Exhaled and nasal nitric oxide in laryngectomized patients

Kramer, Matthias F.; Olzowy, Bernhard; Bihler, Annette; Motte, Dorothea de la; Nowak, Dennis ; Jörres, Rudolf A. and Dressel, Holger (2010): Exhaled and nasal nitric oxide in laryngectomized patients. In: BMC Pulmonary Medicine 10:4

Abstract

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) shows differing concentrations in lower and upper airways. Patients after total laryngectomy are the only individuals, in whom a complete separation of upper and lower airways is guaranteed. Thus the objective of our study was to assess exhaled and nasal NO in these patients. Methods: Exhaled bronchial NO (FENO) and nasal nitric oxide (nNO) were measured in patients after total laryngectomy (n = 14) and healthy controls (n = 24). To assess lung function we additionally performed spirometry. Co-factors possibly influencing NO, such as smoking, infections, and atopy were excluded. Results: There was a markedly (p < 0.001) lower FENO in patients after total laryngectomy (median (range): 4 (1-22) ppb) compared to healthy controls 21 (9-41) ppb). In contrast, nNO was comparable between groups (1368 versus 1380 in controls) but showed higher variability in subjects after laryngectomy. Conclusions: Our data suggest that either bronchial NO production in patients who underwent laryngectomy is very low, possibly due to alterations of the mucosa or oxidant production/inflammation, or that substantial contributions to FENO arise from the larynx, pharynx and mouth, raising FENO despite velum closure. The data fit to those indicating a substantial contribution to FENO by the mouth in healthy subjects. The broader range of nNO values found in subjects after laryngectomy may indicate chronic alteration or oligo-symptomatic inflammation of nasal mucosa, as frequently found after total laryngectomy.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Faculties: Medicine > Institute and Polyclinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine; Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Clinic and Polyclinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Otolaryngology
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 1471-2466
• Language: English