Given that the uncinate process is the gatekeeper of the sinuses, we hypothesize that inflammation of the uncinate process is associated with decreased ventilation and drainage of the paranasal sinuses and consequently with the inflammatory process occuring in the sinuses.

The purpose of the present study is to gain insight into the histopathological changes of the uncinate process in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis through comparison of its mucosal and bony elements with those of the normal uncinate process without chronic inflammation (unpublished data: Gilead Berger, Ephraim Eviatar, Tatiana Kogan, Roee Landsberg).

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who:

• Failed conservative medical treatment.
• Stopped treatment (topical or systemic corticosteroids) at least two months before endoscopic sinus surgery.
• Had a Lund-MacKay CT score of 2 and higher of 24 available.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Immunosuppressed patients.
• Patients in whom a pathologic evaluation of the middle turbinate was necessary (e.g., suspected neoplastic disorder).
• Patients with a Lund-MacKay CT score < 2 of 24 available.
• Pregnant women.
• Patients who underwent prior endoscopic sinus surgery.

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis whose uncinate process had to be removed to enable surgical access to the sinuses.