Effects of Middle Meatal Antrostomy on Ciliary Beat Frequency and Histopathology of the Nasal Mucosa in Experimentally Induced Maxillary Sinusitis in Rabbits

Hong, Soon Kwan; Yoon, Hye Jin; Kim, Chong Nahm; Chung, Sung Min; Byun, Sung Wan; Kim, Jin Kyung; Son, Ji Yeon; Kim, Eun A; Kim, Hyun Kyung; Go, Young Min

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to observe the effects of middle meatal antrostomy (MMA) on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and histopathology of the nasal mucosa in experimentally induced maxillary sinusitis in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Maxillary sinusitis was induced in both maxillary sinuses (MSs) of 30 Pasturella-free New Zealand white rabbits by partially occluding the natural ostium and inoculating with P. aeruginosa. After 4 weeks, the MS and inferior turbinate mucosae were obtained in 5 rabbits. In the remaining 25 rabbits, the ostia were reopened. Five rabbits were sacrificed 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks after MMA, respectively and the MS and inferior turbinate mucosae were obtained. Another 5 normal rabbits were used as a control group. CBF was measured by video-computerized analysis. Degree of inflammation in histopathology was graded using a 100-point scale of inflammation score. CBF and inflammation score were compared among the 6 experimental and control groups. RESULTS: CBF of the MS mucosa significantly improved after MMA in a time-dependent pattern, but did not reach a normal level even after 12 weeks. CBF of the inferior turbinate mucosa significantly improved after MMA in a time-dependent pattern, and reached a normal level after 12 weeks. Inflammation scores of the MS and inferior turbinate mucosae were significantly decreased after MMA in a time-dependent pattern. However, they did not reach a normal level of the control group even after 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: MMA can improve not only the primary inflammation of the MS mucosa but also functionally and morphologically improve the secondarily developed inflammation of the nasal mucosa in experimentally induced maxillary sinusitis in rabbits.