title: Absence of pulmonary aspiration of sinus contents in patients with asthma and sinusitis.
abstract: The frequent association of asthma and paranasal sinusitis has been ascribed to a nasobronchial reflex, aspiration of sinus secretions, or enhanced beta-adrenergic blockade. We investigated possible pulmonary aspiration in a pilot study (eight patients) and follow-up study (13 patients) by means of a radionuclide technique. In the pilot study, the aim was to demonstrate aspiration as well as visibility of the radionuclide in the thorax during a period of 24 hours. The radionuclide was initially placed bronchoscopically in the bronchial tree in four patients and was still clearly visible in the same position after 24 hours in three patients. Aspiration from the nasopharynx was unequivocally demonstrated in two of four patients with depressed consciousness. The follow-up study population consisted of four patients with maxillary sinusitis only and nine patients with sinusitis and asthma. The radionuclide was placed in a maxillary sinus during therapeutic puncture. In the patients with only sinusitis as well as patients with asthma and sinusitis the radionuclide could be demonstrated in the maxillary sinus, nasopharynx, esophagus, and lower gastrointestinal tract during a 24-hour period. However, no pulmonary aspiration of radionuclide could be demonstrated in any patient. We conclude that seeding of the lower airways by mucopurulent secretions is unlikely to account for coexistent pulmonary disease. The association is probably related to generalized mucosal disease affecting both upper and lower airways.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Clinic, University of Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bardin
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Van Heerden
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Joubert
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003102:Colloids; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008863:Microspheres; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012119:Respiration; D013667:Technetium; D017556:Technetium Compounds; D013997:Time Factors; D014001:Tin; D017971:Tin Compounds
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D017556:Technetium Compounds; D017971:Tin Compounds; C033493:technetium Tc 99m tin colloid; D013667:Technetium; D014001:Tin