The
clinical significance of the type of cells found in nasal secretions relates to
the distinction between allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. In nasal discharges
due to allergy, the exudates may be purely eosinophilic, or at least
eosinophils will be the predominant leukocyte. In contrast, a “runny nose” due
to non-allergic causes will either show a predominance of neutrophils or
acellular mucus.
Nasal Smear
·
Instruct
the patient to blow his/her nose into a piece of wax paper.
·
Use
a wooden applicator stick to pick up the mucous from the wax paper and spread
the secretions thinly onto 2 glass slides, taking care not to traumatize the
cells.
·
If
the patient is too young to blow their nose, or if there is an inadequate sample,
use a small nasopharyngeal swab (metal shaft) to collect the specimen. Insert
the swab carefully as far up the nasal passage as possible and roll the swab
against the septum. Repeat this with the same swab on the other nostril. Roll
the swab onto a clean slide making sure to make a thin smear.
·
Label
the slides and send immediately to the laboratory for testing.