Nasal mucociliary clearance in patients with secretory otitis media

ABSTRACT

Impaired mucociliary function of respiratory tract mucosa is associated with secretory otitis media in some well recognized syndromes. In this study using the saccharin method, nasal mucociliary function has been determined in 3 groups of subjects who were not suffering from any significant nasal problem. Group I is of normal volunteers [number=40], Group II is of patients suffering from bilateral secretory otitis media [n=30], and Group III is of patients suffering from unilateral secretory otitis media [n=10]. In Group I, the mean [ +/- SD] value of saccharine transport time was 17.8 +/- 4.5 while it is 47.8 +/- 8 in group II, but in Group III there is a difference in saccharine transport time between right and left sides where it is slower at the side of the affected ears and normal at the side of the non-affected ears. So, from this study it has been concluded that there is a positive correlation between mucociliary function of the nasal and middle ear cleft mucosa