Saccharin Test of Maxillary Sinus Mucociliary Function After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the usefulness of the saccharin time (ST) test for evaluating the mucociliary function of the maxillary sinus after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic sinusitis. Study De· sign: Methods: This study was conducted on 88 maxillary sinuses of 74 patients after ESS. The maxillary sinus fontanel was broadly opene d via the middle meatus using an endoscope, and a saccharin granule was adhered to the bottom of the maxillary sinus mucosa. The time until the patient recognized the sweet taste was recorded. Before the ST test, the bilateral maxillary sinuses were classified into the following four groups on the basis of the post-ESS severity of mucosal edema and swelling as revealed by endoscopic observation: normal (45 sinuses), mild mucosa} edema and swelling (24), moderate mucosal finding (14), and severe mucosal finding or filling of the sinus with a polyp(s) (5). Results: The mean ST values in the normal group and the groups with mild, moderate, and severe mucosal edema and swelling were 35.7, 38.1, 63.6, and 88.0 minutes, respectively. Thus the ST increased with the post-ESS severity of the mucosal lesion. However, for the group with mild mucosal edema and swelling, scanning electron microscopic observation of three maxillary sinuses in which the ST exceeded 120 minutes and four sinuses in which the ST was 40 minutes revealed extensive cilia loss in the former sinuses, but not in the latter. A second post-ESS endoscopic observation was performed in 17 patients, revealing improvement in 11 sinuses, no change in 5 sinuses, and aggravation in 1 sinus (compared with the initial test). The ST test was also repeated, revealing that the ST became shorter in most of the endoscopically improved sinus group. However, a few sinuses showed a discrepancy between the change in the endoscopic findings and the ciliary function (ST). Conclusion: Measurement of the maxil- lary sinus ST is a simple, accurate, and u seful technique for assessing the post-ESS mucociliary function in conjunction with e ndoscopy, and the information gained can help in deciding subsequent therapy.

The Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Activity After Septoplasty and External Septorhinoplasty

“…There are several methods to evaluate MCC either directly or indirectly methods, the saccharine test is a simple, safe, reliable and cheap method which is used by many researchers to measure the MCC. In a study, it has been stated that normal saccharine clearance time (SCT) is 7-15 min, higher than 20 min is pathologic [3].…”

Combined Occurrence of Alström Syndrome and Bronchiectasis

“…If saccharin clearance time is longer than 20 minutes, it shows the pathology of mucociliary clearance. 12 The saccharin test of our patient was positive. Our patient' s saccharin test result was 50 minutes.…”

The Effect of Passive and Active Smoking on Nasal Mucociliary Clerarance Time

“…Normal mucociliary transit time in humans has been reported to be 12 to 15 min. Prolonged transit times are considered to be impaired mucociliary clearance that may lead up to longterm respiratory tract diseases, sinonasal and middle ear infections [11]. There are various factors effecting mucociliary clearance time such as temperature, moisture, partial oxygen pressure , pH, cigarette and various inhalation agents; anatomic barriers as septum deviation, adenoid hypertrophy and systemic diseases such as viral infections, chronic sinusitis, chronic and allergic rhinitis, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis and diabetes mellitus [2,3,12].…”