Survival Time of Nasal Mucous Membrane Ciliated Cells: a Preliminary Study of Cytological Examination by Phase-contrast Microscopy

The relevant recurrence of rhinosinusal infections, which are often complicated by a local involvement (e.g. middle ear, pharynx) (1) and/or a distal one (e.g. lower respiratory tract) (2) may suggest a dysfunction of the muco-ciliary system, mainly in the absence of an evident etiology (anatomical malformations, allergy etc.) (3). However, a complex diagnostic pathway is needed to demonstrate the muco-ciliary dysfunction (4-6). Over time, direct investigations of ciliary activity have been the subject of research by numerous authors who have tried to establish the dynamic and physiological parameters of the ciliate movement (rate, beat phases, metachronous ciliary beat, critical temperature of ciliate stasis, etc.) and to classify the different ciliary alterations on the basis of etiologic factors (e.g. primary ciliary dyskinesia) (1-18). Research procedures used to this end often call for the use of very expensive and complex equipment (cine-machinery connected to stroboscopes and oscilloscopes) (15-17, 19-20) which unfortunately have not proven to be of any real or practical clinical use. Consequently, researchers have turned their attention to indirect study procedures of ciliary motility, which are eminently clinical, undoubtedly easier to perform and relatively less expensive. Of these, muco-ciliary transport (TMC) represents the most used method in the rhinological field (21). Although, it provides some useful information, it does not allow to establish whether the impaired The observation of the ciliated cell dynamics by phase-contrast microscope has allowed a profound study of some parameters of the cellular components. The aim of this preliminary study is to assess the surviving time of ciliary cells using the phase-contrast microscope. Nasal cytology was carried out on 50 healthy volunteers. The ciliary beat time was assessed by a video-camera connected with a PC. The time of ciliary beat persistence was extraordinarily long (mean 210 minutes, with range 74 -1260). The ciliary activity remained valid as rhythm, synchronism and metachronality. In conclusion, this preliminary study demonstrated that cilia has an energetic autonomy of great importance, able to allow a valid functional activity also in the case of partial sufferance of the cellular unit. SURVIVAL TIME OF NASAL MUCOUS MEMBRANE CILIATED CELLS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF CYTOLOGICAL EXAMINATION BY PHASE-CONTRAST MICROSCOPY