A roentgenographic method for measuring nasal mucous velocity

Authors:
  • BYB. M. Yergin
    B. M. Yergin
  • KSK. Saketkhoo
    K. Saketkhoo
  • EME. D. Michaelson
    E. D. Michaelson
  • SSS. M. Serafini
    S. M. Serafini
  • KKK. Kovitz
    K. Kovitz
  • MSM. A. Sackner
    M. A. Sackner
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Abstract
Nasal mucous velocity was estimated by following the motion of radiopaque discs of Teflon by means of a fluoroscopic image intensifier. From 5 to 10 discs were deposited on the superior surface of the inferior turbinate with a forceps. No local anesthesia was employed and the subjects experienced no discomfort. The linear velocity of the discs was obtained by playing the videotape onto a television monitor, measuring distance with a ruler, and dividing by elapsed time. Duplicate runs of 1–2 min, 15 min apart were very reproducible but runs at 4-h intervals or daily over a 5-day period had a coefficient of variation of 30%. Average nasal velocity for individual ranged from 0 to 22.5 mm/min and group means ranged from 6. 8 to 10.8 mm/min. There was no statistically significant difference in nasal mucous velocity between young and elderly subjects nor was there a sexual difference. The saccharin test of nasal mucous transport was unsatisfactory because of inability to repeat the test more often than 1–2 h and its propensity to produce mild discomfort in a significant number of subjects. Saccharin times did not correlate significantly with values of nasal mucous velocity.