The Myospherulotic Potential of Water-Soluble Ointments

Abstract

Myospherulosis is a submucosal inflammatory condition that has been linked to the use of petrolatum-based ointment in the sinus cavities of patients after paranasal sinus surgery. To avoid this problem, several investigators have suggested using water-soluble ointments. Polyethylene glycol, a vehicle commonly used for water miscible ointments, has not been examined previously with regard to its potential to cause a myospherulotic lesion. Using an in vitro model, we confirmed the potential of petrolatum ointment to produce the myospherulotic lesion and examined the myospherulotic potential of polyethylene glycol ointment.