Dictionary of Allergies .. Basophilic Perennial inflammatory rhinitis

Inflammatory cellular infiltrates of eosinophils and basophilic metachromatic cells are the hallmark of the atopic nasal responses in allergic rhinitis. Nasal cytologic examination for these cells not only establishes the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis but is also useful in the followup of patients with this condition[1].

Nasal cytograms of patients with allergic rhinitis contain increased numbers of eosinophils and basophilic cells. Neutrophils are also more numerous in cytograms of allergic persons. Topical intranasal corticosteroid therapy for allergic rhinitis has been shown to decrease the numbers of some inflammatory cell types [2].

References

1. Jirapongsananuruk O, Vichyanond P. Nasal cytology in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in children. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1998 Feb;80(2):165-70.

2. Meltzer EO, Orgel HA, Rogenes PR, Field EA. Nasal cytology in patients with allergic rhinitis: effects of intranasal fluticasone propionate. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1994 Oct;94(4):708-15.