Nasal mucociliary clearance after radiation therapy

• Published in: The Laryngoscope Vol. 105; no. 4 Pt 1; p. 380
• Main Authors: Stringer, S P, Stiles, W, Slattery, 3rd, W H, Krumerman, J, Parsons, J T, Mendenhall, W M, Cassisi, N J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-04-1995
• Subjects: Administration, Intranasal; Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Facial Pain - etiology; Female; Humans; Male; Mucociliary Clearance - physiology; Mucociliary Clearance - radiation effects; Nasal Cavity - radiation effects; Nasal Mucosa - metabolism; Nasal Mucosa - radiation effects; Nasal Mucosa - secretion; Nose Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Radiation Injuries - etiology; Radiotherapy - adverse effects; Rhinitis - etiology; Saccharin - administration & dosage; Saccharin - metabolism; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0023-852X
• DOI: 10.1288/00005537-199504000-00008

Irradiation has been demonstrated to cause decreased mucociliary clearance in animal models. We sought to verify this effect clinically by using the saccharin transport test to evaluate nasal mucociliary clearance in 9 patients previously treated with radiation therapy to the nasal cavity. The patients also completed a questionnaire examining the prevalence of nasal symptoms before and after radiation therapy. Patients who received radiation therapy had no clearance of saccharin from the nasal cavity at a minimum of 20 minutes. The controls had a median clearance time of 5 minutes. The patients noted a higher prevalence of nasal congestion, drainage, and facial pain after radiation therapy. This study demonstrates that radiation therapy to the nasal cavity causes a decrease in nasal mucociliary clearance. This alteration should be considered when selecting therapy for malignancies in the nasal area.