In the field of maxillo-oral cytology many exfoliated cells from the pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the nasal cavity or maxillary Sinus can be seen, when there are openings into those cavities from the mouth following surgery. Radiation changes of these cells are occasionally observed during radiotherapy for oral cancer.
In 1965 Silverman described columnar epithelial cells in the oral smear taken from a patient of oro-naso-antral fistula after surgery. However, only few description has been made on the nasal and antral exfoliated cells in this field. Thus the author, started an investgation of normal exfoliated cells and their radiation changes of the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus.
In cases of 73 clinically normal nasal mucosa, 7 antral mucosa and 25 irradiated nasal mucosa, smears were taken and examined by Papanicolaou technic.
