of a surgical navigation system. Our case indicates that chondroma is easily misdiagnosed as fungal sinusitis when it appears in the sinuses and should be carefully distinguished from fungal sinusitis. Moreover, when lesions involve the skull base, surgical navigation systems are useful in accurately locating lesions.

Deficit in Adipose Differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Chronic Rhinosinusitis Nasal Polyps Compared to Nasal Mucosal Tissue.

Chronic rhinosinusitis of the nasal mucosa is an inflammatory disease of paranasal sinuses, which causes rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and hyposmia, and in some cases, it can result in the development of nasal polyposis. Nasal polyps are benign lobular-shaped growths that project in the nasal cavities; they originate from inflammation in the paranasal mucous membrane and are associated with a high expression of interleukins (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IgE. Polyps derive from the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the nasal epithelium resulting in a nasal tissue remodeling. Nasal polyps from three patients with chronic rhinosinusitis as well as control non-polyp nasal mucosa were used to isolate and cultivate mesenchymal stem cells characterized as CD73+, CD90+, CD105+/CD14-, CD34-, and CD45-. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultures were induced to differentiate toward adipocytes, where lipid droplets and adipocyte genes PPARγ2, ADIPO-Q, and FABP4 were observed in control non-polyp nasal mucosa-derived mesenchymal cells but were scarcely present in the cultures derived from the nasal polyps, where apoptosis was evident. The modulation of the response to adipogenic stimulus in polyps represents a change in the molecular response that controls the cascade required for differentiation as well as possible means to specifically target these cells, sparing the normal mucosa of the nasal sinuses.

Bony orbital changes in allergic fungal sinusitis are reversible after treatment.

Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) arises from a host hypersensitivity reaction to fungi residing within the sino-nasal tract. Computed tomography imaging may show heterogenous sinus opacification with bony erosion and expansion into the orbits. With advanced orbital involvement there is a risk of optic neuropathy and irreversible vision loss. We present a patient with AFS who presented with bilateral proptosis and early optic neuropathy. Radiologically, there was evidence of bony erosion and orbital wall compression. Following oral corticosteroids and full-house endoscopic sinus surgery, these changes reversed considerably. This case shows that bony and anatomical orbital changes from AFS are reversible with adequate surgical treatment.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps in Older Adults: Clinical Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Comorbidity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a common condition that significantly affects patients' life. This work aims to provide an up-to-date overview of CRSwNP in older adults, focusing on its aging-related clinical presentations, pathophysiology, and comorbidity associations including asthma. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent large population-based studies using nasal endoscopy have shown that CRSwNP is a mostly late-onset disease. Age-related changes in physiologic functions, including nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction, may underlie the incidence and different clinical presentations of CRSwNP in older adults. However, there is still a paucity of evidence on the effect of aging on phenotypes and endotypes of CRSwNP. Meanwhile, late-onset asthma is a major comorbid condition in patients with CRSwNP; they frequently present with type 2 inflammatory signatures that are refractory to conventional treatments when they are comorbid. However, as they are more commonly non-atopic, causative factors other than classical atopic sensitization, such as Staphylococcus aureus specific IgE sensitization, are suggested to drive the type 2 inflammation. There are additional comorbidity associations in older patients with CRSwNP, including those with chronic otitis media and head and neck malignancy. Age is a major determinant for the incidence and clinical presentations of CRSwNP. Given the heterogeneity in phenotypes and endotypes, longitudinal investigations are warranted to elucidate the effects of aging on CRSwNP.

Differential effects of postoperative oral corticosteroid on eosinophilic vs. non-eosinophilic CRSwNP subtypes.

PURPOSE: The efficacy of postoperative oral corticosteroids on surgical outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) remains controversial. This study evaluated the potential benefits of postoperative oral corticosteroids on surgical outcomes in CRSwNP patients and investigated the differential effects on eosinophilic CRSwNP (ECRSwNP) and noneosinophilic CRSwNP (NECRSwNP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with bilateral CRSwNP who underwent ESS were enrolled and randomized to receive either oral prednisolone (30 mg/day) or placebo for 2 weeks after surgery. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) scores were chosen as the subjective outcomes, evaluated at preoperative baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Lund-Kennedy Endoscopic Scores (LKESs) were used as the objective outcome, evaluated at preoperative baseline and at 2 weeks and 2, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: In total, 100 patients with bilateral CRSwNP were enrolled, of whom only 82 completed the 6-month follow-up. The subjective outcomes showed no significant difference at each follow-up points. Of the objective outcomes, the corticosteroid group reporting a trend of improvement in LKESs at 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.05). After stratification by tissue eosinophils, only patients with NECRSwNP (<10 eosinophils/HPF) demonstrated a significant improvement in LKESs at 3 months postoperatively (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative oral corticosteroids did not provide additional improvements in VAS and SNOT-22 scores; nevertheless, a trend of LKES improvement was noted at 6 months postoperatively. After stratification by tissue eosinophils, this effect was significant only among NECRSwNP patients at 3 months follow-up.

Anatomic variations associated with antrochoanal polyps.

