Clinical characteristics and cytokine profiles of central‐compartment‐type chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: The clinical characteristics of central‐compartment‐type chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in East Asian individuals are not clear. We sought to investigate the clinical features and the cytokine profiles of central‐compartment‐type CRS in our patient group. Methods: Adult patients diagnosed with bilateral CRS were recruited, and patients who had previously undergone sinus surgery and pansinusitis (Lund‐Mackay scores >23) were excluded. Central‐compartment‐type CRS was defined by both endoscopic and radiological features. The symptoms, inhalant allergen sensitization status, endoscopic findings, and radiological assessments were recorded and compared between patients with central‐compartment‐type CRS and other types of CRS. We also examined the extent of tissue eosinophilia and specific cytokine protein levels (eosinophil cationic protein [ECP], myeloperoxidase [MPO], immunoglobulin E [IgE], interleukin [IL]‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13) in the sinonasal tissues. Results: Central‐compartment‐type CRS was found in 16 (23.9%) patients, and non–central‐compartment‐type CRS was found in 51 (76.1%) patients. Hyposmia or anosmia as the major symptom was more common in the central‐compartment‐type CRS group. The numbers of eosinophils in tissue and serum were significantly higher in the central‐compartment‐type CRS patients. The presence of allergen sensitization was not significantly different between groups. The levels of IL‐5 and IL‐13 were increased in middle turbinate tissues of patients with central‐compartment‐type CRS. Conclusion: Central‐compartment‐type CRS was associated with hyposmia or anosmia, eosinophilic subtypes, and elevated levels of IL‐5 and IL‐13 in middle turbinate tissues but not necessarily correlated with allergic disease in our patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]