Table 5 Comparison of different techniques
Method | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
Nasal blown secretions | - easy to perform | - subject must be able to blow nose - no information about mucosa |
Nasal lavage | - easy to perform - luminal proteins, cells, mediators and cytokines | - reliability depends ability of subject to close nasopharynx - dilution of mediators and cytokines - variable recovery of fluid - no information about mucosa |
Sinus packs or filter paper | - no/limited dilution of mediators | - may irritate the nose - cannot collect cells - no information about mucosa - more difficult than lavage |
Microsuction technique | - no dilution of mediators | - representative sample? - technically difficult - cannot collect cells - no information about mucosa |
Nasal brush | - sample of epithelium | - no sample of deeper layers - no information about nasal lumen - technically more difficult |
Nasal scraping | - sample of epithelium | - no sample of deeper layers - no information about nasal lumen - technically more difficult |
Nasal NO | - non-invasive | - measure of inflammation and blockage |
Nasal biopsy | - sample of total nasal mucosa | - no information about nasal lumen - technically difficult |