ABSTRACT
A new method using B-mode and power-Doppler-mode (pD) sonography for the investigation of changes in nasal mucosa swelling and perfusion was developed. The effect of naphazoline (0.25 mg/mL) on the nasal mucosa was visualized and recorded in 1-minute intervals in 40 patients. The effect of normal saline solution was studied in 27 healthy volunteers. The decongestant and normal saline were applied by flooding the anterior nasal cavity. A computer program automatically quantified pD color information. Normal saline solution induced a 4.8 +/- 2.4% increase in perfusion (+/- SEM, n.s.) after 5 minutes. In the naphazoline group, changes in stereometry were measured on B-mode-sequences in 24 (60%) and perfusion changes in 24 participants (60%). In 16 of 40 patients (40%), both stereometry and perfusion were analyzed. After 10 minutes, the septum and inferior turbinate mucosa thickness were reduced by 17 +/- 2.8% (p < 0.001) and 25 +/- 2.6% (p < 0.001). Perfusion of the septum and inferior turbinate mucosa as visualized with pD-sonography decreased by 33 +/- 3.3% (p < 0.001). The reduction of bloodflow induced by naphazoline as visualized with pD-sonography is within the range of perfusion changes found in LDF and Xenon clearance studies. Decongestion of the septum mucosa demonstrates erectile properties of the septum, which may contribute to the increase of nasal patency after nasal decongestion.
Subject(s)
Naphazoline/pharmacology , Nasal Decongestants/pharmacology , Nasal Mucosa/drug effects , Nasal Mucosa/diagnostic imaging , Nasal Septum/drug effects , Nasal Septum/diagnostic imaging , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nasal Mucosa/blood supply , Nasal Septum/blood supply , Time Factors , Transducers , Turbinates/blood supply , Turbinates/diagnostic imaging , Turbinates/drug effects , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/instrumentation , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/methods , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Anatomy and perfusion of the nasal septum and inferior turbinate mucosa can be visualized with B-mode and power-Doppler ultrasound. The transducer is placed externally on the nasal ala parallel to the pyriform crest and directed towards the head of the inferior turbinate of the opposite side. An individually prepared dental splint keeps the transducer in position and allows assessment of dynamic changes in mucosal swelling and perfusion. Perfusion changes are evaluated by computerized quantification of power-Doppler color pixels. Coupling of ultrasound across the nasal lumen is achieved by introducing gel into one nasal vestibule and flooding the anterior nasal cavity of the side to be visualized with isotonic aqueous solutions. Perfusion could be visualized in 23 of 30 subjects, while B-mode sonographic anatomy was visualized in 16 subjects. The effect of isotonic saline solution (10 healthy subjects), naphazoline (10 patients with chronic nasal obstruction) and allergen extracts (10 patients with allergic rhinitis) on mucosal perfusion and swelling was studied. Isotonic saline solution induced a maximum drop in power-Doppler color pixel density by 10% and a maximum increase by 27%, but no change was seen in mucosal swelling. Naphazoline induced a 10-57% decrease in power-Doppler pixel density and decongestion of the inferior turbinate and septum mucosa by 17-43% and 4-27%, respectively. Allergen extracts induced an increase in power-Doppler color pixel density by 24-181% and an increase in mucosal thickness by 4-31%. These preliminary results encourage further studies of nasal mucosal perfusion changes using power-Doppler sonography after pharmacologic and allergen provocations.
