Experimental studies of the ventilation of the maxillary sinus (Part 2)

A mucosal disfunction and inadequate ventilation may cause paranasal sinusitis. We made an experimental device and measured differential pressures between the nasal cavity and the maxillary sinus by using our new hydrodynamic technique in a previous study. Now, our new device has two openings, they were regarded one as the ostium, and the other as counter opening. We measured differential pressures between the nasal cavity and the maxillary sinus by the same technique. The differential pressures increased with a counter opening, moreover with an enlargement of the maxillary ostium, significantly. We simultaneously measured each pressure, phase of normal breathing and hyperventilation in human subject (male 6, female 2). 5 patients were made a counter opening by operation. In the results these pressures were compared between normal breathing and hyperventilation, thery were recognized as significant increase (p<0.05). It was suggested that the ventilation increased the differential pressure between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses, as increasing the flow rate of the nasal cavity. When the respiration frequency is increased the exchange rate of the paranasal sinuses also increased. From these results, it is considered that flow conditions through the nose might affect changing pressure in the maxillary sinus. It may be desirable to increase the air flow rate in the nasal cavity, and to make a large enough of the maxillary ostium and the counter opening in order to introduce a number of aerosol particles inside of the paranasal sinuses.