What is rhinitis?

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa

What is the MCC of rhinitis?
Rhinovirus
What is allergic rhinitis?
A type of rhinitis caused by type I hypersensitivity reaction
What types of allergens can cause allergic rhinitis?
Season (pollen, etc)
Environmental (dust, cats, etc)
What are the symptoms of rhinitis?
Sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose
-Typical common cold symptoms
Histologically, how can rhinitis from a virus and allergic rhinitis be differentiated?
Allergic rhinitis will have eosinophils present
-Both have the same symptoms
What other diseases are associated with allergic rhinitis?
Atopic triad:
-Eczema
-Asthma
What are nasal polyps?
Protrusions of edematous, inflamed nasal mucosa
Why do nasal polyps develop?
Develop in response to chronic inflammation
Nasal polyps develop in response to chronic inflammation. What is the most common
reason for the chronic inflammation?
Repeated bouts of rhinitis
What are the three types (associations) of nasal polyps?
Allergic Polyp
Polyp associated with aspirin-induced asthma
Polyp in children
What is the reason for developing an allergic nasal polyp?
Repeated bouts of rhinitis due to allergic rhinitis
-Chronic inflammation causes a nasal polyp to develop
How is aspirin able to induce asthma?
Aspirin blocks COX (PG and TX can't be formed) but does not affect LT synthesis
-LTs are potent bronchoconstrictors and stimulate inflammation -> asthma
Aspirin can induce asthma because it does not block LT synthesis from arachidonic
acid. How does this lead to nasal polyps?
LTs can cause inflammation
-Both in the lungs AND in the nasal mucosa
-Chronic inflammation in the nasal mucosa leads to polyps
What triad is seen in patients with aspirin-induced asthma?
1- Taking aspirin (usually for chronic pain)
2- Asthma
3- Nasal polyps
What are nasal polyps in children associated with?
Cystic Fibrosis
If a child with nasal polyps shows up to your office, what test should you order?
Sweat test
-Test for cystic fibrosis
What is sinusitis?
Inflammation of the sinus mucosa that blocks the drainage of the sinuses
Sinusitis causes the sinuses to be blocked, and can't drain into the nasal cavity. What
sinus is most affected in adults? What sinus is most affected in children?
Adults - maxillary sinus
Kids - ethmoid sinus