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Blood flow in the rabbit maxillary sinus mucosa during experimentally induced acute sinusitis
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge Sjukhus, Sweden.
Abstract:
The blood flow in the maxillary sinus mucosa was studied in 35 New Zealand White rabbits. The blood flow measurements were made by two methods, one with use of Rb86Cl and the other with 15 microns Sn113-labelled microspheres. With the Rb86Cl method the blood flow of the infected sinus mucosa was about 0.8 ml x min-1 x g-1 when correction was made for radioactivity in the secretion. The radioactivity found in the secretion probably reflects an increase both in vascular and mucosal permeability and in blood flow. When microspheres labelled with Sn113 were used, the mean mucosal blood flow in the presence of sinusitis was found to be 0.83 +/- 0.56 ml x min-1 x g-1. This blood flow was significantly higher than on the control side. In a control series, mere blocking of the ostium did not significantly alter the blood flow in the sinus mucosa.
Insights
Sinusitis significantly increases blood flow in the maxillary sinus mucosa, as measured by Rb86Cl and Sn113-labelled microspheres in rabbits. Ostium blockage alone did not affect blood flow.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Medical Physiology
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Maxillary sinusitis is a common condition affecting the sinuses.
- Understanding mucosal blood flow changes is crucial for diagnosing and treating sinusitis.
- Previous studies have not definitively quantified blood flow alterations in sinusitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify blood flow in the maxillary sinus mucosa during sinusitis.
- To compare blood flow in infected versus healthy sinus mucosa.
- To evaluate the effect of ostium blockage on sinus mucosal blood flow.
Main Methods:
- Blood flow was measured in 35 New Zealand White rabbits using two methods: Rubidium-86 chloride (Rb86Cl) and Tin-113 (Sn113)-labelled microspheres.
- Radioactivity in secretions was accounted for in Rb86Cl measurements.
- A control group with blocked ostia was included.
Main Results:
- Rb86Cl method indicated a blood flow of approximately 0.8 ml/min/g in infected sinus mucosa, accounting for secretion radioactivity.
- Sn113-labelled microspheres revealed a significantly higher mean mucosal blood flow of 0.83 +/- 0.56 ml/min/g in sinusitis compared to the control side.
- Simple ostium blockage did not significantly alter sinus mucosal blood flow.
Conclusions:
- Sinusitis leads to a significant increase in maxillary sinus mucosal blood flow.
- Increased vascular and mucosal permeability, alongside elevated blood flow, likely contribute to observed radioactivity in secretions.
- Blood flow measurements provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of maxillary sinusitis.