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Effect of Systemic Pretreatment With Betamethasone on the Bacterial Flora, Inflammatory Response, and Polyp Formation in Experimentally Infected Rabbit Maxillary Sinus Mucosa
Author(s) -
Norlander Tomas,
Kwon SamHyun,
Henriksson Gert,
Westrin Karl Magnus,
Sandstedt Karin,
Stierna Pontus
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199803000-00018
Subject(s) - betamethasone , pathology , sinus (botany) , saline , biology , inflammatory response , placebo , flora (microbiology) , medicine , inflammation , bacteria , botany , genus , alternative medicine , genetics
To investigate possible effects of corticosteroids on polyp formation and local bacterial colonization, pneumococcal sinusitis was experimentally induced in rabbits pretreated with betamethasone or saline. After 7 days, macroscopic polyps were counted post‐mortem and on histologic slides after serial sectioning. Histologic sections were also examined with light microscopy. Macroscopic polyps were significantly fewer in animals given betamethasone, while there was no difference regarding the number of microscopic polyps. Ingrowth of pathogenic microorganisms was found in five of eight rabbits given placebo but in none of the animals treated with corticosteroids ( P < 0.05). The reduced number of pathogenic strains in these animals may be explained by a better‐preserved local host defense. The lower number of macroscopic polyps in the same animals could be because of a delayed mucosal repair and subsequent polyp formation.