Deposition of aerosols delivered by nasal route with jet and mesh nebulizers

Abstract

Purpose To quantify the amount of aerosol deposited in different parts of the airways with a commercially available nasal sonic jet nebulizer (NJN) using a sound effect, and to compare its performance with a new nasal mesh nebulizer (NMN). Methods Seven healthy non-smoking male volunteers aged 21–36 years with a mean weight of 77 ± 10 kg were included in this single-center study. Both nebulizer systems were loaded with 99mTc-DTPA and scintigraphies were performed with a gamma camera. Particle size distribution of the aerosols produced by the two nebulizer systems was measured. Results There was no statistical difference between the two nebulizers in terms of fraction of particles smaller than 5 μm (44 ± 4% vs 45 ± 2%) ( p > 0.9). Aerosol deposition in the nasal region was 73 ± 10% (% of aerosol deposited in airways) with the NJN, and 99 ± 3% with the NMN ( p = 0.01). Total nasal deposition was 9.6 ± 1.9% of the nebulizer charge with the NJN and 28.4 ± 8.9% with the NMN ( p = 0.01). 0.5 ± 0.3% of the nebulizer charge was deposited in the maxillary sinuses with the NJN, compared to 2.2 ± 1.6% with the NMN ( p = 0.01). Conclusion Although the two nebulizers had the same particle size, NMN significantly improved aerosol deposition in nasal cavity and prevents deposition into the lungs.