Ciliary function of the nose in patients with Osler`s disease and the effect of topically applied estrogens as a nose ointment.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the positive effect of topically applied estriol nose ointment in the adjuvant therapy of Morbus-Rendu-Osler (HHT) has been proven. Due to the induced metaplasia, a complete destruction of the ciliated cells may be expected. However, data regarding the ciliary function of HHT patients with and without the use of topical estriol application are currently lacking.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL: Ciliated samples were obtained by gently brushing the inferior nasal turbinate of 19 healthy volunteers and 15 patients with known HHT (8 of them regularly using 0.1% estriol nose ointment for 2 years (HHTwE) and 7 of them not using the ointment in the last 12 months (HHTwoE)). Analysis was done with an inverted phase contrast microscope connected to a high-speed digital camera. Recorded parameters were the visual integrity (VI) of the ciliary beat and its frequency (CBF) in Hz.

RESULTS: The VI index of all samples showed an undisrupted, even beating pattern with a difference between the three groups. The mean CBF in all HHT patients was reduced compared to the control group`s mean CBF. Within the HHT group itself, the mean CBF was reduced in the HHTwE group compared to the HHTwoE group.

CONCLUSIONS: The ciliary beat frequency of HHT patients is impaired compared to the control group and even more so if the HHT patients topically apply estriol more than 6 months. An undisrupted beating pattern is found in the HHTwE group despite the fact that estrogens induce a transformation of the ciliated columnar into a keratinizing squamous epithelium. This data may justify the adjuvant application of estriol as a nose ointment in the treatment of epistaxis in HHT patients without the fear of damage to the nose`s mucus clearance.