OBJECTIVETo explore the role of nasal mucosal lymphatic drainage in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

METHODSThere were 25 cases in the experimental group who had nasal polyps (which was further divided into Malm-1, Malm-2, Malm-3 level 3 subgroups) and 6 cases in the control group, including thyroid cancer and laryngeal cancer patients who had normal nasal structure. The nasal polyps in the experimental group and the middle turbinate in the control group were injected with a radionuclide and a radionuclide imaging technique was used to image the nasal mucosal lymphatics. The lymphatic drainage status of the nasal mucosa through the imaging results was analysed.

RESULTSThe T/NT ratio (radioactivity counting) of the region of interest (ROI) was 20. 66 +/- 1.89 in the control group and 29. 33 +/- 6.34 in the experimental group. The difference was significant (t = 3.275, P < 0.05). The T/NT ratio of the ROI was 24.40 +/- 3.19 in the Malm-1 level group, 29.31 +/- 3.39 in the Malm-2 level group, 39.21 +/- 3.15 in the Malm-3 level group. The differences of qualitative analysis were significant (F = 38. 980, P < 0.05). The quantitative analysis showed that at the injection site, signs of lymphatic development and drainage were not found in the control group or experimental group, but the phenomenon of contrast media retention existed at the injection site in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONLymphatic drainage dysfunction exists in patients with nasal polyps, and it may play a role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.