Blood Flow with 133 Xe in Human Nasal Mucosa in Relation to Age, Sex and Body Position

The blood flow in human nasal mucosa was determined using the 133Xe wash-out method in 80 subjects of both sexes. The blood flow was estimated to (mean +/- SD) 33 +/- 10 ml . min-1 . (100 g)-1. A correlation was found between decreasing blood flow and increasing age. There was no difference between the sexes. The blood flow was significantly decreased in the sitting position compared to the supine position. In repeated determinations, the first recording did not disturb the second one 15 to 60 min later. The coefficient of variation was estimated to 22%. The investigation gives reference values for further studies of the blood flow in the human nasal mucosa.