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Diagnostic significance of nasal eosinophilia in allergic rhinitis

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Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Nasal eosinophilia is one of the potential tests for substantiating the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

Objective

The aim was to establish the validity of nasal eosinophilia in allergic rhinitis, to study it's various clinical correlates and interpret it in context of skin sensitivity pattern.

Study Design

Prospective cased study.

Setting

Hospital based.

Patients

The patients were selected on the basis of history and clinical examination and were from the Himalayan region.

Intervention

Diagnostic.

Methods

The patients and the equal number of controls, were subjected to nasal smear for eosinophilia and intra-dermal skin tests to various allergeus.

Results

Overall, eighty percent of nasal smears were positive in various degrees among the cases. Around eighty-eight percent of cases showed both smear and skin test positivity, thereby signifying a high degree of harmony among them and further validating and confirming the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

Conclusion

Nasal eosinophilia was found to be a useful diagnostic test in allergic rhinitis, with a moderately high sensitivity and a high specificity.

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Correspondence to Abhey Sood.

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Sood, A. Diagnostic significance of nasal eosinophilia in allergic rhinitis. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 57, 13–16 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02907618

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