NASAL CYTOLOGY IN RHINITIS CHILDREN - COMPARISON BETWEEN BRUSHING ANDBLOWING THE NOSE

Allergic rhinitis is a common disease in childhood, but nasal cytology is rarely used by pediatricians. We compared two techniques of cell s ampling, brushing and blowing the nose, among 77 children suffering fr om chronic rhinitis, of whom 59 were allergic. Staining by the May-Gru nwald-Giemsa method enabled the evaluation of the density of cells and especially differential counting of the inflammatory cells. Staining by the Luna method was used as a control for the eosinophils. For the eosinophil count, we found a strong correlation between the two method s of collecting the nasal secretions (r=0.96). Because blowing the nos e is painless and easy to perform, it is more appropriate than brushin g in routine use for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in children an d in nasal challenge with allergens.