The Impact of the Measuring Distance on Laser-Doppler Measurements of the Micro-circulation in Human Nasal Mucosa

Abstract

Fourteen healthy volunteers were examined using rhinostereometry (RSM) and micromanipulator-guided laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) on the inferior turbinate and nasal septum. There were significant differences of the flowmetry readings at different distances from the mucosal surface within 0–1.0 mm. Changes in LDF values due to a change in distance between probe and mucosa seem to be an important artefact that will influence the flowmetry, especially if the probe is fixed to the framework of the nose (i.e. the skull) and if the congestive status of the mucosa changes. This can be a problem especially during intranasal challenges with substances that influence congestion. These artefacts can be eliminated by using an RSM-guided micromanipulator that allows the probe to follow changes in congestion.

Assessment of Upper Respiratory Tract and Ocular Irritative Effects of Volatile Chemicals in Humans

“…272 Use of the Doppler probe in the nose requires some important modifications, however, including a special probe, a stable support system and restraints in order to ensure that measurements assess the same microvascular field. 273 Because spontaneous fluctuations in NMBF or habituation-like decreases of 10-15% can occur, Druce (1984) has recommended that only NMBF changes in excess of 15% be considered reliable. 274 Although LDV holds considerable promise as an objective technique for measuring local irritant responses in the nose, most studies to date employing LDV have examined changes in NMBF following exposure to pharmacologic agents or histamines.…”

Intranasal Histamine Challenge in Normal Subjects and Allergic Rhinitis before and after Intranasal Budesonide Studied with Rhinostereometry and Micromanipulator-Guided Laser D oppler Flowmetry

“…Using this technique we studied the impact of the distance between probe tip and mucosal surface [5]. We concluded that the LDF values were influenced by the measuring distance from the probe end to the mucosal surface.…”

Nasal mucosal histamine reactivity among teachers six years after working in a moisture-damaged school

“…We used a specially designed micromanipulator-guided probe for the flowmetry measurements. It was positioned approximately 0.3 millimeters from the medial surface of the inferior turbinate (16). A rhinostereometer equipped with the micromanipulator (Rhinomed, Sweden) was used to combine laser-Doppler flowmetry and rhinostereometry.…”