Cytologic distinctions between clinical groups using curette-probe compared to cytology brush.

Background: We had previously used curette-probe (Rhinoprobe; Arlington Scientific, Springville, UT) to study nasal cytology in various types of patients. Because of the potential sampling ease of using a brush, we sought to compare cytological results obtained with a curette-probe with those obtained using a cytology brush (Cytobrush Plus; Medscand, Malmö, Sweden).

Objective: To compare the ability of samples of nasal leukocytes obtained with a curette-probe versus a cytology brush to distinguish clinical categories of patients attending an allergy clinic.

Changes in nasal leukocytes and epithelial cells associated with topical beclomethasone treatment.

Background: We had previously observed that changes in nasal cytology were associated with specific clinical patterns in cross-sectional studies of allergy clinic patients. In the present study, we sought to determine whether specific cytologic changes occurred with antiinflammatory therapy in a controlled setting in a prospective manner.

Objective: To examine changes in nasal leukocytes and epithelial cells associated with topical beclomethasone treatment in allergic rhinitis patients.

Clinical predictors of nasal secretory cell quantities in allergy clinic patients.

Background: Nasal cytograms are useful in evaluating patients with inflammatory disease of the nose and paranasal sinuses. When mucosal samples are taken with curette and brush devices, significant numbers of non-leukocytic cells can also be analyzed.

Objective: To examine two specific morphologic variations in granule-containing epithelial cells in nasal samples obtained from allergy clinic patients and describe their clinical associations.

Patterns of nasal eosinophilia in allergy clinic patients as determined by swab and curette sampling.

The presence of eosinophils in nasal secretions often characterizes inflammatory disease in the nose and paranasal sinuses. This study analyzed differential associations between various clinical parameters and the presence of nasal eosinophilia in mucosal specimens obtained by two sampling methods (swab and curette-probe). Nasal mucosal secretions were obtained in patients attending an adult allergy clinic using both sampling methods for each patient.