Pathological changes of the lateral nasal wall in patients with cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis)

In a prospective clinical study, 84 patients aged 3 months to 34 years (mean age: 12 years; 53 males and 31 females), with cystic fibrosis systematically underwent an ENT examination, including rigid endoscopy of the anterior nasal cavity and lateral nasal wall. In 28 cases, CT-scan of the sinuses was performed. Mucopyosinusitis of the maxillary sinus with medial projection of the inter-naso-sinusal wall was present in 10 children (12%, mean age: 4 years; range: 3 months to 8 years). Nasal polyposis was present in 37 patients (45%) from the age of 5 years on (mean age: 15 years). Nasal obstruction was the main complaint when the condition was severe. The routine use of the endoscope makes it possible to diagnose early pathological changes of the lateral nasal wall. Local treatment could then help slow down progress evolution toward a more massive involvement.