Cytology of the postnasal drip

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Allergology
• Cytology

Background:

• Postnasal drip is a common complaint among patients with ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disturbances.
• The etiology of postnasal drip is often attributed to allergic disease or infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cytologic characteristics of postnasal drip in patients with ENT complaints.
• To determine the prevalence of eosinophils and neutrophils in postnasal drip and explore potential causes beyond allergy and infection.

Main Methods:

• Cytologic examination of mucous discharge from postnasal drip in 100 consecutive patients.
• Correlation of cytologic findings with patient history of allergic reactions and presence of nasal disease.

Main Results:

• Approximately 50% of patients with ENT disturbances reported postnasal drip.
• In one-third of symptomatic cases, neither eosinophils nor neutrophils were detected in mucous smears.
• Nasal eosinophilia was observed in about one-third of patients with nasal disease or a history of allergies, and occasionally in those without these factors.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that causes of postnasal drip other than allergic disease and infection should be considered.
• Nasal eosinophilia may be present even in the absence of overt allergic disease or nasal pathology.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the full spectrum of postnasal drip etiologies.