Role of Allergy in Sinonasal Polyposis

Abstract

Objectives:The exact role of allergy in sinonasal polyposis is not yet clearly elucidated and is undoubtedly a controversial subject. The study focussed on the association of allergy in nasal polyposis. We aim to determine whether there was a correlation between Serum IgE, absolute eosinophil count, eosinophilic inflammation, and nasal polyps. Methods: A study group of fifty two consecutive patients of nasal polyposis were evaluated prospectively and compared with 26 controls who underwent septoplasty and mimimal FESS or Endoscopic Sphenopalatine artery ligation. Patients were evaluated for presence of allergy with regard to absolute eosinophil count, total serum IGE and tissue eosinophilia and correlations were established. All patients were categorized based on histological evidence of tissue eosinophilia. Results: The incidence of asthma was 5.8% and positive history of allergy was obtained in 40.4% of patients in study group and 7.7% of patients in control group. The statistically significant association was not seen with absolute eosinophil count, Serum IgE and tissue eosinophilia. Tissue eosinophilia was observed in more number of patients with nasal polyposis compared to controls. So clinical significance might be established. Conclusions: Allergy is parameter that is frequently associated with this disease, irrespective of the type of polyp and the age at presentation. Unrecognized and untreated allergy adds to the morbidity of the disease and generally results in poor treatment outcome.