The authors report the findings of scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations of the nasal mucous membrane in five cases with chronic sinusitis and a case with allergic rhinitis.
In severe cases with chronic sinusitis it appeared that the ciliary movement was considerably restricted due to attachments of thick mucus droplets. Infection of the mucous membrane appeared to have caused erosion and destruction of the epithelium.
These changes seemed to induce elongation of the peripheral sheath, which in turn facilitate adhesions between the cilia. In even severe cases, basal membrane was exposed.
In allergic rhinitis, the number of goblet cells was seen to have increased as compared with the cases of chronic sinusitis.
The authors found no evidence as to the origin of the goblet cells or whether they come from ciliary cells or not.
