Secretion from gland and goblet cells in infected sinuses

The number of goblet cells in the normal mucosa in the paranasal sinuses is comparable to that in the nasal mucosa. There are relatively few mucosal glands in the sinuses. In recent years, the maxillary sinus of the rabbit has been used for experimental studies. After induced infections, the number of goblet cells increases. In pneumococcal sinusitis, the number reaches a peak after 3 weeks and then declines. In sinusitis induced by St. aureus and the anaerobic bacteria B. fragilis, the number is more progressive over time and persistent during 12 weeks. The number of glands shows no hyperplasia, but occasionally atypical glands can be found. In patients with chronic sinusitis, the number of goblet cells is usually not affected but the number of glands increases, and the glands usually have a pathological shape. A decreased ciliary beating frequency correlates well with an increase in number of goblet cells. However, 75% of patients with chronic sinusitis have a normal frequency. When performing studies in patients with sinusitis one should be aware of the dynamic course of the disease and the difficulty in evaluating single mucosal biopsies.