Reflectance spectrophotometric studies on mucosal pathology of the upper airway

Reflectance spectrophotometry analysis has been applied to the human nasal mucosa in vivo to determine the objective parameters of the colors of the mucous membrane, as well as to study the hemodynamics and enzymatic activities related to respiratory chain metabolism in the nasal mucosa. In 24 normal subjects, there were three main spectral peaks: the peak at around 500 nm (PI), the smallest at 560 nm (P2) and the highest one at 660 nm (P3). In 28 patients with nasal allergy, spectral P3 shifted remarkably toward the shorter wavelength at around 640 nm, compared to that of normal subjects. Additionally, the increment of the absorption band at P2 was also observed. These phenomena could be seen in the nasal mucosa of the subjects after use of decongestant spray. Reflectance spectrophotometric analysis will serve as a non-invasive method of giving us useful information for a further understanding of the mucosal pathophysiology of the upper airway.