Study of surfactant level in cases of primary atrophic rhinitis

The surfactant system of the nose was examined biochemically in control cases and compared to cases of primary atrophic rhinitis. The study group included 25 cases with primary atrophic rhinitis compared to 10 normal volunteers. Biochemical analysis of the nasal aspirate in these cases revealed the presence of phospholipids constituting surfactant with phosphatidylcholine constituting 75.35 per cent of the total phospholipids. Biochemical analysis of the nasal aspirate in cases with primary atrophic rhinitis revealed a significant decrease in the total phospholipids compared to normal cases and also a significant change in the phospholipid profile. Thus significant biochemical changes in the surfactant system of the nose is an evident and early finding in cases of primary atrophic rhinitis. This suggests a possible role for surfactant deficiency in the aetiopathogenesis of cases of primary atrophic rhinitis.