Relationship between tissue and serum eosinophilia in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Background/aim: Previous reports suggested that allergic/eosinophilic inflammation affects the adenoid and tonsillar tissue. The aim ofthis study is to evaluate and compare the tissue and serum eosinophilia in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy with allergic rhinitis.Materials and methods: The clinical registers of 125 children undergoing adenoidectomy/tonsillectomy due to adenoid/tonsilhypertrophy were examined and reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-seven children with positive skin prick test and symptoms of allergicrhinitis were included in the study as the atopic group, whereas 68 children with no allergic symptoms and negative skin prick test wereincluded as the nonatopic group. Consequently, the total immunoglobulin E level and the serum and tissue eosinophilia of the atopicand nonatopic groups were compared.Results: Serum eosinophilia in the atopic group was found to be significantly higher than in the nonatopic group (P = 0.045). Asignificantly higher eosinophil count was found in adenoid/tonsil tissue of the atopic group (P < 0.001, P = 0.023, respectively). However,no significant correlation between tissue and serum eosinophilia was found.Conclusion: The inconsistency between tissue and serum eosinophilia in atopic children would particularly indicate a role of localatopy in adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Further studies are needed to better understand the effect and usefulness of serum and tissueeosinophilia in children with allergic rhinitis.