The role of rhinoscintigraphy in the evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance function in patients with sinusitis

Nasal mucociliary clearance is one of the homeostatic systems of the respir atory mucosa. Various rhinopathic conditions may involve alterations in nas al mucociliary clearance. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical role of rhinoscintigraphy in the evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance function of sinusitis patients in comparison with a healthy control group. A single droplet of Tc-99(m)-labelled macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99(m)-MAA ) was deposited on the floor of the nasal meatus about 1 cm behind the muco cutaneous junction, and its course was followed with a gamma camera. The na sal mucociliary clearance was presented as the velocity (mm min-l) of nasal mucociliary transport of the Tc-99(m)-MAA droplet. A significant differenc e in nasal mucociliary clearance was observed between the two groups, with a mean of 4.28 +/- 1.38 mm.min(-1) (4.3 +/- 1.35 mm.min(-1) in the right no stril, 4.27 +/- 1.42 mm.min(-1) in the left nostril) for the controls; and 1.8 +/- 0.64 mm.min(-1) (1.79 +/- 0.65 mm.min(-1) in the right nostril, 1.8 2 +/- 0.63 mm.min(-1) in the left nostril) for the patients with sinusitis. Rhinoscintigraphy is a safe, easy, quick and reliable imaging method for e valuating the ciliary activity of nasal mucosa and the nasal mucociliary cl earance function in patients with sinusitis. ((C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins).