Effects of a local corticosteroid [fluticasone proprionate] on nasal ciliary beat frequency

The mucociliary function is a very important defence mechanism of the respiratory tract. The effects of local nasal preparation [fluticasone proprionate, Flixonase[R]] on nasal ciliary beat frequency [CBF], clinical findings and subjective symptoms were investigated in 32 patients with chronic sinusitis. The investigations were made before and several weeks after treatment. CBF was measured using the microphotometric technique. The CBF had changed significantly after treatment. By rhinoscopy, 18 patients have improved, while 6 patients remained unchanged and six patients worsened. No positive correlation was found between CBF and clinical findings. No correlation could be found between the subjective and the clinical findings

Taste, Olfaction and nasal ciliary beat frequency after total laryngectomy

We studied changes occurring in olfaction, taste and CBF in 20 cases with total laryngectomy after different follow up periods. CBF was studied by the microphotometric technique, olfaction by the Erlangner olfaction test kit and taste with the Innsbrucker taste evaluation kit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CBF, olfaction and taste after laryngectomy. CBF is mildly reduced after laryngectomy with a mean of 9.9 Hz. Olfactory and taste ability are markedly reduced after laryngectomy. The reduction in olfactory and taste ability is directly proportional to the period of follow up [P< 0.05]. We conclude that olfactory and gustatory dysfunction after laryngectomy could be related to the deficient nasal airflow and also structural changes in the olfactory epithelium that takes some time to occur postoperative