Background Inferior turbinate hypertrophy is one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction. Understanding the histopathological changes of the inferior turbinate mucosa in allergic and non-allergic rhinitis could leads to better diagnosis and accurate treatment.
Aim of the work: to assess the histopathological changes in the inferior turbinate in allergic rhinitis and non -allergic rhinitis and control subjects.
Patients and Methods: this a prospective study includes 74 patients divided into 28 patients with allergic rhinitis, 24 patients with non -allergic rhinitis, 22 normal control group. The inferior turbinate (IT) biopsy was taken for assessment the thickness of medial, lateral mucosal and bony layer of IT and the predominant inflammatory cells.
Results: the mean thickness of medial mucosal layer of inferior turbinate was larger in allergic rhinitis(AR) group 6.03 mm , and non-allergic rhinitis(NAR) group 5.3 than in control group 4.47mm.The main thickness of the lateral mucosal layer of inferior turbinate in AR group is 3.1mm , in NAR group was 2.5mm and 2.16 in control group .The main thickness of the bony layer of IT was 3.57mmin AR group is 3.56mm in NAR group was and 3.58mm in control group .The predominant inflammatory cells in AR group were eosinophiles and mast cells ,where in NAR group, were plasma cells and lymphocytes.
Conclusion : significant increase the thickness of the medial and lateral mucosal layers of inferior turbinate with AR and NAR .Infiltration of eosinophiles and mast cells in AR and non - specific inflammatory cells in NAR .