Nasal cytobrush cytology: evaluation of the hyperchromatic supranuclear stria

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the hyperchromatic supranuclear stria (SNS) in various types of rhinopathies.

Study design: The study included 42 patients with rhinopathies and a control group consisting of 28 healthy adults. The rhinopathy group was categorized into 4 subgroups, including allergic rhinitis, infective rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis and mixed group. Cytologic samples were obtained by cytobrush from the middle one third of the inferior turbinate.

Results: The hyperchromatic SNS was present in the majority of ciliated cells in a high percentage in the control group (91.7%), whereas in the pathologic group it was 40%. The difference is significant (p = 0.0000).

Conclusion: Nasal cytology is a simple, reliable tool for the diagnosis of rhinopathies.