Effect of nasolacrimal duct obstruction on nasal mucociliary transport
- 30 October 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in The Journal of Laryngology & Otology
- Vol. 124 (2), 166-170
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022215109991058
Abstract
Background: Most patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction have dry, crusty nasal mucosa. Mucociliary clearance is modulated by the amount and biochemical composition of nasal mucus. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction disturbs the drainage of tears into the nasal cavity.Objective: We examined the effect of nasolacrimal duct obstruction on the mucociliary transport of nasal mucosa, by comparing saccharine test results for epiphora patients versus healthy volunteers.Study design: Prospective, randomised, clinical trial.Methods: Eight patients with bilateral epiphora and 10 patients with unilateral epiphora were included in the study group. Complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction was demonstrated by studying irrigation of the nasolacrimal system, and by fluorescein dye study. The control group comprised 20 healthy volunteers. Mucociliary transport was assessed by the saccharine test in both the study and control groups. The saccharine transit times of 26 impaired nasal cavities were compared with those of 20 healthy nasal cavities of controls. Also, the saccharine transit times of the healthy nasal cavities of the 10 patients with unilateral epiphora were compared with those of their diseased sides, and also with those of healthy volunteers.Results: The saccharine transit times of the epiphora patients were statistically significantly greater than those of the control group. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in saccharine transit times, comparing the healthy and impaired nasal cavities of patients with unilateral epiphora.Conclusion: Nasolacrimal duct obstruction has a negative effect on nasal mucociliary clearance. This may be related to changes in the amount and biochemical composition of nasal mucus.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Role of the tear film in the optical quality of the human eyeJournal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 2007
- The Correlation Between the Tear Film Lipid Layer and Dry Eye DiseaseSurvey of Ophthalmology, 2007
- Growth factors in the anterior segment: role in tissue maintenance, wound healing and ocular pathologyExperimental Eye Research, 2004
- Saccharin Test of Maxillary Sinus Mucociliary Function After Endoscopic Sinus SurgeryThe Laryngoscope, 2000
- The effect of temperature on nasal ciliary beat frequencyClinical Otolaryngology, 1995
- Modulation of Airway Epithelial Cell Ciliary Beat Frequency by Nitric OxideBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1993
- Temperature effect on the ciliary beat frequency of human nasal and tracheal ciliated cellsBiology of the Cell, 1992
- The Physiology of Cilia and Mucociliary InteractionsAnnual Review of Physiology, 1990
- Goblet Cells Secretion and MucogenesisAnnual Review of Physiology, 1990
- Possible mechanisms of reduction of nasal mucociliary clearance in chronic sinusitisClinical Otolaryngology, 1986