Abstract
Chronic epipharyngitis is difficult to diagnose because it is often asymptomatic and presents no abnormal gross appearance. The epipharynx is rich in lymphocytes with phenotypic analysis showing highly activated T and B lymphocytes. Ciliated epithelial epipharynx cells express class II antigen and act as antigen-presenting cells. Chronic epipharyngitis thus may act as a focal infection, similar to chronic tonsillitis, in developing various types of autoimmune disease such as glomerulonephritis and chronic skin conditions.
