摘要：Aim: The aim of the study was to develop a radiological model for visual assessment of morphology and function of the upper and lower airways’ ciliated epithelium and the whole mucociliary clearance in healthy subjects and in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.Methods: We examined 65 patients at the age of 36-87 of whom 26 subjects were with limited lung lesions and normal airway mucosa, as the control group, and 39 - with extended lung lesions due to tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or lung cancer, as the study group. The airway mucosa functional activity was investigated by spray coating of tantalum microparticles.Results: In the control group, the time of complete clearance was from 15 to 20 min in larynx and pharynx, 45 to 60 min in trachea and from 1-3 to 20-24 h in bronchi. Bronchial particles clearance was decreased in the study group. The airway clearance disturbance was considered as moderate in patients with acute inflammation such as in tuberculosis, nonspecific pneumonia, acute bronchitis, etc., severe - in patients with chronic bronchial and pulmonary diseases such as tuberculosis pulmonum fibrosa cavernosa, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and very severe - in patients with lung cancer. The clearance time in patients with these diseases was ranged from 24 to 48 h, from 48 to 72 h and ≥ 72 h, respectively.Conclusion: Normally, the airway clearance rate is in 60-65 times lower in the small airways than in the upper airways (pharynx and larynx). Local clearance disturbance caused by tobacco smoking, pollutants, etc., greatly decreases bronchial mucus transport and prolongs the complete airway clearance time that could provide occurrence and progression of inflammatory and malignant pulmonary diseases.
关键词：trachea; bronchi; mucociliary clearance; tantalum microparticles; risk zones; radiological model
