Mechanisms of mucociliary dysfunction in chronic airway diseases

Nasal mucus was collected from 38 patients with chronic sinusitis and then, nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) was determined. MCC was normal in 16 patients and decelerated in 22 patients. Mucociliary transport rate of the nasal mucus from these subjects on the flog palate was not significantly different between these two groups. The Quantitative electron microscopic study revealed that cilia of the nasal mucosa were not injured. Results indicate that other factors than rheological properties of the mucus and cilia may contribute to the mucociliary dysfunction in chronic sinusitis