Laser-Doppler blood flowmetry measurement of nasal mucosa blood flow after injection of the greater palatine canal.
Laser-Doppler blood flowmetry was used to measure the mucosal blood flow of the inferior turbinate before and after injection of the greater palatine canal with 2 ml of a 0.5 per cent bupivicaine hydrochloride solution. Injection of the greater palatine canal is a useful technique in the control of posterior epistaxis. The arterial blood supply to the inferior turbinate is via a single descending branch of the sphenopalatine artery. We conjectured that injection of the pterygopalatine fossa, via the greater palatine canal, would result in a reduction of blood flow to the inferior turbinate. In this study injection of the pterygopalatine fossa caused only a 4.7 per cent decrease in blood flow to the inferior turbinate mucosa (p = 0.571). Elevation of the head by an angle of 20 degrees reduced nasal mucosal blood flow by 38.3 per cent (p < 0.0001). Depression of the head by an angle of 20 degrees increased nasal mucosal blood flow by 74.7 per cent (p < 0.0001). We conclude that there is an adequate collateral blood circulation to the anterior portion of the inferior turbinate.
Gurr
P
P
Department of Otolaryngology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
Callanan
V
V
Baldwin
D
D
D000328:Adult; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D010159:Palate / Q000098:blood supply; D011187:Posture; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
D002045:Bupivacaine