Primary and secondary atrophic rhinitis: a microbiological and histopathological study

Abstract

Background: Atrophic rhinitis is a distressing chronic nasal pathology characterized by progressive nasal mucosal atrophy, formation of thick crusts and a distinct foul odor. The etiology of this condition is still controvertible. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the microbiological flora and histopathological changes in primary and secondary atrophic rhinitis patients. Methods: A total 50 atrophic rhinitis patients (15 males & 35 females) were considered, all patients were undergone for complete haemogram, microbiological examination of nasal pus and histopathological examination for biopsied material. Results: A total 82% patients were shown primary atrophic rhinitis and 18% cases were secondary atrophic rhinitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was commonly isolated bacteria in 72%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (12%) and other bacteria were E. coli (8%) and Proteus mirabilus (6%) and sterile swab in 2% cases. Squamous metaplasia was found in 78% cases, while transitional metaplasia in 16% cases. The incidence of dilated blood vessels, endarteritis, and periarteritis in lamina propria is 44%, 30% and 16% respectively. Conclusions: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most commonly isolated bacteria. The most important pathological change is squamous cell metaplasia in atrophic rhinitis patients.