Osteitis and mucosal inflammation in a rabbit model of sinusitis.

INTRODUCTION Several experimental studies have shown osteitis after the onset of sinusitis, supporting the idea that bone involvement could participate in the dissemination and perpetuation of this inflammatory disease. However, procedures commonly performed for the induction of sinusitis, such as antrostomies, can trigger sinusitis by themselves. OBJECTIVE To evaluate osteitis in an animal model of sinusitis that does not violate the sinus directly and verify whether this is limited to the induction side, or if it affects the contralateral side. METHODS Experimental study in which sinusitis was produced by inserting an obstructing sponge into the nasal cavity of 20 rabbits. After defined intervals, the animals were euthanized and maxillary sinus samples were removed for semi-quantitative histological analysis of mucosa and bone. RESULTS Signs of bone and mucosal inflammation were observed, affecting both the induction and contralateral sides. Statistical analysis showed correlation between the intensity of osteitis on both sides, but not between mucosal and bone inflammation on the same side, supporting the theory that inflammation can spread through bone structures, regardless of mucosal inflammation. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that in an animal model of sinusitis that does not disturb the sinus directly osteitis occurs in the affected sinus and that it also affects the contralateral side.