Rheological and Transport Properties of Middle Ear Effusions from Cleft Palate Patients

Abstract

Middle ear q'fusz'ons represent respiratory secretions which are physiologically important to functional mucociliary transport systems. Knowledge of middle ear mucus and methods of facilitating clearance continue to be important to cleft palate patients. Middle ear mucus was collected from cleft palate children before surgical correction. After dialyzing and lyophilizing, this mucus was reconstituted at various nondialyzable solids (NDS) concentrations in Tris-Cl buffer. A physiochemical study was then under— taken since a mucociliary transport defect leading to serous otitis media is an etiologic possibility. The oiseoelastz'c properties of reconstituted middle ear mucus were determined using a magnetic microrheometer. The relationship to nondialyzable solids concentrations is described. The mucociliary transport rate as a function of NDS concentrations was recorded on the toad palate model. Results suggest a maximum transport rate at a specific NDS concentration. The viscoelastic properties also correlate well with the mucociliary transport rate. These may have clinical and theraputic relevance.