抄録
Using an endoscope, which is one of the most reliable techniques for examination of the nasopharynx, the relationship between pathological findings of the nasopharynx and symptoms was investigated. First, in 100 normal subjects with no symptoms in the nasopharynx, chronic inflammation, such as redness and/or edema of the nasopharyngeal mucosa was observed on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx in 58%. In 15 patients in whom endoscopy demonstrated redness and/or edema, pathologecal studies of biopsied specimens revealed a high incidence of inflammation. Second, 118 patients with nasopharyngitis were examined. They had one or more of the following complaints: nasopharyngeal pain, a sensation of foreign bodies, and nasal stuffiness. In more than 80% of patients, redness and/or edema was observed on the posterior wall and/or nasal side of the soft palate. These inflammatory changes were confirmed by pathological examination. The brush test, 4% lidocaine challenge test and the 2-point discrimination test revealed that nasopharyngeal symptoms were closely correlated with the conditions on the nasal side of the soft palate, and that sensitivity was highest in this area. Third, pathological examination of nasopharyngeal mucous membranes obtained from 10 autopsies of individuals between the ages of 50 to 70. In many cases, the epithelial mucosa of the posterior wall was lined with stratified squamous epithelium. On the other hand, ciliated columnar epithelium was well preserved on the nasal side of the soft palate.
From these results, it was concluded that the nasal side of the soft palate is the most sensitive area within the nasopharynx, and it seems to cause local symptoms more often than other areas. It is therefore recommended that when patients with nasal symptoms are examined, attention should be paid to the condition of the nasopharynx, especially the nasal side of the soft palate.
