Abstract
In this study two indirect mucociliary transport tests were compared. Nine subjects underwent duplicate saccharine-dye tests and duplicate modified technetium-99m (99mTc) tests, in which the radioactive 99mTc was nebulized in the nostril by means of a pump spray. The efficacy of mucociliary transport was deduced from the transport time of saccharine, dye and 99mTc. Transport rate also provided additional information in the 99mTc test. Transport rate correlated best in the repeated tests (r = 0.46), but was not significant (P = 0.21). Use of a pump spray for the 99mTc test instead of placement of a single droplet on the nasal mucosa makes the test easier to perform.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andersen IB, Camner P, Jensen PL, Philipson K, Proctor DF (1974) Nasal clearance in monozygotic twins. Am Rev Respir Dis 110:301–305
Dalhamn T (1956) Mucous flow and ciliary activity in the trachea of healthy rats and rats exposed to irritant cases. Acta Physiol 36 [Suppl 123]:38–39
Deitmer T (1986) A modification of th saccharine test for nasal mucociliary clearance. Rhinology 24:237–240
Duchateau GSMJE, Graamans K, Zuidema J, Merkus FWHM (1985) Correlation between nasal ciliary beat frequency and mucus transport rate in volunteers. Laryngoscope 95:854–859
Ingels KJAO, Meeuwsen F, Strien HLCJ van, Graamans K, Huizing EH (1990) Ciliary beat frequency and the nasal cycle. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 248:123–126
Puchelle E, Aug F, Pham QT, Bertrand A (1981) Comparison of three methods for measuring nasal mucociliary clearance in man. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 91:297–303
Quinlan MF, Salman SD, Swift DL, Wagner HN, Proctor D (1969) Measurement of mucociliary function in man. Am Rev Respir Dis 99:13–23
Sanderson MJ, Dirksen ER (1985) A versatile and quantitative computer assisted photoelectronic technique used for the analysis of ciliary beat cycles. Cell Motil 5:267–292
Simon H, Dretmer B, Jung B (1977) Messung des Schleimhauttransportes in menschlichen Nase mit 51Cr markierten Harzkügelchen. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 83:378–390
Yergin B, Saketkhoo K, Michaelson E, Serafini S, Kavitz K, Sackner M (1978) A roentgenographic method for measuring nasal mucus velocity. J Appl Physiol 44:964–968
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ingels, K., Van Hoorn, V., Obrie, E. et al. A modified technetium-99m isotope test to measure nasal mucociliary transport: comparison with the saccharine-dye test. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 252, 340–343 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00178273
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00178273