Validation of anatomical models to study aerosol deposition in human nasal cavities.
OBJECTIVE
Intranasal deposition of aerosols is often studied using in vitro nasal cavity models. However, the relevance of these models to predict in vivo human deposition has not been validated. This study compared in vivo nasal aerosol deposition and in vitro deposition in a human plastinated head model (NC1) and its replica constructed from CT-scan (NC2).


METHODS
Two nebulizers (Atomisor Sonique® and Easynose®) were used to administer a 5.6 μm aerosol of (99m)Tc-DTPA to seven healthy volunteers and to the nasal models. Aerosol deposition was quantified by γ-scintigraphy in the nasal, upper nasal cavity and maxillary sinus (MS) regions. The distribution of aerosol deposition was determined along three nasal cavity axes (x, y and z).


RESULTS
There was no significant difference regarding aerosol deposition between the volunteers and NC1. Aerosol deposition was significantly lower in NC2 than in volunteers regarding nasal region (p < 0.05) but was similar for the upper nasal cavity and MS regions. Mean aerosol distribution for NC1 came within the standard deviation (SD) of in vivo distribution, whereas that of NC2 was outside the in vivo SD for x and y axes.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, nasal models can be used to predict aerosol deposition produced by nebulizers, but their performance depends on their design.
DTF-Aerodrug, Faculté de Médecine, Bâtiment M, 10 ter bd Tonnellé, F-37032, Tours, France.
Sandrine
S
Le Guellec
Deborah
D
Le Pennec
Stephane
S
Gatier
Lara
L
Leclerc
Maria
M
Cabrera
Jeremie
J
Pourchez
Patrice
P
Diot
Gregory
G
Reychler
Laurent
L
Pitance
Marc
M
Durand
François
F
Jamar
Laurent
L
Vecellio
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D059085:Nasal Sprays; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D000336:Aerosols; D059085:Nasal Sprays; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate