Clinical Significance of Serum Eosinophil Cationic Protein(ECP) in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis

Kang, Jun Myung; Kim, Sung Won; Auo, Hyeon Jin; Park, Chan Soon; Kim, Byung Guk; Kim, Soo Whan; Cho, Jin Hee; Hyeon, Do Jin

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Eosinophils play a major role in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRS/NP). The secreted form of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is considered to be the marker of eosinophil activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum ECP and CRS/NP.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
A retrospective review of medical records was carried out on 198 patients who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery from March, 2001 through July, 2006 at our institution. We reviewed blood eosinophil counts, tissue eosinophil, serum ECP, symptom scores, CT scan scores according to the Lund-Mackay system, recurrence of polyp and revision surgery during follow-up.
RESULTS
The serum ECP concentration was significantly higher in the CRS/NP patients than in the normal control subjects. The serum ECP concentration was significantly correlated with the blood eosinophil count, CT score and tissue eosinophil count. The serum ECP concentration was significantly higher in patients with recurrence or revision surgery than in patients without recurrence or revision surgery.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that the level of serum ECP is correlated with the disease severity, and is one of prognostic factors after endoscopic sinus surgery.