These findings indicate that lymphangiogenesis does not occur in edematous ethmoid sinus mucosa, which may not reuptake interstitial fluid efficiently in inflammatory conditions, resulting in the formation of mucosal edema in chronic inflammation.

To investigate the expression and distribution of glycoprotein 340 (gp340), a secretory glycoprotein, in normal human sinus mucosa and inflammatory sinus mucosa and evaluate the possible effects of gp340 on the development of chronic sinusitis. Glycoprotein 340 was identified as a key element in the innate host defense mechanism on many mucosal surfaces and is directly involved in defense functions aimed at clearing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

These results indicate that UCN may play a role in the regulation of vascular swelling in normal nasal mucosa. Moreover, in allergic nasal mucosa, increased expression levels of UCN and its receptors may contribute to increased mucosal swelling and vascular permeability, playing an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour is a rare disorder of unknown aetiology first described in the lung. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the middle ear accounts for only a small portion of this disease and tends to have a more aggressive and unpredictable course than the disease at other sites of the body. Fewer than 20 cases of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the middle ear have been reported in the English literature thus far. We present a case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour in a 46-year-old man with unilateral hearing loss. Computed tomography (CT) imaging showed dehiscence of the promontory. Initial biopsy failed to diagnosis the disease, as in many other cases we reviewed. The mass was extensive and eroded several cortical bony structures. The patient underwent radical mastoidectomy and final pathology exam confirmed the diagnosis. We review the key radiological and histological results that should be considered for making a diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour, and discuss the possible differential diagnosis. We also present a review of previously reported cases to help better understand the clinical entity of this disease.