[Histopathologic study of the ethmoid bone in chronic sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the histopathologic study of the ethmoid bone in chronic sinusitis (CRS) and the role of bone pathology in the pathogenesis of CRS.

METHODS

Specimens of mucosa of ethmoid sinus with bone were collected during operation from 40 patients with CRS, 25 males and 15 females, aged 44.8, and specimens of mucosa of ethmoid sinus were collected from 16 patients with other otorhinolaryngologic diseases, 9 males and 7 females, aged 40.9 during operation. The specimens underwent HE, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and Van Gieson staining so as to obtain the scores of nasal mucosa inflammation, pathology of mucoperiosteum and bone, and activity of bone remodeling.

RESULTS

The average score of mucosal inflammation of the CRS group was 2.30 +/- 0.88, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.38 +/- 0.81, P = 0.004). The score of mucoperiosteum and bone pathology of the CRS group was 1.65 +/- 0.84, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.00 +/- 0.73, P = 0.004). The score of bone remodeling activity of the CRS group was 2.15 +/- 0.74, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.56 +/- 0.63, P = 0.007). In the CRS patients, the score of mucosal inflammation was not significantly correlated with the mucoperiosteum and bone pathology (R = 0.047, P = 0.772), and the activity of bone remodeling (R = 0.021, P = 0.897).

CONCLUSIONS

The ethmoid bone of CRS patients shows marked fibrosis, bone remodeling, structure of woven bone, and pathologic changes similar to those of chronic osteomyelitis, especially bone absorption, new bone formation, etc.