Different swelling mechanisms in nasal septum (Kiesselbach area) and inferior turbinate responses to histamine: an optical rhinometric study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the inferior turbinate, which contains swelling bodies, and the nasal septum (Kiesselbach area), characterized by a dense arterial mesh, exhibit different swelling mechanisms in allergic nasal reactions.


METHODS
Two optical rhinometers were used to examine 11 patients in the clinic. Optical rhinometry is based on the transillumination of the nasal septum and inferior turbinate or the whole nose with monochromatic light. The instrument's wavelength can be adjusted to the absorption characteristics of reduced hemoglobin, oxygen-saturated hemoglobin, and water.


METHODS
Outpatient university otolaryngology clinic.


METHODS
Eleven young, healthy, nonsmoking, nonpregnant subjects (6 men and 5 women), mean age, 32.4 years (age range, 27-37 years), with no history of exposure to toxic substances, allergies, or other significant diseases.


METHODS
Optic rhinometry evaluation during the course of nasal histamine administration.


METHODS
Light extinction at various wavelengths.


RESULTS
Following administration of histamine, in the nasal septum, the wavelength of 950 nm (edema) showed the strongest increase of light extinction; in the inferior turbinate, it was the wavelength of 786 nm (oxygenated hemoglobin). In the whole nose, the wavelength of 880 nm (edema plus hemoglobin) exhibited the largest increase of extinction.


CONCLUSIONS
Swelling of the nasal septum (Kiesselbach area) in nasal allergic reactions is caused mainly by edema, whereas swelling of the inferior turbinate is due mainly to an increase in volume of blood that is highly saturated with oxygen. Swelling of the whole nose is characterized by the combination of both, edema and increase in blood volume.
Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Universitätsklinik, Dresden, Germany. eike.wuestenberg@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Eike G
EG
Wüstenberg
Mandy
M
Scheibe
Thomas
T
Zahnert
Thomas
T
Hummel
D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D014420:Turbinates / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*
D006632:Histamine