Intranasal administration of drugs.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate how nasally applied substances distribute in the nose depending on the form of application.


METHODS
Observer-blinded study.


METHODS
University hospital research unit.


METHODS
Fifteen healthy volunteers aged 22 to 32 years.


METHODS
Forms of application included (1) nasal drops applied with a pipette, (2) nasal spray, and (3) a system producing squirts. Blue food dye was used to visualize the intranasal distribution of the liquid. The investigation was performed using nasal endoscopy.


METHODS
Intranasal distribution of the dye was judged by 2 independent observers blinded to the applicator system used.


RESULTS
The nasal drops predominantly reached the nasal floor. The nasal spray was widely distributed in the nasal mucosa; however, most of it was intercepted by the middle turbinate and did not reach the olfactory cleft effectively. Using the squirt system, the olfactory cleft was reached in most participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Previous failure of therapy with locally applied drugs in the case of sinonasal smell disorders may be partly due to the fact that the drugs did not reach the olfactory cleft when using traditional forms of application (ie, sprays). However, using an applicator producing squirts seems likely to present the drugs more effectively to the olfactory epithelium. Thus, it may be hypothesized that therapy could be more effective using a squirt system.
Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Mandy
M
Scheibe
Christopher
C
Bethge
Martin
M
Witt
Thomas
T
Hummel
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D000336:Aerosols; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions