MUCOCILIARY CLEARANCE OF THE MAXILLARY SINUSES IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT OR CHRONIC SINUSITIS

This is one of the first human studies of maxillary sinus mucociliary activity using human serum albumin labelled with 99m-technetium (Tc-99 m-HSA) as a tracer in patients suffering from recurrent or chronic max illary sinusitis. The tracer was injected into both maxillary sinuses through small sinus irrigation catheters. Nasal endoscopy and computed tomography were performed in all patients shortly before the injectio n. The clearance rates of four case report patients with different end oscopic and radiographic findings showed great individual variation. T he technique proved to have viability for clinical use when evaluating sinusitis treatment options and results.