Mechanical disfunction in the mucosal oedema formation of patients with nasal polyps

Abstract

Background: Nasal polyposis (NP) is characterized by an anomalous tissue growth with oedema and a lack of extracellular matrix. In this study, we investigated whether a mechanical disfunction of the forces that act in oedema formation is present in NP. Methods: We compared the interstitial hydrostatic pressure behaviour during a saline solution infusion between healthy nasal mucosa (inferior and middle turbinate from 10 patients) and inflamed nasal mucosa from NP patients (inferior, middle turbinate and a nasal polyp from 6 patients). We used Controlled Disc Stimulation equipment to compare the curve Pressure/Volume created during the saline solution infusion. Results: The pressure at 0.2 ml infusion was lower in the middle turbinate of NP patients than in the middle turbinate of control patients. The lowest P/V mean assessed was in the polypoid tissue. Conclusions: The interstitial hydrostatic pressure showed different behaviour during liquid infusion in nasal mucosa from NP patients when compared with healthy nasal mucosa. This study allows us to cogitate on a new pathophysiological mechanism contributing to the development of the NP.