Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Nasal Mucociliary Clearance

Abstract

In this study, nasal mucociliary clearance is investigated in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia, patients with other respiratory tract infections and healthy persons. Mucociliary clearance is established with a drop of albumen labelled with ^99m-Tc. From this study it appears that measurement of mucociliary clearance in the nose can serve as a reliable screening method. If a patient with respiratory tract infections shows a normal mucociliary clearance rate there is no primary ciliary dyskinesia, and a biopsy of ciliated epithelium is not necessary. If, after repeated examinations, a normal clearance rate cannot be demonstrated, a biopsy of ciliated epithelium should be taken for studying ciliary activity and ciliary ultrastructure

Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Functions with Rhinoscintigraphy in Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis

“…Several rhinopathic conditions may affect both morphology and function in the nasal epithelium, and result in alterations in NMC. These include personal conditions like infection, allergy, nasal obstruction, dust particles, tobacco use, aging [6,9,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] , and environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, altitude and air pollution [27,28] . The effect of age on NMC is under debate.…”

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Ciliae and Saccharine Test for Ciliary Function in Septal Deviations

“…Loss of cilia was demonstrated in chronic sinusitis, 5 nasal polyposis, 6 influenza, 7 and other viral 8 and bacterial 9 infections. In addition to loss of cilia, changes in cilia morphology have been shown in Kartegener's syndrome and primary ciliary dyskinesia 10,11 . We found only one study that investigated the nasal mucosa in patients with septal deviation using SEM.…”

“…In addition to loss of cilia, changes in cilia morphology have been shown in Kartegener's syndrome and primary ciliary dyskinesia. 10,11 We found only one study that investigated the nasal mucosa in patients with septal deviation using SEM. That study compared only the two sides of the nasal septum in patients with a septal deviation 12 and demonstrated a significantly decreased cilia distribution on the side opposite the deviation.…”

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

“…[19][20][21] Mucociliary clearance rates, assessed by measuring removal of inhaled radiolabeled particles using a gamma counter, are abnormally slow or absent in PCD patients. 22,23 Most particle clearance results from coughing; when cough is suppressed, patients with PCD have no (or little) clearance of isotope from the lung. 22,[24][25][26][27] ULTRASTRUCTURAL DEFECTS IN PCD By routine light microscopy, the ciliated epithelium of patients with PCD appears normal.…”