Quantitative measurements of radioactive isotopes in human nasal secretion

Four patients receiving an intravenous injection of 99mTc-pertechnetate were investigated concerning transfer of the radioisotope to the nasal secretion. The concentration of isotope in nasal secretion was in all patients found to be approximately 10 times higher than in blood. The results suggest an active transport mechanism in the glandular elements of the nasal mucosa and that they are important as source of nasal secretion during normal conditions.