[Normal values of nasal mucociliary clearance. Comparison of various techniques and substances]

We have study the nasal mucociliary clearance in 150 normal persons. Four methods have been used: vegetable charcoal powder, saccharin, seroalbumine-Tc99m and pertechnetate-Tc99m. The time and speed of mucociliary nasal transport are related to the solubility of the tracer. The insoluble substances have a faster transport. The mean transport time for charcoal powder is 8.3 +/- 2.6 min. and for the saccharin is 17.4 +/- 5.5 min. The mean velocity for seroalbumine is 8 +/- 1.8 mm/min. and for the pertechnetate is 5 +/- 0.2 mm/min.