OBJECTIVE: Although more than a century has passed since antrochoanal polyps (ACPs) were first defined, etiopathogenesis still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ACPs and sinonasal cavity variations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-four patients with ACP on paranasal sinus computed tomography scans (ACP group) and 160 paranasal sinuses without ACP (control group) were included into the study. The study group was evaluated in respect of the presence of retention cyst in the contralateral maxillary sinus and sinus bone wall sclerosis thickening. Both groups were also compared with respect to the frequency of sinonasal anatomic variations, nasal septal deviation, variations of the uncinate process insertion, concha bullosa, paradoxical middle turbinate, and accessory maxillary sinus ostium. In the ACP group, the cases with septal deviation (SD) were also evaluated whether the deviation convexity was towards the polyp side or the opposite side. In addition, the posterior extension of ACPs were evaluated in three groups as middle meatus, nasopharynx, and oropharynx extension. RESULTS: The prevalence of retention cyst, sinus wall sclerosis thickening, SD, and accessory maxillary ostium was significantly higher in the ACP group. A negative directional correlation was determined between the SD side and ACP side. When the ACP extensions were examined, middle meatus extension was seen in 32.6%, nasopharynx in 56.3%, and oropharynx in 11.1%. CONCLUSION: Accessory ostium may be an accelerating factor in the transformation of retention cyst to ACP. Furthermore, the changes in the nasal passage airflow on the opposite side suggest that SD contributes to this process.

The presence of Interleukin-13 in nasal lavage may be a predictor of nasal polyposis in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Sinonasal disease is a common feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) and can cause significant morbidity in these patients. Our objective was to determine if CF individuals with concomitant nasal polyposis (NP) express a unique profile of inflammation and if so, whether these inflammatory cytokine mediators have predictive value in identifying these individuals for prompt management by an Otolaryngologist. METHODOLOGY: Nasal lavage samples and clinical outcomes of disease severity were obtained from thirty-eight pediatric CF individuals. Participants were subdivided based on the presence or absence of NP. Nasal lavage samples were analyzed on a panel of seventeen cytokine targets using a Bio-Plex Luminex assay. A Perl Permutation test with correction for multiple hypotheses was performed to identify uniquely expressed cytokines between CF individuals with NP (CFwNP) and those without (CFsNP). RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included in the analysis. Cytokines IL-13 and GM-CSF were uniquely expressed in the CFwNP group when compared to the CFsNP group. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association of IL-13 with NP. CONCLUSION: In children diagnosed with CF, the level of IL-13 in nasal lavage samples could potentially serve as a non-invasive clinical tool in predicting NP in this population, and a target for future immunotherapy.

Higher prevalence of nasal polyposis among textile workers: an endoscopic based and controlled study.

BACKGROUND: There is a deficit of reliable epidemiologic studies exploring the prevalence of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP). Recent data suggests that occupational dust exposure may be involved in its physiopathology. OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of nasal polyposis (NP) in a group of workers with occupational dust exposure (textile workers) and in a control group (retail store workers). METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a random sample of textile and retail store employees. Clinical data was gathered through a systematic interview, which included RhinoQOL and CAT questionnaires. A systematic endoscopic nasal examination was performed using a 0 degree rigid endoscope. Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score was determined for each participant. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS. RESULTS: 316 participants were included in the study, i.e. 215 textile workers and 101 retail store workers. NP was found in 19 subjects among textile workers and none in the control group. The prevalence of NP increased by age strata and by years of dust exposition. Polypoid degeneration of the middle turbinate was more prevalent in the exposed group with Lund-Kennedy scoring also higher. RhinoQOL and CAT questionnaires had both significantly higher scores among textile employees. Previous medical diagnosis of atopic diseases or chronic lower airway diseases did not differ between exposed and control groups or even between subjects with and without NP. CONCLUSIONS: These results point to an important correlation between occupational dust exposure and NP occurrence.

PREVAILING CLINICO-PATHOGENETIC PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH POLYPOUS RHINOSINUSITIS.

Aim - Improvement of polypous rhinosinusitis anti-relapse treatment efficacy by distinguishing of the core meaningful factors of the disease's development. The study included 300 patients with polypous rhinosinusitis aged 18-77 years. Comprehensive evaluation of the data is done by means of factor analysis by the method of the main components with subsequent varimax-rotation of the factor axes. The critical value of p-level was 0.05. As a result of the factorial analysis, 6 main factors were identified, the joint action of which explains 53.72% of the variability of indicators for the polypous rhinosinusitis. The factor analysis allowed to distinguish the groups of indicators and estimate the specific weight of individual pathogenetic factors in the development of polypous rhinosinusitis, which might be conditionally combined under the general names of «clinic-immune¼, «clinic-pathomorphological¼, «immunoregulatory¼, «clinical-microbiological¼, «violation local protection¼,¼epidemiological and demographic «factors. The effect of two of the most powerful factors («clinical-immune¼ and «clinic-pathomorphological factor¼) is explained by 46.47% of the variability of indicators. Factor estimates for the most potent «clinically-immune-causative factor¼ with a high degree of reliability distinguished groups of patients with the first identified polypous rhinosinusitis and its relapse. Perspectives of further investigations are related to mathematical modeling of the pathological process using artificial neural networks.

A possible role of stem cells in nasal polyposis.

Since its discovery, the understanding of stem/progenitor cells raised dramatically in the last decade. Their regenerative potential is important to develop new therapeutic applications, but the identification advanced much faster than our understanding of stem/progenitor cells. In nasal polyposis, little is known about stem cells/progenitor cells and their ability. However, the further characterization of stem cells/progenitor cells may provide new treatment options for combating nasal polyposis. This review highlights the knowledge of the current literature about stem cells/progenitor cells in nasal polyposis and how this may be exploited in the development of novel treatment strategies.