The effect of nasal patency on the clearance of radiolabeled saline in healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nasal cavity patency on the penetration, deposition, and clearance of an aqueous isotonic saline solution.


METHODS
The study was carried out as a single center, open, randomized, 2-way cross-over in healthy volunteers. Nasal patency was assessed using misting patterns on a cold metal surface at the beginning and end of study. 100 microl of technetium-99m radiolabeled saline solution was introduced into either the most or least patent nasal cavity using a purpose designed spray device. The distribution and residence time of the radiolabel was followed for 2 hours using gamma scintigraphy.


RESULTS
The mean times to 50% clearance were 34+/-7 and 28+/-12 minutes (+/- s.d.) for the side view of the least and most patent nasal cavity respectively. Total clearance of the radiolabelled saline from the nose was not affected by patency. Between 7 and 35% of the radiolabelled saline solution remained in the nasal cavity at the end of imaging. Using endoscopy to track the clearance of an aqueous solution of food dye using the same delivery procedure, identified this region as hair in the nasal vestibule. The dye was seen to dry in this region along with the mucus.


CONCLUSIONS
Nasal patency affects the initial, but not total clearance of solutions, however, the remaining solution may not be available for drug delivery.
Washington
N
N
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Scotland.
McGlashan
J A
JA
Jackson
S J
SJ
Bush
D
D
Pitt
K G
KG
Rawlins
D A
DA
Gill
D A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D012965:Sodium Chloride