Evaluation of nasal mucociliary transport rate according to nasal septum deviation type

Nasal septum deviation (NSD) may affect mucociliary activity (MCA) to varying degrees, depending upon the severity of the deviation. We used rhinoscintigraphy to determine the impact of the various NSD types on MCA.

A recent classification describing 6 different forms of NSD was used to standardize the study. Forty-eight subjects were enrolled. Eight patients for each form of NSD were accrued for further study. Rhinoscintigraphy was performed using technetium 99m macroaggregated albumin ((99m) Tc-MAA) before and 3 months after surgery. Nasal mucociliary transport rate (NMTR), the half-time of (99m) Tc-MAA activity, and clearance rate over a 20-minute period were compared between groups.

Preoperative NMTR and clearance rates were significantly lower and half-time was significantly longer in types 4 and 6 than in the other groups. Although the postoperative NMTR and clearance rates increased compared with preoperative values in all groups, the increase was significant only in types 2, 4, and 6. The postoperative half-time increased significantly compared with the preoperative values in types 2, 4, and 6. The postoperative rhinoscintigraphy evaluation revealed no significant differences among groups in NMTR, half-time, or clearance rate.

NSD types 4 and 6 had lower preoperative NMTR and clearance rates and a longer half-time compared with the other groups. However, the postoperative values of these parameters were not significantly different among groups. Our results indicate that NSD types 4 and 6 had the greatest impact on MCA, suggesting that these patients may receive the maximum benefit from septoplasty.