THE MYOSPHERULOTIC POTENTIAL OF WATER-SOLUBLE OINTMENTS

Myospherulosis is a submucosal inflammatory condition that has been li nked to the use of petrolatum-based ointment in the sinus cavities of patients after paranasal sinus surgery. To avoid this problem, several investigators have suggested using water-soluble ointments. Polyethyl ene glycol, a vehicle commonly used for water miscible ointments, has not been examined previously with regard to its potential to cause a m yospherulotic lesion. Using an in vitro model, we confirmed the potent ial of petrolatum ointment to produce the myospherulotic lesion and ex amined the myospherulotic potential of polyethylene glycol ointment.