SURVEY OF SINONASAL INVERTED PAPILLOMATA FOR EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS

Background: Several studies have indicated an etiologic role for virus es in the development of sinonasal inverted papillomata (IF). A recent report demonstrates a strong relationship (65%) between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and these lesions using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) an alysis. Methods: The present study analyzes a series of paraffin-embed ded tissues, comprising 25 surgically resected IPs and four fungiform papillomata (FP) for the presence of EBV using a sensitive in situ hyb ridization (ISH) assay and PCR. Results: None of the specimens examine d showed evidence of EBV infection by ISH, and only two papillomata (o ne sinonasal IP and one FP) gave positive reactions for EBV using PCR. Conclusions: These data challenge the previous report and suggest tha t EBV is not a significant etiopathologic factor to be considered in t he development of sinonasal IF. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.